RDC: U.P.L.C – “Declaration Politique” (08.01.2018)

Secretary-General announces Special Investigation into attacks on peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo (08.01.2018)

This Special Investigation will include a focus on the 7 December attack in Semuliki, in which 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed, 43 wounded and one remains missing.

NEW YORK, United States of America, January 8, 2018 – The Secretary-General today (January 6, 2018) announced the appointment of Dmitry Titov of Russia to lead a Special Investigation into recent attacks on peacekeepers and peacekeeping bases in the Beni territory of North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. This Special Investigation will include a focus on the 7 December attack in Semuliki, in which 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed, 43 wounded and one remains missing.

The Special Investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding these attacks, evaluate MONUSCO’s overall preparedness and response to the events and provide recommendations on how to prevent such attacks from occurring in the future or when they do occur, from having such lethal consequences. The investigation team will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo early in January and will also visit relevant countries in the Great Lakes region.  In addition to officials of the United Nations, the team will also include two military officers from Tanzania.

Mr. Titov joined the United Nations in 1991. He served as Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) from 2007 – 2017.  Mr. Titov also served as Africa Director in DPKO’s Office of Operations.

RDC: Violence dans l’Archdiocese de Kinshasa pendant le 31 Decembre 2017 – Note Technique (03.01.2018)

NASA Statement: Public Statement on National Conversation Call by Section of the Business and Religious Community (21.12.2017)

RDC: UJANA – “19 Decembre 2016 – 19 Decembre 2017” (20.12.2017)

One Year Later: How come Kabila is still there?

I am just boggled. The last term of President Joseph Kabila was over on the 19th December 2016. This after he assumed the Presidency temporarily from 26th January 2001. His first election was in 2006 and was inaugurated on 6th December 2006. Second election was more controversial and was sworn-in on the 20th December 2011. Therefore, the last day of his last 5 year term would be on the 19th December 2016.

Since then the elections has been postponed, there was supposed to be elections in November 2016. However, that never appeared and never happen. It was a ghost in the machine, a nothing and non-story, only with United Kingdom aid for Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI), who was supposed to hold the elections. That never occurred.

Kabila has since then used any excuse and used violence for against his own people. There been speculations and also reports that he has hired militias to create insecurity. So that he can postpone the elections. If it is M23 soldiers fleeing from Rwanda and Uganda. If its ADF-NALU. The deaths and massacres in Kasai-Orientale, the starving people and lack of governance. Shows the state of affairs. The mass graves in Beni and Kasai. Should worry anyone, but Kabila seems cold about it all. Indifference. Like it doesn’t matter.

The Constitution made in 2005 for the Third Republic was clear, a President has a possibility of two terms. These has been done and he got leeway, since the temporary care-taker time between 2001-2006 didn’t count in. In normal 5 years terms, that should have counted, but it was brushed off. With the deadly Second-Congo War going on until 2003. It is natural that he skated this off.

We know now that he is stalling for time, that the pressure of CENCO or others are not helping. Since opposition was agreeing on a deal at the end of 2016. Where elections would happen in 2017. Now that its just days left. We know that this will not happen. There are no end in sight of his reign. He will hire mercenaries. He will hire militias and use all sort of tricks. Doesn’t matter how many who dies or how much insecurity it brings. As long as he is ruling.

Since he cannot rule with the Constitution. He didn’t change the term limit in the Constitution. Kabila didn’t even try, not that he should do so, but he hasn’t had the effort or felt the need. Kabila has the economy and army behind him. Even if he are creating trouble and also letting the militias run wild in areas. Also, making secret deals with mining corporations and other multi-national corporations to earn fortunes on the minerals and resources in the Republic. That should be violation on its own, maybe the reason why he fears for leaving, as well for the all people that has been ghosted because of his will and decrees.

There are enough enemies and enough citizens who has a case against Kabila. He should know that he has overreached and used his position for ill-gains. Kabila is now living on borrowed time. He is President without any election or any legitimacy. Kabila is just running the Republic and stalling for time. Playing a cat and mouse game with the insecurity, while trying to fool the Civil Society Organizations and Opposition Parties. Also, trying to mock the International Community who wants a change.

