Democratic Republic of Congo: Specialist Red Cross Ebola team arrives in North Kivu (08.08.2018)

This outbreak is the second to strike Democratic Republic of Congo in recent months and comes just one week after the Ministry of Health declared the end of a separate Ebola outbreak in Equateur Province.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, August 8, 2018 – A team of Red Cross experts has arrived in the town of Beni, close to the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).

The 19-person multidisciplinary team is made up of volunteers and staff from the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It includes a nine-person safe and dignified burials unit, water and sanitation experts, and a community engagement specialist. Some of the members were deployed directly to Beni from the most recent Ebola response in Equateur Province.

Dr Fatoumata Nafo-Traore, IFRC’s Regional Director for Africa said: “The Ebola virus is most infectious in the moments after death. The safe handling of people suspected to have died from Ebola is crucial to halting its spread. However, for this approach to work, it needs to be attuned to local cultural beliefs and norms. This involves engaging with communities in a way that builds trust. This crucial process will be a focus of the Red Cross teams.”

Local Red Cross volunteers are critical to curbing the spread of Ebola and will be supported by the specialist Red Cross team to carry out their work safely. This includes training and supervision for safe and dignified burials in Beni and Mangina as well as community outreach about Ebola in both health zones. The team will also improve water and sanitation systems in Beni prisons and help local hospitals and health facilities with infection prevention control measures as needed.

“We are deeply concerned that people in northern North Kivu have already been affected by years of armed conflict and an Ebola outbreak could be devastating to already vulnerable communities,” said Nicolas Lambert, the ICRC’s Deputy Head of Delegation in DR Congo and its Ebola response team leader.

North Kivu has been affected by armed conflict for two decades. In the past two years, humanitarian organizations have not be able to safely access some parts of the province. The ICRC has worked in Beni since 2008 and has supported internally displaced people in Mangina since 2015. Mangina hosts thousands of people who fled clashes in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, many of whom live with and rely on residents.

This outbreak is the second to strike DR Congo in recent months and comes just one week after the Ministry of Health declared the end of a separate Ebola outbreak in Equateur Province.

RDC: CENCO: Appel Aux Elections Inclusives et Apaisees – Communique de la CENCO a l’pccasopm di deåpt des camdodatires aux elections presidentielles et legislatves du 23 decembre 2018 en RDC (06.08.2018)

Statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (06.08.2018)

ONLF: The Unilateral Intervention by the Federal Government of Ethiopia in the Somali Regional State is not a viable Solution (04.08.2018)

The Federal Government ordered its military Force in Jigjiga to attack and take over the Somali regional Administration. This unilateral act resulted in Loss of Life and has endangered the law and order of the Ogaden, creating chaos and uncertainty at a time the Somali people were expecting to get peace and their rights.

ONLF believes that any transitional change in the Somali region shall come through a peaceful negotiated process where all relevant stakeholders including ONLF, the Federal government, and all other relevant stakeholders. Any entity that take unilateral act, that could jeopardise the situation will be responsible for consequences such an act produces.

ONLF calls upon the new Prime Minister of Ethiopia to halt immediately any military activities and initiate a peaceful process, including direction negotiations with ONLF, which would lead to a national conference where a peaceful road map for change in the Somali region is charted and the future course of the Somali people’s cause is decided.

ONLF calls upon the Somali people in Ogaden to stand up for their rights and never allow external forces to decide their fate. However, religious shrines and the properties of civilians shall be protected against opportunist individuals.

ONLF also laments the continuing fighting alone the borders of the Somali Oromo borders. This will further exacerbate the future relations between these neighbourly communities.

All ONLF members in the Ogaden shall endeavour to stabilise the situation and call for calm and peaceful engagement with all authorities and educate the people to respect the lives of minority communities, state and private property and Religious institutions.

Issued by ONLF.

A Growing Crisis in the Ogaden Region of Ethiopia!

The Federal Government of Ethiopia, have ordered the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) to ceased the regional parliament building in Jigjiga, while also taking over others buildings too. This is happening while the market of the city has been put on fire and shops has closed. The ethnic tensions between the Oromo and Somali, which have been brewing for a long while and also seen in the rise of killings of Somali in the recent months. By the Quuerro and the Aghazi Squad, which has turned on these, instead of building a stronger community together.

