
IGAD: Letter to South Sudan Opposition Party (06.05.2018)



Mr. Nyanduga welcomed the adoption of the first-ever Joint Programme on Human Rights in Somalia and urged the international community to support the ground-breaking initiative.
MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 7, 2018 – The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga, has condemned recent terrorist attacks in the country, and called for the immediate release of all children kidnapped or recruited as fighters in the country’s armed conflict.
“The abduction of children by the Al Shabaab group and their recruitment and use by Government security forces in the armed conflict constitute a grave violation of the children’s rights,” the expert said in a statement at the end of a six-day mission to assess the human rights situation in the country.
Mr. Nyanduga commended the Government for measures taken so far to rehabilitate children captured in combat, and for recognizing that such children were victims, but he urged the authorities to act now to stop children being used in the fighting. The expert also called on the Government to build rehabilitation centres to address the plight of children associated with Al Shabaab.
He welcomed action by both the Government and the international community to reduce loss of life from famine, but made clear that more had to be done urgently to help thousands of people forced to leave their homes because of flooding.
“The Government must commit itself to addressing this recurring problem by adopting a range of durable solutions, including the relocation of victims to higher ground,” the expert said.
He hailed the Government for some human rights improvements, including ending the practice of executing in public those convicted of terrorism-related offences, but made clear there was still much more to be done to improve human rights more generally in Somalia.
“There has been a considerable improvement in the right to freedom of expression and opinion compared to the previous year, but I am still receiving reports of harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention without trial of journalists. I call on the Government to ensure respect for the right to freedom of expression and opinion, and a free media,” the expert said.
Mr. Nyanduga also called for measures to halt the marginalisation of minority clans and people forced to move from their homes to other parts of Somalia. He also urged the Government to provide a legal framework to protect people with disabilities.
The expert called for a comprehensive review of the country’s traditional dispute resolution framework and urged steps to ensure that traditional elders protected women against female genital mutilation, rape and other sexual and gender-based violence while respecting international human rights standards.
The Independent Expert also wanted to see a strengthening of the justice sector, in particular the police, judiciary, related ministries and other institutions crucial for underpinning security sector reforms.
Mr. Nyanduga welcomed the adoption of the first-ever Joint Programme on Human Rights in Somalia and urged the international community to support the ground-breaking initiative.
During his visit the Independent Expert met a range of people including ministers, members of the judiciary and those representing civil society. He will submit a report with recommendations to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in September 2018.