This will not come with Kabila. Kabila just wants to stay and continue to loot the Republic. Like every single leader has done since Independence. Lumumba didn’t, but Mobutu and Laurent Kabila did. However, they we’re all toppled with a armed overthrow. Seemingly, the same has to happen with Kabila. He is not interested in stepping down and give the mantle to the next. Peace.

LUCHA: “#2018SansKabila: Appel a des manifestations populaires ininterrompues a partir du 29 decembre 2017 jusqu au depart de Kabila et tous ses complices – Declaration LUCHA/2017043” (19.12.2017)

RDC: ECIDE – Martin Fayulu – “Discours de Cloture du Conseil National 2017 de l’ECIDE – Le Chaos se Prepare en RDC” (17.12.2017)

Continuation of conflicting reports after the Beni attack on the MONUSCO Soldiers, as the UPDF prepares for deployment!

There are always an aftermath after a massacre, clearly the lights into darkness, you never know what you find or who you find. The ADF or ADF-NALU has gotten the blame for the attack on 7th December 2017. However, there are questions if they could do such a well based attack on MONUSCO and FARDC soldiers on that day. This will be a question as long as the Democratic Republic of Congo isn’t delivering or telling who they believe is behind it.

I will go through recent days report as the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) are preparing to deploy new forces in a joint mission together with the FARDC. This happens as there been consultation meetings in Mbarara, in the same days as the attack in Beni occurred. The reasons for this strike and attack is not known. The basic leverage of doing so is neither seen. If the ADF really did it or not. The ADF or ADF-NALU has not taken responsibility. Neither is the certainty of former M23 or any other group in the region having the capacity to strike this heavy against the peacekeepers on the move. With knowledge of their movement and knew exactly when to shoot.

Therefore, I have complied certain parts of news and reporting during the past few days. From different sources, as the UPDF are preparing to enter. Do a mission again inside the Congolese territory. This isn’t new, but new in the prospects, that the Kinshasa government is on overtime and extending their reign without any elections. While certain regions are filled with insecurity and rush of soldiers. With the use of foreign soldiers to clear out internal issues. Also ex-militants who are creating more trouble in a already conflicted region, where peace seems to evade.

The neutralization of the ADF and the security of the borders between the DRC and Uganda are two topics at the center of a meeting, Thursday, December 14, between the armed forces of these two countries. The talks are taking place in Kasindi-Lubiriha, a Congolese town about 90 km northeast of the city of Beni, bordering Uganda. This meeting brings together some senior officers and generals of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) as well as those of the Ugandan army (UPDF). According to security sources, the FARDC and the UPDF are discussing the planning and start of joint operations to neutralize the terrorist group ADF, active in the territory of Beni. The meeting between the Ugandan army and the Congolese army comes as new FARDC reinforcements from Kisangani have been deployed since Wednesday, December 13, in the Beni region. The Ugandan army delegation is led by Brigadier Michael Kabango, commander of the 5th Infantry Division of the Ugandan army. That of the Armed Forces of the DRC is led by General Marcel Mbangu commander of operations Sokola 1 North” (Radio Okapi, 2017)

National MP Paul Muhindo opposes planning a joint military operation between Ugandan and Congolese armies against Ugandan rebels from the ADF. During a briefing on Friday, December 15, this elected North Kivu, believes that this operation “will amplify things” on Congolese soil. “We think it’s a bad thing to associate these people [Ugandan soldiers] with coming to fight the ADF who are their brothers. This is a way for us to believe that we want to further amplify the situation on our territory, “said MP Paul Muhindo. He said a mixed military operation is not appropriate for bringing peace to eastern DRC. MP Muhindo believes that the FARDC are able to end the activism of this rebel group, with the support of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), “if there is a clear will.”” (Radio Okapi, 2017).

