Opinion: The AU is between a rock and a hard place…

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) which became what we now know as the African Union (AU) is far from successful. The ideals of the organization and what it wanted to accomplish is vastly different than how it operates today.

The AU isn’t as significant as it could be and neither does it help its own causes either. The lack of mandate and lack of due process hurts the AU as well. They have monitoring missions and hybrid missions with other multi-national organizations like the United Nations. However, you cannot say that they have given a lot of fruits either.

So, yesterdays fanfare of 60 years and an Africa Day is hard to stomach. Yes, the pride and justification of it is within reason. However, you cannot live on ego and ambition. An organization like the AU lives on the accomplishments and achievements. The AU lives on the merits and the proof of value. There is little value for the money and little to show for it.

The AU could have made a difference, but it tends not to. It rather plays for the headlines and only counter-acts when the villages are burning. Never ever seen it comes in early or even tries to mediate before the gun-smoke. No, people must die, and people have to suffer before AU comes knocking.

It isn’t strange it has come to this. The AU is beholden the members and the Heads of State. So, the membership is deciding and giving its mandate. The AU got to respect and honour the member states. Though it is not helping the citizens or the ones residing there. The AU tends to help the President’s and the ruling regimes first. They defend the dictators and the tyrants before considering the implications on the population at large. Later when the big men are falling, the AU condemns and begs for peace. That’s what it does and especially if a soldier or a military leader topples an unfavourable character. This has happened countless of times and the scenario repeats itself.

It is hard to stand by and watch the AU. The AU is toothless and without any sort of moral backbone. It is just a vassal enterprise to flaunt “diplomacy” and possible “dialogue” but never any progress or sustainable achievements. No, it is an organization that shields, shelter and secures the ones in office. It isn’t standing up for the rights of the oppressed or the ones who are suffering. No, that is someone else’s business to do.

I wish I could have written a positive and acknowledge the greatness of the OAU or the AU, as the founders intended it to be. I wish they had done something impactful and sincere in all the years of operations. However, there is little positive significance or proof of that. Instead it is a body that safeguards the ones who are hurting people the most. That’s why the AU isn’t a place of safety or of relief. It is instead a place of megalomaniacs, kleptocrats and tyrants who bash themselves in glory. That was certainly not the idea of it.

The AU has become the club of dictators and tyrants. The place of magnitude and astute privilege for a chosen few. That was not what it wanted to be or what it wanted to achieve, but here we are. Peace.

Tanzania: CCM leaves the Continental Human Rights Court, which is located in Arusha!

The United Republic of Tanzania revoked or withdraw from the African Charter and the Protocol, which states their membership and the possible rights for trying cases from the state its located in. This means the African Court on Human Rights, which was opened in 2004 and based on the “Banjul Protocol” from the year of 1993. Therefore, the Chama Cha Mapundzi (CCM) are leaving the Courts after its been existing for 15 years on its own soil.

That’s why its rich for all other African Countries to ratify and be apart of this, when the one state where the Courts are, doesn’t have a mandate to investigate and follow up cases. As the CCM and the United Republic of Tanzania withdraws from the Court connected to the “Banjul Protocol” on Human Rights. That is how faulty and week it is. As it sent its declaration signed on the 14^th November 2019 and delivered to the African Union by the Permanent Mission to the African Union (AU) on the 21^st November 2019.

This is what stipulation they used:

“4. For any State Party ratifying or acceding subsequently, the present Protocol shall come into force in respect of that State on the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification or accession.

5. The Secretary-General of the OAU shall inform all Member States of the entry into force of the present Protocol.

6. At the time of the ratification of this Protocol or any time thereafter, the State shall make a declaration accepting the competence of the Court to receive cases under article 5 (3) of this Protocol. The Court shall not receive any petition under article 5 (3) involving a State Party which has not made such a declaration. 7. Declarations made under sub-article (6) above shall be deposited with the Secretary-General, who shall transmit copies thereof to the State parties” (Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 1993).

So, now the Tanzanian government withdraw themselves from the Banjul Protocol. They have now left the Court, which is located in Arusha. Until CCM did this, it was 26 countries, where the cases could be heard from here, but now its 25. that is really rich from the President and the government there. It is like the United States withdrawing from the United Nations, which has its Headquarters in New York or the French leaving the European Court of Human Rights, which is located in Strasbourg, France.

