Upholding Democracy: The Perilous Path of Constitutional Amendments
By Dr Mwelwa
In the aftermath of a historic election, Zambians find themselves in a unique position, witnessing a government that promises change and progress. However, recent developments regarding proposed constitutional amendments have raised concerns about the credibility and intentions of the ruling party, the United Party for National Development (UPND).
The UPND’s track record, since assuming power, has been one tainted with controversy, disregard for constitutional protocols, and a worrying abuse of state organs and institutions. This troubling behavior, coupled with a Speaker who appears biased and compromised, paints a dire picture for the nation’s democracy.
One cannot help but question the legitimacy of a parliament where members are stifled, interrupted, and even suspended for daring to express dissenting views. How can a meaningful and robust debate take place under such restrictions? The suppression of free speech raises concerns about the transparency and openness of the legislative process.
The proposed constitutional amendments put forward by the UPND government should be met with deep skepticism. The speed at which these amendments have been pushed forward, without adequate stakeholder engagement or a clear legal roadmap, raises suspicions about their true intentions.
The disregard for the law and the constitution exhibited by the UPND is alarming. It is reminiscent of the controversial “TOXIC BILL 10” that sparked widespread public opposition just a few years ago. Many citizens fought against it, recognizing that it posed a danger to the democratic system they hold dear.
The UPND’s current proposals only further fuel concerns about their commitment to democratic values. From calls to extend presidential terms to reverting to an appointed Vice-President, it seems that the party is more interested in consolidating power than in upholding the principles of accountability and democratic governance.
The erosion of checks and balances, as evidenced by the proposal to remove the Running Mate clause and the shift from the 50%+1 electoral system, sets a dangerous precedent. It opens the door to potential abuse and manipulation, threatening the fairness and integrity of future elections.
Citizens must remain vigilant and resolute in their demand for a transparent, inclusive, and people-driven constitutional process. The future of democracy in Zambia depends on their active engagement and unwavering commitment to safeguarding their rights.
As we reflect on the recent past, it becomes clear that constitutional refinement requires more than the involvement of technocrats; it necessitates meaningful participation from the people. Previous attempts at constitutional review have been marred by political interference and a failure to truly listen to the voices of the citizens.
Democracy cannot be a mere facade, an empty shell devoid of substance. It requires a robust and independent judiciary, a check on executive power, and a constitution that truly represents the aspirations and values of the people.
The UPND government’s proposal to hastily amend the constitution without proper consultation and stakeholder engagement is a cause for concern. It poses a serious threat to the democratic fabric of the nation.
Let us remember the lessons from the past and rise above political bias. Let us demand an accountable, transparent, and participatory approach to constitutional amendments. Zambia’s democracy deserves nothing less. Together, we must ensure that the people’s voice is heard, and their rights and freedoms are protected.
Stakes Are High For All & Critical Choices Must Be Made By PF, UPND and The People
By Daimone Siulapwa.
Happy Sabbath. As the political atmosphere continues to heat up, both the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) find themselves at a crossroads, each facing significant challenges that could shape the country’s future.
The decisions made by these political parties will not only impact their own destinies but also have far-reaching consequences for the people and the nation’s sovereignty.
The PF, once a dominant political force, now hangs dangerously by a thread in the air. Any misstep could relegate them to the archives of history alongside UNIP and MMD.
We must brace ourselves for a fierce battle, as the PF fights tooth and nail , drawing on its arsenal of resources. Having tasted the sweetness of political power, the PF is determined to reclaim its position.
The lessons learned during their two-year stint in opposition have provided valuable insights, which they will surely use.
The UPND on the other hand, also faces a high-stakes situation. Everything—their party, their credibility, and political power—is on the brink of a catastrophe.
In their bid to oust the PF, they made promises of heaven on earth, reminiscent of Kaunda’s Maharishi scandal. Unfortunately, they overpromised to almost a level of propaganda and now struggle to deliver.
While the UPND government is making strides in resetting the economic trajectory, many of those appointed in key positions lack the streetwise political acumen needed to address ground-level issues and citizen discontent.
To secure victory in 2026, the UPND must bridge the gap between promises and tangible results. They must consider reinstating subsidies on essential commodities like Mealie Meal, fuel, and electricity, any further increase in the price of essential commodities will be catastrophic for UPND and the country as a whole.
This time, no promises or propaganda against anyone will work, the UPND will have to make it work and the results must trickle dawn to the people. No graphical explanation will work better than cheap food on the table for people.
President HH also faces the critical task of selecting his campaign team and anointing a successor who will be his 2026 running mate. Any misstep in these decisions could jeopardize the party’s chances, and there may be no room for correction in the eleventh hour.
In evaluating the democratic credentials of both parties, a disheartening similarity emerges. The PF, during its governance, flouted good governance principles and undermined institutional integrity to suit its agenda. If citizens opt for the PF, they may be welcoming back a regime with a history of brutality, hoping for repentance.
On the flip side, recent actions by the UPND reveal a concerning trend. The party has engaged in the arbitrary arrest of opposition leaders and utilized the police as tools to victimize dissenters, raising questions about adherence to the rule of law.
Choosing to retain the UPND in power could be an endorsement of a leadership style that borders on brutality, echoing the actions of the PF and may become worse given its current trends.
The stakes for Zambian citizens are nothing short of the sovereignty of their country. Both the PF and UPND have made alliances that seemingly prioritize foreign interests over national welfare.
PF leaned towards China and Russia, while UPND aligned with the West. The question that looms large is whether these political parties genuinely have the citizens’ best interests at heart or if they are merely pawns in a geopolitical game.
Citizens face a challenging dilemma – choosing between a historically brutal yet effective regime in PF and a seemingly less brutal but struggling UPND. It is indeed a difficult decision to make of between a hard rock and a stone, unless a third and dynamic force arises.
The decision hinges on the willingness of the populace to endure a harsh regime for the sake of economic stability or opt for a less oppressive but economically challenged government.
As a people, we now stand at a dangerous point where political choices will shape our future as a country. The decisions made by the PF, UPND, and citizens alike will determine the path the nation treads – one of resilience, progress, and true democratic values or one marred by the shadows of past mistakes. Which one will it be?
18.11.23
Daimone Siulapwa is the Editor-in-Chief of The Voice Newspaper. He is also a political analyst, an advocate for tribal unity and Citizen Economic Empowerment. Send your comments to dsiulapwa@gmail.com
UPND Needs To Fix Its Party Structures as a Matter of Urgency
By Daimone Siulapwa
The UPND currently finds itself at a critical stage that demands immediate attention and decisive action.
The essence of any successful political entity lies in its organizational strength, and UPND must acknowledge that most of its structures are in disarray and there is an urgent need to rebuild them before irreparable damage is caused.
As it sets its sights on winning the 2026 elections, one of the important elements that could tip the scales in its favor is the strengthening of its party structures countrywide, which seem to have become defunct, including its secretariat.
Party structures are not merely administrative organs; they are the pillars that uphold the entire network of a political organization. For UPND, the importance of these structures cannot be overstated as they are the party in government and they need solid structures to deliver on their mandate.
Party structures are also the backbone of any political organization, serving as the vital channels that connect leadership with the grassroots.
Unfortunately, UPND has been facing a substantial erosion of its structures in all provinces, exposing a glaring neglect by its leadership, particularly the Secretary-General Batuke Imenda and his deputy Gertrude Imende.
It is either the two have outlived their usefulness or lack financial support or both. This neglect has resulted in discontent among party members and a serious weakening of UPND’s national presence.
Elections are not only won on the voting day; winning begins at the grassroots level where all party structures start. UPND must recognize that the strength of its party structures will always and directly correlate with the strength it will have at national level.
By nurturing and empowering its structures in every region, UPND can ensure that its message not only reaches but also resonates with voters across the diverse landscapes in our country, more especially in regions considered not to be their strongholds.
Whether UPND likes it or not, lessons can be learnt from the Patriotic Front (PF). The PF’s success in the past can be attributed, in part, to its strong structures and party mobilization efforts and the continuous relevance of its structures to its cause, not only to be used by the elite to win elections, but to carry them along as important partners after winning an election.
UPND must recognize the importance of emulating these strategies to solidify its base and regain lost ground.
As the current point of observation, it is dangerous to have structures, which are disoriented; uninformed, unsupported and unguided, such a scenario creates an opportunity for discontentment and loss of belonging by party members.
Strong party structures foster a sense of loyalty among members. A united front is indispensable for success in any electoral endeavor. By cultivating a cohesive and committed network at all levels, UPND can navigate the challenges posed by political adversaries and present a formidable force that resonates with the electorate.
Elections are not just about policies; they are about mobilization and strategic campaigning. Strong party structures provide the infrastructure needed for efficient mobilization efforts. This can easily be proven by analyzing the in-roads that have been made countrywide by Fred Mmembe’s Socialist Party in a very short period of time.
The time is now for UPND to embark on a comprehensive mobilization strategy that rejuvenates its party structures and addresses existing issues. Going back to the grassroots is not just a recommendation; but it is an urgent necessity.
This involves acknowledging the concerns and grievances of party members, mending internal divisions, and ensuring that the party’s presence is felt at all levels of our political landscape.
Furthermore, Politics in its essence is a game that requires financial resources to be available. UPND’s leadership and other key figures must wake up to the stark reality that political parties cannot thrive with no cash or on handouts alone.
Adequate resources are essential for the functioning of party structures, and someone must take the lead in mobilizing these resources and not wait for the party president to lead.
Too many UPND leaders are sleeping, they will wake one day to a party that has no structures or committed members.
UPND members must be given a good reason to stand out for the party and campaign for the next elections. They will surely not do it on an empty stomach or just promises for a better future, they have heard that before, this time cash will have to be on the table, remember cash is king.
While in government, UPND cannot afford to offer excuses for financial constraints. Politics is inherently linked with financial backing, and without it, the party risks fading into political obscurity.
