Opinion: Where did the Statesmen go?

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There is a lot’s of Members of Parliament, lots of cabinets and governments with Ministers smiling and making nonsense claims or laws for quick popularity instead of long-term care of their citizens. That is why I write today, because this is international issue, where did the honorable elected person who actually gives a damn go? Do they hide in cave in Afghanistan or is it in tiny local council in Dublin? I just have to ask as the assets and the capital are spoilt, bent or betrayed by the same persons who are supposed to represent us. First let me explain what a Statesman is… and be clear this is not done in my words.

Meriam Webster says this: “a usually wise, skilled, and respected government leader” (Meriam Webster). Another dictionary says this: “a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs” (Vocabulary). Some qualities many people agree that a Statesman should have is: “Principles”, “A Moral Compass”, “A Vision” and “The ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision” (McKay, 2012).

With that in mind you have a lot of expectation of a man or woman to be respected and qualities in the leadership from the person. There are not easy being resourceful, have the ability to govern and become respected. The ability and skills comes from the person and the respect. The respect comes from the ones the statesmen actually govern and international community.

Harvey Dent Gotham

The statesmen isn’t like the Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of our day. There might be a few exceptions but our society is so quick and so microwaved. The news and the decisions are taken out of nowhere. What is worrying is how the multi-national companies (Like Royal Shell, Amazon, Monsanto and others) and multi-national organizations (World Health Organization, World Bank and International Monetary Fund). That together with International trade and Unions (NAFTA, European Union, ASEAN);  who keeps forging the sovereign nations under siege by trade-regulations and the restrictions on the nations who complies with laws they set.

This here is with all of this in mind together with the endless cycles of elections that the politicians have in mind. The initial issues with the access to the media as the live-TV and debates, together with Social Media and even radio programs; there are these where their legacy and character are on display, together with the initial reporting on what they are doing in their councils or parliament. The Politicians have aspects as they supposed to be loyal to the party organization and also to the constituency.

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The people who read the papers, the articles, listen to the radio and watch TV are the ones that will discuss these politicians and vote for them. They are the ones responsible for their existence if they are real elections then the ballot will pick the men and be tallied right. If they are rigged in and selected by a committee or an Executive, then they never will be statesmen; as they never have the moral compass to even show respect to the ones they represent.

An initial position for them is supposed to be the Representatives of the citizens or the constituency. These people who are supposed be leaders and take decisions where the end-game are supposed to be for the better for the citizens and constituency. In our time, the MPs and the Politicians are more into their own career and their own capital than the ones they are supposed be there for. Many of them could just been lobbyist and work for corporations instead of the chambers where they represent a district or a county.

Cartoon Politicians

When it is like this with the bottom-line is their own personal wealth instead of the moral judgement, when the words portrayed and pledges given are for fitting the times and popular judgement of the times instead of longevity of the constituency and nation. That is what is missing. So few politicians of our time is gambling their career for the common good or the care of their constituency; with that in mind the level of trust between politicians and the people are low.

The low trust is because politicians are not who supposed to be, they are either biased by the structures over them like the European Union or the Multi-National Companies who are controlling their judgement. The judgement and the laws set to regulate the actions of the Politicians are altered as they are usually the ones that set the standard and are the lawmakers in the Nations. That is why they need to be men of vision and moral capacity to create a consensus with others; this is because it is also agreed upon by the other parties and also with the other people who elected them.

Now that I have the bar; take shot and sit down. I have already black-balled a generation as we have inherited this, the parliament didn’t sit there all of sudden, as much as the books we have in our libraries with common knowledge didn’t happen to jump into the houses. All of this got created over time and with capacity and tender hesitation of what we wish for. This is because we as citizens have to take more care of the parties and politicians around us, as they are a reflection of our societies and the ground-level we all build. We cannot be bushwhacked by strangers, we have to make sure the policies and a law they creates is the ones that are accepted.

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Because a true statesmen are the ones that makes a mark on our time; the ones that are not a politician who are just popular, but will be remembered for making the decisions that maybe was hard at the time, but on the long-term making sure that the nation and constituency got better or made progress. That is why we have politicians, they are not there to be kings and queens, be lords and honorable men who think they can run us naturally. Certainly they cannot, they are there because of us; if they do not serve us and they are not useful for us.