The CCM left now and has withdrawn itself from the “Banjul Charter” because this state doesn’t want to answer to their crimes against humanity, against the oppression or their acts which limits the citizens their freedom, liberties and possible opportunities to assemble.

That’s why the CCM leaves this court, because its afraid to answer to their actions against their own. They cannot manage to be questioned or investigated, if any citizen or party petition a case and the Courts cannot investigate, since the state has withdrawn. The Court can do this in 25 states, but not in Tanzania where its located.

This Court should be moved from Arusha, Tanzania. It is located in a Republic where the “Banjul Protocol” is ratified and followed. Because, apparently that is not happening anywhere in the United Republic. That ship has sailed under President Magufuli and his team. Peace.

Communique on the Meeting between the Chairperson of the Commission and the Sahrawi Authorities (24.06.2018)

RSA: EFF Welcomes the Rejection of Morocco to host the FIFA Soccer Wold Cup (12.06.2018)

Opinion: In the mind of Museveni, there is no need for a succession plan, just because…[Insert excuse]!

Again, again and again, he retort and blaze fire to show that he is the only one with a vision, the only one who can run Uganda, because no one else has the capacity he has. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the one who has run the Republic since 1986. Has to understand, even if it is hard, that his isn’t the only leader capable of running the Republic. Even if his deluded mind is destroying that vision, because everyone else makes mistakes and doesn’t do things correctly, so Mr. Sunday can come in and save the day. That is just how it is, and how it has been. Here is a report of what happen at a National Resistance Movement meeting on 20^th December 2017, when the heist of the century occur, as the state and NRM was launching his Life Presidency, though the abolishing the Article 102(b) of the Constitution. Those was the days, and at that day, Mr. President aka Sunday had to defend himself.

“According to an NRM MP who was part of the meeting, Baryayanga waited for Museveni to conclude his speech before he dropped a question that made the president lose his cool. “You have talked about so many things, and we would really want to support you on this [amendment] but in all your statements, you are not talking about the transition; when you intend to leave power yet some of us would want to be President of Uganda. When are you planning to retire?” Baryayanga reportedly asked Museveni” (…) “Museveni shot back; “You Baryayanga? You think you can be president? I don’t want to be president, I am only sacrificing myself for you.” (…) “Soon, he was back to the issue of the presidency. “Baryayanga, you think you can be president? You think you can manage my Generals? You? You?You think you can manage my Generals?! You think you can manage Tumukunde, Muhwezi… you? You?” Museveni asked Baryayanga” (…) “The MP remained silent for a while before he responded, “Your Excellence, with your help, I think I can manage. I am still a young and vibrant man, I really think I can manage.” In response, Museveni said, “Unless those Generals are dead, you can’t manage.” (…) ““I used to see [Godfrey Lukongwa] Binaisa posing around that he is a former president. What impact did he create? Then you see [Kizza] Besigye with walk to work…Besigye can’t be president for even three months,” Museveni said” (Kabuubi, 2018)

We can see that Baryayanga is just asking a fair question, that the President is losing his cool over. Like the paternal leader and eternal God of all, the only one that can manage it all is President Museveni. Mr. Sunday, Mr. The Only Man with a Vision. Couldn’t keep his cool and his temper. Surely, it is tiring to defend himself and always runs to the guns if people oppose him. It is like he thinks he is the only one who understand the NRM 27 Guns and the NRM Historicals and Stalwarts! It is insane, but that is how deluded he is at the moment. That he is the only one with the keys and no one else has the capacity or the strength to turn the door-knob.

Therefore, the President had again to back in history, to revisit the dead, because the ones who used to rule is all gone. He defeated them all and never gave anyone else a chance. Succession is poison to the blood-vessels of Museveni. It is like he thinks he himself will become an issue for a successor, he said it with comparing Godfrey Binaisa with fellow man Paulo Muwanga and Dr. Milton Obote, who all shared the throne during the year of 1980. The year and rigged General Election that brought Mr. Sunday to the Bush. Oooh those where the days. Well, he has to go there, to get legitimacy to still sit on the Throne.