The claim that UPND cannot mobilize resources is flawed, considering that they are the ones running government.
Looking at Western and developed countries, it is evident that significant financial investments are made to realize political ambitions.
UPND must recognize the importance of having solid financial backers who not only support the party financially but they also stand to benefit through business patronage, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
While acknowledging the need for financial support, UPND must approach fund mobilization transparently and ethically.
Openness about funding sources and expenditures is vital to maintaining the trust of the electorate and demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles.
As things stand today, the fate of UPND hangs on its ability to confront the current challenges head-on.
The leadership, particularly HH and the Secretary-General, must wake up to the urgency of rebuilding party structures and implementing effective mobilization strategies.
15.11.23
Daimone Siulapwa is the Editor-in-Chief of The Voice Newspaper. He is also a political analyst, an advocate for tribal unity and Citizen Economic Empowerment. Send your comments to dsiulapwa@gmail.com
UPND GOVERNMENT SHOULD ABANDON SELFISH MOTIVES TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of Zambia is the supreme law of our great country, Zambia. It establishes the system of governing our country; distribute and constrain power; protect the rights of citizens; and deal with various additional issues of identity or substantive policy that are considered foundational in the specific context of our beloved country. It was developed and adopted after an elaborate consultative process.
I understand from press statements that the UPND Government plans to amend it; barely seven years after the last amendment.
A constitution is intended to be both foundational and enduring. However, a constitution is not intended to be immutable. If it can endure the test of time, that is great because that was a solemn declaration we collectively as the people of Zambia made when adopting the 2016 Amendment.
The motivation for changing the written text of a constitution must only be motivated by the following factors:
(i) to adjust the constitution to the environment within which the political system operates (including economics, technology, international relations, demographics, changes in the values of the population, etc.);
(ii) to correct provisions that have proved inadequate over time, and
(iii) to further improve constitutional rights or to strengthen democratic institutions.
Never should our constitution be motivated by selfish or partisan goals. Since a constitution sets the rules of the ‘political game’, those in power may be tempted to change the rules to extend their tenure in power, to secure their position, to marginalize the opposition or to limit civil and political rights. Such changes only weaken, or even undermine, democracy.
For the reasons above-mentioned, there is a need for all patriotic citizens to stand up and defend the Constitution. There is a need to protect the Constitution against short-term changes or changes hastily approved without due reflection and consideration.
An amendment process must only be permissible if such allows the Constitution to be changed for the public good, when necessary, when supported by a sufficient consensus, and after careful deliberation.
In this regard, it is our considered view, as the Green Party, that the UPND government must be prevented from amending the Constitution for self-interested, partisan, destructive, or short-term motives through the parliamentary process.
In our view, if UPND has identified issues that require clarification, it should, in the meantime, approach the Constitutional Court. Proceeding through the parliamentary process will only deepen division and acrimony in the country.
Focus for government at the moment should be to sort out the cost of living and dismantling the stifling debt.
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA PUSHING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT MAY REQUIRE CLOSE SCRUTINY BY STAKEHOLDERS
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
● amend 50%+1 to revert to First Past the Post electoral system.
● increase presidential terms from five to seven-year term.
● Removal of Running Mate clause and revert to appointed Vice-President.
Minister of Justice, Hon. Mulambe Haimbe announced in September 2023 that Government had embarked on the process to amend the Republican Constitution.
He stated that the process will be phased.
He stated that under;
1. the first phase- Government would attend to what he termed as “non-contentious” issues,
2. the second phase- would involve the holding of a referendum on the Bill of Rights.
3.the third phase would involve the Government undertaking a holistic review of the Constitution.
The rationale behind this approach has not been explained or justified.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
On 14th September,2023 the National Assembly wrote to the Patriotic Front Members of Parliament and others inviting them to make their submissions on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
“I am directed to bring to your attention
a resolution of the Standing Orders Committee for the political leadership in
the House to submit to the Office of the Clerk a consolidated list of non-contentious proposed amendments to the Constitution, for further processing”, read the letter from the Ckerk of the National Assembly.
This is extremely strange especially that the National Assembly is at the tale-end of the process and whose duty comes in to finally enact the Constitution after the people have given their views.
UPND SUBMISSIONS
As a ruling party, the UPND is keen to make submissions that promote their interests and that of President Hakainde Hichilema.
So far we have established that the Party is pushing the following clauses;
1. Extension of Presidential term from five to seven-year term like it is in Burundi, Rwanda, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. They argue that this gives the President and his political party enough time to lay foundation and implement their economic and development plans. They argue that a five-year term is inadequate.
2. The UPND is also pushing for the removal of the position of the Vice President as a running mate to revert to the one who is appointed.
The arguement is that this gives the President flexibility to fashion a working team and avoid a “renegade vice president” as has recently happened in Kenya( Uhuru and Ruto) Malawi (Joyce Banda and President Bingu wa Mutharika and the recent political fallout between President Peter Mutharika and his Vice President, Saulos Chilima ), and South Africa (Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa).
3. The removal of 50%+1 to revert to First Past the Post claiming that the re-run would be expensive. The real motive for this clause is Hichilema’s lost popularity and continued diminishing influence with regional voters that are traditionally outside the Party’s support base.
4. Expand on multicultural status to facilitate the decriminalization of homosexuality and subtly enable gay rights in the Republic. The Party is targeting finding appropriate words to include in Article 4 (3) which describes the status of the country as the Republic which is a unitary, indivisible, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-party democratic State.
THE PATRIOTIC FRONT
The Opposition Patriotic Front has rejected the proposed amendments as ill-intentioned and explained that the process has not met the minimum threshold of stakeholder engagement and consultations required.
Further the Party says there is currently no existing legal roadmap to guide the process.
The Party has called on stakeholders to reject this process like they did with Bill 10 as the stakeholders argued that the 2016 Constitution required to be tested and run its course.
The PF has also stated the UPND must beat their threshold which involved;
1. Countrywide consultations by the Ministry of Justice.
2. Holding the National Democratic Stateholders Summit.
3. Holding the Siavonga Summit for all Political Parties.
4. Signing of the Siavonga Accord that was drafted by Opposition leaders Dr. Cholwe Beyani and Hon. Mulambo Haimbe at the time.
5. Enactment of a legal process that provided for the Road Map for the Constitution-making process.
6. Enacting the National Dialogue Bill which provided for the National Dialogue Forum (NDF).
7. The NDF attracted 450 delegates drawn from diverse background.
8. Before enactment of the draft Constitution, the NDF Bill 10 was crafted and adopted live on Television. Further both Cabinet and Government were not allowed to make any changes to the draft headed for the National Assembly for enactment.
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL
The anti-corruption watchdog is playing a strange role in this process. TI-Z has been funded to engage stakeholders in promoting reforms of certain pieces of legislation and craft the draft Constitution.
So far Transparency International has been facilitating legal reform meetings for members of the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue(ZCID).
This is clearly outside TI-Z’s mandate or scope of operation or competency.
THE CHURCH
Recently both the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops ( ZCCB) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) have called on Government to come clean and establish a clear, transparent, purposeful and roadmap for the proposed constitutional amendments.
LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
In the past, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) were vicious in fighting Bill 10 and even proceeded to sue the President and Speaker of the National Assembly to halt Bill 10.
LAZ stated that lack of adequate consultations and stakeholder engagements rendered the process illegitimate and was a danger to national security and stability. Yet Bill 10 passed through a rigorous consultation pricess.
Further Bill 10 was only brought to Parliament after the LAZ court process was exhausted.
Despite all this the Bill failed.
On this latest cause, LAZ has not rendered an opinion yet or course of action.
CONCLUSION
The current process being pushed by Justice Minister, Mulambe Haimbe does not meet minimum standards of stakeholder engagements. The process has no legal roadmap and is not driven by the people or its representatives.
It’s a sham intended to sneak in harmful amendments such as lengthy presidential terms and may help entrench a presidential dictatorship.
Stakeholders are encouraged to take keen interest in the current constitutional-making process to help safeguard the Republic.
The author is a Member of Central Commitee of the Patriotic Front and Chairperson ofInformation and Publicity.
It seems power has gotten to Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s head and is starting to affect his judgement and vision – it’s blinding him quite fast.
Contrary to his insinuations, there’s no opposition leader that has put himself or herself above law or thinks that he or she is above the law. Their complaint is that there’s no equality before law under Mr Hichilema’s administration.
It is a well-known fact that throughout history, those who administer or control the criminal justice system hold the power with the potential for abuse and tyranny. And this exactly what Mr Hakainde Hichilema is doing.
The statutory powers to arrest and prosecute those who commit crimes should be reasonably exercised and in good faith.
By allowing opposition leaders to be unjustifiably arrested, detained and prosecuted, Mr Hichilema, those in power, are sending a dangerous signal that the criminal justice system can used to persecute and fix opponents of the regime.
We have been attacked by known UPND cadres and complained to the police but no arrests or prosecutions have ever taken place.
There’s need to administer justice impartiality. Impartial law enforcement should be guaranteed by institutions charged with that responsibility.
We should apply institutions to every aspect of law enforcement as a wall wired with high-tension electricity line.
The only antidote to the culture of venality is the readiness of our criminal justice system to apply the laws fairly and equally.
In Freedom under the Law, Lord Denning wisely remarked, “All power corrupts. Total power corrupts absolutely. And the trouble about it is that an official who is the possessor of power often does not realise when he is abusing it.
Its influence is so insidious that he may believe that he is acting for the public good when, in truth, all he is doing is to assert his own brief authority. The Jack-in-office never realises that he is being a little tyrant.”
We should at all times uphold the rule of law, integrity of the criminal justice system and the right to a fair trial.
No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices.
It’s amazing how Mr Hichilema has forgotten so quickly because not so long ago, he demanded for the same equality before the law that we seek today, from those who were in power at that time. So what has changed now?
Not even my wife, children are allowed to break the law – Hichilema
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says the law is blind to positions, status and relations pointing out that even his wife or children risked being arrested if they committed crimes.
