South Sudan: SPLM Leaders FPD – “Press Statement – On Violation of COH Agreement of 21st December 2017” (15.01.2018)

ULS Statement on Constitutional Petition No. 3 of 2018 (15.01.2018)

Joint statement of the African Union and the United Nations on the situation in South Sudan (15.01.2018)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 15, 2018 – Joint statement of the African Union and the United Nations on the situation in South Sudan:

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, strongly condemn the recent violations of the 21 December 2017 Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access in South Sudan.

They call on all South Sudanese fighting parties to immediately cease all hostilities, desist from undertaking any further military operations, and uphold their commitments to the 21 December 2017 Agreement. They further call on the parties to uphold their primary responsibility to protect civilians, adhere to international human rights and humanitarian law and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations underscore the determination of the international and regional community to ensure that the parties abide by their obligations and responsibilities. They affirm their intent to support the imposition of consequences, consistent with the African Union Peace and Security Council Communiqué of 20 September 2017, should the parties continue to violate their own Agreement.

They express their full support for the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) under the leadership of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). They call on the parties to participate in the Forum in good faith and with a view towards reaching a compromise and bringing South Sudan back to the path of sustainable peace.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations reaffirm their belief that there can only be a political solution to the conflict in South Sudan, and the parties must demonstrate the political will to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and update the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) in order to end the appalling suffering inflicted on the South Sudanese population.

Opinion: Besigye launches ‘Tubalemese Campaign’; What about those unfinished ones and will the public be behind him?

I am not a critic of Dr. Kizza Besigye, I am a supporter and a well-wisher of the cause of the man, who is one of the founding men behind, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and a hardliner against the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni regime. This should be well-known, so before you critique me over this, let it be known. I just want the best for the cause and for the total destruction of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. That would be golden and the best. To destroy what is there and then rebuild. Since the Ugandan government is rotten to its core and its roots are rotten, because the President want to direct order everything from the State House.

In November 2015 before the General Election of 2016, the then newly elected Presidential Candidate for the FDC, Besigye launched the ‘Defiance Campaign’. A campaign that has been suspended by the authorities, have gotten him house-arrested and also gotten many of his allies detained. This campaign really showed the impunity of the state against the opposition. Also, how much the state uses their resources to take control, instead of actually having a real democracy. The Campaign of Defiance really undressed it once and for all. With all the roadblocks, the closed off stadiums and rallies, all the activity that has been stopped and the live-bullets together with tear-gas. The proof of the impunity can be traced to the Campaign of Defiance, combined with the swearing-in of Besigye as People’s President. As he was taken to Moroto and was charged with treason. A charge he still has to this day and a court case that is still not dismissed.

In May 2017, Besigye launched the ‘My Land My Country’ Campaign against the Constitutional Amendment that was pointed to make it easier for the government to expropriate land for public use or development. A Constitutional Amendment that the President has had a Radio Campaign for late last year, while Besigye himself was blocked from doing similar. This campaign has come on the back-burner as the other Constitutional Amendment and campaigning against that took the most of the energy of the opposition in November and December 2017.

So now in January 2018, the People’s President has launched another Campaign, the Tubalemese, which could be seen as inspiration from the National Super Alliance (NASA) campaigns after the turbulent days after the second presidential election in October 2017. The newly inspired campaign seems like and sounds like what the NASA is doing in Kenya. That meaning FDC is taking advice and following the Odinga paradigm. Since the Besigye plans and former campaigns has not made fruits or made the juice. It has not created a ripple effect. After a while it has died down and nothing sustainable gained.

We cannot see anything significant happen out of the defiance campaign, the momentum and the popularity of Besigye. Didn’t make changes or make it possible for a transition from Museveni. Since the fear of smearing and weapons of the President could hurt the ones who turns against him. Museveni is without mercy and without any of a rebellion. Therefore, as long as the campaigns have been made with half-heartly, he have let them happen and when they are spinning. He uses the police force and the courts to stifle them. That is why its sad to say, at the top of the Defiance campaign, the Besigye leadership and people around him didn’t push it further. They just stopped and let it go.

Besigye lost his traction, the My Land My Country, never really got anywhere and the campaigns haven’t made progress. There been more substance of the giving of foods to Isingiro and other districts, than what the campaign on land could ever gain. The FDC and the newly elected leadership should focus on one campaign, use the newly elected leadership on the front-line together Besigye. Not let him stand there alone in the darkest hour, but support him when the rain start to fall. They are there in the sunshine and when they need his popularity. However, when the darkest hour comes, they flee like insects to find either food or light.

