DR Congo: fierce clashes between protesters and security forces, at least 8 killed in Kinshasa (Youtube-Clip)

Opposition activists block roads in DRC’s Kinshasa (Youtube-Clip)

“Protesters are blocking roads with burning tyres in DRC’s capital, Kinshasa. Protests are also taking place in the eastern city of Goma. Opposition activists are marching and calling on President Joseph Kabila to step down. Elections have been delayed, so Kabila will remain in power beyond his constitutional” (CCTV Africa, 2016)

Communique: Debout Congolais le President Kabila doit Quitter le Pouvoir au Plus Tard le 19 Decembre 2016 (19.09.2016)

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Sen. John Munyes maintains he is still the chairman of FORD KENYA, even after defecting to Jubilee (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3FqDcyr0VM

“Turkana Senator John Munyes maintains he is still the chairman of FORD Kenya, even after defecting to Jubilee. This comes a few days after FORD Kenya top organ plan meets to pick an interim chairman following the defection of its national chair. However Munyes maintians that, he was among the people who participated in forming the party and he will not quit as the chairman” (K24 TV, 2016)

Communique de Presse du Facilitateur Edem Kodjo: Reprise des Travaux en Commissions du Dialouge Politique National Inclusif (15.09.2016)

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Communique: 624th PSC Meeting on the post- electoral situation in Gabon (14.09.2016)

Gabon Election

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 624th Meeting, held on 13 September 2016, adopted the following decision on the post- electoral situation in Gabon:

Council:

  1. Takes Note of the briefing made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the latest developments in the situation in Gabon, following the proclamation of the provisional results of the Presidential Election held in that country on 27 August 2016. Council Welcomes the outcome of the Mission undertaken by the Commissioner for Peace and Security to Libreville and Ndjamena from 8 to 10 September 2016, particularly to consult the Gabonese stakeholders about the envisaged visit to the country of a high-level delegation composed of African Heads of State, led by the Current Chairman of the African Union, H.E. President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad;
  2. Recalls the Press Statement PSC/PR/BR.DCXX of its 620th Meeting held on 2 September 2016. Council, reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty of Gabon, recalls also the relevant provisions, among others, of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Protocol Relating to Establishment of the Peace and Security Council and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance;
  3. Welcomes the initiatives taken by the Current Chairman of the AU, H.E. Idriss Deby Itno, as well as the Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in the search for an early resolution of the post-electoral situation in Gabon, in respect of the will of the Gabonese people as expressed on 27 August 2016. Council expresses its appreciation to the countries of the region, through the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), as well as to the partners, in particular the United Nations, for their continued support to AU efforts in Gabon;
  4. Takes Note, with satisfaction, of the appeal lodged with the Constitutional Court by the candidates to the Presidential Election, thus using legal and constitutional means as provided for the resolution of any dispute related to the result of the ballot;
  5. Stresses the importance of the conclusion of the appeals process submitted by the candidates to the presidential election, in a transparent and regular manner, thus contributing to the entrenchment of democracy in Gabon, as well as to promotion of peace and stability in the country and in the region. Council requests the Commission, in close cooperation with the partners concerned, and within the respect of the sovereignty of Gabon, to support the relevant Gabonese institutions in their efforts aimed at enhancing the transparency and credibility of the review process, as well as the proclamation of the final results of the Presidential Election of 27 August 2016 by the Constitutional Court;
  6. Requests the Commission to deploy observers, who will be chosen from among eminent members of high African French speaking jurisdictions, to assist the Constitutional Court of Gabon, in accordance with the modalities to be determined by common agreement with the said Court, as well as in compliance with the rules of procedure and the relevant provisions of title VI of the Gabonese Constitution;
  7. Appeals to the partners to continue to support AU’s initiatives in Gabon;
  8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

RDC: Declaration du Rassamblement (13.09.2016)

rassamblement-13-09-2016

RDC: Communique relatif a la Suspension de la Participation de l’Opposition Politique aux Travaux du Dialogue Politique National Inclusif (12.09.2016)

rdc-dialogue-12-09-2016

Opinion: The battle for the Presidential Ticket in CORD is only benefitting Jubilee; Odinga and Wetan’gula should step aside for Kalonzo Musyoka if they care about the CORD agreement!

odm-10at10-sep-2016

It is clearly going to be heated in the contest of being the CORD Presidential Candidate. This isn’t a new problem for the Opposition. The Opposition been having this problem and they knew it was coming. It is not like the ruling regime who has two big men under accord; the newly fantastic Jubilee Party that we’re launched at Safaricom Stadium this weekend. Uhuru Kenyatta the principal flagbearer and Presidential Candidate; the second in command is his loyal comrade Vice-President Willam Ruto. So with this in mind the Opposition seeing the Jubilee becoming more structured and even more established the CORD shouldn’t be bickering over who is the head, but how to get ahead.

CORD the coalition of the willing in the Opposition. There three or even four possible candidates in the Opposition. Musalia Mudavadi the leader of Amani National Congress (ANC), Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka the leader of Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM), Moses Wetan’gula, the leader of Forum for Democratic Reform (FORD-Kenya) and Raila Amolo Odinga, the leader of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). So there are enough talent and proven leaders to pick from in the Opposition.