The Head of State has since cautioned opposition party leaders against committing crimes and hiding behind their positions warning that the law would visit them.
In the past week, government critics have accused President Hichilema of being behind the arrests of opposition figures.
Their accusations come in the wake of arrests of Socialist Party president Dr Fred M’membe and PF’s Raphael Nakacinda who were both charged with Espionage.
Also arrested in the last week was PF chairperson for information and publicity Emmanuel Mwamba charged with seditious practices while Given Lubinda was also arrested for refusing to handover a diplomatic passport.
The Head of State used the opportunity of handing over 156 motor vehicles to police in all constituencies to respond to the critics.
While urging Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba not to arrest anyone without properly investigating a matter, President Hichilema encouraged the police not to fear anyone once they had established that a crime had been committed.
“The law does not recognise who is a child of the Head of State, who is a minister, who your mother is, who your father is, or what language you speak, if you contravene the law, the law and the police will come in,” President Hichilema warned.
“Behave yourselves, don’t break the law. Do not cross lines, you cannot say police cannot get to you because you are leader of a political party,
My wife and my children cannot go to a public place and start attacking people because I am the president of Zambia. The law does not allow that. The law does not allow me to steal.
The law does not recognise who is a child of Head of State, the child of a minister, the president of a political party. The law does not distinguish.
If you contravene the law, the law and the police will come in,” the President said.
The President further said; “If my wife insults fellow women, the law will visit her. I tell my wife to behave well because if she doesn’t, the law will visit her, I tell my children that behave properly in the community… because when you break the law, you can’t run to me as my son or my daughter the law will come and visit you, so behave yourself”.
President Hichilema underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing law enforcement capabilities nationwide and the improvement witnessed on decentralisation.
He expressed disappointment over the lack of adequate implementation in previous administrations and highlighted the current government’s commitment to delivering services closer to citizens.
Providing examples such as free education and health sector improvements, President Hichilema underscored the importance of decentralization.
President Hichilema urged citizens to pay attention to the developmental activities, anticipating that the impact of policies would become more evident in the coming years.
He stressed the long-term benefits of empowering local communities and facilitating decision-making at the grassroots level.
Additionally, the President announced plans to hand over ambulances to the 156 constituencies next year, aiming to enhance healthcare services at the grassroots level
1 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. – John 16:1-4a
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen. – James 5:16 (New Century Version)
The actions of the European Union (EU), through its New Partnership Agreement (NPA) with 79 independent sovereign nations from the African continent, Caribbean, and Pacific islands (known as the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States – OACPS) should remind many historians of the reasons the world went to war with Germany after it invaded Poland. In the year 2000, the EU and the 79 member states signed a 20-year trade agreement known as the Cotonou Agreement of Cooperation. It expired in 2019’ it has taken three years of negotiations and creation of councils and other manipulative actions to get to the NPA. Many people in the 79 countries sat on the edge of their chairs as the votes were being cast.
Citizens and other sympathizers are concerned because the NPA has been created and will by the signing of the 79 lead to a political takeover, where decisions about their people will be made in European capitals. If this appears to be familiar, it is because it is, this is how many of the 79 countries were managed as colonies. The NPA is a 20-year political and legally binding document that in essence the signees will be signing away their respective country’s freedom and sovereign statuses.
By their signatures, the countries among the 79, will bind their countries to vote at all international forums as a block with instructions coming from the EU. And thus, the 27-member EU will transform into a 108-member voting bloc, coming second to the G-77 and China; although the G77seldom votes as a bloc.
On Wednesday this week, four members of the 79 jumped high and gave their NO vote. These were Jamaica, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa. Before the No vote on Wednesday, Namibia highlighted an 8-point rationale for its objection to the NPA in its current form. These are:
The Treaty does not have a glossary of terms or a definitions section, to ensure that all parties have the same understanding of terms, which may pose a problem in the implementation and evaluation phase;
The NPA refers to over eighty (80) regional and international treaties/strategies/initiatives and programs that may not be legally binding agreements or processes, and our country may not necessarily be a party to. Having these provisions in the legally-binding New Partnership Agreement may elevate non-binding agreements/strategies/ initiatives, programs and processes to a legally-binding position or a treaty status;
The New Partnership Agreement refers to a commitment to the full and effective implementation of FUTURE outcomes of Beijing and ICPD review conferences that may bind Parties to future processes and outcomes that cannot be predicted at the present moment;
In Article 49 of the African Protocol, the draft New Partnership Agreement calls for the destruction of (ivory) stockpiles in the context of combating wildlife trafficking under CITES, a position that contradicts Namibia’s national position as well as the SADC Common Position on the matter;
The EU Party unilaterally removed the provisions for declarations in Article 6 of the New Partnership Agreement, even after negotiations were closed. It is normal practice when concluding international treaties, that provision for declarations would be made in the text, so that a State may make a declaration about its understanding of a matter contained in or the interpretation of a particular provision in a treaty. The purpose of interpretative declarations of this kind would be to clarify the meaning of certain provisions of, the entire treaty;
The New Partnership Agreement does not include a provision/clause/article for reservations;
Additional aspects of the NPA also raised concerns, in particular Article 97, which states that “No treaty, agreement or arrangement of any kind between one or more Member States of the European Union and one or more OACPS Members shall impede the implementation of this Agreement.”
Article 101, particularly Sub-Article 7 provides that appropriate measures” shall be taken against a country that is fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement.
Based on these observations the Republic of Namibia Government informed the EU at the beginning of the negotiations, that Namibia would not sign the draft NPA in its current form if the identified concerns were not addressed. Come Wednesday, November 15, 2023, during voting time, Namibia cast its No vote.
The executive director of Christian Council International (CCI) Henk Jan van Schothorst, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the 20-year ACP-EU Agreement slated to be signed, imposes demands on African, Caribbean and Pacific states, such as legalizing abortion, decriminalizing same-sex intimacy, and introduction of comprehensive sex education for children. These are contrary to the traditional moral values of the 79 member states. These value themes are categorized as human rights by the NPA.
Keen observers of human rights point out in bold letters that the EU and its allies are very, very undemocratic; they are as manipulative as they are exploitative.
The actions of the EU are contrary to the pillars of human rights: overpowering sovereign nation-states. What they plan to achieve in the NPA is not different from what the world went to war with Germany in World War Two when Germany invaded Poland. In 2023, the EU attempted to invade the 79 Member States of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Sovereign States.
As we went to press, our fervent prayers were that the Malawi delegate and those from the remaining ACP countries, would pile up on the NO to NPA aisle, and give the NPA a resounding Death by No Vote sentence (DNV), until all parties contribute to all its elements, and are pleased with it, to own it; and without and entity taking over the sovereign rights of any nation or interfering with the ACP countries chosen and preferred traditions.
Liberian leader and football legend George Weah conceded defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai after a tight presidential run-off, saying it was time to put national interest above personal interest.
A declaration acclaimed by several citizens of Africa’s oldest republic.
“I am so happy that the president accepted his defeat because he knew very well that he never did good. And now he wants to prove to the Liberians that he loves them by accepting it because if he doesn’t accept it, we will go back to war, and we don’t want to go back there,” said Patience Quiah, a nursing student.
“I know by the grace of God he will work very hard to bring a change to Liberia because he said it, he wants to put Liberia on the map of the (other) nations, he wants to put Liberia on the map, that the right thing will be done in this country contrary to those things that have been happening that were not right,” added Amos Harris, heavy-duty driver.
“The results announced tonight, though not final, indicate that… Boakai is in a lead that we cannot surpass,” Weah said in a speech on national radio late on Friday.
He said his CDC party “has lost the election, but Liberia has won,” adding: “This is the time for graciousness in defeat”.
The 78-year-old Boakai lost to Weah, 57, by a large margin in the second-round presidential vote in 2017.
With more than 99.5 percent of the polling stations reporting vote tallies after Tuesday’s second-round vote, Boakai had garnered 50.89 percent of ballots cast, according to the election commission.
Boakai was 28,000 votes ahead of Weah, according to Friday’s figures. The two finished neck-and-neck in the first round last month, with a national lead of just 7,126 votes for Weah.
The election of Weah — the first African footballer to win both FIFA’s World Player of the Year trophy and the Ballon d’Or — had sparked high hopes of change in Liberia, which is still reeling from back-to-back civil wars and the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic.
But critics have accused his government of corruption and him of failing to keep a promise to improve the lives of the poorest.
The United States congratulated “president-elect Boakai on his victory and President Weah for his peaceful acceptance of the results”.
“We call on all citizens to follow President Weah’s example and accept the results,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
‘Liberian people have spoken’ Weah said he had spoken to Boakai “to congratulate him on his victory”.
“The Liberian people have spoken, and we have heard their voice. However, the closeness of the results reveals a deep division within our country,” Weah said in his speech.
“Let us heal the divisions caused by the campaign and come together as one nation and one united people.”
Weah who remains president until the handover of power in January pledged to “continue to work for the good of Liberia”.
It will be the second peaceful handover of power from one democratically-elected government from another in two decades.
The elections were the first since the United Nations in 2018 ended its peacekeeping mission, created after more than 250,000 people died in the two civil wars in Liberia between 1989 and 2003.
International observers, including the European Union, have commended Liberia for holding a peaceful election.
Regional bloc ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, said the poll was “largely” peaceful, but noted isolated incidents that led to “injuries and hospitalisations” in four provinces.
Clashes during the campaign left several dead before the first round and raised fears of post-election violence.
Around 2.4 million Liberians were eligible to vote on Tuesday, and the turnout was roughly 66 percent, according to the electoral commission website.
Boakai is an old political hand, having served as vice president to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state, from 2006 to 2018.
Liberia is home to around five million people and one of the poorest countries in the world.
More than a fifth of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Friday that the number of migrants crossing illegally into the UK from Europe is down by a third.
