Troika statement on South Sudan (30.04.2019)

The members of the troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) have made a new statement on the South Sudan peace process.

OSLO, Norway, April 30, 2019 – Read the statement here:

The members of the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) express their appreciation of IGAD’s role in advancing the South Sudan peace process. The September 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), represents an opportunity to build peace and stability in South Sudan.

The R-ARCSS is at a critical juncture, with the scheduled date for the formation of the transitional government days away. The parties to the conflict and in the region need to redouble their efforts to move the peace process forward. To demonstrate political will, we urge the parties to work together in a spirit of compromise to build trust among South Sudanese leaders and the South Sudanese people.

The agreement has brought a welcome reduction in violence in most parts of the country; but civilians are bearing the brunt of continued fighting, and a troubling pattern of sexual violence persists.

The implementation of the R-ARCSS is behind schedule and key benchmarks have been missed. We urge the parties to agree on priorities and implement their commitments. Any decision on forming the transitional government as scheduled or delaying to a later date should be made through consensus of the parties. If the parties come to a consensus that a delay is required, they should develop an achievable plan to resolve outstanding issues and move forward in a defined timeframe. An open-ended delay could slow momentum and put the peace process at risk.  Regardless of a delay in the formation of the transitional government, elections should be held by March 13, 2022, as originally scheduled under the R-ARCSS.

We support IGAD’s Special Envoy Ismail Wais in his efforts to engage non-signatories of R-ARCSS. It is crucial that all South Sudanese support this opportunity for peace and make the process inclusive. IGAD will also have a key role in overseeing discussions about the formation of the transitional government, including at the forthcoming summit in Addis Ababa. We appeal to IGAD to appoint a permanent chair to the Revitalized-Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, which monitors the agreement’s implementation.

The Troika reiterates its commitment to the people of South Sudan and urges the parties and the region to seize this opportunity for Peace.

South Sudan: The TGoNU hires a US Lobbying firm to block the establishment of the Hybrid Court!

Paulino Diing Madol Atak, the Deputy Chief Protocol of the Office of the President have signed an lobbyist agreement with Gainful Solutions INC for the Government of South Sudan through the Office of the President of South Sudan. This is now know, after the Gainful Solutions Inc registered itself as a Foreign Agent for the Republic. Where they lay ahead what is the agreement and planned efforts between the parties. This agreement was signed on the 2nd April 2019 and registered in the FARA register on the 18th April 2019.

Certainly, this is interesting, as the United States Lobbying Firm is run by Michael Ranneberger, whose previous been an ambassador to Mali, Kenya and Somalia. He was also a Special Representative to the Secretary of State, where he was part of the diplomatic mission who helped to craft the Sudan Peace Agreement of 2005. However, in Kenya he had a controversial stint as an Envoy, as had leaked communiques by WikiLeaks, that showed his unfavourable view of public officials. Also, that he at one point went to Rift Valley and asked the public to not show support for William Ruto. Therefore, this is a man who plays with high-stakes. So, he knows what he does, when he takes the money from Juba to lobbying. He knows this, because surely he seen how the South Sudanese elite is spending funds in Nairobi, where he resided for years as Envoy from 2006 to 2011.

So, the South Sudanese counterparts have put their money into crafty hands, to someone who really knows how to wave a storm. Ranneberger and company will surely feel the pressure, not only from Juba because of the questionable sources of funding, but from the Washington D.C. because of their associates.

Clearly, the mission they got combined show something sinister is going on. Especially these parts are worrying: “4. Delay and ultimately block establishment of the hybrid court envisaged in the R-ARCISS.

5. Mobilize American companies to invest in the oil, natural resources, and other sectors.

6. Persuade the Trump administration to open a military relationship with South Sudan in order to enhance the fight against terrorism and promote regional stability”.