Denouncing UPDF presence already in March 2017 in the DRC:

The provincial assembly of North Kivu opened its March session on Monday, March 31st. A session that starts with the denunciation of the presence of Ugandan army soldiers in some parts of eastern DRC. The chairman of this deliberative body clarified the areas where these UPDF soldiers are concentrated for unclear reasons. Jules HAKIZIMWAMI cited, for example, the Sarambwe Gorilla Reserve, about 100 kilometers north of Goma, in Rutshuru territory. They have been there since March 26, he said. He continued that these UPDF soldiers occupy important hills in the Sarambwe and Kisharo villages in the Binza group. The already occupied hills include Kazingiro, Kabumba, Risura and Kanyabusanane, more or less 20 kilometers from the Congolese-Ugandan border, according to the president of the provincial assembly of North Kivu. Jules HAKIZIMWAMI lamented the fact that these Ugandan soldiers say they came to secure their compatriots, who preceded them to make fields in Sarambwe. In his opening speech of this parliamentary session, the president of the provincial assembly called for the involvement of national authorities and regional and international cooperation structures to put an end to this presence” (Masimengo, 2017).

Museveni order UPDF to DRC:

Observers say UPDF’s anticipated operations could stretch deep into the volatile and unstable region to create a buffer zone for Uganda. “This time the President is extremely serious,” said a source. “He will not allow anyone to stand in his way as soon as DRC commences joint operations with UPDF.” Multiple sources said Museveni insisted Uganda obtains consent from DRC to avoid legal ramifications of an “invasion” and “work with all stakeholders to pacify that region.” “We intend to go there officially and work closely with DRC forces to stabilize the region across our border,” said an official informed about Uganda’s preparations for combat action. By Friday, heavily armed troops and artillery pieces were still being deployed at the border, confirming widely held perception UPDF would be inside DRC for quite a long time” (Muhame, 2017).

Who is behind the December attack on MONUSCO:

Tuesday, December 06, 2017. The FARDC officials whose camp is based near the base of the peacekeepers Camp, more or less 700m away, phone that they will send soldiers to fetch food, as they are used to doing. Around 17:30, they call their partners to announce that they are en route. A few minutes later, they arrive at the edge of their well-identified vehicle known to Tanzanian peacekeepers. They are around 35. They are familiar with the configuration of the camp. They are used to going there to refuel. Those who stand guard recognize some of them. They let them in. Everything is going fast! While one of those on guard is calling his superiors to warn them of the arrival of their « friends », the vehicle stops in the middle of the camp. A group of 5 or 6 goes towards the structures of communication, passes immediately to the attack and in the blink of an eye all the structures of communication are destroyed and all the camp is under attack. The peacekeepers are more trained than the attackers. They manage to repel the enemy. Moments later, another FARDC group arrives while the peacekeepers continue to repel the attackers. Great surprise! The peacekeepers note that the Fardc arrive to reinforce the attackers. This reinforcement will continue until dawn. Whenever attacking Fardc units feel weakened, others come to replace them. To believe a FARDC soldier who has just contacted Benilubero newsroom, while the fighting continues, Colonel Papy Kasongo, the head of the FARDC regiment, will constantly communicate with his superiors and tell them that the ADF have tried to take the camp of the peacekeepers but that everything returned in order a few minutes later” (…) “Thursday, December 08, 2017 Monusco is alerted in the early hours that one of its camps was attacked at night. Without delay, it sends a reinforcement. The consternation is total on arrival. Injured people moan in the bush. Lifeless bodies are strewn everywhere: 14 Tanzanian peacekeepers and 5 Fardc killed, among whom we can identify 3 Rwandans. The camp is literally looted. All materials and food were taken away. But no combat is reported in the area and no body of a so-called ADF-Nalu is found. Injured people testify and the facts speak for themselves. Monusco is very embarrassed. It will limit itself to giving the human balance sheet” (Beni Lubero, 2017)

With all of this, we can just speculate and wonder. Who did what and where. The reality is that innocent lives are taken. This time both FARDC soldiers and Tanzanian peacekeepers. Also the deaths of the attackers, who we don’t know if they belonged to ADF or if they we’re even a parallel FARDC-Network. At this moment, we don’t know. The speculations and the intelligence on the matter is mere opinions and not facts.

