Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs urges Somalia to continue reconciliation and State-building process (25.08.2016)

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 25, 2017 – The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, visited Somalia from 24-25 August. During his visit, accompanied by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Michael Keating, he held discussions with the President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre, Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, the Minister for Constitutional Affairs, the Chair of the National Independent Electoral Commission, and Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson.
“The political commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia to deliver results for all Somalis is impressive” said Mr. Feltman. “These include job creation, infrastructure, fighting corruption, strengthening civil service and improving security.” He urged the Somali Government to continue addressing issues critical to successful peacebuilding and state-building processes, including the advancement and conclusion of the constitutional review process, to advance federalism in the country. Preparations must begin now to lay the groundwork for elections based on universal suffrage in 2020/2021.

Mr. Feltman emphasized the importance of strengthening accountability mechanisms to address and prevent human rights violations. “We also urge the Government of Somalia to ensure dialogue and meaningful participation of women, youth and minorities in the political and reconciliation processes,” he said.

Commending the efforts of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali security forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab, Mr. Feltman emphasized the need to intensify efforts to develop increasingly capable Somali security forces. This will play a key role in facilitating the transition of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somalis, and in achieving long-term security. “The fundamental importance of the African Union support, and the role that AMISOM plays in peace-building in Somalia cannot be overstated,” Mr. Feltman stated.

The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs reaffirmed the support of the United Nations to the Federal Government, along with key international partners, in implementing a viable National Security structure and a comprehensive approach to security that includes countering violent extremism and improving local governance.

The World needs Rambo right now!

John Rambo: “[alternate line from Director’s Cut] You’re not going anywhere. And there isn’t one of us that doesn’t want to be someplace else. But this is what we do, who we are. Live for nothing, or die for something. Your call” (John Ramo, 2008).

The world is spinning in circle and things are continuing sometimes without any change. But the situations are still uncertain. There are fleeing civilians from the Democratic Republic of Congo, continues civil-war inside South Sudan, oppression in Burundi and Rwanda. Grand issues in regions of Somalia as AMISOM fiercely goes after Al-Shabaab. The continued civil-war infused with control from Saudi Arabia and United States in Yemen. The war inside Syria with the fleeing refugees from there. The international complications this all assess. The massive amounts of people who are inflicted in this conflicts.

This is also the issues created by and their national alliances, like Syria are also in hot-bed with Russia, United States, Turkey and Iran. The same can be said with the international implications to the stalemate between Qatar and the rest of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). That the Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain and so on are all blocking, so many nations has cut their diplomatic ties with Qatar.

With all the conflicts and bigger diplomatic spats, the world needs Rambo’s. Especially considering that the deaths where it doesn’t counts is showed when it comes to mud-slides in Sierra Leone. The importance of Hurricane Harry, which is credible storm in Texas, but the world should have cared of the 500 deaths in Western Africa.

That the world is significant fragile is with the President Trump and the nuclear codes, the vicious attacks of both representatives and international leaders like Merkel and President Kim Jung-Un. The threats between North Korea and United States are clearly flaring up the tensions in South-East Asia, as the rockets keep shooting-up and testing.

Therefore, with this we need Rambo, someone to come in with confidence. Rambo needs to come into the problems and sort them out. So that the diplomatic disputes gets sorted out, as his spring fears into the ones who are in the same room. If Rambo came with his weapons and his rhetoric, maybe Trump wouldn’t such and ass. Maybe Putin would try out other tricks, than actually using methods of deception. As so many other world leaders would seek peace instead of wars and refugees. Rambo could come in and make a change.

The nice talk of Bono, the ethical codes of United Nations has not worked. The non-peaceful atmosphere is steady in too many places, to many deaths should be examined and not die without any consideration. Rambo could have helped, made sure the council and the world forums would actually not talk, but act. The crisis in South Sudan, DRC, Burundi, Syria, Yemen, Middle East and so on.

The world needs Rambo, the world needs a hero who can actually give a damn, not just make the world a place for multi-national companies who rob the resources and would not care for kids working for militias, so the world can cobalt for the smart-phones production. Rambo needs to come and make change, he might not be perfect. But something has to change. Someone has step-in, Rambo needs to come and significantly change in the world. Times change, but Rambo might sort it out!