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and Prime Minister Dr. Abyi Ahmed have not stopped or ceased the violence in the Ogaden Region. Neither done much, other than trying to conceal the growing violence. Today’s action only happen after the Somali’s have tried to stop the oil-flow going from the region and blocking that.

Abdi Illey have formed a youth group called Heego, which has caused extended havoc and looting, after the seizures of the banks, government buildings and the other important places of Jigjiga. The group has burned down churches as the anarchy contines.

There are two conflicting reports, one is that the PM sent the armed forces to protect the oil and gas production in the area. The other report is that this is an answer of a rebellion, where the authorities of the region planned to announce their independence from Ethiopia. Third report is that of the 5% the Somali Region get of the Oil Revenue, the leader Illey asked for 75% and that is reason for why the army came to take it over. They cannot afford or have the hassle to cough of more money for the resources there.

Which would mean a Ogaden State in itself. To this point, it is hard to verify, but both can be plausible, especially when there is money and Chinese investment involved in the oil-and-gas fields. The are unconfirmed reports that Abdi Mohamud Omar, the President of the Somali Region is under house, but nothing of that is certain yet. While Regional Parlaiment Speaker Mohamed Rashid Isaq have called on the public to defend Jigjiga from the army. Therefore, the growing tensions is escalating and the nerves are already touched.

The total death toll per now is 18. Which is a lot, as the army sent thousands of soldiers, as the Heego group have vandalized the city, as well as the soldiers have done a lot of harm to the public too. As the Federal Government is currently occupying this city with this force. This is not a good sign for the Addis Ababa leadership, nor a sign of goodwill from the Somali. Hopefully, all parties can come to their sense and use common sense. As the hopelessness and destruction will not benefit either party.

What is currently stated is that the machinery and army from EPRDF and the TPLF are in control, the PM and the regime there wants to takeover. That they have done, as the insecurity and the vandalization will cease. However, the scars and the issues there, will be as hurtful as the months of destruction and killings in Amhara and Oromia. Not like the state should forget that, now they are just targeting another group, because it is fitting to control and also the Oil Revenue.

Illey shouldn’t order his youth group and create the mass destruction, but neither should the possible government bleed the region down, because of the finding and the extraction of oil from the region. That just doesn’t make sense, unless the government want to continue to oppress and secure wealth on their behalf. Peace.

RDC: Ensemble – Declaration Politique (03.08.2018)

Opinion: Kabila shown today at Kasumbalesa Border-Point, that he is really scared of Katumbi!

Moise Katumbi returned today through the border pass of Zambia into the pass of Kasumbalesa. This is the way he is trying to enter the nation, after the Republic and Authorities have not allowed him entry by airplane. They also have orders to arrest him on forged charges. So, it is not like the authorities are friendly with him. Therefore, trying to cross in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not safe for the citizen and Ensemble’s Presidential Candidate.

Katumbi is now stuck on the border crossing, even as the Congolese have shown up in the thousands on the border point to celebrate his return. Because of the lack of allowing him to enter. This is really disgraceful, as this happen in the same time period as Jean-Pierre Bemba is allowed to come home and also participate in the ghost-election of December 2018. However, Katumbi is out on a limb.

Katumbi’s message:

The regime forbids my landing & barricade the border … My crime? Want to enter my country & apply. In trying to block me, we want to remove Congolese their right to real elections. I will fight ! Thanks to the huge crowd here at Kasumbalesa!” (Moise Katumbi, 03.08.2018).

Radio Okapi reports:

Moses Katumbi and his delegation are stranded in Zambia. The opponent had arrived at the border between Zambia and the DRC this Friday, August 3 at 13h local time. Sources in Kasumbalesa indicate that the former governor of Katanga was stuck for a long time in the neutral zone, surrounded by thousands of sympathizers. On the Congolese side, there was no service at the border, which was closed. Meanwhile, on the spot, the police dispersed the protesters with tear gas. Several roadblocks were erected at various locations on the Lubumbashi-Kasumbalesa road to prevent Moïse Katumbi’s supporters from reaching the Kasumbalesa border, 90 kilometers from Lubumbashi” (Radio Okapi – ‘Moïse Katumbi bloqué en Zambie’ 03.08.2018, link: https://www.radiookapi.net/2018/08/03/actualite/politique/moise-katumbi-bloque-en-zambie).