What I miss as I see in a Statesmen, is not take the popular decisions or the one in the time, but the ones who are there now is more politicians who thinks more about polls and elections cycles, than being about the people they represent. That they are pressured by the Multi-National Companies and International Organizations who putting pressure on them as well, but they shouldn’t bend backwards for these, as they doesn’t represent Brussels or Coca-Cola, but they represent their constituency.

I want a politician I can remember for having the balls to think about how the decisions will be remembered in 20 years and if it will be setting the standard for the ones after him/her. That is a statesman, who is somebody who actually cares about the real future, not next election cycle, not only the persons own career and also the clarity of the ramifications of their acts as representatives. So with this in mind, do you feel the same or am walking alone in this tabloid world of quick headlines and quick careers; instead of building nations and being gentlemen of the board and take charge of what is left of it. Peace.

Reference:

Meriam Webster ‘statesman’ link: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statesman

McKay, Brett & Kay – ‘The 4 Qualities of a True Statesman’ (30.01.2012) link: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/01/30/the-4-qualities-of-a-true-statesman/

Vocabulary – ‘Statesman’ link: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/statesman

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network on the recent warrant of arrest for Moise Katumbi and his arrival in South Africa for medical treatment (21.05.2016)

Moise Katumbe 20.05.2016

21 May 2016

Release: Immediate

The ALN notes with extreme concern the warrant of arrest for Moise Katumbi, opposition leader and former Governor of Katanga Province.

Mr Katumbi has recently arrived in South Africa for medical treatment following the firing of teargas directed at him and his supporters.

The charges against Mr Katumbi follow extensive intimidation and arrest of numerous opposition supporters. With elections scheduled for November this year and President Joseph Kabila showing clear indications that he seeks an unconstitutional extension of his term, there is an urgent need for inclusive dialogue amongst all stakeholders.

The lack of both state resources and empowerment provided to Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) further inhibits the democratic right of Congolese citizens to participate in free and fair elections.

ALN President and former Minister of Planning Olivier Kamitatu states that: “President Kabila has deliberately sabotaged the electoral process. The ruling policy is one of chaos and fear”.

Further to the ALN’s resolution (adopted at the 12th General Assembly in January 2016) on the political crisis in the DRC, the Network calls for the end to violence and the start of peaceful, legitimate dialogue within the context of the rule of law. All parties, both opposition and majority, must be protected and guaranteed their rights in political activities and assembly.

The ALN furthermore calls for the protection of Mr Katumbi and a fair trial should there be credible evidence. If not, the government of President Kabila is to cease its intimidation and arbitrary arrest of the opposition.

The Network maintains the position that functioning democracies are bound by the rule of law and constitutionalism, including adherence to presidential term limits.

Letter – No. 3010/RMP.V/041/PGR/MIM/2016: Requete en expatriation de Mr. Moise Katumbi pour des raisons de soins medicaux en Afrique du Sud (20.05.2016)

Katumbi 20.05.2016. Letter of State

Moïse Katumbi saga continues with him in possible exile; as he takes a hospital plane to South Africa for treatment!

Moise Katumbe 20.05.2016

Moïse Katumbi, the Opposition Presidential Candidate in Democratic Republic of Congo; who was recently charged with connection to mercenaries and problem for National Security, as President Kabila tries to secure his third term. This has happen while the Demonstrations in Lubumbashi and tear-gas have hurt Moïse Katumbi, and hospitalized the man; in this tale there is sad news.

Katumbi 20.05.2016

He has taken together with his entourage went to the airport of Lubumbashi and went on a Hospital Plane that we’re going to South Africa. This means that the both he needs treatment after the violence from the government security forces attacked him and his supporters recently. There was one of his lawyers that were first verifying his travel plans, today. Even Minister of Communication Lambert Mende confirms the authorization for the travel for Katumbi to Johannesburg for treatment.

UK Katumbi 20.05.2016

Moïse Katumbi is initially going into exile and going for treatment as his candidacy is to hurtful for the ruling president and his strong-man tear-gas fear spreading policies into the General Election.