Murdock: Rambo, you can feel totally safe because we have the most advanced weapons in the world available to us.

Rambo: I’ve always believed that the mind is the best weapon.

Murdock: Times change.

Rambo: For some people” (Rambo: First Blood Part II, 1985).

A brief look into the Kenyan Presidential Election Petition of 2017!

The heavy contested Presidential Election in Kenya are now soon starting in courts. Both parties have delivered their affidavits and evidence, either of a “free and fair” election and the other of a rigged party. This is the questions that the Supreme Court of Kenya will look into, the different evidence from the National Super Alliance (NASA) and the Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga and the Jubilee Party and incumbent Presidential Candidate Uhuru Kenyatta. This documents has been delivered before, but I will now take my favorite passages from some of the documents. Since there are interesting and sort of different than usual. I wouldn’t expect all of these words from either party. But worth taking note, since they are describing two different scenario of the same event. Not strange, considering Kenyatta wants to keep power and linger, while Odinga want justice for the voters.

Uhuru Kenyatta in his affidavit states:

The difference between the votes cast in my favour and those cast in favour of the 1st Petitioner is 1,401,286. Such a margin is significant and emphatically demonstrates the sovereign will of the people of Kenya” (…) “Despite such clear poll victory, the 1st Petitioner has continuously disparaged the electoral win and coined such demeaning remarks as computer generated leaders” (…) “The Deputy President and I are not computer generated leaders (“vifaranga vya computer”). The electoral victory was effected by the Kenyan voters” (Uhuru Kenyatta Affidavit to Election Petition No. 1. of 20017).

Raila Odinga in his affidavit states:

In particular, I am aggrieved that the conduct of the presidential election failed to meet the constitutionally prescribed threshold of free, fair, transparent, accountable, credible and/or verifiable elections on the following brief grounds;” (…) “The collation, tallying, verification and transmission of presidential election results was riddled with major procedural flaws, illegalities and/or irregularities of the nature and extent that compromised the credibility of the outcome and/or final results declared on the 11th August 2017” (…) “Bearing in mind the mischief that electronic transmission of results sought to cure and the constitutional obligation that the transmission be prompt, secure, accurate, verifiable, accountable and efficient, the unreasonable delay in electronically transmitting results together with the prescribed forms grossly affected the credibility and therefore the validity of the results purportedly declared by the 1st Respondent. Indeed the 1st Respondent’s Chief Executive Officer, Ezra Chiloba is on record admitting that as at 17th August, the 1st Respondent was yet to provide all the forms 34A and 34B – over 9 days after close of polling” (Raila Odinga Affidavit to Election Petition No. 1. of 2017).

These two affidavits shows a spectrum of difference and understandably so, since Kenyatta wants to keep power and doesn’t accept being a computer manipulated leader. This might be true, but the results delivered on the IEBC Portal is and are weird, as the IEBC has not been truthful with deliverance of counting and verifying the results. So that the NASA petition and affidavit is so critical is understandable to. Since he see the rigging and the possible fraud within the election, he can question it so since Chiloba was honest saying after the announcement of result. That the IEBC didn’t have the credibility it needed, especially also considering what even Chiloba said days after.

Like take a look at what the NASA written submission:

The Petitioners, in paragraph 23.4 of the Petition contend that all returns without the IEBC’s official stamp not bearing the particulars and signatures of the Returning Officers, not bearing the particulars and signatures of the agents, and those not borne on the prescribed forms are invalid. In paragraph 23.7.8 the Petitioners aver that a substantial number of Forms 34A and 34B do not bear the IEBC authentic stamp or at all” (…) “65. The Petitioners, from paragraph 21.2.4- 21.2.8, allege the following:

i) The information in Forms 34A is not consistent with the information recorded in Forms 34B; in the result the Form 34Bs were not accurate, verifiable, internally consistent and are consequently invalid;

ii) The nature and extent of the inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the tabulations is not clerical but deliberate and calculated; and

iii) The Petitioners aver that the inaccuracies and inconsistencies affect and account for at least 7 million votes” (NASA Written Submission to Election Petition No. 1. of 2017).