There are two stories being told and its hard to know, which ones to believe, what is striking is the quickly resolve of sending forces from Uganda into this. How easily the FARDC accept to play second fiddle on their own soil. How the UPDF and Museveni can deploy his forces in Northern Kivu. Without sort of acceptance of MONUSCO or anyone else supporting the peacekeepers. We can wonder who will pay or what will be the pay for these soldiers in the DRC. Since the UPDF has to pay them and give them shelter while fighting militants in the Beni area.

If the MP Muhindo is right, that it will amplify things, then the next coming weeks will be bloody. Also with the possible troops there already near Goma. They are already in the region and ready to arrive on the scene, as they have put soldiers and artillery in the Kisoro region combined with the ones reported in March 2017 20 km away from Goma. This proves that the Ugandans was ready prepared long in advanced for this sort of strike close to their border. That shouldn’t shock anyone, since they have been in the DRC plenty of times and used it to export valuable minerals and timber for a long time. This combined with the Consultation Meeting in December in Mbarara. Proves that something was-up, but the official agreement between the DRC and Uganda in this matter. Has not been official. Neither has the minutes for that meeting. In the hours and days ahead of the attack on MONUSCO in Beni. That should also be questioned.

We should be worried about that, because secrecy like that, makes it even more questionable, the reasons for the deployment and also the sudden attack on MONUSCO. There are enough pieces that is missing and the picture is not clear. If it is Kabila who needs insurgency as a reason to stay in power or Museveni wants soldiers deployed, because he has a smaller contingent in Somalia (AMISOM). Peace.

Reference:

Beni Lubero – ‘The whole truth about the assassination of Tanzanian peacekeepers: A signed attack by FARDC’ (16.12.2017) link: http://benilubero.com/the-whole-truth-about-the-assassination-of-tanzanian-peacekeepers-a-signed-attack-by-fardc/

Radio Okapi – ‘La neutralisation des ADF au centre d’une réunion entre les FARDC et l’armée ougandaise’ (14.12.2017) link: https://www.radiookapi.net/2017/12/14/actualite/securite/la-neutralisation-des-adf-au-centre-dune-reunion-entre-les-fardc-et

Radio Okapi – ‘Le député Muhindo s’oppose à l’opération militaire mixte RDC-Ouganda contre les ADF’ (17.12.2017) link: https://www.radiookapi.net/2017/12/17/actualite/securite/le-depute-muhindo-soppose-loperation-militaire-mixte-rdc-ouganda

Masimengo, Eve – ‘Nord-Kivu : Des militaires Ougandais s’installent dans certaines localités’ (13.12.2017) link: http://benilubero.com/nord-kivu-des-militaires-ougandais-sinstallent-dans-certaines-localites/

Muhame, Giles – ‘Museveni Orders On DRC Operation as UPDF Amass Troops at Border’ (17.12.2017) link: http://chimpreports.com/museveni-orders-on-drc-operation-as-updf-amass-troops-at-border/

American Company (Harris Media) peddling dangerous propaganda in the recent elections in Kenya!

Privacy International Reported through their investigations that a Texas based Harris Media LLC, who made web-pages the “The Real Raila” and “Uhuru for Us”, which both targeted not only the National Super Alliance Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga, but also addressed deep issues with tribal affairs. Which a foreign entity should use as a tactic or even think about using in a political atmosphere. Where there has been violence because of tribal tensions as late as 2008. Clearly, there we’re international companies involved the 2017 elections, not only Harris Media, but also Cambridge Analytica, who both worked for the Jubilee Party and for Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Therefore, all of the companies that has been hired in, has mostly worked to benefit the cause of the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta and his party. The same did also OT Morpho, a french company delivering the KIEMS system to the IEBC.

So today revelation isn’t a new thing, but what is new is that they are directly using spiteful means to boost Kenyatta. This is devious and devilish to use the tactics that the pages of Harris Media did. Harris Media has represented Ted Cruz, Benjamin Nethanyahu and Rand Paul. They themselves call their methods: “We pride ourselves on creativity, innovation, and client service. We have a creative in-house team of graphic designers, web developers, and video editors. Our team has overseen multi-million dollar digital advertising budgets and will work with you to deliver the most targeted, innovative, and creative online strategy that fits with your goals. We believe every client deserves a unique digital strategy that is tailored with their specific needs in mind” (Harris Media, link: https://www.harrismediallc.com/our-work/).

