Sudan: Hemeti in command of the TMC at the handshake, will it be so at the Sovereign Council too?

I am worried about legitimizing the Transitional Military Council and their powers, as the Forces of the Freedom and Declared Change (FFC) signed off a very similar deal to what was unleashed to the media on the 5th July 2019. The deal signed today between the parties initial the same and the differences between the parties still has to be ironed out.

What is worrying is seeing Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo aka Hemeti signing the deal, as the representative of the TMC. This means the Rapid Support Force aka Janjaweed has the initial power in the TMC and that even the leader  Abdel-Fatah al-Burhan Abdel-Rahman isn’t all that. Since Hemiti is the one handshaking the FFC and being the front-man. Meaning his the one and is just named deputy in the TMC to stall for time as well. Because, he knows his position and everyone will not accept him.

The RSF have already been in the middle atrocities in Darfur and South Korodofan states for years, where they have killed, raped and vilified the population. They are now taking over post from the UNAMID in the midst of these negotiations and their power is just growing. While the FFC are seemingly hoping this pragmatic deal will help them along the way to a civilian rule. As the years of switching power and having a Sovereign Council will not enable the military to take total control of the Republic. Even if it seems to be trading in shallow waters.

The TMC seems to be in the hands of Hemeti, who has also been abroad and talked with Saudi Arabia and others allies to support his cause. Surely, they would like a compromised and bought war-lord like him. Not a civilian one, who answers to the public and not the direct donors of the Middle-East. Especially, when the Sudanese are sending battalions to fight in the civil-war of Yemen. That is just the approach of the day.

I am not seeing it positive today, that they had a PR Stunt and a presser, where they released a signed document, which states the same and answers few questions on who really has the power. Where they have agreed upon a transitional Sovereign Council, and will configure its mandate, as well as the legal basis for it all. It is surely a lot of power that is on the line, also the struggle for supremacy and loss of it in the end.

I have a hard time seeing this changing over a document and a handshake, the RSF and its allies will pursuit the legal and armed basis for their hold of the Republic. I don’t see this giving way, but only stalling for time and hoping the public give way. Not that I want that, but the men behind the scenes acts like this and stalls for time.

I do not trust Hemeti and his motives, I don’t think his the man to give trust too. His not a fella I would have signed any deal with, because I knew he would change the terms and switch to gain power. When he can and then he will. Will act up and take total control at the Sovereign Council? Why wouldn’t he? He got the power by the little finger and would just snap it to take it. There is no denying this and maybe, that is why Al-Burhan is not visible today at the handshake. Peace.

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the situation in Abyei (17.07.2019)

The Secretary-General conveys his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased peacekeeper and to the Government and people of Ethiopia.

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 17, 2019 – The Secretary-General is saddened by the incident that occurred earlier today at the Amiet Market in Abyei, during which two United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) peacekeepers, conducting a routine patrol, came under attack by unknown assailants. One peacekeeper was killed while the other was wounded. Five civilians from Abyei region were also killed in the incident.

The Secretary-General conveys his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased peacekeeper and to the Government and people of Ethiopia and wishes the injured peacekeeper a speedy recovery. He extends his sympathies to the families of the civilians killed.

UNISFA has deployed peacekeepers to the area to enhance security and determine the circumstances behind the attack.

Somaliland, Education Cannot Wait and UNICEF launch multi-year programme to provide education to more than 54,000 children affected by crises (13.07.2019)

Somalia: AMISOM – AU Special Representative to Somalia condemns terrorist attack in Kismayo (13.07.2019)

Somalia: Statement of the Interngovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on the Terrorist Attack in Kismayo (13.07.2019)

Kenya Police Service: Press Statement on the Arrest of an Al Shabaab Suspect (13.07.2019)

Sudan: FFC holds vigil marches nationwide, while RSF blocks all roads into Khartoum and arrests activists in Darfur!

