DR. Congo: The Perilous Election Battle (05.08.2016)

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RDC: Communique du G7 (05.08.2016)

G7 05.08.2016

Press Release: World Bank Group Suspends Financing to the Inga-3 Basse Chute Technical Assistance Project (25.07.2016)

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WASHINGTON, July 25, 2016 — The World Bank Group has suspended disbursements of funding to the Inga-3 Basse Chute (BC) & Mid-Size Hydropower Development Technical Assistance (TA) Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This follows the Government of DRC’s decision to take the project in a different strategic direction to that agreed between the World Bank and the Government in 2014.

On March 20, 2014 the World Bank’s Board approved a US$73.1-million grant from its International Development Association (IDA) for the project, consisting of Inga-3 BC development support (US$47.5 million) and mid-size hydropower development support (US$25.6 million). At the time of suspension, approximately 6% of total project financing had been disbursed.

The Inga component of the TA project aimed to finance a flexible suite of technical assistance, including strategic advice to the Government, complementary studies, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. The IDA TA project aimed to support a government-led process for the transparent development of Inga-3 BC as a public private partnership. The World Bank Group is in a continuing dialogue with the Government about the implementation arrangements of the project, with the goal of ensuring that it follows international good practice.

The World Bank Group remains committed to supporting the DRC in its efforts to provide affordable and reliable energy for its people and to drive sustainable sources of growth for its economy. Beyond the Inga project, the Bank Group will remain engaged in the electricity sector in DRC by focusing on improving the performance of the State Utility SNEL, rehabilitating mid-size hydropower plants, increasing energy access, and continuing support to regional transmission interconnections.

RDC: Communique de presse: “Librer les prisonniers politiques et d’opinon” (26.07.2016)

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RDC: Communique de Presse du G 7 (25.07.2016)

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Déjà Vu’: The Kampala Metropolitan Police doesn’t have common sense when it comes to Besigye!

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It’s is a déjà vu’ for Dr. Kizza Besigye today as he must have felt it, yet again entering Makindye Court to answer yet another case in-front of another judge; The Judge must really like Posho, because the charge was soft and gooey. Even ACP Polly Namaye claimed the infamous law Public Order Management Act on the detaining and stopping Besigye from attending the Tuesday Prayer at Najjankumbi Headquarters in Kampala on the 4th April 2016.

As the Police at that time called it a planned procession through Metropolitan Kampala as he was driving from Kasangati through the town. That day he was planning to cross Mulago toward the Central Kampala, but as Police Commanders under orders of Kampala Metropolitan Commander Andrew Felix Kaweesi. Then his car was whisked away as he was taken to Old Kiira Road Police Station. This was as he had disobeyed Police Orders at a Roundabout towards Kalerwe not far from Mulago. So the Police had already decided to detain him!

Besigye Jinja Road 25.07.2016

Now today he entered the Makindye Court together with Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago at his side, to address the court of the unlawful behavior and disobeying police orders in April 2016. Apparently the earlier trial dates are showing that the Government defense of the case was manufactured and wasn’t clear. As the State-Witness on the 22nd May when addressing the court was even contradicting himself and wasn’t really saying anything considerate about the case. For instance at one second he was a higher level officer in the Army before becoming Police, later he countered that statement with saying he never we’re in the Army. If that is the truth than he had a hard time becoming an officer in the army, when he never was there! Therefore the evidence of the crime we’re properly dismissed at Makindye on the 25th July 2016. This proves that the Police Force and Government have wasted lots of time creating issues instead of actually governing.

So the continued aggression from the state came quickly as the word of the dismissal and public walked and greeted Besigye in the Central of Kampala. This was not accepted by the government and Police. The Police still under Andrew Felix Kaweesi, had to silence the brief greeting the public. As the “procession” made-up by random people and supporters shows the popularity of the FDC leader.

Therefore today’s activity from the Metropolitan Police must feel back to the normal as he quickly from leaving the Makindye Court we’re taken to Jinja Road Police Station; while he car we’re towed away from the place in town he we’re picked-up by the Police. So the reality is that the Police is creating a problem; instead of erasing problems. They claimed his car was shoddy and a DMC or a Defect Automobile (Dangerous Mechanical Condition). So the White Toyota Land Cruiser been the criminal passing town and apparently the driver or driven by Besigye. So they couldn’t charge him with procession, I am sure the Police Officer wasn’t sure how to write that; as the Police Officers have written that wrong before.

Besigye 25.07.2016 Jinja Road

At the Jinja Road Police Station the detained politician and arch-nemesis of Museveni, Besigye we’re spending time with loyal allies in Lord Mayor Lukwago, Wafula Oguttu, Hon Amuriat, Hon. Geoffrey Ekanya and Ingrid Turinawe. As he we’re also collecting his statement on disobeying police orders, while his car we’re lucky to be claimed to be a DMC, while the footage on NBS and NTV of the matter shows the “damage” is fiction from the Police Officers to find reasons to detain him again and create new possible trial dates to stop him from attending and questioning the rule of law in the Nation.