The remains of Mobutu's Palce
The remains of Mobutu’s Palce

This is the legacy that Joseph Kabila will leave, not so he could usher in something new. Certainly his home will be fled like the home of Mobutu and his palace in end up like this one in Gbadolite, the same that I am sure Kabila is building for himself. Until his reign ends and a empty palace for the forest to eat, since they (Congolese people) do not want to remember the oppressive behavior of Kabila. Peace.

Letter: 067/SG/MLC/2015: “MLC – The stage is set for May 26, a peaceful march for all Congolese!”

DRC 16.05.2016

ICC Request Republic of Uganda to answer for not arresting President Bashir of Sudan at the Swearing-in, recently!

ICC 17.05.2016 Bashir

I Grieve over the MPs Officiating knowing the fraudelent Election

MPs Parliament Uganda 16.05.2016

Usually, me a Political living being would be giddy and happy knowing that people who have worked hard and wanting to represent their constituency, finally gained their justice and the opportunity to work as legislators and men and woman working for the common good in the Parliament and in an chamber that, an august hall where the Members of Parliament would create and make policies for a better tomorrow.

So when they are swearing-in Members of Parliament in Uganda, I should be happy, but I am not. I am just, eh! Let’s say I am mediocre, or full of fatigue as the Electoral Malpractices, the sham-election and rigged election of 2016 still lingers on, I don’t believe the results of any of the Members of Parliament, even with the few MPs from the Opposition, but the way the practices and the total pictures is so flawed that even FDC men there; is just to show the Donor Countries that we have Multi-Party Democracy through the ballot, but I don’t believe that is the real picture. Even Norbert Mao couldn’t contest this election in Gulu Municipality.

NTV Odoi NRM Primaries

There are little to celebrate as the elections are so hectic and fraudulent, nothing I see as the pictures of these representatives swearing-in on the Constitution or Bible. The words and the distinct participation, the regress of democratic values, while the Ruling Regime even tried with opening of new districts clear the citizens and the constituencies to secure the new hand-picked men of the Executive. The men and woman who even went uncontested for the position of becoming an MP; that is just questionable, as the NRM Primaries was just full of flaws, no matter how much Dr. Tanga Odoi thinks he is an election king and grand master of controlling elections.

Certainly the whole picture is a smear of sadness and grim anticipations of the 10th Parliament. Usually it would be looking forward with some hope of real progress and sustainability of wise leadership to develop infrastructure, education, health care and all level of bureaucracies of the state; instead it’s with sadness of the strong grip of power by the Executive and his hands into all coffers of the government. There are no strings his fingers is not touching, none orders from above that is not directed from him. His words are now laws while the MPs are paid to secure his views or silenced by the payment structure instead of representing the Constituencies and being Nobel leaders of the land.

Gen Tukumunde Entebbe Dec 2015 - Money Man for NRM

The Parliament and their MPs are not a force to be recognized, they are puppets dancing to the tune of the Executive and his war-chest. A war-chest he is using to dissolve and disperse the crowds to silence the opposition with house-arrest, phony charges, spying on political activity and creating special police forces that are monitoring the opposition without any care of laws or freedom of movement. The Executive does what he can to centralize the Power in his hands, while letting the loyalist amongst him being happy on breadcrumbs; while the Executive eats the whole Bakery.

The liability and guilt-ridden authorities that does what it can to be there and keep the other at bay, at any cost and even starting to get rid of the men and woman inside the Police Force who might have allegiance to the Opposition, as they did not accept the way the Former Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye we’re able to get out of his home on the 11th May and have a Mock Swearing-In 24 hours before the Executive himself Sworn himself for the 7th term in Office.

Kasangati 05052016 P2

The way he was able to Kasangati home:

“Besigye exchanged all the cloths and the helmet with the motor cyclist (Commonly known as Boda Boda) man. Immediately without wasting time, Besigye jumped on the bike and that’s how he managed to escape”.

The initial violence against the Opposition, the detaining, the sieged headquarters of Forum for Democratic Change, the raids against the rehearsal studio of Bobi Wine and the raid of JEEMA Forums headquarters in recent days. So the level of political freedom is dwindling, the FDC house-arrested MPs was only freed so they could be there and be parts of Swearing-in, not being really free.

