DRC: Is there an escalation of insurgency in the Kivu’s?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the interference and sponsoring of rebellions has been steady in the two recent decades. There are now talks of even more brewing trouble ahead. There been killings of peacekeepers lately, also rising numbers fatalities as well, that has been reported in North Kivu. Wouldn’t be surprised if there was similar numbers compiled on the other province too.

Therefore, the recent spark, the recent trend of wondering if there are something new brewing. Is healthy to ask. There are one force who is new in play, that is the Red-Tabara who only yesterday was reported in killing 18 people in and around Uvira. While the Burundian Forces are following their trail inside the DRC. There is no numbers of how many who is part of the Red-Tabara or their possible camps. Just that they are now also a part of the conflict inside the DRC. There has also been clashes between the FNL (Forces Nationale des Liberation), the rebels of the army. Therefore, the are plenty of obstacles already.

While the Allied Defence Force (ADF) is on a rebranding mission from being a Ugandan Muslim Military Operation, whose trying to invade Uganda. To become a jihadi organization for all of East Africa. The size of their operations is uncertain at this point. These has been steady attacking and killing in Beni. Where they have had massacres and working with other local militias to control the area.

While that is happening, the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) have deployed a 1000 of their newly trained and recruited LDU to the Uganda-Congolese Border. This is been done as a measure to secure the border. Clearly, also sending a message about the use of the LDU. Who was supposed to be a supportive unit of urban crimes, but now are an extra brigade for a possible warfare in the DRC. That is not a positive a sign. The first report of larger scale deployment was on the 15th October 2018, this might have been an escalation of that. But certainly hits a pattern.

This is proof of movement from two outside forces within the battle-torn and continued warfare in the region. Which seemingly doesn’t have an end. There are also still Mayi-Mayi militias, also Rwandan backed forces within the region too. There is FDLR-FOCA, whose size is uncertain, but bouncing around after a seismic split in 2016. Where in 2018, the DRC Operations of a militia named Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Democratique (M.R.C.D) who parts of it came from the FDLR. Who might also be criss-crossing the border region between Burundi/Rwanda and the DRC.

While there is nothing new that there are military movement from Rwanda and Uganda, where there both supply of arms, training and militia men. This being M-23 or other groups who was supported by military supplies from across the border. Therefore, if this would happen again. It wouldn’t be shocking or surprising.

The timing of all of this is perfect again. If it flairs up to extended levels and the government will have to suspend the elections again. So that, the ones running has to post-pone it again. Just in the nick of time to secure more illegal time for Kabila to rule. While so many more lives are taken, just so one man and his cronies can reign supreme.

What is for sure, is that this picture will be materialized and secured with time. What is worrying is the scale and the amount of players involved. As the Burundian forces are now into the mix, the Rwandan with both Ex-Rebels and Militias, who knows what stakes the Ugandan has. Other than adding more forces on the border. All of this is indication of more to come. There will not be silence.

When there is smoke, there is fire. In this instance, I am worried of the escalation and the levels of troops moving. Even as uncertain as it is. Because they have killed peacekeepers, there are foreign supported militias in the Kivu’s and there are tensions in the region. Peace.

Betty Nambooze Bakireke Statement on the House-Arrest of Nganda Ssemujju today (16.11.2018)

We are permanently under a twenty four surveillance by the regime…our homes are under watch day and night…We travel around the town with armed Bodabodas following us…Government spies followed me to hospital in India…those who follow us don’t do it for our security…. we are watched as enemies of the State….. in other words we are full time prisoners in this big brother’s house called Uganda.

So yesterday when I and Lord Mayor Lukwago visited Honourable Ssemujju for a colleagues meeting,the junta’s hitmen where watching….to them we can never meet to talk about anything else apart from plotting to overthrow their regime. So the fact that Hon.Ssemujju had a consultative meeting today and I and Lukwago were meeting him in the evening a day before was enough for them to tell that today we were to “overthrow the regime” through the Bweyogerere public meeting.

Deep in the night they intesfied surveillance on our homes …my guard told me that last night patrol vans kept a culculated distance from my home…In the night they deployed around Hon Ssemujju’s home breaking into the compound this morning,highly traumatizing his children and innocent wife. We are tired of living this life…I say we are tired,yes we are tired.

UPF: Hon. Francis Zaake MP Summoned to the CID on the 21st November (16.11.2018)

Today wasn’t the day to plant a Freedom Tree in Kira Muncipality: As the Police Blocks the Semujju Rally in town!