Besigye deserves credit, he deserves support and his persistence and hard-work should be recognized. He has fought for the cause for so long and with such bravado. Not like he has given up or given in. However, Lukwago are there and uses his position. Certain others do to, but there should be more people around to show the respect for the cause. Besigye needs ground support and needs to see the public swing in his favor. The fear of repression has to stop at one point.

If this campaign is no more than a public display and a PR stunt. The public deserves better and Besigye deserves so as well. I want him to succeed. However, so many other campaigns has run into the sand. So much squabble and fighting that has not changed the system or taken away any power for the President.

But we do know if the President and his security agents feels the pressure, the opposition will be arrested on phony charges, his leaders around him too. They will not be allowed to breathe, the Kasangati home will he a prison and he cannot even go out an buy meat at the market. Besigye knows this and the public knows this too. However, if they want Besigye to succeed. They need to stand behind on the barricades, they need to walk with him. Not only in spirit, but in action. Peace.

South Sudan: IGAD HLRF Power Sharing Proposal (January 2018)

Joint statement of the African Union and the United Nations on the situation in South Sudan (12.01.2018)

Age Limit: No honor among thieves – “27 NRM ‘Rebel’ MP’s needs to apologize to Mzee”

Last year, the Raphael Magyezi Private Bill and Life Presidency for Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was through Parliament and the final nail in the coffin. Was when the Parliament voted for it after a hectic second reading and adding longer terms for current MPs and beyond. The reality is that some Members of Parliament, even in the National Resistance Movement. The almighty NRM voted against the Life Presidency act, which would be its proper name. Instead of the ugly duckling of ‘Constitutional Amendment Bill’.

Because 27 NRM MPs didn’t follow orders from the State House. They didn’t honor the almighty President and his will. The party and the NRM Parliamentary Caucus has to sanction these individuals, even if they followed the public of their constituencies and their electorate. Because their real electorate is the old man with the hat. Nothing else matters in the state of affairs. They should have known this, but apparently, they didn’t get the memo.

Here is some outtakes:

The Leadership of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus has advised the 27 NRM rebel legislators who voted against the Controversial constitutional amendment bill 2017 to apologize to the country or else face the disciplinary committee. The Vice Chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus Solomon Silwany says the decision made by the 27 NRM rebel legislators was uncalled for and failure to apologize they will face the disciplinary committee of the Caucus” (NBS TV, 09.01.2018).

However, the Vice Chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, Solomon Silwany says the decision made by the 27 NRM rebel legislators was uncalled for and failure to apologise will face the disciplinary committee of caucus. Following the resumption of the work of the August house after the Christmas and end of year recess, Silwany said the increasing indiscipline amongst members of the caucus will not be tolerated. He urged those who voted against the Magyezi bill to apologise to the party leadership before facing the wrath of the party caucus. Silwanyi told the Nile Post that the party parliamentary caucus leadership is set to meet this week to the decide the fate of these ‘rebel’ legislators” (Mugabi, 2018).

Now the party founded on rebellion against the previous leadership. Is now casting stones against the ones rebelling against itself. It is neat and also foolish. But that is how it is, when you have to blindly follow a leader or a President who has no agenda, other than his own belly. The NRM is blindly following Museveni until their own graves and hoping they will buried with dozens of shillings. That is why they are contemplating sanctions and taking action against the ones voting against the Life Presidency bill.

That the NRM has sunk this low. That the barrier of code of conduct is the meager, says it all by how the State House wants the Parliament and the NRM MPs to function. They are tin-soldiers or marionettes for the President to order around like headless chickens. Awaiting signals for when to cluck or to duck. They are awaiting their time to speak and their time to be silent. It is all on orders from the high and mighty at the State House. The El-President, the Mzee and “the man without a vision” President Museveni.

That they shouldn’t apologize, I mean that sincerely, the ones who should apologize is the ones that voted for the life presidency. They have given way for Museveni to rule two 7 year terms from 2022. That is appalling and insulting to a Republic of educated men and women. Clearly, there should be possible to muster someone in his place. Museveni doesn’t think so, but why should he? He has had total control since January 1986. Museveni clearly doesn’t give a damn about perceptions anymore.

The NRM MPs didn’t rebel when voting against the Magyezi bill. They did what they are allowed to do and should be able to do. It is in their rights as MPs, as lawmakers to either vote “yay” or “nay”. To either stand behind a law or to reject it. Just like any other Parliamentarian. That isn’t to hard to understand, even if the NRM Caucus leadership want blind foot-soldiers drumming to the beat of the weakling President. Who cannot muster courage to perform his own duties and therefore, uses the party to silence his own ‘rebels’.