When the NASA has these rightful claims to make and measure of 7 million votes possibly tampered with in favor of Jubilee, it says the level of possible rigging. As the public themselves has scrutinized the IEBC Portal and the documentations of Polling Stations and their forms. This has not encouraged the trust of this election. Therefore, it is still healthy to read the defense from Jubilee.

My Lords, we must appreciate that the voting result anywhere in the country didn’t produce any unusual voter turnout. Both the 3rd Respondent and the Petitioner scored high in their strongholds. The advantage of the 3rd Respondent had high voter registration, which simply carried over unto the victory he scored against the Petitioner” (…) “Vide the Petition dated 8th of August 2017, the Petitioner also seeks that immediately upon the filing of the Petition, the 1st Respondent do avail all the material including electronic documents, devices and equipment for the Presidential Election within 48 hours; and secondly immediately upon the filing of the Petition, the 1st Respondent do produce, avail and allow access for purposes of inspection of all the logs of any and all servers hosted by and/or on behalf of the 1st Respondent in respect of the Presidential Election within 48 hours;” (…) “From a reading of this, we humbly submit that the Petitioner is engaging in a fishing expedition and ultimately seeking to shift the burden of proof upon the Respondents herein. It is trite law that he who alleges must prove. The burden of proof is on the Petitioners to prove the facts as alleged against the Respondents herein. A petitioner who seeks to annul an election bears the legal burden of proof throughout the proceedings. The Petitioner is required to prove such facts by adducing credible evidence in support and if he fails to do so his case must fail” (Jubilee Written Submission to Election Petition No. 1. of 2017).

The Jubilee, clearly doesn’t show much else than swagger in this take of it. Instead of coming with evidence or legal remedy, they are using political power. Nearly, saying that NASA are crying foul, instead of being truthful about the matter. That as the public even has seen so many questionable declaration forms. Like the NASA is out fishing for sympathy, however the Jubilee are really just claiming a fair win, without showing any effort of doing so.

The IEBC affidavit of Chiloba says something interesting too:

THAT I reiterate that the results of the outcome of the presidential election in the various polling stations are as contained in the Forms 34A. The inadvertent transmission of wrong images on the pubic portal did not affect or invalidate the result contained in the statutory Forms 34A” (…) “ THAT in response to paragraphs 6 & 7 of the Affidavit, I confirm that all agents at the National Tallying Centre were provided with access to the Forms 34A and 34B and given an opportunity to verify the results before declaration” (Chiloba Affidavit to Election Petition No. 1. of 2017).

I hate to say it CEO Chiloba, somewhere here in your testimony your lying, if not your we’re lying 9 days after declaration of results on these Presidential Election. Since the agents at the Tallying Centre we’re supposed to have the forms before declared results on the IEBC Portal, but alas, the state of affairs wasn’t so. Since you continued to upload the forms days after announcing the results. Something is not right and you as Chairman knows this, the same knows Jubilee and NASA. That is just a mere fact, since you cannot in the press says day after “we are still uploading missing forms” and in affidavit for the courts say “we had all forms”… There is a lie either today or yesterday, which should we believe Mr. Officer?

As we continue there are more things to look into. As the Election Petition is heavy, but this is the tiny pieces of it. Chairman Wafula Chebukati says this:

THAT it is not correct, as the Petitioners have alleged, that the Commission presided over a shambolic 8th August 2017 presidential election. No single activity/process was done haphazardly” (…) “THAT I verily believe that the electronic transmission of the results by the Commission was secure, prompt, accurate, verifiable, accountable and efficient. All the results declaration Forms were subject to verification by the candidates’ agents/representative and immediately thereafter forwarded to the National Tallying Centre” (Chebukati Affidavit to Election Petition No. 1. of 2017).

The Chairman compared to the CEO has more spunk, has more flair in his words against the petitioners, well, the Jubilee and IEBC has attacked the NASA, before they addressed national insecurity. So that just fit a pattern. Clearly, the IEBC tries to save face in this instance. Well, if Chebukati was speaking the truth, why does he counter the words of Chiloba and even Odinga? Who is lying Chiloba no.1. or no. 2. or is Odinga? It is hard to wonder who did the forms when and why they we’re announced declared, before the public results we’re done. The Portal continued to run its simulation even days after announcement of victor. So the Chiloba and Chebukati, must feel pressure to explain this in the courts.