“When it comes to a political disagreement like we have here (South Sudan), we must have a scientific approach to its resolution, should it be resolved by force or other ways? Force should be reserved for the enemy. A disagreement among brothers should not be resolved by force,” President Museveni said” (…) “Some people have been coming to Uganda. Malong [Paul] and others. They come and talk to our people. They want to start a war because they claim Salva Kiir is being controlled by some elders. But should that be cause for war?” Museveni asked” (Kasasira, 2018).
It is okay, that anyone want all the stakeholders, all the opposition militias, all the war-lords to a sit-down and settle differences. That is cool and that is good, if there was a substantial effort for doing so, but a leader like President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Is not believable in this grace. He is not the kind of man to this himself. He rather get rid of his enemies and settle the score in his favor. That is what he has done in the past and is known for. He peddles a fake-peace, signs agreements and when the opposition, thinks all is golden. He strikes with fierce force and takes it all. That is Machiavellian leader Museveni is. Instead of having a proper sit-down in Kasese, he burned the Royal Palace and killed guards like their where vermin. So, that the Ugandan President said this, is sort of poetic.
But if we go further down into history, into when he was still a warlord himself and not a 32 year long life President, he was still just mere guerrilla leader, which used force for his own benefit. This was the Nairobi Talks accord and agreement, which he first signed and later dropped like a cold stew.
“Mr. Museveni never helped to carry out the peace accord, refusing to take his post as vice chairman of a reconstituted military council or to nominate members to the council” (Rule, 1986). “Mr. Museveni, who signed a peace accord last month in Nairobi with General Okello in an effort to end years of bloodshed, characterized his participation in the peace talks as ”very painful” because he was sitting there ”with the criminals across the table.” He said he agreed to the accord because of pressure from other nations, which he criticized as being more interested in opening roads for trade than in the future of Uganda. He said his followers had made it clear they would not take part in any government in which ”criminals” were involved. The accord was never put into effect, and Mr. Museveni moved on Kampala a month after it was signed” (Rule, 1986).
That is why I have a big trouble with Museveni as a mediator. Not only his army is involved with the SPLA and even has a defense agreement (MoU) with them. Which means he is impartial and is indirectly a trading-partner and weapon-brother of President Salva Mayardit Kiir, which should be a no-no for anyone. However, that is not the worst issue, its a serious breach. But its the knowledge of how he himself was to settle the score and take Kampala in 1986.
In 1985 December, as the Okello Government was finalizing the Cease-Fire’s and putting down arms as the Nairobi Peace Agreement was supposed to do. Museveni armed to his teeth, continued to fight the government army and within a month took Kampala from him. That was the immoral acts and securing his NRA/M the power. Which he haven’t ceased since. So he calls the other parties and the other politicians at the talks in 1985 as criminals, however, he didn’t follow the agreement either. So, he isn’t as noble as he think he is. He used force to get his way, when he needed it. He used force against his brothers to take power and never let it go.
That is why he is the wrong guy to mediate anything. He will kill the ones who steps in his backyard and tries to take his cattle. A man who signed an agreement, but never had plans to follow it. As he wouldn’t be muffled in a coalition, which he couldn’t control. Is a man whose supposed to mediate in a conflict between various parties with different interests and motivations? Nah, you cannot be serious.
President Museveni shouldn’t be the one to trust this with, he will make sure President Kiir gets a head start and gets the weapons he needs to smash the opposition, to smash the rebel outfits and make sure the militias are dying. That is what Museveni does, he doesn’t speak peace. Unless, you leave him in peace in power. Than, you can do whatever you want. Please, remember to him your tax too. Peace.
Reference:
Kasasira, Ridsel – ‘Why Museveni is urging Kiir, opposition to hold talks’ (06.05.2018) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-Museveni-Kiir-opposition-South-Sudan-SPLM-Igad-Machar/688342-4546986-30js91/index.html
Rule, Susan – ‘REBEL SWORN IN AS UGANDA PRESIDENT’ (30.01.1986) link: https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/30/world/rebel-sworn-in-as-uganda-president.html
Rule, Susan – ‘REBELS IN UGANDA TAKE CONTROL OF CAPITAL, BUT BATTLES CONTINUE’ (26.01.1986) link: https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/26/world/rebels-in-uganda-take-control-of-capital-but-battles-continue.html







Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations mission in the country (UNMISS), David Shearer said UNMISS would continue to fulfill its mandate.
JUBA, South Sudan, May 3, 2018 – The surge of violence in South Sudan’s Unity region “looks set to continue despite the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that was signed last year,” according to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations mission in the country (UNMISS), David Shearer.
He made his comments during a visit to Leer and Dublual in the Unity region to see first-hand the impact of the deteriorating security situation on communities.
“The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement needs to be fully implemented. All sides need to abide by what they agreed to and their actions on the ground carefully monitored and scrutinized,” he said.
“The intensification of the conflict is having a serious human impact. Hundreds of people are sheltering next to the UN base. We saw tukuls (huts) burnt to the ground. We were told that elderly people and children had been killed and medical clinics ransacked,” said the Head of UNMISS.
“I met a little girl who had been shot through her stomach and back. She is just one example of dozens of people injured and killed over recent weeks,” said David Shearer. “We also know that hundreds, if not thousands, of people have fled into the swamps and are surviving on wild vegetables and fruit.”
David Shearer and a team from the UN Mission in South Sudan met with both Government and Opposition leaders in the area, urging them to lay down their weapons, reconcile, and work together to build durable peace.
He said the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement last year had given the peace process momentum, but that it was at risk of unravelling without genuine political will.
“Earlier this year it felt like we were moving in the right direction. But after seeing the effects on civilians of this conflict, I believe there is a real risk that the situation will deteriorate further and undermine the chance for lasting peace.”
David Shearer said UNMISS would continue to fulfill its mandate.
“Our job is still to protect people and help them get through these dark times so that the peace process can work and we can find a durable solution. We will do all we can to support the people of South Sudan,” he said.