FDC HQ 10.05.2016 Crime Scene

Therefore today’s action at the Parliament doesn’t really matters to me, because of the state of affairs, the electoral laws and the war-chest of President Museveni. The way the Security Forces are used to silence the Opposition and the citizens are unbearable, the tear-gas and the live bullet towards fellow peers, is not justice as the civil disobedience should alter the actions of the government, not make it detain the ones that opposes it. This is the reasons, why people oppose this government, this Executive and the current Police State.

If the people and the government where in sync then the government would not need to deploy the army for the Swearing-In, would not need to deploy the army around the Election Day and would not need to use French Speaking Soldiers recently, as the Government would have trusted the people and the people would also trust their representatives in Government. This is natural beneficiary stations between the elected people and the people who are elected. But since the representatives are selected by the Executive instead of by the citizens that they are supposed to be; therefore the Executive uses the Army and Police to silence the ones that feels the representatives is not representing them.

Igads-head-of-Election-observer-team-Yufnalis-Okubo-left-and-former-TZ-president-Ali-Hassan-Mwinyi-who-lead-the-EAC-team-addressing-joint-press-conference-last-friday-at-Sheraton

Certainly, some of the MPs are proud of the Elections and finally made it after many tries, but the sham elections, would hope that they came into Parliament like FDC’s Francis Mwijuke who finally cracked into the Parliament. I wish people like him came into the Parliament without the questionable elections as then the legitimacy of his Honorable position. I would have congratulated him more for the honor, but he and the ones who have fought for become MPs had deserved to come there through a credible and fair election.

I don’t care what Hon. Jacob Oulanyah hoop’s and lies to get to his position again, as he had controversies into the ballots and other issues with his local Talley Offices and results. Others were in the same way, not everybody who was elected without contest like Hon. Sam Kuteesa. The others have to pay of their constituencies and use the NRM Village Fund and the 250k could not save the votes or the Local Councils who needed the money to clear the local pledges. There certainly too many issues with this election and violence to be happy about the Members of Parliament swearing-in.

Badru EC

It is not enough that Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu can announce whatever he wants and follow the Master, the Executive who is in control of the Electoral Commission, as he has appointed them and keeps them in order. Therefore the results are cooked in away the Executive wants them, instead of honoring the citizens and their votes. Therefore you saw on the Presidential Election that people showed up, but on the Local Councilors and Lord Mayor elections where the we’re less people showing up to the Polling Stations; shunning the ballots, because of the lack of transparency and value of their vote on the Election Day for the Presidential Election. The Electoral Commission together with the Authorities with their arrogance thought the people or the citizens would not mind the harassment or the violence from the Police towards the Opposition, they we’re wrong.

As we speak Dr. Kizza Besigye is sent from Moroto Government Prison and airlifted to the Luzira Prison. His second time treason charge as President Museveni cannot own up to his thieving and has to stifle the opposition by all means. Therefore he will blame the international community and others then looking into his own created problems. Henceforth he will deplete all outcomes and crash all institution to consolidate more power. That is also why on the same day Members of Parliament where sworn in, the UPDF had official promotions, which happen to be his son Brig. Muhoozi into Major General of Special Force Command of the Army or the Flying Squad. So the Executives works to secure all wings of Government are under the family, we will see Janet as Minister and other close connected NRM elites in the 10th Parliament as the NRM are more unsecure about their security.

The Army and Police will be more draconian towards the Opposition as the people are not behind the NRM or their Executive. Peace.

DRC oppositon condemns ruling on Kabila and elections (Youtube-Clip)

“A leading opposition party has condemned a ruling by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s highest court that President Joseph Kabila can remain in office, if elections scheduled for November are delayed. The Movement for the Liberation of Congo says the court was not independent. The ruling came amid rising tensions over the government’s failure to set a date for the country’s next elections, originally due in November this year before Kabila’s mandate ends” (CCTV Africa, 2016).