Well, if Besigye cannot rule, who can expect you? What sort of rigged paradigm shifting focus of militarism are you implying Mr. Sunday? Why are you so special? There are nation of leaders and upcoming men, whose not Besigye, who can rule and can delegate people. I am sure they have more than enough skills to push the UPE to the next level and actually get proper use of UNRA and UMEME. Something you are not capable of Mr. President.

The issue is that you have created these Generals, but they will not stop following orders if someone else pays and comforts them. Unless, you give them reason to use the Crime Preventers as a militia and start war-lording against someone else who gets grip of power. Because that is the only thing you know, that is why Gen. Muhoozi, has been in the military and ran the Special Forces Command. To learn the tricks you needed in the 1980s. Oooh, you think we didn’t see this coming, did you?

We are not deluded Mr. President, you are and someone has to say it. I am sitting miles away with no fear. You cannot raid my living-room or touch my mind. But I can tell you, its long gone the time of your retirement. Besigye could run Uganda, Mbabazi could have run Uganda, even Otunnu or Ssemogerere could have been a possible men to become successors. But you have destroyed all of them and rigged yourself in.

I think there would be a learning curve and the need to find their way, they wouldn’t run it like Mr. Sunday, but they would be able to administer and to delegate the priorities needed to be Statesmen. Neither, of them got the ability to even try, so it is all just mere say, because we have no evidence. But we have the long history of mismanagement, patronage and rigging from Museveni. Therefore, it is foolish of him now to not try to sway people, that he has a plan for succession, but his EGO and his deluded mind is in his way. Peace.

Reference:

Kabuubi, Gyagenda – ‘When Museveni told MPs; Besigye can never be president’ 22.04.2018, link: http://intelpostug.com/2018/04/22/museveni-told-mps-besigye-can-never-president/

Opinion: Have Kagame put a spell on the West?

You can wonder if the sins of old haunts the West, if the support and the strategies that worked back-in-the-day is now a lost tale. The hope for change and for a different outcome is gone. President Paul Kagame will run indefinitely and never step down. I don’t know if the West feel in debt for the crisis it didn’t prevent and didn’t manage properly in 1994. Where Kagame together with the rebel-militia supported by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni entered Rwanda. They had already been apart of the National Resistance Army (NRA) and the new government under National Resistance Movement (NRM). Kagame has done the same with the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and made it into a party with the Rwandan Partriotic Front (RPF). Just after the model in Uganda.

Therefore, what you see in Rwanda is similar to what you have seen in Uganda. However, there are difference, that is why the chilling relationship between the neighbors. Kagame has worked closely with Uganda, they have sent armies together in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they have worked together to support the M-23 there too. They have been weapon brothers and brothers in arms. Still, the West let them both go. It is weird, but that is where we are. Both Museveni and Kagame can do whatever and get away it.

Kagame is either detaining or killing his enemies. He is doing it just like the Russian do. Rwandans has been poisoned in the United Kingdom, strange fatal accidents in South Africa, even in exile there are dangers if you have crossed Kagame. No-one is hidden from him and if they did him bad or even questioned him. He will find you and make sure you pay. Everyone can be touched and everyone can be taken.

Kagame has total control, nothing that he doesn’t have a stake in, there are clear that the state is part of all society. If there a dissidents or people questioning him, even if they are challenging him in public. They will be tarnished and detained, their family enterprises will be seized. There is no mercy and he never shows that to anyone.

That is maybe why the Western media, NGOs and States in general are walking on needles, they need the minerals he is thieving from the Kivu provinces and therefore, let him off the hook for the support of militias within the DRC. Let him of the hook for the human rights violations, for the killings of opposition and for the totalitarian activities. Where no one but his will matters. Kagame is the king and the sun first shines on him.

We should be worried, because he doesn’t lack use of violence and harassment, he hurts and kills. He might be successful to a certain extent, but we should be worried about the efforts and his involvement across the border. There are even claims of his use of spies and such in Burundi. Clearly, that could be the truth, since he has used all sort of manipulation and militias to get funding from abroad. Therefore, it is weird he is a donor friendly person, but also someone who has no issues with silencing his enemies. That should be worrying and that should cut him off the gravy-train, also sanction the companies that are importing his conflict minerals. Peace.