There are just one of these days, when the ones ordering the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Force realize how foolish most of it is. Because this is clearly a step to far again. When they have house-arrested Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju MP and fellow MPs in his home in Kira Muncipality. The Police are saying they are closing it off and blocking the rally today because of technical breach and lack of forewarning. However, we all know the gist and the attitude towards Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and the other People Power MPs in the Republic. This sort of affair that was about to transpire today, had to be shut-down. Because, this is what the President fears the most. The symbolic affair and the lack attendance of him. Museveni is supposed to be the king of peace, but is now again showing his efforts to stifle others and their voices.

“This morning woke up with a very good vibe, with plans to visit and address our people in Kira Municipality with comrade Hon. Ibrahim Semujju Nganda and fellow other Members of Parliament. We also had plans to plant a freedom tree at the home of Hon. Semujju. Police and the military have surrounded his house and dispersed the people they found at his home. As we speak his house is still surrounded. Impunity at its peak. Fear at its height. Whatever they do, nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.” (Bobi Wine – 16.11.2018).

We can clearly see the message, as the Kira Town residents has on tape also said the Police Officers was beating on them yesterday. A day ahead of the scheduled rally, that is now blocked today. The authorities are really going all in, when they act like this. While from this morning blocking the MP and his house. Sending people away wearing red and blue. The colours of People Power and the Forum for Democratic Change. The latter, which is the party of the unfortunate MP.

“The Kireka rally follows a number of rallies organized by MPs that voted NO against the lifting of Presidential Age Limit. MPs had decided to organize rallies in show of support of these MPs across the country” (Forum for Democratic Change, 16.11.2018).

This rally is now a no go. The voices against the life Presidency is now forbidden and the stature of the limited freedom is sealed. That has been common knowledge for plenty, but now proven again to those who thought otherwise. Because the authorities has to prove their power.

This endless battle doesn’t seem stop. Peace.

Mzee’s answer to everything: Bring out the Guns!

There is something magical, something so magnificent and unique. That every time there is a problem, the BIG GUNS have to show up. The President, the Almighty, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has to address the problem with hiring, appointing or ordering the military to intervene. They even have a commercial arm to assemble cellphones in the near future.

The army is already involved in the NAADS and SACCOs as well as other Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) projects. They have been involved in arresting people and disrupting rallies, not to talk about pure election violence. The army has been involved in invading the Plenary Chambers of the Parliament. There is nowhere the army and these branches of it isn’t touching.

If there is a problem. The President orders the Special Forces Command to monitor riots in Kampala. The President orders to combat army-worms and pipeline problems together with the KCCA. This is just mere simple example of the usage of the army.

The President when the Members of Parliament asked for more security, he ordered sharpshooters and specialized cars for the MPs to security their movements and travels. It was later turned down, but the way of the President to resolve the matter, was by getting the soldiers on stand-by and secure the VIPs.

This is how the President moves, now that Chinese Investors are afraid. The President has ordered soldiers to facilitate and secure the Chinese investments and investors themselves. The answer isn’t looking into the ruthless and insecurity. Instead, put out more guns in the field. Thinking they will solve the issue.

This is the militarism of the President. Where he sends the para-military Police Squads against oppositions. Where he had the Flying Squad, the Special Force Command, Crime Preventers, the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) or even foot soldiers on the streets. Just to prove to the people, that he is boss!

That is just a sign of the lack of progress, the lack of development. When every crisis, when every need and whim of the President. The ones he is calling is the military and the soldiers, not trying to figure out the needed remedy. That gravy-train has left.

It is time to ask the President is if he has other advice and other solutions, because calling the soldiers to fix defects in society isn’t their role. Their role is to guard the borders and secure the Republic, not being the waiters and dancers at the party. That is how they are playing today. I am just awaiting seeing pictures of soldiers dropping off Waragin and Beer to VIPs. Because that is the only thing they isn’t doing. Since it isn’t long ago, when they even was in charge of a Beauty Pageant. Peace.

South Sudan: Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference – Message of Peace (12.11.2018)

Uganda Peoples Congress – Press Statement (14.11.2018)

South Sudan – JMEC Progress Report No. 3: On the Implementation Status of the R-ARCSS 2018 (05.11.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM/A-IO – “Re: Relocation of the Headquarters of the National Committee for Humanitarian Affairs to Juba” (11.11.2018)

Opinion: The 2021 election, unless massive changes; Mzee will win it again!

Eh! I don’t like talking about the long destined future, but one is certain. As long Mzee is breathing, he is running as the Flag-Bearer and everyone else is to fall in line. The Grand Master, the Big Man, the Head Honcho, the Leader of Men and all other titles are his. This is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He will not step down. Not as long as he is breathing. That is not happening.