DR Congo police fire tear gas at Opposition leader Moise Katumbi Supporters (Youtube-Clip)

“Clashes between supporters of opposition leader Moise Katumbi and the police erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s second largest city. Police were forced fired tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters while at least 10 people were arrested outside the prosecutor general’s office in Lubumbashi who surged toward the building. Moise Katumbi, a leading opposition candidate for president is being questioned over government allegations of hiring mercenaries, including former U.S. soldiers, in a plot against the republic. Katumbi is a favorite in the race to succeed President Joseph Kabila, whos constitutional mandate ends in November” (CCTV Africa, 2016).

Discussion: Should the French get jurisdiction for trials of Rwandan Genocide? Since they now are breaching international boundaries and judging acts not happening on French soil, but in Rwanda.

Mittrand Rwanda President

It is not that I am for the Rwandan genocide or partial in any sense of the actions done in Paris today. I will just spill the beans and ask for questionable trial and courtship in Paris as that is France, not Kigali that is Rwanda. If it still we’re tribunal in Arusha, Tanzania then this would be understandable for court outside as it was an agreement between United Nation and the Rwandan Government for this Tribunal as Peaceful change after the civil war and the genocide in 1993-1994 in the country. There I will question the action of the French Authorities today.

In Paris today:

“On Tuesday, Octavien Ngenzi, 58, and Tito Barahira, 64, will go on trial for allegedly playing a direct role in the massacre of hundreds of Tutsi refugees in a church in the eastern town of Kabarondo on April 13, 1994” (News Wires, 2016).

Milwaukee-Journal-April-7-1994

Because it is an important question and with the implication of history between Rwanda and the France; France have been the colonial master on the African Continent and still have control over the Central African Franc (CAF) and with that has an economic stake in many African nations. Still, this should not be implicated into why they can take Citizens of another Nation and also order their trial, even if it is breaching with Human Rights and Roman Statute. Most Countries have ratified the Roman Statute and also parts of UN Charter for Human Rights and even the Geneva Convention on justice in War. Still, this does opens the door from who has the right to sanction and the right to create justice.

Some people might say the Rwandan Government is a totalitarian and a Police State under strict control from a central government under the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) under President Paul Kagame who does not have the will to take certain Génocidaires to court as they might implicate certain close allies of the government. Still, that does not open the question that I will talk about. Because even if the courts and judges are premature and built for the Government in Rwanda, does not take away their jurisdiction and their own rights of rule of law in their own country. Even when it is the violations are a crime against humanity as Genocide.

KagameCartoon

Not that I want the men and woman behind an action of this size to get away is not my intention to discuss it. It is more the example of colonial law and the post-colonial acts that are not just or justified. We as people have to set standards and use our minds. I will not let the French or British control the Central Arguments, as much as I don’t want the Americans or Chinese doing it. What is important is this. We have Nations, which is a set territory, a territory where they keep citizens safe and have the monopoly for violence is for the state; in that sense that the nation have an Army to keep foreign forces away and the town a secure to raise families and work. Second part of that security is the internal security to make peace inside the country with a Police that takes criminals and courts of laws that with justification condemns and detain fellow citizens that have breached the national laws. All of this should be universal and understood, as ordinary understanding of what a state should do. And it with this matter I will take a step further.

Because this is important even when the States and Governments who controls their nations and does the wrong acts against fellow peers. Their citizens should then as long as the nation and state have ratified international laws and statutes get their crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court of Hauge. Even if the ICC and it’s attack on African Leaders, it still have the authority as given by the United Nation and the other bodies together with the ratified laws that the States and Government have signed at one point in time.

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The problem I have and the reason for it is simple and it’s basic for any Republic/Kingdom/State/Nation their sovereign rights and their sovereign rule as a Sovereign Power in their own Territory as it is with the Army and the Police inside that nation. That is the main issue I have. Even when it comes to Crime Against Humanity.