“People may not know this, but this year because of all the things that we’ve done, the number of illegal migrants crossing to the UK is down by a third. Everyone told me that wasn’t possible, but because we worked really hard, we’re returning thousands of people to places like Albania, we’ve got the numbers down by a third already,” Sunak said, speaking from Worksop in Nottinghamshire,” said the Prime Minister.
He also said he was determined to revive the UK government’s blocked plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda without breaching international law.
Many legal experts said that’s wishful thinking, and critics urged the government to ditch a plan they say is costing millions and harming Britain’s international reputation.
On Wednesday, the U.K. Supreme Court quashed the government’s plan, saying Rwanda is not a safe country where migrants can be sent.
Despite the justices’ unanimous verdict, the British government doubled down on the policy, which it says will deter people from around the world making life-threatening journeys across the English Channel in small boats.
Sunak said he’s negotiating a treaty with the Rwandan government to close loopholes in the plan, including a block on Rwanda sending migrants home.
“We will make sure that domestic courts cannot block systemically our flights to Rwanda. I’ve been also very clear that I won’t let foreign courts stop us getting a fly off. That’s my plan. And I’m going to work night and day to make it happen,” said Sunak.
The government says once that risk has been removed, it will pass a law through Parliament declaring that Rwanda is a safe country.
It has been more than a year and a half since the U.K. struck a deal with Rwanda to send migrants who arrive in the U.K. as stowaways or in boats to the East African country, where their asylum claims would be processed and, if successful, they would stay.
Britain says that will deter people from making the journey and break the business model of people-smuggling gangs.
Critics say it is both unethical and unworkable to send migrants to a country 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) away, with no chance of ever settling in the U.K.
Much of Europe and the U.S. are struggling with how best to cope with migrants seeking refuge from war, violence, oppression and a warming planet that has brought devastating drought and floods.
Though Britain receives fewer asylum applications than countries such as Italy, France or Germany, thousands of migrants from around the world travel to northern France each year in hopes of crossing the English Channel.
Former Malawi President and Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader Peter Mutharika has mocked the incumbent Lazarus Chakwera saying the nation lacks a leader who can govern and meet people’s needs.
Mutharika told the news conference on Friday, November 17, 2023 at his Page House in Mangochi that “Its s a pity that Malawi has a President but has no leader”.
He observes that Chakwera says has abdicated his duty and Malawi is just moving without a leader.
Mutharika however blames Chakwera for travelling across the world at a time Malawians are suffering.
Mutharika says the government has failed in improving the lives of Malawians.
He also criticised Chakwera Tonse Alliance government for not prioritizing procurement of essential commodities in favour of what he called trivial matters.
Mutharika says everytime Malawi faces a crisis, Chakwera travels abroad instead of offering a solution to the crisis.
He cited last week when government devalued the Kwacha when Chakwera was away.
He further described this year’s AIP as a complete mess as some villages are missing on the beneficiaries list.
He has challenged Chakwera to man up and recover the country’s economy.
Mutharika says Chakwera must show Malawians how much money the government is pumping into the financial sector to the resuscitate the economy.
The former Malawi leader says kwacha has been devalued by 132% and inflation is at 100% since Chakwera took over power in 2020.
“Inflation is the highest now in the world. When kwacha was being devalued Chakwera sneaked out of the country a clear sign that he doesn’t care for the suffering Malawians,” Mutharika chides Chakwera.
Chakwera has made 43rd foreign trips 42 in three years.
Mutharika also accused Chakwera for lying to the nation that DPP was misreporting data to IMF that is a total nonsense. When we left government kwacha was at MK732 against US dollar.
The DPP leader added that the measures he announced was too little.
Mutharika therefore urged Chakwera to do the following following 44% MalawiKwachadevaluation:
1.Fund universities so that no child must be dropped from school
Chakwera must subsidise Fertilizer so that more Malawians can afford to buy fertilizer
3.Chakwera must reduce fuel prices
4.Chakwera must fire his relatives that are just their to steal.
5.Chakwera must reduce the prices of Maize to MK25,000 a bag so that everyone can manage to buy.
6.Chakwera must fund NEEF so that women and youth can get loans to start businesses.
7.Chakwera must work for Malawians not his family.
In closing his speech visibly angry Mutharika urges the citizenry to provide their own judgement about the Chakwera led administration.
“Malawians are poor but let me remind President Chakwera that they are not stupid, “says Mutharika.
Mutharika therefore assured Malawians that DPP is ready to govern despite internal party fights arguing that “wrangles are strengthening DPP”.
He has pride” Reactions as Zainab Bakare recounts her unforgettable experience with Bolanle Ninalowo Nollywood actress, Bakare Zainab has recounted an unforgettable experience she had with her senior colleague, Bolanle Ninalowo.
In an interview with her colleague, Biola Bayo, she opened up on how she was turned down by Bolanle because she wasn’t an A-list actress.
According to her, they were on the set of a movie when Bolanle Ninalowo told the Director that he couldn’t kiss her because she wasn’t an A-list actress She said his statement stuck to her as he kept ringing her head to date.
“Why would an actor look at me and tell me say I only kiss A-list? Because I say it in every interview, it really got into my body.
Though he didn’t tell me directly, he told my Director, that he couldn’t kiss me.
I can never forget it, because I say it in every interview and it keeps ringing in my head”. Her statement has sparked mixed reactions as many showed her support while others took a stance with Bolanle Ninalowo.
One Teeto Olayeni wrote, “Same Nino that looks like he has gbegiri in his mouth? My dear his loss o
One Cinnamon Frosting wrote, “No vex dear
One Leo Blings wrote, “Na his choice
One Being Mrs Babs wrote, “No vex, maybe he no dey in the mood
One Trophy wrote, “That is so unprofessional of him!! It means you know your job more than him One Barbie Luxury wrote, “Madam go and sleep step up ur game some people get bad breath and mouth odor
One V Ezeobi wrote, “He has pride, if you get pride leave acting na
One Kamisha wrote, “A lot of us sound stup!d. He had already said he only kisses A-list actors before even meeting her so which one be maybe her mouth dey smell
One Jacklyn Barbie wrote, “He should also say he only acts with A-list actors. Is he an A-list actor? If so, did he just become an A-list actor at once
One Marie Virtuals wrote, “E pain am. Men with standar
CHURCH CONDEMN THE PHYSICAL ATTACK ON NDOLA MAYOR:
We wish to express our disappointment at the physical attacks and assault on Ndola City Mayor Jones Kalyati at the Levy Stadium last night by known UPND cadres in full view of the Police and the Provincial Minister Hon Elisha Matambo MP who is well aware of what happened and in fact did try to help whisk the victim. We mention Hon Matambo because he is also the UPND Chairperson for the Province.
We commend the Mayor’s security for not fighting back or something terrible who have spark at the Stadium. We call upon all political stakeholders not to politicise soccer, football ⚽ is a unifying game that should be devoid of partizan elements. We therefore condemn in the strongest terms possible the physical assault on the Mayor who only went to watch the wonderful game of soccer. Such political madness by the UPND cadres is worrisome and must be cured immediately.
The Presidency is opposed to cadreism of lawlessness and will not support such idiocy. The pronouncement by H.E the Republican President Mr Hakainde Hichilema against cadreism and political violence should be taken as a matter of law and policy, that means every citizen and especially those that operate in his name should carry out his word. We don’t expect the President to be the one directly ending cadreism but his appointees across the structures and especially the Police whose duty is to maintain law and order. Failure to actualise Presidential pronouncements on cadreism, means the President has failed.
We counsel UPND cadres and indeed any cadre from any political establishment to desist from practising what the peaceful people of Zambia disapprove. The wonderful people of Ndola will not take kindly to toxic political behaviour by political cadres regardless of the party involved. Let their be political hygiene. We call for issue based politics and for all political players to observe the rule of law and maintain peace. Zambia belongs to every Zambian.
Men and women of God in Ndola the City Mayor who is being attacked need the support of the Church being a child of God himself. The good people of Ndola voted for Jones Kalyati to serve them. He need the support of all well meaning citizens against all forms of political madness from any quarters. Let’s pray for His worship the Mayor of Ndola City one Jones Kalyati. Thank you.
American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs and R&B singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, have settled the federal lawsuit filed by Cassie just one day after her explosive rape accusations against the hip-hop mogul.
According to Dailymail on Saturday, both Diddy and Cassie released statements on Friday evening, announcing the resolution without disclosing specific details about the settlement terms.
Cassie said, “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans, and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
In his own statement, Diddy said, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
The lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday, accused Diddy of rape and prolonged physical abuse, alleging control and mistreatment over a decade. Cassie claimed that Diddy forced his way into her home and raped her just before their 2018 breakup. Diddy vehemently denied all allegations as “offensive and outrageous.”
Cassie revealed in the legal documents, “After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”
Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, commended her for going public with the lawsuit and disclosed that Diddy had offered her a substantial sum to prevent the filing of the case, which she declined to “give a voice to all women who suffer in silence.”
The lawsuit contained severe allegations, including claims that Diddy sex trafficked Cassie to male prostitutes to fulfil voyeuristic fantasies. Cassie described these encounters as “horrific” and mentioned taking drugs to disassociate during what Diddy allegedly referred to as “freak-offs.” The lawsuit detailed instances of physical abuse, including Diddy punching Cassie in the face during one such encounter in 2016.
In addition, the lawsuit outlined situations where Diddy allegedly set up “freak offs” in various hotel suites, involving multiple men and copious amounts of drugs supplied by Diddy. Cassie was said to be responsible for facilitating the location and hiring of male sex workers for these encounters.
The lawsuit’s resolution comes swiftly after the explosive accusations, with both parties opting for an amicable settlement without disclosing specific terms.
A judge in Colorado said no to a request to stop Donald Trump from being in the state’s 2024 Republican presidential primary.
It was a big trial about whether Mr. Trump should be allowed to be in office again because of what he did before the Capitol riot in 2021. Now the trial is over.