Today, there are reports of demonstrations all-across the Republic. This is the the Forces for Freedom and Change is calling for a mass vigil on July 13 to commemorate the victims of the June 3 massacre. Today, the citizens has gone to the streets to show remembrance and showing the military that they will not be intimidated by them. The footage of the massacre of 3rd June 2019 has been shown worldwide and the TMC’s crime has been viral for the last few days. Therefore, they NISS, RSF and the army, better respect people’s will today.

Even if the TMC are continuing their mischief elsewhere.

Like in Darfur:

Today, there was 28 people who has been arrested in Darfur. They have been “accused” of belonging to the Forces for Freedom and Change. This is the sort of acts the TMC are doing, while they are negotiating with the FFC.

While during negotiations between the TMC and the FFC. The TMC is requesting a clause in the agreement, that gives them immunity from prosecution and freezing of assets. This is a clear acts of washing their hands of the blood and getting a free ride in the new Sovereign Council.

The Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) spokesperson have gone out to the media, saying that the negotiations are still happening with the TMC. As the discussion of the text and the agreement are still being ironed out. So, things are still being drafted and the clauses are not fixed yet.

The TMC and FFC are supposed today to look over the power-sharing agreement and the text itself. To agree upon it, as this is yet another step for the 3 years and 6 month transition period for the Sovereign Council.

There are footage of demonstrations today in various parts of Khartoum, Omdurman, Medani in Jezira State, Kassala in Eastern Sudan, El Obeid in North Kordofan, Port Sudan and in Gedarif in Gedarif State. All of this is showing that the FFC and the civilian organization of the civil disobedience and protests on the streets as they wanted. So, we are seeing the FFC asking for accountability and righteous actions for the fallen martyrs in the recent massacre done by the TMC and their armed groups.

Therefore, today is important, not only what the FFC and TMC is able to iron out in the power-sharing agreement, but also, if the TMC can let the public demonstrate, protest and hold rallies without violence. Even if there reports of arrests in Darfur. There are also reports of anti-riot police in designated areas, hopefully they will not act all out. Also reports of RSF/Janjaweed blocked the bridge of Manshia with barbed wire from stopping demonstrators to get to Sharg Al-Neil in Khartoum. There is also reports that the RSF/Janjaweed has blocked all bridges in to the capital, so demonstrators cannot enter peacefully into the capital on foot. Let’s hope this doesn’t escalate, as there are reports of RSF elsewhere in Khartoum on stand-by. Hopefully, nothing will spiral, but with these guys you never know.

Time will tell how this will go. But today is an important day in concern of the power-sharing agreement and with the peaceful protest. That the authorities, the military and the RSF isn’t acting out and adding more violence. Even when writing this, there is no reports of tear-gas in Khartoum 2.

Let’s see how this pans out. Peace.

Somalia: Response plan for impact of poor Gu rains in place to avoid a major crisis (12.07.2019)

The delayed start and poor performance of the 2019 Gu’ (April-June) rains resulted in severe drought conditions across Somalia through early May.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 12, 2019 – Two years after the prolonged 2016/2017 drought destroyed livelihoods and displaced almost one million Somalis – but also triggered a massive and successful scale up in humanitarian response to avert famine – severe climatic conditions, combined with other persistent drivers of humanitarian crisis, armed conflict, protracted and continued displacement and a spike in evictions of internally displaced persons are again pushing Somalia towards a major humanitarian emergency.

The delayed start and poor performance of the 2019 Gu’ (April-June) rains resulted in severe drought conditions across Somalia through early May, pushing millions of people into acute food insecurity, with dire consequences for marginalized and displaced communities. In response, the Federal Government of Somalia and the aid community are together implementing a Drought Impact Response Plan which will provide critical life-saving assistance to 4.5 million Somalis between now and the end of the year at a cost of $686 million.