By doing this and other tasks for the South Sudanese, the lobbying firm get a retainer of $1,2m and direct payment for services as of $3,7m. This surely will be done to hopeful fulfil the mission and ensure, that the US Government doesn’t put pressure on the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) to establish the Hybrid Court. This shows signs, that the current leadership doesn’t want to be able to answer for its crimes and answer for all the people hurt in the civil war. This is showing weakness, but also lack of responsibility.

UNMISS reported on the 27th January 2017: ““The victims will also feel relieved when their voices are heard,” said Romano, adding that the aspect of justice and accountability is key for reconciliation and realizing sustainable peace. The hybrid court, characterized by a blend of international and national judicial mechanisms, will have jurisdiction with respect to the crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious crimes committed under national and international law” (UNMISS/Patricia Okoed – ‘ADVOCATE ROMANO: HYBRID COURT KEY FOR EFFECTIVE JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY’ 27.01.2017).

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect reported on the 31st October 2018: “Without any further delay, the government should work with the African Union to establish the long overdue Hybrid Court for South Sudan. War criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity, regardless of their position or affiliation, should not be granted amnesty. South Sudan has experienced recurring armed conflict and atrocities for the majority of the country’s seven years of independence. Accountability and justice would show the people of South Sudan and the world that this peace agreement is a genuine break with the past” (Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect – ‘Statement on Peace Celebrations in South Sudan’ 31.10.2018).

This is just two pieces of plenty on the international community supporting a hybrid court for South Sudan, as accepted upon in the R-ARCSS in Chapter V. However, this deal between the parties and stakeholders in South Sudan doesn’t totally matter to the TGoNU. As they are willing to bend on this and stifle the introduction of it. That seems like an attempt to dig over the possible war-crimes and evidence of crimes against humanity. As there is no-one innocent in war. That is why the ones who was in-charge and had responsibility for the actions done. Doesn’t want their work and their past checked in a court, as they have fought for power and doesn’t want to loose that over trial in a newly functional court.

Than its better to pay foreigners millions of dollars to try to stop the International community from putting pressure on building and operating one. That is better and cheaper, as this will buy time to continue to reign without questions of the past. A civil war and horrific acts, which is a reason for why the Republic has so many fled and why so many is Internally Displaced People. Risking the R-ARCSS while keeping power seems more feasible, than actually risking exposing the acts done in war. This seems the idea of the leadership of Juba.

Certainly, the king who ordered to send the pawns for slaughter, doesn’t want the public to know why he sent them there. He just knows they are now gone and hope the towers, the queen and other high-ranking players doesn’t tell the stories. Which would be told in a Hybrid Court. That would really damage the key-players and the ones who has the reign in the TGoNU. This is why they don’t want it out. Peace.

South Sudan: IGAD letter to SSOA – “Re: Invitation to a Meeting of the Leadership of the Parties to the R-ARCSS” (24.04.2019)

Security Council Renews Mandate of United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei to Continue Supporting Joint Border Verification Mechanism – Resolution 2465 (2019) – (12.04.2019)

South Sudan: Joint AU, IGAD and UN Statement (12.04.2019)

Uganda-Rwandan Tensions Part IV: A blame game whose behind the kidnapping at the Queen Elizabeth National Park!

On the 3rd April 2019 there was two Americans kidnapped at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. There been speculations about whose behind it and who claimed the ransom for the disappearance of them. The information is still not clear, as both the Security Agencies are keeping information close to their chest. But also, the willingness of adversaries to spell the beans of ill-will of the other party.

As the Uganda-Rwandan tensions continues. That is why I will show supposed intelligence from both Virunga Post and Command1Post, which both are based respectfully in Rwandan and Ugandan hemisphere. They are clear indication of what the different parties believes, plus Daily Monitor explanation of what happened, but we don’t have the whole story.

Here is what we have for now.