Other states have also tried and failed to make similar changes based on a constitutional amendment from the US Civil War era.
Mr Trump did not go to the hearing and said he didn’t care about it.
Explanation of the 14th Amendment’s plan to disqualify Trump.
District Judge Sarah Wallace made a decision on Friday that says the Colorado secretary of state has to put Mr. Trump on the state’s primary ballot next year.
The 14th Amendment says that people who promised to follow the Constitution but then rebelled against it cannot hold public office. Some voters in Colorado want this rule to apply to Mr Trump because of his role in the 2021 riot at the US Capitol.
However, Ms Wallace did not agree. She said in her decision that the rule in the 14th amendment about uprisings does not include presidents because it does not specifically mention them in Section 3.
“After hearing both sides, the Court decided that the President of the United States is not considered to be an ‘officer of the United States. ‘” “The court thinks that the people who wrote Section Three may not have wanted to include someone who has only taken the presidential oath,” she wrote in her decision.
Ms Wallace discovered that Mr. Trump encouraged a rebellion on January 6, 2021. She also found that the First Amendment doesn’t protect Trump’s speech.
The decision is the most recent problem for attempts to remove Mr. Trump from the Republican primary election.
Lawsuits in New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Michigan have already been unsuccessful.
After the decision was made, the left-leaning group called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, who filed the lawsuit in Colorado, said they will appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court soon.
The group clapped for Ms Wallace’s discovery that Mr Trump had taken part in the 6th January insurrection.
“We are happy that we brought this important case and we believe we are correct based on the facts and the law,” the group stated. “Today was not the last part of this work, but just another step forward. ”
After a week of trial, lawyers for the voters argued that Mr. Trump should not be allowed to run for president again because of his involvement in the Capitol riots on January 6th. The lawyers for the people suing called a few people to testify, including two police officers who got hurt during the riots at the US Capitol.
Mr Trump’s lawyers said he was not responsible for the attacks. They saw that other attempts to sue the president have not worked.
Trump’s lawyer, Scott Gessler, said the petitioners are asking the court to do something that has never been done before in the history of the United States. “The evidence isn’t enough for the court to do it. ”
The 14th Amendment was approved after the Civil War, and Section 3 was used to stop people who wanted to leave the country from getting their old jobs back once southern states were back in the Union.
It was used against Confederate president Jefferson Davis and vice-president Alexander Stephens. But it hasn’t been used much since then.
The legal plan has gained more support since August, when Mr. Trump was accused of trying to interfere with the election in two different criminal cases.
It is not clear if there will be any more attempts to stop Mr. Trump’s name from appearing on the ballot in Colorado or other states before the Republican primary and the general election.
Legal experts think that this case, or a similar one, will probably go to the US Supreme Court.
Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, on Thursday, revealed how members of his family tried to blackmail him if he failed to send them money.
Mikel, who was an integral part of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League winning side with Chelsea, made this expose on a podcast with ‘Vibe With 5’.
“Because anything I was getting, I was giving so much to the family. They got so comfortable that they were expecting you to do that and I got to that point 5 years ago where I had to say guys I don’t care what you say.”
“If you don’t do it we are going to go to the press, you are thinking, your brother, your family after all I have done for you guys. It happens a lot,” the 35-year-old said while explaining how he was able to manage his finances with the help of his agent.
Speaking further, he stated that African footballers were oftentimes burdened with catering for others who weren’t their immediate family.
“When you come from Africa and make money, it is not just your money. You have all these relatives, cousins, and a lot of them. Then your sisters get married to some guy who just wants to get married to John Obi Mikel’s family because my life is sorted. You start looking after the guy. You send money to your sister, but the money goes to him. And he does whatever he does with it,” Obi said.
“When you get the money, after you’ve shared it, you’re left with little remaining. And they keep having so many kids, and you’re asking who is going to take care of them, but they are looking up to you to look after them. You are looking after the kids, the husband, and the husband’s family, and it becomes absolutely crazy. For them, you owe them that. It is the culture you owe them that and you stop to think, I don’t owe you anything,” he said.
A former Arsenal and Man City player, Emmanuel Adebayor had also revealed he was driven to suicidal thoughts because of how his family attempted to manipulate money out of him.
Adebayor has made a vast fortune for himself during his career, boasting wages of over £170,000 per week while at Manchester City and Tottenham.
‘I felt like killing myself so many times. I kept this to myself for years and years. I am disgusted that things reached this stage, but I feel relieved to have talked about it.
‘My football career will be finished in three or four years. By contrast, my family name will remain with me – together with these people,” he said in an interview with So Foot 6 years ago.
PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA TO UNDERTAKE OFFICIAL VISITS TO GERMANY AND ITALY
At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia will on Saturday 18th November, 2023 travel to Germany to attend the 5th Conference on the G20 Compact with Africa scheduled for 20th November, 2023, in Berlin, Germany.
The President will immediately after his engagements in Berlin undertake a State Visit to Italy from 21st to 22nd November, 2023, following an invitation from His Excellency Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy.
During the conference in Berlin, President Hichilema is expected to participate in discussions centered on the energy sector in relation to trade and investment opportunities in African emerging markets, intensified cooperation, as well as strengthened economic cooperation and promotion of private sector investment. On the margins of the meeting, the President will hold bilateral talks with other leaders on matters of mutual interest.
The Compact with Africa, which was launched under the German G20 Presidency in 2017, has established itself as the key format for dialogue and cooperation between reform-oriented African countries, G20 partners and beyond. This year’s conference will be preceded by an Investment Summit. President Hichilema’s attendance is crucial as the meeting will provide an opportunity to consolidate the Government’s ongoing efforts to unlock the country’s economy through forging meaningful partnerships for collaboration, particularly in investment and trade for the benefit of the people of Zambia.
On 21st November, 2023, President Hichilema will undertake a State Visit to Italy aimed at reinforcing strategic bilateral and economic relations between Zambia and Italy, premised on shared values and mutual respect.
The President is scheduled to hold talks in Rome with President Mattarella, and Her Excellency Ms. Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy on pertinent issues at bilateral and multilateral levels. The President will also meet the heads of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and International Fund for Agricultural Development to discuss ways of strengthening collaboration and support in food security, rural development and poverty reduction.
Additionally, the President will grace the Zambia-Italy Business Forum which will provide a platform to showcase Zambia’s investment potential and opportunities for joint venture collaborations. Other engagements lined up during the visit include a tour of Maccaresa Farm, a modern technologically advanced integrated farm whose model could be replicated in Zambia for the benefit of the people.
President Hichilema’s visit to Italy is underpinned by the Administration’s ongoing efforts to transform the country’s economy and create equitable opportunities for the people in key sectors. In this regard, this crucial engagement by President Hichilema will consolidate the strong existing ties and enhanced cooperation between Zambia and Italy.
The President is expected to return to Zambia immediately after his engagements in Italy.
Hon. Stanley K. Kakubo, M.P MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Charter House Lusaka 18th November, 2023
HAS DEMOCRACY SHRUNK IN ZAMBIA UNDER HH AND THE UPND ADMINISTRATION?
By Mupishi Jones
As am asking and answering myself,let’s ask ourselves as citizens these basic but uncomfortable,hard and honest questions about how we have been governed before and compare with how we are being governed today in the context of democratic freedoms and liberties. We must understand that for one to say that democracy has deteriorated today, the implication is that yesteryear it was better. Let’s begin by comparing these two administrations, the immediate past ECL and his “akawawawa boys” reign and the current experience of Hakainde Hichilema and his New Dawn rule. Let me declare on the onset that in terms of democratic governance,Zambia is still a young democracy, learning to walk that route as compared to advanced democracies such as America,India and other notable countries.
Therefore,let’s begin with basic freedoms of movement, association and speech. On a scale of 1 to 20, how would you rate these two administrations?
1.Was HH as a leading opposition political party leader then,allowed to move,associate, and speak especially through public media houses,freely around this country during the administration of EDGAR C LUNGU and his “akawawawa boys” reign?
My answer; _What immediately comes into my mind is the CB incident when HH escaped through the rust radio station rooftop and the HH/Chipata airport detention.
Is ECL free today to move, associate and speak freely around this country under the current administration of HH and his New Dawn rule?
Yes, he’s been freely jogging, going to public stadia to watch football
Where all the citizens regardless of their political affiliations allowed to move freely around this country including in famous bus stations such as Intercity bus terminus, marketplaces such as city market, and other public places without being haunted with what they were dressing during the ECL and his “akawawawa boys” reign?
No,I know of citizens that stayed 7 years without setting foot in Intercity because they were known UPND cadres.
4.Are citizens under this current administration of HH and his New Dawn rule free to move around this country including in the same bus stations, marketplaces and other public places without first taking stock of the color of garment they’re wearing?
Go to either city market or Intercity today, you’ll find citizens trading next to each other, one in a UPND T-shirt, the other in a PF T-shirt.
Where the political crowds being dispaced using state police brutal and excessive force such as tear gassing and indiscriminate use of live fire arms under the reign of ECL and his “akawawawa boys” administration?
Yes teargas and live police gunshots were quickly becoming the order of the day, remember what took the lives of Nsama, Lawrence and Mapenzi? Remember also the trigger happy cop against Tayali, the current Minister?
Are the citizens political crowds still experiencing the smell of tear gassing, sounds of live police gunshots when they are told to dispace under the current administration of HH and his New Dawn rule?
I’ve never heard of any police gunshots nor teargas smell under this regime, anyone to remind me if any?
Where members of the New Dawn Administration under HH in opposition then, free to talk anything within the law without constantly looking behind their shoulders under the ECL and his akawawawa boys reign?
HH himself was arrested more than 15 times, just under the ECL and his akawawawa boys.I know of UPND lower ranked members whose houses,”tuntembas” and other properties burnt down to ashes.
Are members of the ECL and his alebwelelapo team free to assemble anywhere in this country and criticize the sitting government without the ruling political party cadres descending on them in front of live media cameras?