To take another affidavit, we should look briefly a little of what Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka says:

As a result, the credibility of the outcome of the presidential election has been gravely compromised and is, on available evidence, not representative of the will of the people” (Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka affidavit to Election Petition No. 1. of 2017).

It is a serious warning of Kalonzo since he says the Kenyatta victory would undermine the whole will of the Kenyan people. There we’re many who voted Jubilee and the incumbent, also on their MPs and other positions, but the NASA believes because of their evidence that they are ones the people selected. The whole process was made to secure the Jubilee and Kenyatta again. Therefore, this is compromising the electoral process and the legitimacy of Jubilee.

This is just a little bit of it and not a deep dig even. But the clear questionable election and the petition will open more can of words, than the documents on the Judiciary Kenya web-pages. Peace.

Uganda Police Force – Press Release: “We refute claims by a local daily of using sex workers as spies” (25.08.2017)

Somalia: Bancroft Statement on the Operation in Bariire (25.08.2017)

Correction – Somali National Army conducted security operation near Bariire (25.08.2017)

Somali National Army conducted security operation near Bariire (25.08.2017)

South Sudan’s leaders bear ‘direct responsibility’ for conflict, UN Security Council told (25.08.2017)

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the conflict, fighting and instability have persisted.

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, August 25, 2017 – A senior United Nations peacekeeping official today called on the leaders of South Sudan to show genuine political will to achieve sustainable peace in the strife-riven country, stressing that those whose long-time rivalry sparked the ongoing conflict can be the ones to resolve it.

“The conflict in South Sudan is a man-made conflict for which the leaders of South Sudan bear a direct responsibility,” Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping El-Ghassim Wane told the Security Council. “But the same leaders can also bring the country back from the impending abyss.”

He noted that the dire economic situation and continued conflict in the country have combined to create a dangerous and precarious situation for its citizens, and all that is needed is genuine political will to halt military operations, peacefully negotiate and make the necessary compromises.

“I would also urge the Security Council to pronounce itself in this regard. It is critical that the leaders of South Sudan hear the international community’s unified demand of what is expected of them,” he stated.

Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the signing of the South Sudan Peace Agreement between warring parties – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing then First Vice-President Riek Machar.

South Sudan, the world youngest country, which gained its independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between the two leaders erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013.

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the conflict, fighting and instability have persisted.

According to Festus Mogae, Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), “little meaningful progress” has been achieved in the implementation of the agreement, Mr. Wane said.

“More than ever before there is a critical need for continued and close coordination” between Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the African Union, the UN and the larger international community to leverage collective influence to bring an end to the suffering of the civilian population and help put South Sudan on a more positive trajectory, he stated.

IGAD comprises Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Security situation remains cause for ‘very serious concern’

Mr. Wane said the security situation in South Sudan remains a cause for “very serious” concern. The expected ceasefire remains elusive as military operations continued during the reporting period, mostly in Upper Nile.

In July, 136 access incidents were reported by the humanitarian community – the highest number recorded in any one month since December 2013.

Incidents of looting also spiked during July, with 15 incidents reported across the country. Of particular concern were the six major looting incidents of warehouses and trucks in transit leading to the loss of 670 metric tons of food meant for vulnerable communities in Eastern Equatoria, Lakes, Upper Nile and Warrap.

In meetings between UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and South Sudan’s key government officials earlier this month, President Salva Kiir and his cabinet members expressed reservations on the inclusion of some personalities such as Riek Machar in any dialogue process, Mr. Wane said.

But there was, however, an acknowledgement that sizeable communities cannot be left out of a process just because they were led by or that they supported a particular individual, he added.

While the National Dialogue has made some progress, it continues to be criticized for its lack of inclusivity.

Briefing the Council via videoconference, Nicholas Haysom, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan and South Sudan, also expressed concern about the security situation and the trajectory and depth of the crisis.

Calling for a “clear commitment” to an inclusive and credible peace process, he described several recent international and regional support efforts – including Uganda’s initiative to reunify factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and Kenya’s initiative to host opposition parties – which had achieved varying levels of success.

NASA Statement: “Uhuru Kenyatta Acting in Bad Faith” (24.08.2017)

NASA Statement: “Uhuru Wrong on Seat Numbers and his Fraudulent Win” (24.08.2017)