Its hard time taking the Labor Day Celebrations seriously, as the President for Life, the fountain of honor, never does wrong and always has the right way out of issues. He never needs checks and there is always somebody else at fault. Even as he has run the republic since 1986. Its the Presidents bad product and lack of governance, which is the reason for the defaulting state. This is his vision, his institutions and his results. Its not only his hands that builds, but its his programs, his provisions and his sort of ideals, that comes to bear fruit. The lack of harvest, is because of lack of shade, water or fertilizer. Which could have been procured, irrigated the water-ways or even ways to keep it, however that is costly. Something the President doesn’t want to spend. So here is the mesmerizing quotes from the President today.
“I wanted to bring Cuban doctors because our own doctors behaved very badly and unprofessionally… The doctors who went on strike made me want to go back to the bush” (…) “The issue of Cuban doctors which I keep hearing about, I wanted to bring Cuban doctors because our own doctors behaved very badly and unprofessionally, they tried to incite their fellow doctors to leave patients to die but they failed” (…) “We the freedom fighters have been working for Uganda for either no pay or low pay, I’ve been fighting for this country for the past 53 years, I’m the president of Uganda, I get a low pay, 3.6M shs salary and I accepted it in 1996, the MPs tricked me” (…) “Underdevelopment means not being able to utilize all your potential, you have potential but it isn’t fully used. That’s why we were colonized, we were colonized for political reasons however, we had also lagged behind in our potential” (NBS Television, 01.05.2018).
This is small outtake of what he did say during the speech. This is a gist, but gives you sense of the headache he has to defend himself after all these years. He is quick to blame the doctors, but who hasn’t facilitated them and given them a livable wage? That is you Mr. President.
Who hasn’t developed Uganda? That is you Mr. President. You could have made Uganda better if only followed the 10 Point Program, that you have forgotten along the way or discarded like an old mango. Because surely, the ideals of UPM and 10 Point Program would have revolutionized today’s Uganda. Instead, “you pity a fool” like Mr. T. and it’s time for you to look at it from another angle. This is making you look foolish. You have been on the top of the Pyramid for 32 years running, you could have, but you haven’t. Its all your fault!
You can call yourself a freedom fighter, but the public doesn’t feel free. You freed them from Milton Obote, Idi Amin, Paulo Muwanga, Tito Okello and Yusuf Lule. However, you never freed them from the National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) or yourself. You are free, but the people are bound by you. Because your not leaving, you are imposing yourself. Certainly, the meager paycheck cannot be the real deal, since you are the wealthiest in the Republic. You have more value than all Members of Parliament combined. The amounts of businesses your family owns, the vast estates and farms. You are far from poor, you are Richie Rich Rich. So you can try to lie to novice, but pardon me, I’m not.
So, this is a disgrace of a labor day speech. Where the workers are not appreciated, neither values of ethics or the safety of it. By the way, where was the message of solidarity? More like workers are lazy, not good enough and if you don’t follow my command. I will get someone else in your stead. Such a gentlemen, this President.
Therefore, Happy Labor Day, Mr. President for Life, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in solidarity and for a better tomorrow, but before dawn. However, we are not seeing hope with you in charge of it. Peace.

Today is the INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY.
We celebrate every Ugandan worker home and abroad whose labour sustains our mother land.
The men and women who dig the land from where we get food. The women who by 4:00am are in our markets selling commodities. The men who travel different routes transporting us in taxis and on boda bodas. Our citizens who put on uniform and stay up in the night to keep us safe. Our health workers who without proper facilities and equipments do everything in their power to treat us. The midwives who must use anything at their disposal to help our mothers bring new life. Our teachers who, despite little pay still make it to class every day to teach our children. And yes, all Ugandans whether in the formal or informal sectors, who work hard and earn their bread from their sweat- you guys are the champions: the heroes of our nation. HAPPY LABOUR DAY.
And Mama, those who simply exploit our people are also here. Those who impose taxes on anything and everything in the name of increasing the tax base when in actual sense they are just increasing their stealing base. Those who milk the tax payer dry. Those who have no compassion for the poor person, the common person. Those who undermine the sweat of our people. Mama, all of them are here. Give us a signal on what message to give to them on this Labour Day.