Just watch any media broadcast today, you’ll see opposition political party members talking, some with valgar language.
Where there some media firms that were clamped down on (i) suspicion of supporting the opposition political parties especially the UPND and, (ii) criticizing the sitting government; during the ECL and his “akawawawa boys” reign?
Yes,Post Newspaper,
Is there any media house that has been shut down or raided by the ruling political party cadres for either hosting any opposition political party member or mere suspicion of propagating opposition political parties agenda under the current administration of HH and his New Dawn rule?
Not to my knowledge
11.Did the ECL and his “akawawawa boys” team during their reign declare other regions and parts of this country as “no-go” regions and parts for other opposition political parties especially the UPND of HH and his New Dawn Administration?
Yes Shiwang’andu,parts of Cooperbelt,Chipata were among those
Do the citizens still hear of such once popular terminologies as “no-go” regions and parts for opposition political parties under the current HH and his New Dawn Administration?
This narrative have died
Were citizens free to trade in any marketplaces wearing political ligalia of their choice especially for the opposition political party UPND without being banned after being publicly undressed during the days of ECL and his akawawawa boys?
City Market, Intercity were a preserve and exclusively for PF only
14 Are citizens today free to trade in any marketplaces including City Market,Intercity and other public places whilst wearing T-shirts or Chitenges of political parties of their choice including that of the PF Rebel Leader without fear of harassed from political party cadres of the ruling UPND?
Go and witness and listen to the freedoms being enjoyed by marketeers themselves
Where Bus/ Taxi Drivers free to operate in any public designated operating stations whilst wearing T-shirts of any political party of their choice during the ECL and his akawawawa boys?
It was taboo under the ECL and his akawawawa boys
Are Bus/Taxi Drivers today free to operate in any public designated operating stations whilst wearing T-shirts of any political party of their choice including that of the PF Rebel Leader under HH and his New Dawn watch?
Go in any public bus stations or taxi ranks anywhere,
Where Civil Servants working freely,devoid of insecurities of being brutally visited by the ECL led akawawawa boys eminating from being suspected of supporting the opposition political parties especially the UPND?
Remember that lady who was physically howded out of her office? Remember that PF driver shouting at the police traffic officer “ati Ba letudelela”?
Are Civil Servants working freely today under the watch of HH and his New Dawn team without the constant fear of being unfairly transferred, dismissed or retired from service in national interest?
I’ve never heard of any lower ranked civil servant retired in national interest
19.Where the ruling political party cadres, the “akawawawa boys” more powerful and threatening than the ordinary citizens including the state police combined under the ECL and his akawawawa boys’ rule?
Remember the Hon. Emmanuel Jay Banda / Lsk Police HQ saga?
Are the ruling political party cadres under the current HH and his New Dawn rule more powerful and a threat to the general citizens including the state police today ?
Are they still there?
When one answers these basic and simple questions in a very honest, objective and rational manner,then he would have answered the question whether indeed democracy has shrinked under HH and his New Dawn Administration as compared to how we experienced under ECL and his akawawawa boys.
He would also have answered whether there has been a significant improvement in our democratic governance under the current HH and his New Dawn rule.
Let’s be honest, some opposition political party members want to cloud their criminal investigation allegations and disguise it under political persecution! On the other hand, some political party leaders want to be perceived as political heroes by clearly daring the law and once visited by the same law they’re daring, they are quick to cry political persecution.
The Bembas say, “ubushiku ushaminwe,nechimbala chila ocha”. Meaning not all days are Sundays. This law you keep on daring,one so-called prominent political party leader will be harshly convicted by the same laws they’re toying with today!
Weah calls Boakai to concede, urges supporters to accept result
Concession marks win for democracy in West Africa
Boakai faces major national challenges amid high poverty rates
MONROVIA, Nov 17 (Reuters) – Liberia President George Weah on Friday conceded election defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai after a tight race, ending a presidency marred by graft allegations but helping to ensure a smooth transition of power in the once volatile African nation.
Boakai, 78, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, led with 50.9% of the vote over Weah’s 49.1%, with nearly all the votes counted, the country’s elections commission said on Friday.
The result marks a stark turnaround from 2017, when global soccer legend Weah, buoyed by a wave of hope, trounced Boakai with 62 percent of the vote. Many have since grown disillusioned with the lack of progress: Poverty, unemployment, food insecurity and poor electricity supply persist.
“A few moments ago, I spoke with president elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory,” Weah said on national radio. “I urge you to follow my example and accept the results of the elections.”
Weah’s concession paves the way for Liberia’s second democratic transfer of power in over seven decades – the first was when Weah swept to power six years ago.
His comments stood out in West and Central Africa where there have been eight military coups in three years, eroding faith in democratic elections. When elections do go ahead in the region, accusations of fraud abound and results are frequently contested in court.
[1/3]Liberia’s opposition Unity Party Joseph Boakai waves to his supporters as holds his final campaign rally for the presidential elections in Monrovia, Liberia October 7, 2023. Reuters/Carielle Doe/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
Instead, Boakai supporters in the capital Monrovia danced, shouted and honked car horns in the rain after the near-final results were announced.
“We have a job ahead of us to do and I’m excited that the citizens have given us approval,” Boakai told Reuters shortly after the results were announced. “First and foremost, we want to have a message of peace and reconciliation.”
Boakai, a softly spoken career politician, emerged neck-and-neck with Weah in the first round of voting in October but below the 50% needed to secure an outright victory, leading to Tuesday’s run-off.
Liberia is struggling to recover from two civil wars that killed more than 250,000 people between 1989 and 2003, and from a 2013-16 Ebola epidemic that killed thousands.
Many felt that Weah did not follow through on promises to alleviate poverty and improve the country’s crumbling infrastructure.
Arkoi Sarkor, 43, told Reuters she supported Boakai because she was not able to get a job during Weah’s term.
“I am very hopeful because I know Boakai is… a man of principles and I know when he gets in here, he is going to bring changes,” she said. “Some things that were not done, that were not correct, he will put it in place, I am hopeful of that.”
Reporting Carielle Doe and Alphonso Toweh; Writing by Edward McAllister and Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Louise Heavens, Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman.
Israel will let two trucks with diesel fuel into Gaza every day.
None of the fuel has come into the area yet today, according to the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) speaking to the BBC.
The boss of the agency said yesterday that they might have to stop doing everything because they don’t have enough fuel.
Israel said yes to America’s request to let fuel into the trapped Palestinian area.
The fuel will help the UN provide water and clean toilets, said an official from Israel.
The big trucks will go through the Rafah crossing to give supplies to the people in the southern part of Gaza. The UN will make sure that the supplies don’t end up with Hamas.
Israel’s Kan news agency said that they will be delivering about 60,000 litres of fuel every day.
UNRWA said it needs more than three times this amount. In its newest report, the agency said it needs “160,000 liters of fuel every day for basic humanitarian operations“.
The Israeli official said the fuel was meant to help with water, sewage, and cleaning systems to stop the spread of diseases in the area.
Global groups are very worried about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said they are concerned about how diseases are spreading in Gaza. There is not enough fuel and the Israeli attacks have made it hard for people to get healthcare and keep things clean.
Earlier today, Richard Peeperkorn, a person from the World Health Organization in the Palestinian Territories, said that there are more than 70,000 cases of serious breathing problems and over 44,000 cases of diarrhea. These numbers are much higher than expected.
Gaza needs fuel to run the water plant, provide electricity to homes and hospitals, and for transportation and communication.
It is also very important to get help to the people living in the area. According to information from the Egyptian Red Crescent and UNRWA, no trucks with aid have been able to enter the Gaza Strip for the last three days because there is not enough fuel.
Israel stopped fuel from going into Gaza because they are worried that Hamas might take it and use it for fighting.
Before the recent war, Israel provided most of the electricity for Gaza, and the rest was made by their only power plant, which is now not working.
Israel started fighting back after Hamas attacked on October 7th, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 230 people hostage. Hamas is considered a terrorist group by many countries including the UK and US.
At least 12,000 people have been killed in the area since Israel started its counterattacks, according to the health ministry in the Palestinian region run by Hamas.
Kenya’s police and prison officers are going to get a 40% raise in their pay over the next three years. This is based on a review of the security sector, said President William Ruto.
The pay raise is meant to make people feel better and make them feel more secure.
A group that studied how to make policing better in the country suggested it.
Kenyan police are known for being violent and taking bribes, but people are also worried about their well-being.
They don’t get much money and some have turned to crime. In the past few years, some police officers have died by suicide and it’s been acknowledged that many of them are having a hard time with their mental health.
In the past, there were attempts to increase their salary, but it did not make Kenyans think of them differently.
“We will look at the rules for our military to make them happier and improve our safety. ”
He said the suggestion to increase pay by 40% over three years was “carefully thought out. We will now wait for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to make the needed changes so we can carry out the decision.
The president promised to be tough on corruption in the police and acknowledged that it is a big problem.
He said that the raise in pay and other changes they want to make will solve the problems the task force found – not enough money, bad leadership, problems with the structure and organization, and corruption.
The group, led by David Maraga, was created in December after Mr. Ruto became president.
We were asked to find ways to make the working and living conditions better for police, prison, and NYS officers, and also to suggest other changes.
The task force suggested that people should be at least 21 years old to join the police force, not 18. It was also recommended to require a C-minus grade for admission to secondary school and to spend more time on training. Currently, the minimum grade for admission is a D-plus.
The task force also wants to improve medical and housing benefits, decrease overcrowding in prisons, and grow the NYS program, which teaches young people important life and work skills.
Mr Ruto said the government will do all the things that were suggested, but it might take some time because they have to change some laws and policies.
Time Magazine has named Kenya’s President William Ruto as one of the top 100 leaders in the world who are making a big difference in helping the environment.
He announced the list during the week when he organized a national holiday to plant 100 million trees in one day.
Mr Ruto was chosen with the mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.