So the phony and laughable perfect IGP Kayihura has yet another question about the man so-called fighting him. As he under his leadership tormenting Besigye another day at one of his Police Stations in the Central Uganda; one of the Police Stations Besigye knows well. Surely one of the places he should have wall where he could use chalk to imprint how many times he has been detained there. So IGP Kayihura must be proud of Commander Kaweesi for yet another time finding a solution to silence Besigye, with the charge of DMC. The car that the Police have broken before in 2016 to tear-gas the ones sitting in the car! Did you forget that, yes you did; and at one point Kayihura even promised a new car to Besigye, like that would happen?

Besigye 25.07.2016

Well, let’s be clear, this a phony charge, in the levels of impunity of the Calvary, the Kifeesi Police who has respect and want’s to silence the opposition with the detention of vocal opposition and men of defiance against the status quo of those who are dropping funds after NRM Cronies in scam-bailouts. That is the ones that are detained today and the conflict of justice for all is not there; it is only justice for elite and the men kissing Mzee’s ring. The rest can end-up behind bars, beaten by the police or shedding tears after shooting at the public with teargas.

This will continue as the NRM-Regime cannot help them, they are on sail-boat at the middle of sea, far from land without any wind and trying to find oars to row into land; but they are hidden behind deck and the Mzee doesn’t seem to know because his vision doesn’t say so. Therefore the men who are lost at sea are waiting for accurate statement and direction to the oars while the problem of no wind let them left at sea instead of getting into shade at the harbor. Peace.

Security Council Press statement on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (18.07.2016)

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NEW YORK, United States of America, July 18, 2016The members of the Security Council stressed the crucial importance of a peaceful and credible electoral cycle, in accordance with the Constitution, for stability, development, and consolidation of constitutional democracy in the DRC.

Recalling UNSC resolution 2277, they underscored the urgency in convening an open, inclusive and peaceful political dialogue among all stakeholders focused on the holding of elections, while ensuring the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, paving the way for and ensuring an environment conducive to free, fair, peaceful, credible, inclusive, transparent and timely elections in the DRC, in accordance with the Constitution, while respecting the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

The members of the Security Council expressed support for the decision taken by the African Union to undertake consultations on this dialogue and the appointment on 6 April 2016 of Edem Kodjo, former Prime Minister of Togo, as Facilitator for the dialogue. They welcomed the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the DRC, Maman Sidikou, including through his good offices mandate, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, to facilitate this dialogue among political stakeholders. They took note of the communique issued on 4 July 2016 following the inaugural meeting of the support group for the facilitation of the national dialogue in the DRC and urged all national stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the international facilitation appointed by the African Union, and encouraged all stakeholders to participate in the dialogue.

They expressed their deep concern at increased restrictions of the political space in the DRC, in particular recent arrests and detention of members of the political opposition and of civil society, as well as restrictions of fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of opinion and expression, and ongoing delays in electoral preparations. They urged the Government of the DRC as well as all relevant parties to respect human rights and to refrain from violence and provocation.

They acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the Congolese authorities and especially by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), with the support of various partners to revise the voters’ register, and they emphasized the need for the Congolese authorities to take all necessary steps to proceed without delay, and called on international partners to provide the necessary support.The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to MONUSCO and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC.

Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea welcomes strong resolution on HR in Eritrea (04.07.2016)

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NEW YORK, United States of America, July 4, 2016 The Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea welcomes resolution 32/24, which passed without a vote on Friday, 1 July during the thirty-second session of the Human Rights Council.

Resolution 32/24 commends the Commission for completing its work in a transparent, impartial and consultative manner, while regretting the lack of cooperation by the Government of Eritrea, including the denial of access to the country by the Commission.
Mike Smith, Chairperson of the Commission, said: “The Commission welcomes this Resolution which fully endorses the work we have done over the past two years. We hope that justice for the people of Eritrea who have suffered gross human rights violations over the past 25 years has now taken a step closer to being realised.”

Amongst the 19 recommendations, Resolution 32/24 reiterates the Human Rights Council’s numerous calls upon the Government of Eritrea to end the use of arbitrary detention, to put an end to the system of indefinite national service and to allow unhindered access to the country to further missions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including the consideration for the Office to be based inside the country.

The Commission hopes that Resolution 32/24 will provide a solid platform for the next steps to be taken by the Government of Eritrea, in partnership with the international community, and will bring justice for the Eritrean people.

The Commission also welcomes the transmission of all reports to all relevant organs of the United Nations for consideration and appropriate action.

The strong encouragement for the African Union to follow up on the report and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry by establishing an investigation, supported by the international community, with a view to examining and bringing to justice those responsible for violations and abuses of human rights identified by the commission of inquiry, including any that may amount to a crime against humanity is also welcomed.

The Commission of Inquiry strongly endorses the decision to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea for a further year.

The Commission of Inquiry is scheduled to present an oral update to the General Assembly in October 2016.

Lettre ouverte a Monsieur Mende, ministre de la communication, porte-parole du government (01.07.2016)

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RDC: Ceni Communique de Presse No. 14 – Juin 30. 2016

Ceni DRC 30.06.2016