“The food insecurity situation is now extremely concerning with potentially disastrous consequences for the 2.2 million people facing crisis levels of food insecurity.  The seasonal harvest is projected to be 50 per cent below average and even lower in some areas, while malnutrition, drought-related diseases and displacement as well as protection risks are exacerbating existing vulnerability,” said George Conway, the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. “I applaud the Federal Government of Somalia for demonstrating leadership and prioritizing scale up of response to the impact of the erratic and underperforming rains. I call on donors to fully resource the Plan and avoid a major crisis.”

The recurrent climatic shocks are a clear sign that Somalia is persistently vulnerable to the effects of climate change. “While it is critical to respond to today’s urgent life-saving needs, it is equally important that we build community resilience, invest in long-term development and strengthen the capacity of Somalia to withstand future shocks. Not every drought needs to lead to catastrophe,” said Mr. Hamza Said Hamza, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. “We remain committed to move ahead with durable solutions under the Resilience and Recovery Framework and count on our international partners for support.”

The negative impact of erratic and abnormally performing Gu’ rains followed a poor 2018 Deyr season (Oct-Dec), and unusually dry conditions during the 2019 Jilaal season (Jan-Mar), impacting communities that are still recovering from the severe drought of 2016/17. With the exception of the 2018 Gu’, every rainy season since late 2015 has been below average, leading to increased vulnerability and decreased coping ability. Amidst this concerning situation, the humanitarian operation in Somalia remains underfunded with the 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan having received only 38 per cent of its requirements by mid-year, forcing aid agencies to limit or reduce relief efforts at a time when scale up is critical.

Contributions thus far received from the Governments of the United States, Germany, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Qatar, Denmark and Switzerland amongst others are deeply appreciated, but all donors are encouraged to increase contributions to address the impacts of the current humanitarian situation.

The updated Drought Impact Response Plan is available here

Sudan: UN experts denounce Internet shutdown, call for immediate restoration (08.07.2019)

GENEVA – UN human rights experts* have denounced measures taken by the authorities to shut down the Internet in Sudan, saying it stifles free expression and association.

“In the past few weeks, we have continued to receive reports on Internet blocking of social media platforms by the Transitional Military Council,” the experts said.

“The Internet shut down is in clear violation of international human rights law and cannot be justified under any circumstances.** We urge the authorities to immediately restore Internet services. The Human Rights Council has unequivocally condemned measures that intentionally prevent or disrupt access to information online, and recommended all States to cease and refrain from such measures.” 

Noting that peaceful demonstrations to demand democratic transition continue to take place in the country, the experts highlighted that the Internet shutdown adversely impacted peoples’ human rights.

“The internet shutdown forms part of a larger effort to stifle the free expression and association of the Sudanese population, and to curtail the ongoing protests,” the experts said. “Internet services have been shut down several times since the beginning of the year, the last time on 10 June only days after security forces violently dispersed a sit-in and killed and injured more than a hundred protesters.”

“Access to information and communication services is crucial at times of protests. Restricting or blocking access to Internet services not only adversely affects the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and participation, but it also has severe effects on protesters demands’ regarding economic and social rights,” the experts added.

Reportedly, Sudanese internet provider Zain-SDN was found to have the most extensive blocking scheme, covering all key social platforms, followed by MTN, Sudatel and Kanartel.

The UN human rights experts stand ready to provide any assistance to the authorities in this context.

ENDS

Opinion: I been told with time things will be better, but does it?

Well, in troubling times, as things are moving both forward, backward and sideways. It seems that we can defer from enterprising the idea, that everything gets better with time. Surely, this doesn’t mean we as folk doesn’t change, broaden our minds and expand our patterns of thought. No, we might do this, but this doesn’t change the narrative nor the times we are seeing passing by.

We are not a single leaf in the wind. Neither are we a recycled raindrop, awaiting next part of its existence to become evaporated before becoming clouds and be rained down upon us, yet again. Even if life goes in cycle and we as human beings are repeating history, sometimes even without knowing.