Let’s say that the unlawful and unjust war from the United States of America under President George W. Bush who even address the world on 20th March 2003, which started a war on false premise and lies to American public and the United Nations, without the international states accept for United Kingdom accepting the attack on the Sovereign Nation of Iraq under President Saddam Hussain. I am not saying President Hussain we’re a saint, as his acts with certain gas and weapons against Iran was not justified, still the matter at hand can question the jurisdiction of the ones implicated and breaches of justice from the American Government at the time and the United Kingdom Government who went in Iraq. They all certainly we’re behind acts against Humanity on some levels as they went to war and even did torture in certain chambers in Iraq. Can the Rwandan Government and their courts if they collect evidence and collect for instance affidavit of victims and of low-level civil servants of the time, could they take President Bush for trial at the High Court of Kigali?

Time Saddam

I am just asking the question, because the case today is an act upon the same sovereign question as the former Mayors of two towns or villages are taken to court in Paris. They are in foreign land as they are not in the Jurisdiction and the Territory of where the crimes happen and in the State where the claimed Génocidaires are citizens.

If citizenship and if sovereign nations still means something, then we have to ask the question and ask the matter. Even when it grimes crimes and crimes against humanity as the laws should be the same for Western Nations as for the African Nations. This should open up the questions for French interaction with the Génocidaires of the official government at the time under President Habyarimana with the military training and equipment before Operation Turquoise turned into the UNAMIR mandate under Dallaire. In that sense, the black-box sage that never really been answered as the training and interference of the French, should give the Government under Rwandan Patriotic Front to be allowed to Court the French Men who served the Génocidaires, right? Since the French now is doing the same in Paris, just because they are French and European should not make them able to clean their hands of the blood, just as much as the RPA, now RPF should not be white-washed over time. The law should apply alike to either side. Something that should not be needed to explain or take on; as any crime on humanity and support of the attacks with weapons and structures should be taken to court as violation of these men and woman.

The case is not that the Génocidaires should be dealt with from authorities and the men behind killings should not be punished by the Government or any other piece international legal-body that has the jurisdiction on it. If so then the men and woman should go to international court or a national one that could offer a fair judgement on the causes behind the violations and assess the criminal activity.

Rwanda Paris Court

But what bugs me is the easy way the French and Government of France overturn the Rwandan Government as a sovereign nation to turn their citizens and their eye-witnesses to Paris for the trial to concede the judgement of these two mayors. Not that I am defending the Mayors for their activity, it’s the actions of French I am still questioning.

That is why, why couldn’t the Rwandese if they could collect information on the French involvement and support of the late-President Habyarimana in the turns up-to the genocide. Since the French can now take Rwandese to court in Paris and collect the witnesses from Rwanda to serve these men and woman in the capital of France. There questions about it and if it is justified as the precedence this kind of cases set. As if the French Authorities still can grant them authority to get these people to be eye-witnesses in a court case of actions against humanity in Rwanda and not on the French shores or near Caen. Therefore since this court is not directly based on the Roman Statute or the other ratified laws where the crimes against humanity are involved and control the verdicts of the judgements. So the matter is that if it was so, since this a case that is about crimes done abroad in alien jurisdiction, it might should have been posted in the ICC and not the High Court or whatever name the Court have in Paris.

Rwanda France

It is not that I want the two Mayors to free-men without a court judgement or get the Génocidaires of the Rwandan tragedy to not be tested in Court and get fair trials, so that the men and woman who has actually done their crimes get their punishment. But the way it is done and how it is conducted as long as it talks about Sovereign States and Territory; when coming to court and to be able to conduct justice to its citizens and the condemn the crimes, condone it and make sure that criminals get fair trials before serving time as felons. That shouldn’t be too much to ask. The question is if we twisted the Courts to Kigali instead of Paris, if the French we’re sent to be on trial in Kigali instead of Paris. That should be allowed to ask, as the Rwandan Government and the French Government are both Sovereign States. As Sovereign they have rights, over territory and their citizens and nations are bound to respect these in any sense and be responsible for justice, also over boundaries and borders. And also respecting the international conventions, laws and other ratified accords that set the standards for justice in the State as the Citizens need safety and security; something the state should provide and make sure they have, by the peaceful means and rule of law. Peace.

Reference:

New Wires – ‘Rwandan ex-mayors face trial in France over 1994 genocide’ (10.05.2016) link: http://www.france24.com/en/20160509-rwandan-ex-mayors-face-trial-france-1994-genocide-Ngenzi-Barahira