Clearly, the Congolese Authorities have done what they can, as there are even reports on the border, the army has sent in around a 100 soldiers. We know the state and the authorities are afraid of Katumbi, when they are acting like this.

The Congolese Authorities are whiny little scared bitches, because a politician are crossing their borders. He is not coming with a militia or an army, but with his delegation. The exiled politician that has been in trouble since he wanted to run against Joseph Kabila. Kabila is afraid and scared. This is the ghost of an honest politician, that is haunting his body, mind and soul.

Kabila is so afraid, his nearly pissing his pants, he has nightmares about the man named Katumbi. Because even war-lords, militants, mercenaries, killers or even rebels doesn’t scare Kabila, but Katumbi does. That is why he is stuck in no-mans land between Kasumbalesa and the Congolese territory.

You know, Kabila is afraid when he closes the border, uses tear-gas against supporters of Katumbi and putting roadblocks, to stop him. This is insane, but Kabila must be thinking more about Katumbi, than he thinks about his side-dishes or even his wife. When he acts like this for just the man crossing the borders and trying to get into the Republic in time to run as a candidate.

This shows how afraid Kabila is of Katumbi, the surge of people wanting to greet him. Shows also the popularity of Katumbi. Which is in itself a warning for Kabila. As he cannot be hostile and control the people forever. This sort of action is an insult to them.

The world is watching, and we now know that Kabila is afraid and scared of Katumbi. Because of who I are and what he represents. Peace.

Katumbi is in a sea of trouble!

Moise Katumbi, the Presidential Candidate in Exile, which is slated to return back to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is in a loads of trouble, even his home province, Haut-Katanga and Lubumbashi , the Mayor have denied his entry. This is happening as there are still orders from the Attorney General Flory Kabange Numbi have put in an order to arrest him. This for allegations of hiring mercenaries and other criminal activity. Therefore, when he arrives and possibly lands in the DRC. The Authorities will detain him on the charges and significantly silence him.

So the biggest challenger to the current leadership in the DRC, could when he returns from exile become a random criminal and state property. Wonder if the same would have happen if Felix Tshisekedi would return from exile. Because both of these two are the main challengers. Already, have Jean-Pierre Bemba arrived and registered himself a candidate for the supposed election this December 2018. Why I say supposed, is there been scheduled elections since 2016 and never ceased to appear. So, I lack of faith concerning CENI and the will of Joseph Kabila to be succeeded.

Katumbi are vilified by the authorities and that is shown by all now. That is evident as the news of his arrest when returning to campaign for the up-coming ghost-election, where we don’t know if Kabila will re-run or make some sort of play. Since he is keeping silence … and just trying to play it out. While holding all grips to power and not letting anyone else have the upper-hand.

I am not shocked by this news, the Ensemble would be in trouble, because they are top-challenger and totally different from the current stalemate in Kinshasa. There are nothing showing that Kabila or allies planning to swiftly depart or give another leader the possibility to become President. The government are still all surrounded by loyalists of Kabila and nothing else seem visible.

Therefore, Tshisekedi and Katumbi, are both people who are troublemakers for Kabila, because they stark contrast to him. Bemba is his former Vice-President and he knows how to co-operate with him. That is maybe why Kabila have let him and accept his return after 10 years in prison in Europe.

Who knows, what is up next and what will happen, but Katumbi will not have soft landing. He will be called out for everything, we can even anticipate treason charges and such. Because that is what illegitimate government does. They will take the ones and try to destroy the ones who comes in good faith and tries to secure a peaceful transition. While doing what they can to corrupt the greedy.

Kabila is not playing and he will not give up power easily. That is why he is still there on throne and no one else is in sight. Peace.

RDC: Lucha – Deni de justice sur l’assassinat de Luc Nkulula (31.07.2018)

RDC: Ensemble – Communique de Presse (30.07.2018)