The ignorance of out times, as we are silent to the death of immigrants, as we are deaf to the pleas of separated kids in camps in the United States. The silence and lack of outcry, as the US tried to start a war in Iran and tried to enforce an coup d’etat in Venezuela. This is all happening, but no worries. As well, as the European Union have favourable deals with the Libyan, Egyptian and Sudanese Governments to stop immigrants from coming to the shores of Italy, Spain and Greece. That is just we do to each other, instead of giving a helping hand in need, we let people drown with excuses of nationalism, border security and fear of the unknown.

We are living in a time, where there is no problem to silence the media, weaponize social media and misuse state resources to suppress dissidents. This is happening all over, not only in dictatorships, but also in the “free world”. Where leaders are using their means and using their techniques to sophisticated silence and letting the ones defying their stance suffer. There are plenty of journalists in the recent time died by poison, being arrested and tortured. Plenty of opposition leaders in exile and struggling to regain their vitality. That is all happening, but nothing contemplating on the reasons for this.

The weaponization of social media with bots and big media, where the hacking, leaks and misuse of information combined with blind narrow-minded followers, who doesn’t think of the consequences of the acts nor they think of what the message they are spreading. The parties, the leaders are letting their camps all go out into the battlefield. Build their borders filled with landmines, barbed-wire and trenches. In this field, everyone who disagrees is traitors, radicals or even stupid individuals who has no sense. While the bombs, the hypocrites and the vilified commentators should just be blocked or silenced. Because, they are just fake and frauds, while the almighty leader is the ones to listen too.

While this is happening, the wars are steady, they are not stopping. The trade-wars, the Brexit is pumping in its sketchy way. The troubles of Yemen, Syria and Ukraine continues, like wars of old. The slavery trade of Mauritania continues as well as possible slave-ships on the outside of Libya. While, the Amnesty and Human Rights Watch, appeal to the International Community, the Western Sahara is still a punchline for the Pan-African Political Parties, but the world is not caring about the plights of the people there, as long as the big-companies can fish outside the coast there.

The peacekeeping missions are lacking funding, as the missions are staying and lingering, also paying off dictators to send military forces to conflict zones in Sahel, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and so on. The former colonial powers of France, Belgium, United Kingdom and others are still holding their grips of former colonies, as they have new units to treat the new leadership and “open markets” for their products. If they need, they will kiss the rings of dictators and others, to just get the needed resources for a dime.

We are living in fabulous times, we are living times of adventures of freedom, liberty and justice. Where labels of Fairtrade, trade-unions and others are continuing to pushing the envelope, but still not seeing thing true. As the illicit trade practices continues in many markets and by plenty companies, multi-national earning fortunes on their production units paying little or none to its contractors. This wouldn’t been acceptable in the industrialised world, but in the developing world it is dandy. Some in our time, even says these people should be grateful to even have a job. That is how dark our time is.

They says things are getting better with time, are they? There was a promising generation of leaders in the 80s and 90s, but they became alike the former dictators and militaristic regimes of the past. There are little resemblance of the past positive movement. While we are celebrating mediocrity and lacklustre approach to the future problems. We are supposed to be content and think this spoils of our times is good.

While we are not even able to solve the crimes of the 70s and 80s, while struggling with the aftermath of the politics done in the 90s and 00s. We are supposed to be all smiles, as the first decade of this millennium is here. The millennial’s can vote and we are supposed to promise them a greater future. When we are leaving behind the same old issues, with the same old greed and the lack of will to accept the mantle given to us.

Things was supposed to get better time, but apparently they are not. Maybe I am in a dark place today, but I do not see it. Because, we didn’t make it better, we didn’t push it to a greater place, we just let it be and watched a game of football. We didn’t care and didn’t sign up for a party, NGO or even go in a demonstration. We just looked and wonder, when is our turn?

Well, it isn’t given to us, just like the leaders of our day wasn’t given to them either. They fought and took it. If we want change, maybe we need to do the same. Because, things aren’t getting better. I see darkness, I see sinister acts going unpunished and the innocent dying for no fucking reason. Peace.