Opinion: The UPM’s Aims and Objectives are grand, but did Museveni deliver them?

During the last few days, don’t remember when, but Moses Byamugisha on Social Media showed two pictures, which is a part of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) Membership Card from 1980. This is the first party of now President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. It might seem as forgotten past, a past that we should just forgot, but I can’t, it is certain proof of important words and ideas, that still should be worked for. UPM and the agenda that Museveni worked for back-then. Is still worth doing today, even if President Museveni is just working for himself and his cronies. Not working for the betterment of society, that part of him is already gone.

I will first list of the ‘Aims and Objectives’ of the UPM Membership Card. Its 16 points, which seems like points, the Republic still needs and should work for.

16 Points:

1. Unity

2. Democracy

3. National Independence

4. Social Progress

5. Clean Leadership

6. Peace, Security and tranquility

7. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the nation

8. National Common Language

9. Workers and Peasants participation in the decisions making process of the Party and State machinery

10. Building of a proper defence and security systems

11. Encourage and sustain collective leadership

12. Create condition that will make every citizens have a right to education and medical care

13. Follow and adhere to a policy of a viable mixed autonomy for Uganda

14. Follow a policy of non alignment on a basis of mutual benefits and subscribe to OAU and UN Charters

15. Subscribe to the Basic Human Rights as enshrined in the UN Charter

16. Give moral and material support to the orphans and widows and other victims of the Fascist rule and liberation war

All of this was subtle and good ideas, needed ones that hasn’t lost their power or need. The Republic needs first aim Unity, not only hire and develop the Western parts of Uganda. Just like the troubles of just hiring people from the northern of Uganda under Obote and Amin. Therefore, this is still needed, as the Ankoli and areas around has gotten more and become more important, than the rest of the republic. Bunyoro is getting vital because of coming oil industry. Not because Museveni cares about it deeply.

Second aim, Democracy still needs to be worked upon. By all means because of the Life Presidency, enacted by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The Second Party of the President, all follows his whip and is non-democratic from the choices of Members of Parliament and their votes. If they don’t follow orders, like voting for life presidency, then they will not only be labeled rebels, but also punished through the party organization. The NRM isn’t democratic, neither is the state. There are lacking democratic decision making and the elections are rigged. Its not the will of the people, but the will of Museveni.

The third aim, don’t need comments, but fourth and fifth needs it. The ‘Social Progress’ and ‘Clean Leadership’. Needs to be address, it is better then back in the day, but having three decades to advance. The NRM should have come much longer, than it has. The Social progress has not evolved, its only for a minority group. Biggest part of society is stagnated and falling behind with unemployment and lack of development. Clean leadership is long gone with Presidential Handshake, pay-off of Members of Parliament, misusing opposition parties and trading position because of loyalty and not merit. Therefore, the NRM have failed with perfection here.

Aim six and seven are questionable at best. ‘Peace, Security and Tranquility’. Peace they do have, but the security and tranquility, not so much. The Security Organizations are more criminal than thieves, they are killers and hired goons themselves. Police are investigated by CMI and UPDF. There are lacking lines and trust to the Courts. The Northern Uganda is done with civil war, but the army has still created uncertainty in Kasese and Rwenzori as they are battling their own. Killings are happening and unsolved by the authorities. Even assassinations of big men within the Security Organization themselves.

The aim eight, ‘National Common Language’ have been effective and worked, as English and Luganda is well-known and most can understand either one or both. The NRM has worked smoothly with this. One of the few things, the NRM actually has achieved. The Uglish is fantastic.

Aim nine, peasants and workers are not really a part of making decisions and taking part of the party. The decisions are made in the State House. It is made by the President and not by Party. The Party is a front and its only there so the President can pay-off his loyal allies. Its seemingly so, when the NRM-O and NRM CEC are made for his best interest. Not to create a better republic.

The tenth aim which is ‘build a proper defence and security systems’. The Military is at its strongest and used as hired mercenaries in Equatorial Guinea and doing United Nations missions in both Somalia and Central African Republic. Its also the main reason for still the current president. He uses the military, because he doesn’t have the popularity. The Security Systems are fragmented and used against each other. Using military intelligence against the police. There is nothing that is certain and you are boggled at how and when something strike. When a crime will be solved and by who.