Just to show what the Uhuru for Us is, let me take a few pieces:

On Facebook page 21st October it said this: “Kenya is a democratic nation where our citizens exercise their god given right to vote on who should lead our country. Raila Odinga is the greatest threat to our democracy!” (Uhuru for Us, 21.10.2017). On the 20th October 2017: “Exercise your right to vote and make your voices heard! They are trying to steal our democracy. They are even talking about splitting up Kenya and stealing our country. Ensure this doesn’t happen! Get all your friends fired up and ready to vote for Uhuru! He is the only leader who can keep Kenya growing, keep Kenya united, and keep Kenya peaceful!” (Uhuru for Us, 20.10.2017). On the 17th October 2017: “Do you believe in Uhuru’s peace as opposed to Raila’s violence? Do you believe in Uhuru’s progress as opposed to Raila’s backwardness? Do you believe in Uhuru’s unity as opposed to Raila’s divisiveness? If you are voting for peace, progress and unity with Uhuru pledge your vote today!” (Uhuru for Us, 17.10.2017).

This are some of what they did during the elections to sway people. Calling Raila evil and despicable things in favor of Kenyatta. The ironies into that is that Kenyatta has used the police and military, who actually killed numerous of people right before and during the campaigns. Even right before polls, there been big extra-judicial killings. Therefore, this campaigns are trying to target the opposition in a manner that they can question the ruling party.

That the Harris Media as a provider and a targeting campaigns are going this far in their propaganda shows the levels of little integrity. The American Media and Political Lobbying Firm are clearly using their methods to tarnish the opposition. They do it by all means and with no favors. There is no justification. Just spreading fear and more fear for the purpose of re-electing Kenyatta.

The elections this year has already been put in question and viably so. There is enough issues within the IEBC to start counting the doubts of a real counting of the votes on the 8th August and 26th October 2017. Harris Media and Cambridge Analytica worked really well to fix the message that Kenyatta wanted and to make Odinga look even worse.

Privacy International stated this about their work: “Three Harris Media staff, including Josh Canter, its vice president for content production, an account director, and a designer worked on The Real Raila site, authoring blog content, mostly republishing lightly-sourced characterisations of Odinga as a dangerous, racist xenophobe with promoting his tribe and family as his primary political aim. The Uhuru For Us Twitter account still appears linked to a Harris Media email address. Created in March 2017, its first follower was Kenyatta’s Digital Media Strategist” (Privacy International, 13.12.2017).

The American Business and Media Corporation was certainly peddling propaganda in favor of Kenyatta, that is shown just by one page on Facebook. Kenyatta paid these foreigners to serve his purpose, even if it created a more hostile environment. This also proves that American interests has been involved in keeping Kenyatta as a President. That is foreign interference from the United States in the Kenyan election. Certainly like they are looking into the involvement of Russians in their own, this would be the same sort of methods done in Kenya by them.

That Harris Media has been peddling this sort of content and put adverts in favor, that diminished the reputation of Odinga and his NASA. Shows that they we’re already invested in the Kenyan government and the current leadership, that is why they also got to hire certain companies to send their message. Kenyatta knew this all along, the same must been known by the American Ambassador Bob Godec. That has known about the communications done by Harris in favor of Kenyatta. Clearly, the Godec paradigm is to let Jubilee and Kenyatta continue to rule.

We can certainly question all of the American involvement as the Harris Media did their part in creating the separated nation as it was shown on the Jamhuri Day of 2017. This is as a results of the two previous presidential elections this year and non has ended well. The involvement of all of these companies should be litigated and be subpoenas to get intelligence on their direct involvement in the elections. Not that Kenyatta want to do that, because that weakens him even more. He is already fragile and not having the proper support anyway. He needed to cheat to win and that is proven. Peace.