The Opposition has made promised to each other, especially between Odinga, Wetan’gula and Kalonzo Musyoka. These three has been loyal to each other, but also since creating the alliance that gives way to expecting that every leader has their turn. Raila Odinga and the ODM had their chance in the recent election in 2013. So the former VP Odinga by all means after the endorsement in his own party feels obligated to be the Presidential Flag-bearer for the coalition. Still, he should be cautioned about doing so because this will cause friction with the previous agreement for the coalition.

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There are not only hearsay that the three leaders made an Memorandum of Understanding that we’re signed on the 7th December 2012 totally said the direction of the leadership inside the coalition. The article from the MoU that is important for the matter is the same as before:

“This Memorandum of Understanding also expressly states that the CORD Coalition Presidential Candidate for 2013, 2017 and 2022 are Hon. Raila Amullo Odinga, Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Hon. Moses Wentangula respectively”.

So for 2017 it is supposed to be Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and not the other fellows in the Coalition Party. If Hon. Raila Odinga really want to screw over the Opposition Parties than he has his turn, but then he is not following the pecking order. Because the other leaders are expecting succession; the same is evident for Hon. Moses Wetan’gula that even back a few months wanted to rally for his Presidential Candidacy rally at Muliro Garden in Kakamega on the 4th April 2016. So all of the leaders seem to shuffle the agreement into the drain except for the on leader in the WDM, the ODM and FORD-K should care about their fellow big-men agreements. This isn’t some petty nonsense crap; this is the pivotal agreement that established CORD. The CORD that we see today!

Hon. Wetan’gula and Hon. Odinga know about this, the ones following from the sidelines should know this. The ones who knew shouldn’t be silenced as the ignition before the campaign rallies for 2017 is really starting. They know they are betraying the WDM and Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka and they are doing it in public spreading their words of their intent without regard to the MoU. It proves the validity of the Union of the Alliance as a fragile piece of paper that loses value with time. If the CORD is serious business then they respect the agreement and let bygones be bygones. Instead this can vandalize the alliance.

Do they want to risk for their personal pride and their ability to work together as they go against the ruling party, the newly created function of Jubilee Party that are stronger and more united as they lose 12 parties as they function as ONE. The President and his Vice President are strictly concerned with manifesting the power and rule of engagement before the coming election. They have the upper-hand and continue with it as the Kenyatta Government get free-will of strength, while the Opposition can weaken themselves and their causes.

jubilee-party-launch-10-09-2016

The General Election of 2017 and the coming months will be interesting to see if the Alliances and the loyalties between the fellow Jubilee and Cord will sustain as the deflections and the wish for seats, tickets and security of own fortunes are at stake.

The CORD cannot live with the unfortunate weakness of having three leaders fighting at will for the Presidential Candidate ticket. The thing about Hon. Raila Odinga is that if he pursues this and doesn’t give in, than it’s his own person agenda and not the greater will of CORD or Kenya. Because if that we’re so he would not question the place and time for Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka of WDM. The same will show if the Hon. Wetan’gula of FORD-K asks for his time too. Hon. Wetan’gula in the agreement accepted to wait to 2021. So by that one it’s not his time.

It is not Odinga and Wetan’gula time, if they are gentleman who follows agreements and accords an is not petty men who are there only for their purpose and their own wealth. If they are there for the greater good and for the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) than they should step down and run behind Kalonzo Musyoka to strengthen the Opposition and try to win on reform and accountability. As the Jubilee has done enough blunders and done enough questionable acts in their last term for them to tear they’re possible pledges apart.

It is true that the man in question the man in the crossfire, the WDM Kalonzo Musyoka hasn’t even started to fight for or acted upon his just right for the Presidential Ticket. Still the two other candidates and leaders of their own party have now done so. Odinga and Wetan’gula have now both said they want to run. Even Mudavadi (ANC) want’s his ticket on the top of CORD. So there are many men for the one special ticket. But only one who has the right if the MoU still is valid and the guideline for the Political Coalition of all of these opposition parties that are going to campaign to beat the current government and ruling regime Jubilee. If they are internally not sure of whom that is supposed to lead and more fractions.

odinga-kenyatta

If the CORD wants to seriously contend with Jubilee, they need not to fight for the Presidency between themselves. Jubilee is only earning on the internal weakness of CORD. If they want to keep staying Opposition, than they will be so because they couldn’t keep their words, instead of being stronger together; than they could just be a dozen horses running in the race instead of two main Candidates as it can be if the CORD continues to be the Opposition versus Ruling Regime.

I hope that the personal glory, the personal ambition doesn’t overshadow the will of the parties. The two other big-men shouldn’t let their own ambition drive them to hunt for the time set for WDM. That is just common sense, if they do then we know that the deals and agreements don’t matter for Odinga and Wetan’gula as their own pockets and pride means more. Certainly the only ones earning on that is Kenyatta and Ruto. Peace.

RDC: President en exercice du Groupe de Sept Partis Politiques (G7) – (11.09.2016)

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