The eleventh aim to ‘encourage and sustain collective leadership’ is at best questionable at this day and age. The NRM have clearly forgotten this one. They have maybe never worked for this after 1986. That he has talked against sectarian and tribal leadership is well-known, but his achievement is questionable. Since he hasn’t promoted collective leadership, he has promoted his own leadership and the ones loyalty to him without ambition. It is reason why Vice-President Ssekandi are still there and Prime Minister Rugunda are there. They don’t want to get at the king, but if they get ambition to succeed him. Then they get demoted. Check history and you’ll see this.

The twelfth aim for ‘universal education and public health care’. There many more schools under the NRM. Though they are not well-kept or the up-keep is worth mentioning. The literacy rate has been rising in the three decades of rule, but the school system is far from perfect. Since teachers in the districts has side jobs because of lacking salaries, girls skip schools over lacking pads. That was even promised in the General Election of 2016. Still, the NRM haven’t delivered. They promised UPE, but never totally delivered on that promise.

Health care is a place where people are left to die. That is why MPs are getting treatment abroad, the daughters of the President giving birth in Europe. The Health Care is abysmal, lacking medicine, copy medics, X-Rays not working and awaiting between 2013 to 2018 before buying and putting up a new Cancer-Treatment machine. Only one for the millions of citizens of the Republic. There been a blood-drive, because of lacking blood for treatments in the hospitals. The air-machines has gone empty like in Jinja. The NMS hasn’t been able to buy in needed equipment. The Health Care is something the NRM really haven’t delivered anything to be proud of. They have build some buildings called hospitals, but they cannot treat people’s illness there.

The thirteen aim is about autonomy, but that is delivered from the State House. There has been growing amount of districts 118 if my calculation is right. So there has been changes, but it hasn’t given service delivery. Neither or anything visible changes. It is more district centre and more cronies paid-off making the civil service bloated, but not delivering services to the public. So the NRM has delivered dozens of new district and local government entities, but not that they matter. They only matters to the ones who get a paycheck and who is “running” them. But not for the public.

The fourteenth aim is about taking part of African Union and United Nations, the fifteenth aim was also about following their international standards and laws. In the beginning of the NRM rule, as long as he was a part of the new breed of leadership. It was seemingly important to respect international laws and enact those standards. With time this has withered, as he wants to rule on own accord and not let anyone question his reasoning. Therefore, he has become hostile to foreign interference, the ICC and all other who can question his acts and his use of military in foreign countries. Because of the fear of the repression from foreign entities, the former love-affair has become hatred and that has been shown over time.

The sixteenth aim has been done in some instances, that someone has gotten land and gotten measly awards. The State haven’t made functional programs, but more public givings and sudden awards as part of public display together with honors at liberation celebrations. Not really trying to give funds and such. NRM Historicals of all kinds, NRA soldiers and familes, haven’t been compensated, neither has the losers. They have gotten retaliation. So there are many families in disarray and lost of promises.

The whole republic has seen all the empty promises and the prospects of the Museveni era. He has had 32 years to create a state in his vision. The UPM isn’t that far from the 10 Point Program, that I have also dismantled, actually twice.

This here is another proof of how he promise big, but doesn’t deliver. Don’t be surprised, he is all talking big game, but never showing it on the touchline. He might be in the box, but never score. Peace.

Gen. Mugisha Muntu Press Statement (10.12.2017)

Gen. Mugisha Muntu Press Statement (29.11.2017)

Opinion: I expect Gen. Mugisha Muntu to start his own Political Party tomorrow!

Well, it has come to this, not this is wished upon as Retired General Mugisha Muntu has supporters all over for his moderate and strong belief in peaceful transformation of the Republic. Still, it is has not grasped enough and gotten traded in well within the Forum for Democratic Change own delegates before the recent internal elections.

Its been interesting in the aftermath of the recent internal elections, that the National Resistance Movement and their supporters has spread messages of fear and of dismay of the result. Like it where their own elections. Maybe, because there is only sole-candidacy and handpicked candidates that are getting chosen inside the NRM. Therefore, the FDC delegation and conference this recent week proven their democratic display. Not the result that Muntu or his allies wanted, but it showed that he still carries a big delegation and a loyal base. Even if Patrick Oboi Amuriat won over him.

