DRC: Time to care about the mass graves in the Kasai-Oriental Province Part II

By Mid-April there we’re found 40 Mass Graves in the Kasai-Oriental Region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You would think the findings of 40 Mass Graves in the region are dire enough. The warning signs of the efforts done to kill and burn villages in the region. The province of Kasai has been targeted by the Armed Forces of Democratic of Congo (FARDC). This has been done since there is local rebellion because of the violence of the army, this is known as Kamunia Nsapu.

The extent of the violence hasn’t been known, but the world has been kept in the dark, even as UN Experts was killed in the region when they we’re investigating the violence. This to stop the truth of the massacres and killings there. As the numbers of graves become even worse, even the United Nation wants the state to answer for it. They should have been more decisive, since the reports now in July 2017, has become worse than in April 2017.

Jose-Maria Aranaz, the UN human rights director in the DRC, was speaking just a day after the UN said another 38 suspected mass graves had been discovered in this central part of the country. “With more than 80 mass graves identified … it is essential that the inquiry goes beyond those who physically did it and identifies command responsibilities at the military and political level,” said Aranaz. Aranaz dismissed as “unconvincing” the suggestion that rogue elements of the security forces were responsible for the violence. “We have to stop the killing,” he said” (Today.ng, 2017). “Now, they are among more than 1.3 million people that have become internally displaced by a conflict that has in recent months ravaged Kasaï, a vast area almost the size of Germany in the heart of DRC. The Kasaï region has been known for stability that allowed its residents to live peaceful lives. All that changed last year when militia violence, followed by an army crackdown, pitched the area into chaos” (Kirchhof, 2017).

Another 38 probable mass graves have been discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the country’s troubled central region of Kasai, the United Nations said on Wednesday. At least 80 mass graves have now been identified in the region that has seen a major spike in violence between security forces and a tribal militia since September” (African Democratic Institute, 14.07.2017).

So when you have 80 mass graves in the region that is verified by the United Nations and 1.3 million internally displaced people. It shows the state of anarchy and killings. That the people fear both the rebels and the army, so much that they flee from it. They leave their homes and try to find refugee somewhere else. This going-on with nearly no condemnation, no one thinking of adding pressure on the government and trying to forcefully sanction Kinshasa. This isn’t justice, this is naked violations against humanity. If this sort of killings and destruction of society isn’t targeted by the International Criminal Court

This state of affairs not healthy, it is not worthy a great of a nation like the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese authorities and state should care more for the innocent civilians. But clearly they don’t. Time to care about it and spread the terrible news so it can become agenda. More than the ugly tweets of Trump. This is actual killings and murder of civilians, done by either army or rebels. The world cannot be silenced to this and look the other way! Peace.

Reference:

Kirchhof, Andreas – ‘Violence engulfs Congo’s once-peaceful Kasaï region’ (14.07.2017) link: http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/violence-engulfs-congo-s-once-peaceful-kasa-region

Today.ng – ‘DRC must identify those behind Kasai massacres – UN official’ (14.07.2017) link: https://www.today.ng/news/africa/314263/drc-identify-kasai-massacres-official

Project abolish Article 102(b) is to extend the life-long Presidency of Museveni!

The National Resistance Movement and their henchmen are working hard to get this done in time. So their master and chief can continue to rule. The same they did when they abolished term limits in 2005. Before the 2006 General Election. The NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have made this into a sport of how to make the Constitution of 1995, a useless work of art. They can soon be used as a toilet paper, since the legal value get lost when it is amended to fit one mans paradigm, instead of fitting the whole Republic of Uganda. Previous Constitutions has been abolished and changed with the one made in 1995, because the 1962 and 1967 for instance had serious flaws, they also either gave limited presidential powers in the 1962 and abolished kingdoms in the 1967, while making the President an Executive as well in 1967. Now they are planing to amend it just for one man, which is insane. And it just talk of one article in the whole law. It is this one!

Article 102: 102. Qualifications of the President.

A person is not qualified for election as President unless that person is—

a citizen of Uganda by birth;

not less than thirty-five years and not more than seventy-five years of age; and

a person qualified to be a member of Parliament” (Uganda Constitution of 1995),

It is the Article 102(b) “not less that thirty-five years and not more than seventy-five years of age”. This is the sentence and law that are planned to change. Since it doesn’t fit the aging body of President Museveni. The NRM are preoccupied with getting enough votes and finding the right code to change the one that is giving way to Museveni. The change isn’t the make the Republic better or governance better. It would be only because it fits the paradigm of Museveni. His life and his aging body.