He would not have revised or edited the constitution. He would not have let the military and security forces be such a vital part of the state, as it is right now. The president wouldn’t have used to force against anyone coming his way. Sending a message to anyone who trying to trespass and rule the fiefdom. That is not acceptable. Not even succession from his own flesh and blood. They have to wait as well.

Not that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have any plans for succession, some cries out loud for it now and then. But later they cry again to their beloved leader and hope for redemption. As they insulted the grand leader. You should never question his powers and his army.

If you question him and his will, you are insects, you are mosquitoes, vermin and bean-weevils that he gets rid off. His army can he always trust, The Security Organizations, the high command and that the Police Force will do his bidding. As long as the state of affairs is like this. There will be no change.

As long as the state is militarized and the state are serving one man. There will be nothing significant different. The names on the ballots might be different. There might be a Farmers Party, Go-Forward or New Formation. However, the results will be in favor of the President.

The 2021 will not change, unless there are vital steps of change. Unless there are people early to see something else and not accepting status quo. Because, the will of doing peaceful transitions through the ballots, has been done again and again. That has been tested and tried countless times by Dr. Kizza Besigye and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Paul Ssemogerere/ Norbert Mao (Democratic Party) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Olara Otunnu. However, none of the attempts has succeeded, that is because the system is built for and implemented for Museveni.

Everyone should see that. The People Power Movement has to grow stronger, than the Defiance Campaign, bigger than Walk to Work and pay costs, which none of us want to bear. If you want to dismantle a military dictatorship. It doesn’t come without costs, without sacrifice and without determination. It isn’t about getting SUVs as MPs or not. It is about sustainable freedom for all citizens. Not just the all-praising elite in and around the President.

2021 will for now be another race. Which is more of the same. There will be drama, tear-gas, arrests, treason-charges, open bribes, voter-tourism, pre-ticked ballots and so on. That is just part the nightmare called elections. There will be deflections from the various parties, there will be people jumping around after the man of the day. However, in the long run, as it is per today. No one will contain of have access to the powers of the army and state resources like Museveni. From the State House, he will micro-manage and bustle everyone into his ways. Either you like it or not.

That is why, when I read people speculating about the elections in 2021. There will be the same Kiggundu Math and misuse of Public Order Management Act (POMA) until oblivion. Unless, the people are gathered around the cause. That they have belief that they have value and purpose. That they are not pawns of the Kingpin of Entebbe and the NRA. As long as they have faith that they can steer the conversation. That they can change the narrative, change the perspective and also ensure that the military, the Security Organization in and around the President are weaken by the pressure. If that pressure gets to level they cannot sustain. Than, the movement, the people are able to progress and show, who is the true value in the Republic.

That will not easy, that will cost. The road to redemption and freedom isn’t easy. It never has been. Because the men with power and wealth, usually don’t won’t to hand it out, but you have to fight to get it. That is the way it is.

At this present time, there are little hope, there are reflections of awaking. As it has been in the past. But the fire has to flair. The thunder has hit the ground. It has to spark,. The fire has to light and it has to be able to make a difference. Show true value. Not being one concert. Being one idol, one leader and one movement. But being the message, being the guiding star, the one that can pass through the evils of men. That is what is needed. Not just some mere slogan and a color of clothing. It needs to pierce the flesh and embody people.

There been sparks, there been flairs, but not fires that has overpowered. There haven’t been a people’s revolution. There been starts of riots and uprisings. But not to an extent, where the thousands of guards, the soldiers and the police force has felt threaten. Where they have felt that their arms and guns been made out of jelly. They haven’t feared going to the office or the station, they haven’t feared going to the barracks.

No, its the people who has feared mambas, the flying squad, the ISO, the Special Force Command and whatnot beating people on the streets. These has to fear something. Not that the public has arms, but their anger, their frustration, their fatigue, their lack of hope and desperation. As they haven’t seen the dream of the NRM or the President. They haven’t gotten the 10 Point Program or the Future their was promised for three decades.

Its time to make things real. Because if it is like now. The 2021 is just another slow train for the Big-Man to rule another term. Just like 2016 and 2011, just like 2006 and 2001… We can go further back in time, but its get old quick. Just like the old man with a hat.

We can speak up again and again about the unjust of the system, but seemingly more of it stays the same. While the crooks continuing taking, while the ones risking it all are paying the price. Without any big change or will to do so. Only, to scream and shout, but kill it off when the dust settles. Peace.