How it Happened: “On Tuesday, at around 5.30pm, Mr Natukunda says he received phone calls from people in the national park informing him that tourists had been abducted. On further inquiry, Mr Natukunda says he was told that about four people in a vehicle had gone on a game drive around Edward Flats (flat area close to Lake Edward) not far from to the Uganda-DR Congo border had been abducted. “I was told by camp (lodge) operators that this was a family of two elderly parents and their daughter; that they had gone to the park without informing the administration of the camp and had no armed escorts,” Mr Natukunda said. He says the normal practice is that tourists go on game drives with armed rangers and guides. “That (driving unaccompanied) was a mistake because going on game drive without security is not the usual practice,” Mr Natukunda stresses. The kidnappers took with them Ms Kimberly and their guide, but left behind her parents, Mr Julius Martin and his wife Barbel. Mr Natukunda speculates that the kidnappers might have decided they did not want to move long distances in the jungles with elderly people, who have limited physical energy, but that their decision could have been informed by a desire to leave the parents behind so that they mobilise the ransom money” (Tumushabe & Kinene, 2019)

Ugandan Unverified information:

The Rwandans are said to have been travelling in three mini-buses registration numbers UBD 338V, UBA 841D, and UBE 325P. Some did not have clear travel documents, raising suspicion. The regional police commander Rwenzori East Vincent Mwesigye refused to disclose the identities of detained. Mwesigye said their arrest was now a bigger issue that could be handled at senior level. “There is no comment I can give you at the moment,” Mwesigye said. Journalists could hardly be allowed to enter the police station to interview some of the suspects” (Command1Post, 2019)

Rwandan Unverified information:

Sources who intimated to us revealed a deliberate plan by CMI, which has specifically been cited in facilitating Rwandans to join a rebel outfit in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to train as they continue to prepare to attack and destabilize Rwanda. The recruits are channeled through Uganda with facilitation of CMI to join training bases in DRC, as established by a UN Mapping Report in December last year. “In trying to analyze this scenario, one should not look further than the Kikagati incident where in 2017, a similar number was arrested on the Tanzanian border with Uganda headed for the same training camps,” a source said on condition of anonymity” (…) “Our source further said that by trying to gag the local police that arrested the group, and blocking the media from seeing the suspects, they are deliberately avoiding the Kikagati debacle that was a smack in the face of CMI. Because of the attention the group got, the authorities in Uganda were forced to process them through courts but the case was later bungled and the suspects reportedly released. “The less the world knows about the group, the better for them,” said the source” (Muhumuza, 2019).

We can see that there is conflicting stories, but one thing that combines the two spheres of information. That the Rwandan are claiming to keep it low-key for the sake of the world, while the Ugandan doesn’t want to disclose to much. Which is a nice combo.

However, in this sense, the Security Agencies says this is to be dealt with at the Senior Level, while they are trying to cover-up the connections to groups silently supported by the Ugandan government to destabilize Rwanda. Alas, we don’t know this, because this information is not put into the public.

The states are clearly using their platforms to strike against each other. In this instance, we cannot know what is true or not. Because, the stories aren’t adding up. While the US Tourists is caught in the cross-fire.

Time will tell, what is the real deal, but we are seeing the parties are playing shadow-games with each other. Who knows what is truth at this point, because they are both playing with fire. Peace.

Reference:

Command1Post – ‘Fingers Point At Kigali on American Tourist Kidnap As 40 Rwandans Are Nabbed in National Park’ 05.04.2019, link: https://command1post.com/index.php/2019/04/05/fingers-point-at-kigali-on-american-tourist-kidnap-as-40-rwandans-are-nabbed-in-national-park/

Muhumuza, Alex – ‘Could the Queen Elizabeth National Park tourist kidnap be an inside job by UPDF?’ 06.04.2019, link: https://virungapost.com/could-the-queen-elizabeth-national-park-tourist-kidnap-be-an-inside-job-by-updf/

Tumushabe, Alfred & Kinene, Edson – ‘The slow, tense hunt for kidnapped tourist, guide’ 07.04.2019, Link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/The-slow-tense-hunt-kidnapped-tourist-guide/688334-5060092-qfpkvs/index.html

UN’s emergency fund allocates $11 million to help displaced South Sudanese return home (04.04.2019)

Some 1.9 million people have fled their homes due to violence and conflict and now live in settlements and communities throughout the country.