This is not for betterment or making steady progress, this is so the NRM MPs and NRM Caucus, the review of the Constitution is only for the purpose of making the longevity of Museveni legal. So he doesn’t breach his own Constitution. Even it makes the Presidential parts and articles pointless. Make the law and the codes into perfect for him. Not making it wonderful for Ugandans, because this is making it so he can rule for life. This isn’t in solidarity or wishing to make a difference. Only because the President is soon 75 years old and he wishes to rule in old age like President Mugabe and others. That is the motivation. Nothing else, the rest is hogwash, bullshit and propaganda.

This will only benefit Museveni and the cronies who are loyal to him. No-one else… the only one benefiting is Museveni and his yellow party NRM. The abolishing of Presidential Age Limit isn’t for the greater good, it will not stop famine, higher inflation and battle unemployment. It will not create better development of agriculture or anything else. More or less making sure the State House and all the other powers will be Museveni to own. That is why he speaks of Ugandans and Ugandan values like he understands it all. Also, that he has to look into every single problem and sanctions provisions for the changes and who gets the needed help. No-one else matters since it has get the needed decision from the President.

President Museveni has a plan and that is to stay in power beyond his constitution for the second time. Changing it when needed be, there will clearly be happening because the Article 102 will be made for him. This has been talked about ages and now it will happen. If not before he turns 75 years old. Peace.

RDC: Lettre – Societe Civile Forces Vives de la Republique Democratique du Congo – Province du Nord-Kivu: “Object: Etat de lieu de la situation socio securitaire de Bisie Territoire de Walikale” (26.06.2017)

CEG – “Re: Petition of the Amendment of Article 102(b) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, as Amended” (04.07.2017)

The Gazetted Constitutional Amendment will give Life Presidency to Museveni!

That the Minister of Justice Kahinda Otafiire and Constitutional Affairs has The Uganda Gazette on the 8th June 2017, so the Constitutional Review Commission will look into needed changes in the 1995 Constitution, that was last amended in 2005, so that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni could continue to run the Republic and make sure the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Still had the full-control of the state. This is how it has been today, since the two presidential terms got abolished in 2005, but now the age limit of the President is planned to scrapped to fit the age of President Museveni. So he can be the President until death.

President Museveni wasn’t a democratic demigod, instead he is the true President for Life, who doesn’t care about his own legacy and the state of affairs. This because the Republic are totally connected with him. Nothing else matter. This is the proof of the new Amendment, which most likely are made to be fitted his future. The future of a life presidency of Museveni. Nothing else, it is that simple. That a former revolutionary and liberator keeps now his republic captive.

He has captured the state and now keeps it hostage, he uses and spends the state reserves on his own, the crony capitalism, as the envelopes runs wild. There been reports earlier in June that the Members of Parliament to vote for a Constitutional Amendment would mean that they would cash-out Shs. 300 million. That means 426 MPs was elected and sworn-in after the General Election of 2016. That would mean in vast sum of Shs. 127bn. Which is more than the Presidential Donation budget in the Financial Year of 2017/18. And in the budget made for the Financial Year of 2017/18 he was given Shs. 70Bn, which means if the MPs are getting paid from the proposed Presidential Donations it would miss 56bn.

But, hey by then they already have new suits and shiny shoes fitting their brand-new SUVs granted on their Swearing-in as MP. Surely, the easy money as much all the other benefits for being representatives must be swell. The enrichment of becoming politician and representative in the 10th Parliament, if this means that the State House controls it and makes all the political organs as a vassal state. Because they just have to follow orders and comply. The Motion and the Bill might be written by Minister Otafiire, but he is only being a loyal subject of the President.

Since it isn’t the first time they tried to get the amendment of the 1995 Constitution and the changed one again in 2005. Therefore, the try in 2015 wasn’t successful, but now after recent election the MPs thinks it isn’t that striking the plan of the old-man. He just want to rule and without any consideration of the state, which is his vassal. They are just subordinate to his rule and all his subjects. Nothing else. It is so simple, the mere fact of the whole situation. Now if this law is enacted and becomes law, if they found a formula to make the Presidency owned by one man and continues to extend his powers. There aren’t any real state functions that matters, unless it gets his blessing and his provisions. They are all mere subjects, with titles and salaries, but not real ones, because they all just follows his whispers and his commands.

With the Life Presidency, the Vassal State under President Museveni will be official, not only mafia state, a despotic state, but a Vassal State, that is totally separated by the State House where all the powers reside and the decisions are made. Peace.

A look into how little the Wakiso Vote mattered to President Museveni in General Election 2016!