Its a failure of the Party and of the Caucus to understand the August House, if these men has to apologize for their righteous act against a life presidency bill. It is a disgrace and disappointing affair if they are sanctioned or put on retainer for acting against the will of the State House. It shows the impunity and lack of tolerance. If the NRM cannot accept within their own party, that everyone isn’t blindly submitting their lives into the hands of Museveni. That is anticipated, but shouldn’t be protocol. Then the MPs should sign with blood their loyalty to the Don and promise never to break the codes.

This is just a mockery of the Parliament, but the same parliament was attacked by Strangers to save this law. So the NRM Caucus shows that the President and his will are above the LAW. The President and in his favor can do what ever he wants, and everyone else has to obey. They didn’t obey and didn’t vote in favor of the President. Therefore, they have to punished. It is insane and foolish.

There is no honor among thieves, clearly that is the case at the 10th Parliament of Uganda. Peace.

Reference:

Mugabi, Sam Ibanda – ‘ NRM MPs who voted against lifting of age limit asked to apologise; or face action’ (10.01.2018) link: http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/01/10/nrm-mps-who-voted-against-lifting-of-age-limit-asked-to-apologise-or-face-action/

Somalia: Puntland renounce the attacks on Tukaraq (08.01.2018)

South Sudan: SPLA GHQS – Bilpam – “Press Release on Shootings Outside of Juba” (05.01.2018)

Opinion: Mr. Life-President Museveni is apparently a little bit testy!

There is no shadow of a doubt that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a testy and a sour old man, who expects to praised and loved. Therefore, when people doesn’t show him love, he forces himself on you and the public in ways than none other he could. So when he was worried that no one was interested in his New Years Address to the Public. He used the Uganda Communication Commission to use licenses agreement to force the broadcasters on TV and Radio to show his speech. Everything else had to stop and his voice and wonderful poetic words of wisdom had to shared countrywide.

It is just daunting that this man is living in bubble, in a bubble of yes men and dozens of useless cronies. While several family members and clan people without knowledge or clue are running key institutions and businesses. That this President doesn’t see his mismanagement or are blind by his own EGO is not easy to say. But clearly, he is short-sighted. As during the General Elections of 2016, when he was planning more rigging. The President paid dozens of Pastors and Clergy a visit, he gave dozens of them cars and envelopes so they could spread the Yellow Steady Progress.

Now that he has signed himself recently into life presidency, as the terms are supposed not to end in 2021, but in 2023. Since the Private Bill of Raphael Magyezi got signed, the infamous and deception bill ‘Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 2. of 2017’. Is now enacted after the Parliament after shady dealings and “consultations fees”. Has pushed through and forced Museveni on them. While they returned the Presidential Limits, like they matter. They will be taken away, if Museveni still breathes by the end of the next coming two terms. We know it and they know it.

That is why it is interesting and sad, that the President and his fellow cronies cannot manage some questions from a Bishop. If you are so high and mighty, life president, why worry about what a some clergy men are saying in Church? Why are you so worried and why does Ofwono Opondo care? He liked it when the paid and gave SUVs to Pentecostal Pastors during the elections. Then they could have a summit with the President and pledge allegiance to their earthy king and get fed too!

Now, that he has signed the doomsday bill, the one bill made for his legacy, the one where he proved for the second time; that the Constitution has to be altered when it doesn’t fit. Just as before the 2006 elections, the same happen now before he turned 75 officially. Who knows how old Museveni really is, he could be older than Moses for all we know. The documentation we do have is shady and weak enough for any public official. He even tried to forge a birthday and age in 2016, without anybody believing the trick.

That is maybe why he is so defensive, he struggles with the fact. The fact that he is living on lie, the lie is that he is not popular, he is not elected by the people and he is not loved by the people. The people he serves despise him and dislike him. The ones near him who is not family or clan-members are only there to eat and couldn’t care less about him. The former friends are now bitter enemies and easily become targets. Therefore, it is very few he can trust.

President Museveni is clearly loosing edge and knows it. His aides knows it and the defenses are becoming so benign. The reality is that Age Limit Bill of 2017. Is now the ones sealing his final chapter. The chapter that dissolved the whole idea of liberation. He is now the Mobutu in the flesh, he is now despot for life. Nothing change him from his predecessors. The only thing is the name and the promise he had in the late 1980s and early 1990s. That train has left, there is no slow train coming of promising reforms. Only more shady deals, trying times of paying back gained debt and troubled waters of insecurity created by his vicious political games. We can just imagine what the outcome can be.

What we do know, is that NRM and Museveni is testy, they cannot mange to be question. Not even by a Bishop. Not by Clergy, then they cannot manage to be questioned by anyone. They are now walking on thin ice and wondering when they will fall through and drown. That is what Museveni and NRM fears. They will not say it, but they knew they spiked their own water when the President signed the bill.

We just have to await and see how long for the spiked water to have an affect and self-destroy. Peace.