JUBA, South Sudan, April 4, 2019 –  The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) announced an allocation of US$11 million to help 268,000 women, men and children who had been displaced by conflict within South Sudan to return to their homes.

“People who fled their homes with nothing are returning to nothing. They need urgent support. The CERF funding will ensure they have food, farming tools and seeds, shelter items and other basic necessities ahead of the rainy season starting in May, when access to most areas will be cut off,” said Mark Lowcock, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. “They will need support to recover their lost livelihoods and rebuild their lives.”

Non-food items, including buckets and mosquito nets will also be provided in 10 priority areas. Healthcare, education, and clean water and sanitation facilities will also be strengthened in the areas of return, including to serve people with disabilities. Protection services will be provided as a central component of the plan.

Alain Noudéhou, the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, said: “Since the beginning of the year, we are observing an increasing number of population movements across South Sudan, including many people returning to their home areas. It is vital that they do this in a voluntary, informed and dignified way. Keeping people safe is central to our response and we will continue to put a particular emphasis on protecting women and girls from violence. This CERF funding, which is part of a larger humanitarian plan, is a strong start to help people find solutions after years of displacement. Additional funding is urgently needed to provide humanitarian support and essential services.”

Some 1.9 million people have fled their homes due to violence and conflict and now live in settlements and communities throughout the country. Many of these people have been displaced more than once since conflict broke out in late 2013. Another 2.3 million South Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries.

The 2019 South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan, seeking $1.5 billion to assist 5.7 million people, is only 5 per cent funded. Life-saving assistance must be sustained.

Budget Bonanza for the UPDF: A possible fresh $100m Loan for Classified Expenditure(!!)

Again, the state is spending recklessly, as the state is already not fiscal responsible or planning to behave like that. Instead of living within the means of the state. They are continuing to loan from either international sources or local ones, to balance the budgets. This is nearly impossible, as the National Resistance Movement and their Supplementary Budgets are breaking the bank.

What is really worse about this is that this goes to secret accounts and secret operations, which the state doesn’t trust to explain or even be transparent about. These funds are supposed to go to a Classified Division of the Uganda People’s Defence Force, the Permanent Secretary and Ministry of the Defence and Veteran Affairs are allowed to spend it, as they see fit. But how is that looking and where is these loans going?

The supposed motion says this:

i. To improve the capability of Uganda’s defence and security forces ; and

ii. To enhance Uganda’s defence and security infrastructure” (P: 3, 2019).

What does that mean and where does that go? It could everything and nothing, it could be more ammunition, it could be paying off rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Who knows, right? Could be training of rebels in Kisoro or anywhere else, as the UPDF and the NRM see fit. That is why the funds are confidential and whatever the UPDF and President see needed is these manners. Because, I have a hard time believing these sorts of funds are spent without the knowledge or acceptance from the high above or within the chambers of the State House.

It should be noted that defence classified expenditure has been growing over time – from UGX 347 billion in FY 20l7/18 to UGX 640 billion earlier on approved for FY 2018/19. This additional borrowing will see the budget for classified expenditure grow to UGX 1020 billion representing 34% of the total defence budget for FY 2018/ 19 (incl. now proposed borrowing)” (P: 3, 2019)

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, with its Permanent Secretary as the Accounting Officer responsible for managing the supply contract” (P: 4, 2019).

Consequently, this will see the budget deficit grow by additional UGX resulting in growth in Net Domestic Financing requirement to UGX 2,163 billion in the FY 2018/19 from UGX 1,783 billion earlier on approved by Parliament. In addition, the domestic interest cost will increase by approximately UGX 39 billion from the 2,132 billion approved for FY 2018/ 19 to UGX 2,171 billion” (P: 4, 2019).