You would think on a day like this as the final rallies in Kyadondo East, which is part of Wakiso District, that the National Resistance Movement and the Police Force would bring peace. But they didn’t, they created chaos and moved independent candidates, as well as detaining them for interfering in their campaign rallies. This is the proof of vicious ruling regime and how the basic freedoms are limited for others, than the NRM elite and the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, rallying for his candidate in the district. But it seems strange that he cares, since with all due respect. He didn’t care about their votes in the General Election of 2016, as these areas have been a stronghold for opposition party Forum for Democratic Change and because Dr. Kizza Besigye reside in Kasangati, which is a vital part of Kyadondo East.

In Kampala and its adjacent districts, the Group observed voting delayed by as much as two to four hours and subsequently observed polling locations where voting was delayed by as much as six to nine hours. Anecdotally, in Kampala, there were several polling stations located within minutes of the premises of the Electoral Commission that did not receive voting materials on time” (…) “The voting hours were subsequently extended in Kampala. However, it appeared that this information was not extensively communicated, as voters and polling officials appeared confused and uncertain of the process. The EC announced that polling would continue in a number of constituencies in Wakiso and Kampala districts the following day. Turnout, however, was low on the second day – which was a working day – and it is possible that many potential voters decided not to attempt to vote, after having waited for many hours the previous day”(Commonwealth, P: 13-14, 2016).

Furthermore, eight teams across the country reported that polling stations could not open before 10 AM. A number of polling stations, notably in Kampala and Wakiso, had not opened within six hours. Significant delays and a lack of effective communication by the EC fuelled frustration and tensions among voters, with EU EOM observers and media reporting about large crowds protesting against being deprived of their right to cast the ballot. In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (EU, P: 29-30, 2016).

The EC failed to communicate and declare final results of presidential and parliamentary elections in a comprehensive, timely and transparent manner. The announcements of the presidential election’s preliminary results started while voting was still ongoing in parts of Kampala and Wakiso. The final results were declared within the legally binding 48-hour deadline, but they did not contain data from seven per cent of all polling stations, and therefore excluded some 675,000 votes cast. The EC delayed the publication of the final results broken down by polling station till 25 February and uploaded them on its website in a manner that did not allow for easy access or use. The EC also did not publish the scanned copies of the DRFs online although they were readily available in electronic format, thus further reducing voters’ access to information of public interest and in contravention of the principles outlined in the ICCPR” (EU, P: 3-4, 2016).

The 2016 Elections witnessed a number of violations of the right to vote, most notably due to late delivery of materials in Kampala and Wakiso districts, described by the Supreme Court as evidence of incompetence and gross inefficiency by the electoral management body. A number of potential voters we’re disenfranchised during the voting exercise, in particular persons who turned 18 between May 2015 and February 2016, detainees, including some pre-trial dententions and Ugandans in the diaspora” (FHRI, P: 25, 2016)

So both, the Commonwealth report, FHRI report and the European Union Observer Group saw the same vast indifference for the votes and voter turnout in Wakiso, the same was seen in capital, but that isn’t where the By-Election is happening now. This proves the lack of care and common sense as President Museveni drives Tuk-Tuk and talk of importance of electing people who serves him. He might say he wants to be challenged in Parliament, but everyone knows that is a lie. Therefore, he detained Bobi Wine earlier in the day and moved him to Gyaza town, so his presence could be in Kasangati and at Szasa Grounds. Not like he could be more ruthless, but surely he would rig these election like he did in 2016. Nothing new there, if the turnout would be meager and lack-lusting that would hurt the old-man. Since he cannot show 90-100% turnout, when there would be no lines of people showing up. Harder to rig just a bunch of paper compared to buck-load, which can be pre-ticket into ballot boxes and look legit. That is how they do, especially under President Museveni. The man who made himself a revolutionary by claiming UPC rigging in 1980s. Such a class-act the President, becoming worse than the ones he toppled! Peace.

Reference:

Commonwealth – ‘Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group Uganda General Elections – 18 February 2016’ (18.02.2016)

COMESA – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’

EU – ‘Final Report – Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’ (June 2016)

RDC: Lettre du Cabinet d’Advocats – “Concerne: Cas Des Tortures du Batonnier Jean Claude Muyambo” (23.06.2017)

RDC: “Note Technique – Violence dans le Grand Kasai – Resume des dommages soufferts par les institution ecclesistiques” (16.06.2017)

RDC: Communique de Presse du G7 (24.06.2017)

RDC: Message de L’Assemblee Pleniere Ordinaire des Eveques Membres de la CENCO (23.06.2017)