Therefore, the change of Party President shouldn’t bring him down, but it is humiliating to lose. Still, Nathan Nandala-Mafabi did the same in the last time around and he is still a viable figure inside the Party. It is not like it is a death sentence to lose the Presidency. The first Party President was Dr. Kizza Besigye and he is still significant. Some says it his own making that Muntu has lost his place. That Besigye is all behind POA. That POA is no-one without Besigye. Besigye and POA are might both part of the same fraction of the party. Since they want the party to be more spirited with the Defiance and less of the Muntu spirited compliance.

That is also maybe reason why Muntu lost, Muntu is brave, but also shielded from a lot in the recent year. While other of the Defiance fraction has been detained and legal trouble. Muntu and friends has skated off into the sunset. This and his decisions to actually accept that the FDC are the leading opposition party in the Parliament. Which means they also formed a Shadow Government, as if they weeks and days before was saying was illegitimate. Therefore, Muntu have mad the bed himself and now has to sleep in it.

Muntu knew and knows what is brewing inside a party, who should be tired by the little movement and the stalemate. The Stalemate that is lasting now for two decades against the NRM. That Besigye, Muntu and all other in the leadership hasn’t been able at this point to have peaceful transition from the NRM. Since Museveni and his party of sole candidacy is staying either by the rigged ballots or by the guns.

“Fellow Ugandans, I would like to thank all of you for the great show of support for the pursuit of democracy as well as our concerted and continuing struggle for a better Uganda. I will be holding a press conference tomorrow at 10am at Hotel Africana. God bless you all” (Mugisha Muntu, 28.11.2017).

That is why this significant message from Muntu is telling. Since he as the former Party President should know the stakes ahead inside the FDC. It isn’t that Besigye kicked him out and got in a puppet as the Party President. But, that the moderate and careful working Muntu wasn’t proactive enough or even professing to the needed changes within the FDC.

That is why I expect him to start a new Political Party, as he will not be leader under POA or try to contest Besigye again for the Presidential Race. He rather run on his own and try to create his own party. He might bring with him many of the Shadow Government MPs and others. Muntu might bring a big group from the FDC. While FDC becoming more revolutionary and more in the spirit of defiance against the resistance.

What that will say about his, it might be a fluke or hot air like Go-Forward of Amama Mbabazi. It might be a party of the size of Conservative Party, Democratic Party or Uganda People’s Congress. But it might not have the role that FDC has and the FDC will find new leaders for the ones who left. There are lots inside the structure and the years on the sideline of the NRM.

It will not be easy for Muntu to be another one who works for himself. He has to challenge both FDC, but NRM. As well as all the rest of the Opposition parties. If that will be easy in this political climate, as the police are shutting down and silencing their consultations/meetings. That will happen with Muntu if he tries to be someone and somebody. He will not be in peace, unless he does like Beti Kamya and Uganda Federal Alliance, which is now a loyal stooge of the NRM.

We can just await and see what happens tomorrow. If he will roll out a new party, if he has plans inside the FDC or if he goes independent. There are rumors and speculations of several opposition MPs to be part of the press conference at Hotel Africana. That might happen tomorrow. We don’t know at this point, what we do know is that he has these options.

We can assume certain movement from him because he stated this after losing on the 25^th November:

“I want to operate in an environment where I feel I am trusted by those that I am working with. So colleagues, I don’t want to be unfair to you nor do I want to say that you are being unfair to me. Therefore, at a personal level, there are decisions I will have to make in the coming days and weeks. I ask for your patience and prayers. We need to bear with each other even as we ponder on the decision that we will have to make. We do our part as human beings and the rest we leave it to God” (Mugisha Muntu, 25.11.2017).

So, we know he feels disgruntled, because people are unhappy with some of his actions and of some of his decisions after the General Election in 2016. It is because of that, people has lost it and he also lost vital supports inside the party. Still, Muntu will get backers from the FDC if he shifts. That will be over the Defiance, but also because of his compliance.

We will see what happens. But will Muntu do like Mbabazi and try it all on his own? Nevertheless, his party would have longer time before the next election, than what Go-Forward had before the 2016 election. Peace.