Here is some more of the information from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. Still, it doesn’t say much. Except the levels of debt the state will have, how much interest the state will pay as it follows this possible loans. The rest of the Report, states that the Committee sees it fit to get a Bill on the Loan. Not just a motion to explain more. That should be needed. Because, the Ministry and Minister cannot have been specific on what they plan to spend the loans on. Whatever projects or where ever that might be.

It is not just the Members of Parliament (MPs) who should worry about this, but the citizens as the state are piling up loans for various of projects and even some like this whose a total confidential expenditure. It could be spend on whatever the UPDF or State House see necessary. That can be awful lot. Peace.

Reference:

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ECONOMY ON THE PROPOSAL BY GOVERNMENT TO BORROWING USD 100 MILLION (APPROXIMATELY UGX 38O BILLION FROM THE DOMESTIC MARKET TO FINANCE CLASSIFIED EXPENDITURE UNDER MINISTRY OF’ DEFENCE AND VETERAN AFFAIRS FOR FY 2018/19, March 2019

First Aprils Fool: Maj. Gen. Kyaligonza!

The MP who moved motion for my recall is stupid. I am shocked at the manner in which parliament handled my fate. How can a house with MPs who jump over chairs and do many dubious things pre-judge me without a chance to be heard” (…) “You have never been recalled for breaking microphones. Whoever moved that motion…it is a woman. Why can’t she respect herself as a woman? And parliament…you start saying Kyaligonza must be recalled, are you the one who put me there?” (…) “I have already recorded a statement to police on the matter but I still insist that I am a smart person and not a criminal that media portrayed” – Maj Gen Kyaligonza speaking to the Press on the 1st April 2019

Well, Major General Matayo Kyaligonza, the Ugandan Envoy to Burundi. Your surely not as bright you think you is. You are entitled to your opinion, but still that doesn’t make it a fact. What it makes you instead is ignorant and acting above the law. Which is not new in your manner.

Since, your a Bush-War General, your were not supposed to be stopped by the Police Officer, they were supposed to let you go and accept that you soldiers beat the Police Officer there. Since, then the video of the offence was leaked. Then, your own statements shows your disregard of rule of law and thinking, that because of your acts in the 1980s and your place in society. That you should shielded from justice and from the courts of law. This is again proven to the public, when you come with statements like this.

We know that he wouldn’t be anybody if it wasn’t for the blessings of the President. He is the guy that keeps promoting the Major General. Even if he continues to regard himself above the law. Still, the President continues to find places for him in the realm of power. Because, of loyalty and because the President needs these guys. As they remind him of the loyal people who fought with him.

Well, on the matter of being smart and what the media portrayed. Have portrayed what he has said and did. The video itself and still-pictures, show what he and his people did on the 24th February 2019. This is now known, he cannot deny that. He can create a false statement and call himself king. But that doesn’t make it more true. The video of the event and the other witness statements, will show how he sees himself above the law.

So, if he is so smart, so brilliant and so wise, why didn’t he just wait to follow the Traffic Officer?

Who was there to guide the traffic on that February day?

Doesn’t seem so bloody brilliant for a Major General and High Ranking Official in the Republic.

Aye, we can really say that he is high on himself. He does need a detox from this diet and maybe go to a school where he learns about proper self-searching, inner-awaking and even humility. It wouldn’t hurt. However, don’t anticipate it.

This is an NRM General and he will not act like a gentlemen, but as Big-Man with no Common Sense or even the courtesy like everyone else. Just following the laws, just driving like you supposed to and let it be. Instead he had to grab to intimidate, violence and use of excessive force on serving Police Officer. That is what he did.