Architect Francis Kéré from Burkina Faso and entrepreneur Kidus Asfaw from Ethiopia were also on the Time list.
The “Time 100 Climate” ranking was released on Thursday. It’s the first time the magazine has tried to name people who are important in addressing climate change around the world.
Time chose those who have made big progress in fighting climate change while also creating value for their businesses.
The magazine chose the honourees because they have recently made successful and measurable progress in fighting climate change, instead of just making promises and announcements.
Mr Ruto has been speaking out about helping with the effects of climate change in Kenya and Africa.
The special day to plant trees on 13 November was a small part of his big goal for Kenya to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years.
In September, he held the first Africa Climate Summit in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. They asked big polluters to give more help to poorer countries.
Some environmentalists say Mr. Ruto is a hypocrite because he promotes planting trees but doesn’t stop illegal logging in public forests.
Last month, a court that deals with issues about the environment stopped Mr Ruto from lifting a ban on logging that was put in place in 2018.
In October, he said that people should be made to leave the 380,000-hectare Mau Forest.
Some people who care about the environment think it’s good to protect the forest. But others say the government kicked out the Ogiek people, who have lived there for a long time, just to make money from carbon offsetting.
MrRuto is being recognized as a leader for taking action on climate change. The World Bank said on Friday that if Kenya doesn’t do something about climate change, its economy could shrink by 7. 25%
Time named Francis Kéré an architect for his creative and environmentally friendly building designs. He worked on projects like state houses in Benin and his own country, Burkina Faso.
In 2022, he was the first black person from Africa to win the important Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Mr Asfaw has a small business that turns old plastic into cheap and eco-friendly building materials.
Time magazine said that his new company provides a fast and long-lasting way to fix the lack of houses as the population in Africa keeps increasing.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was recognized for “working to protect the environment and make the city better prepared for climate change. ” She did things like creating a plan to deal with climate change in Freetown and hiring someone to help with extreme heat in the city, which had never been done in Sierra Leone or Africa before.
The Prime Minister’s new plan for Rwanda means that no asylum seekers will be sent there before the next election, according to former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
She wrote in the Telegraph that making small changes to a plan that didn’t work before won’t help the government reach its goals.
She said the leaders should not follow human rights laws at all to make it happen.
But former government minister Damian Green said this is the least conservative idea I’ve ever heard.
Mr Green, who used to work for Theresa May, said on BBC Radio 4 that going against the law is something only dictators like the leaders of China and Russia do.
The Supreme Court said the government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda may not be safe because they could be sent back to dangerous places.
After the court decision, Rishi Sunak said he will make a new law to say that Rwanda is a “safe” country.
The leader of the country said he will make a new agreement with Rwanda, so that the first flights can start in the spring.
An alternative
Mrs Braverman said a new treaty was unrealistic, using the same strong language as her angry letter to Mr. Sunak when he fired her.
She said the suggested agreement would not help with the main problem, which is that the UK’s top court said Rwanda is not safe for sending back people who are seeking asylum.
Mrs Braverman lost her job as home secretary on Monday. She said that unless the prime minister makes better plans, the government won’t be able to keep its promise in time.
She said that if there’s a new treaty, it would still need to go through the courts, which would probably take at least a year.
She said that the process “could end in another loss”.
“That’s why the Prime Minister’s plan won’t have flights to Rwanda before an election if Plan B is just a slightly changed version of the failed Plan A,” she said.
Mrs Braverman said the PM’s new law should not follow the Human Rights Act, the European Convention on Human Rights, or other international rules like the Refugee Convention. Caption for media.
Some of Mrs Braverman’s coworkers agree with her arguments.
Ex-cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said that parliament has the right to reject certain parts of the law if it’s absolutely necessary.
He said it was not right that our rules about human rights were stopping the government from policing the UK’s borders.
Mr Sunak wants to use the Rwanda policy to stop people from crossing the English Channel in small boats. This is one of his main promises and it’s meant to make people think twice about making the dangerous journey.
Transport Minister Mark Harper told BBC Breakfast that the government is determined to make the Rwanda policy work by spring.
The new law will likely have a hard time getting approved by the House of Lords because it has many judges from the Supreme Court. It could also be possible to have legal problems in court.
‘White is the opposite of black. ‘
Mr David Normington, who used to work for the Home Office, said on the Today show that Mrs. Braverman was “correct in a way” when she said it would be very hard to come up with a good policy for Rwanda.
The courts have said that the country is not safe. You cannot say that black is white.
Sir David was asked if international law is old-fashioned. He said that international agreements were made to protect those who are easily harmed.
It’s not clear how Mrs. Braverman’s plan would work legally and quickly right away.
The UK and other countries in the European Convention on Human Rights can temporarily ignore some of its rules during a war or emergency. The main protection in the Rwanda case is that no one should be tortured or treated in a cruel way, and this right cannot be taken away, even in special circumstances.
In 2001, there was a new rule to keep al-Qaeda suspects in jail without any charges. But the courts said this was against the law.
While Boris Johnson was prime minister, the government suggested making changes to some human rights laws in a bill that was heavily criticized. However, Rishi Sunak later canceled the bill.
It’s not clear how Mrs. Braverman’s plan would work legally and fast.
The UK and other countries in Europe can choose to ignore certain parts of the European Convention on Human Rights in times of war or emergencies. The main protection in the Rwanda case is that no one should be tortured or treated in a cruel way, and this right cannot be taken away, even in extreme situations.
The UK has only not followed the rules of the ECHR eight times in 70 years. Seven times, paramilitaries were held during the fighting in Northern Ireland. In 2001, there was a controversy about keeping al-Qaeda suspects in custody without charging them. The courts later ruled that this was against the law.
While Boris Johnson was prime minister, the government suggested changing and reducing certain human rights protections in a new bill. But Rishi Sunak cancelled the bill after it received a lot of criticism.
Leaving the ECHR completely would break the Good Friday Agreement, which is important for peace in Northern Ireland, and make the UK’s partners in Europe very angry. This could make it harder for the UK to work with other countries to stop boats.
Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has highlighted the pressure most African footballers face after their breakthrough.
Mikel explains that when a footballer makes money, the family assumes ownership and entitlement of the success as they believe he owes it to them.
He said extended family members pop up from nowhere looking to be taken care of by the player.
Narrating a worst-case scenario on Vibe with FIVE podcast, he said the player’s sisters marry opportunists and go on to give birth to many kids, expecting the player will take of the children.
“When we come from Africa, and this is something that I don’t think we speak a lot about. When you make money, it’s not your money. You have all these relatives, cousins…whatever you call it. And your sisters, they get married to some guy who just wants to get married into the John Obi Mikel’s family because then “my life is sorted”. You send money to your sister, the money goes to him, and he does whatever he does with it. This is something nobody knows about.”
“So you get your salary, you say okay, now I’m going to put this aside for this person, put this aside for that person, put this for mum and dad. Before you know it, where is it? You get nothing.”
“And they keep having so many kids and so many kids and you look at it…Okay, you are having this much kids who is going to look after them? It’s you. They look out to you for you to look after the kids, husband, and the husband’s family. And it becomes really and absolutely crazy. For them, you owe them that.”
Mikel revealed that he was in the same position until he decided to bring it to a halt about five years ago.
“So sometimes you have to be strong and say you know what guys enough is enough. I don’t care. For me that was five years ago, I said F it, no more. Because I’ve been doing this since I started playing football.”
“The reaction is you become the bad guy. They stop answering your phone calls,” he added.
He indicated that his agent advised him to stop giving more than he should to the family.
“My agent told me ‘Mikel you can’t be doing this. You killing yourself and you killing them. Because all you do is give them and they get so comfortable that they expect you to do that for the rest of your life. And I came to that point five years ago Where I stopped.”
The Chelsea legend added that, when the players have the guts to say they have had enough, the family threatens to go to the media.
“They will give you this thing whereby if you don’t do it we going go to the press. What? After all that I’ve done for you guys?”
John Mikel Obi made the statement while discussing money management as an African footballer, who is often focused on family, notably extended family.
On November 15, Indian rescuers reported dispatching medicine to 40 trapped men as the arduous efforts to free them entered the fourth day. (Photo by AFP)
Indian rescue teams cautioned on Friday that it might take an additional two days of debris removal before they can access 40 workers who have been trapped in a collapsed tunnel for nearly a week.
Since Sunday morning, excavators have been diligently clearing rubble to establish an escape route for the workers following the collapse of a section of the tunnel they were constructing in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.
The ongoing falling debris has hampered rescue operations, slowing progress.
Facing issues with an earth-boring drill, the Air Force took action on Wednesday by airlifting a second drilling machine via a C-130 Hercules military plane. The enormous drill bit extended much of the length of the aircraft’s cargo hold.
Engineers are working to advance a steel pipe approximately 90 centimeters (almost three feet) wide through the debris, creating a passage wide enough for the trapped men to navigate.
As of Thursday night, only 18 meters (60 feet) of the pipe had been inserted into the debris with the assistance of the new machine.
“If the work continues at this rate, it will take another 40-48 hours to rescue the workers,” rescue leader Deepak Patil said Friday morning.
As rescuers work against the clock to save the trapped men, India has sought advice from the Thai company that successfully rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018, along with consulting engineering experts specializing in soil and rock mechanics at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute.
Communication with the trapped men has been maintained through the use of radios.
Essential supplies, including food, water, oxygen, and medicine, have been delivered to the stranded workers through a six-inch-wide (15-centimeter) pipe.
While there are no official details about the men’s condition, local media reports suggest that some are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, anxiety, and stomach problems.
A six-bed field hospital has been established outside the site, with ambulances ready to transfer serious cases to a proper hospital.
The 4.5-kilometer (2.7-mile) tunnel, designed to link the towns of Silkyara and Dandalgaon, connecting Uttarkashi and Yamunotri—two of the holiest Hindu shrines—was under construction when the incident occurred.
The upcoming parliamentary election in the Netherlands marks the start of a new era in Dutch politics.