Since then, trying to defend it. Now, pledging that the MPs should get silenced, because he is there assigned by the President. We know that already, all his beloved cronies are blessed by old man with the hat. Still, that doesn’t justify aggression and breaking the laws as you see fit. No it doesn’t, even if you think so Mr. Maj. Gen. Peace.

Opinion: Joint Candidates for the Opposition is a sign a weakness towards Bosco!

Do the Opposition want to look viable?

Does the Opposition leaders want to look serious?

Are they concerned about their credibility before the electorate?

That is what they should ask themselves, as the new IPOD leader and Democratic Party President Norbert Mao is calling out to all Opposition parties to go in for joint candidates for the General Election in 2021. However, that is a false flag, it is weakening the base of the Opposition, instead of strengthening them.

What Mao haven’t learned from is the Inter-Party Coalition (IPC) and The Democratic Alliance (TDA), which have been used as Opposition coalitions to try to challenge President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). However, they have been futile, as the state apparatus, intimidation and rigging has secured the ruling regime all the fortunes.

Therefore, Mao should know better as we’re in the 3rd Decade of the Museveni era. This is the sinister part of the times under him. Where the gloves are off and he uses all methods to stay in power. There are nothing he doesn’t touch and tries to manipulate in his favour. That is why, Mao and the rest of Opposition should work together, but not in a way, where they are betting on one ticket.

It is easy to see, that the NRM will get the majority, will get the Presidency and get the crown jewels of the Republic. That is what the NRM does and everyone should know this. Therefore, why risk it all on one ticket and one flag-bearer?

This is really not salvaging anything, but trading away what you have. In a system built for Museveni and his kind. Even if it is so, the Opposition shouldn’t give up and throw in their candidates. If the Opposition are only fielding on MP in every district, a Mayoral Flag-Bearer and whatever else role the Opposition want to aspire to get.

The Opposition should use all forces, use all parties and all manifesto’s to prove their difference from the NRM. The Opposition should field people from JEEMA, DP, UPC, FDC, ANT and whatever else existing out there. All parties should try and go up against the NRM. They got nothing to lose, only prove their point and configure their strategies both locally and also nationally. This to prove their difference and their plan, if the public want to see them fit to rule post-Museveni.

Mao doesn’t sound sincere or strong in the path to Presidency, when he doesn’t believe his own people can run as flag-bearers, but thinks he can negotiate and assemble strength by fixing one-by-one flag-bearer or candidate in every district and even Presidential Candidate. Alas, that will just weaken the possible Opposition. That is a gift-card to the President. This can silence the pressure of the People Power Movement, the ones who are still believing in Defiance against the state and all the others who want the Museveni to cease. However, that will not go down. Not even by a National ID-Drive or trying to WIN by the POLLS. That has be insignificant for 2 decades.

Therefore, the Opposition have figure out a way of getting a popular uprising and fight the oppression. Not continue to be under submission of the President and his made system.

Also, don’t show weakness, don’t be fatigued and give way to the President. He already tarmacking it and doesn’t give a rats-ass about you. That is why, the Opposition have to show character and stamina against the old man and his devious tactics.

Because, he would use that as a way of saying the Opposition stands for very little or have lack of principals. Since they can all work together and only seeking meal-tickets. Not that is not throwing stones in a glass-house, as his cronies are all seeking for their meal-tickets. But, the Opposition should look smarter and look like they actually want to govern with good governance and sincerely develop the Republic. Not only eat the plate of the state and see the schools fall-apart a little bit more, or more hospital without medicine or electricity. Because, that is what the state is offering the citizens at the moment. Also some added OTT Tax and using MTN Licenses to pay for Airplanes. That is how life goes on in the Republic.

Therefore, the Opposition has to look different, sound different and not look defeated. That doesn’t mean they cannot stand together in the fight against Museveni. But its the way they do it. Because they have tried the IPC and TDA without any results. So, for the L-O-V-E of God, prove your value and your mandate for the public. Let them see your true character. So, they can see the difference between you and the hungry looters who are residing their currently. Peace.