A new party that was started only three months ago is leading in the polls. Also, the Netherlands might get its first female prime minister.
After being prime minister for 13 years, Mark Rutte is stepping down. The upcoming election on 22nd November is focused on a number of problems in the country, like high living expenses, not enough housing, healthcare and migration.
“What you need to understand”
It’s only been two years since the last vote, but many of the leaders running now are new, including the two top candidates.
Dilan Yeşilgöz, age 46, is the new leader of Mr Rutte’s liberal-conservative VVD party. She is the daughter of Turkish refugees and is expected to lead her country.
Pieter Omtzigt, who is 49 years old, is becoming very popular in Dutch politics. His centrist party, New Social Contract, is now a favorite in the upcoming election even though it was not well-known before. But he has not been very excited about becoming the prime minister.
This election is very hard to guess because a lot of people haven’t decided which of the 26 parties should get the 150 seats in the Dutch parliament. There is a small number needed and the polls show that up to 17 parties could get in. It took a long time to make the last coalition, and it didn’t last very long, only two years.
Be careful of who you keep an eye on.
Dilan Yeşilgöz was called a “pitbull in high heels” because she is tough and doesn’t mess around with politics. Now, she is leading a smooth campaign as the new leader of VVD. A video on social media shows her practicing kickboxing with heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven.
As the justice minister, she was known for being a tough negotiator and a good communicator. Her gender didn’t affect her campaign. “I believe she’s ignoring these problems because there are too many male voters in the party,” explained Sarah de Lange, who teaches about different political views at the University of Amsterdam.
The next election in the Netherlands is the beginning of a new time in Dutch politics.
A party that just began three months ago is winning in the polls. Furthermore, the Netherlands could have its first woman leader.
After serving as prime minister for 13 years, Mark Rutte is leaving his position. The next election on November 22 is about a lot of problems in the country, like expensive living, not enough homes, healthcare, and migration.
“What you should know”
It has only been two years since the last vote, but there are a lot of new leaders running for office, including the two most popular candidates.
Dilan Yeşilgöz, who is 46 years old, is now the leader of Mr Rutte’s VVD party, which is liberal-conservative. She is the child of Turkish people who had to leave their own country and is supposed to be in charge of her country.
Pieter Omtzigt, 49, is getting more famous in Dutch politics. His party, New Social Contract, is now popular for the upcoming election even though it was not well-known before. However, he is not very thrilled about being the prime minister.
A small number is needed, and the polls show that up to 17 parties could win. It took a while to form the last group, but it didn’t stay together for very long, only two years.
Watch out for the people you are watching.
Dilan Yeşilgöz is tough and doesn’t play around with politics. That’s why she’s sometimes called a “pitbull in high heels. ” Currently, she is running a successful campaign as the new leader of VVD. She was recorded doing kickboxing with heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven and shared it on social media.
She was a strong negotiator and good at talking to people when she was the justice minister. Her being a woman did not have an effect on her campaign. “I think she’s not paying attention to these issues because there are too many men who vote for the party,” said Sarah de Lange, a teacher at the University of Amsterdam who studies different political beliefs.
Simon Otjes, from the University of Leiden, says that Pieter Omtzigt is the politician in charge of the election and other parties are waiting to see what he will do.
His main ideas have become popular words in the campaign: making Dutch households financially secure and changing the way politics is run.
As people talk more about a group of four center and right-wing parties joining together, he has said he doesn’t want to work with populist leader Geert Wilders. He believes a government should follow basic rights.
Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom want to stop mosques, the Koran, and Islamic schools. But now, Wilders is saying there are other things that are more important. He might put his ideas on hold to be part of the government. His party is currently in fourth place in the polls, behind a Green-Labour alliance.
Frans Timmermans is a left-wing candidate who is doing well in the polls. He quit his job as EU climate commissioner to lead the campaign for the Labour and GreenLeft parties.
According to a poll, most young adults aged 18-34 prefer the Labour-Green leader to be the next prime minister. However, the man in charge of the EU’s green deal had to give up a promise to reduce nitrogen pollutants by half by 2030 after speaking with young farmers.
He doesn’t have clear people to work with from the other top candidates, but he hasn’t said no to working with Pieter Omtzigt or Dilan Yeşilgöz.
The BBB’s support has decreased, but they might be part of the next government. They mainly want to fight against tougher rules for the climate and set a limit on the number of refugees. But Ms van der Plas has said she won’t be the prime minister because she’s afraid of flying and prefers talking to the public instead of working in Brussels.
Advertisement – There aren’t enough houses for sale, so the price of a regular home has gone up to over €400,000 (£350,000). There are nine times more people looking for homes than there are homes available to buy.
Asja has been looking for a home for herself and her two kids for seven months. “She told the BBC that it’s not possible to afford an €800 monthly mortgage on a teacher’s salary. ”
Government housing is very popular and there is not enough of it. On top of that, the cost of renting a private home in big cities has gone up a lot.
Cost of living is going up. Prices at the stores, for energy, and for housing are getting higher. This is causing about 830,000 people to have less money to live on. Surveys show that most people in the Netherlands, even those with average incomes, are worried about what’s going to happen next.
Even people who have found a place to live are dealing with very expensive energy bills. Laurie Schram, a new teacher in training, says she and her daughter rely on warm clothes and electric blankets to stay comfortable.
All the parties agree there is a problem, and an expert from the University of Groningen says the issue has almost stopped being political. Money problems are the most important thing for 18-34 year olds when deciding who to vote for.
Migration: The old government fell apart in July because they couldn’t agree on how to limit the number of people seeking asylum. Almost two-thirds of Dutch people want fewer people to be able to claim asylum. One of the issues is that there are not enough places to stay. Three top candidates want to make it harder for people to seek asylum, and Pieter Omtzigt thinks immigrant rights are connected to not having enough houses.
Healthcare is getting more expensive and five million people in the Netherlands say they are taking care of others without being officially recognized.
Since 2006, the people in the Netherlands have been paying over €141 a month for basic health insurance. However, 61% of them are worried that they won’t be able to afford it. That’s maybe why lots of voters want the government to take control of healthcare again.
Climate change: Ten days before the election, a lot of people in Amsterdam marched to ask for quick action on the climate crisis. The Labour-Green team is talking a lot about the issue in their campaign, but Pieter Omtzigt thinks that recent climate policies only help rich people.
Two revolt bunches from Sudan’s Darfur locale say they will battle nearby the armed force within the country’s gracious war.
This comes after the paramilitary Quick Bolster Strengths (RSF) made major picks up in Darfur, where it has been charged of ethnic cleansing.
Revolt pioneer Gibril Ibrahim told BBC Newsday they “need to protect their civilians” from the RSF, which he says has been burying individuals lively.
He said the choice to connect powers with the army was not a simple one.
The pioneer of the Equity and Correspondence Development (Jem) said it had taken seven months to come to an assention.
The relationship between Jem and the Sudanese armed force is full. Mr Ibrahim’s brother was slaughtered by the armed force, who was already the group’s pioneer.
Jem and the Sudanese Freedom Development (SLM) took up arms in Darfur in 2003, charging the government of minimizing the region’s dark African communities.
The government at that point prepared Middle easterner local armies against them, driving to what has been portrayed as the 21st Century’s to begin with genocide.
These local armies have since changed into the RSF, which has been battling the armed force for control of the nation since April.
The RSF has taken a few key towns in Darfur in later weeks, counting the country’s moment greatest city, Nyala.
Final week, there were reports they had slaughtered hundreds of individuals within the West Darfur capital of El Geneina.
The RSF has denied obligation for the killings, saying they were portion of a “tribal struggle”.
A joint explanation from Jem and the SLM examined: “We have declared finishing any lack of bias and joining the military operations at all frontlines without delay.”
Jem and the SLM are not as solid as they utilized to be, but their passage into the Sudanese gracious war is noteworthy.
Both Darfuri revolt pioneers marked a peace bargain in 2020, and have since been closer to the Sudanese military than would once have appeared conceivable.
It is conceivable JEM and SLM will see their positions swell with modern initiates – expanding their significance on the Sudanese political scene.
In joining the shred presently – after months of declared nonpartisanship – they look for to guard their back base in Darfur, in specific the Zaghawa ethnic bunch both men come from.
They will moreover have concluded that an RSF triumph would be sad for them, and Darfur.
Mr Ibrahim communicated concern at the RSF’s progresses, saying he dreaded Sudan would conclusion up divided.
There are fears it seem pronounce its possess government within the ruined war-torn western locale.
The worldwide measurement is critical as well.
The Zaghawa are display in Chad as wellas Sudan, and rule Chadian legislative issues. Mr Ibrahim and others have charged Chad of supporting the RSF.
He will be trusting that he can utilize his associations – counting with Chad’s pioneer Gen Mahamat Deby – to cut any ties between Chad and the RSF.
Joseph Kalimbwe, a Zambian youth politician who supported the current President Hakainde Hichilema in assuming power, defending him home and abroad physically and on social media platforms, has, without stating any reasons, decided to refrain from supporting the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader.
Hichilema’s rise to power was characterised by massive attacks from Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party members who branded the 7th Zambian President as a western puppet.
He, through democratic elections, defeated former President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front, a revolutionary party aligned to Zanu-PF.
But Kalimbwe stood firmly with Hichilema, sometimes engaging in bitter, personal and diplomatic wars of words with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba.
After all the fights he fought on behalf of Hichilema, Kalimbwe, a pro-democracy activist, has decided to halt his support for the UPND leader, much to the joy of Zanu-PF.
“Friends, we’ve been offline to recharge, consult and energize. Due to recent events and our collective failures as a unit to return to the masses to inspire and put into confidence a nation living in tough times, we’d like to state that we are putting on hold our support which we have shown endlessly here for the 7th Zambian President.
“We continue to consult and speak to friends, foes, comrades and compatriots both at home and in the region on the building of a youth vehicle that speaks to the collective struggles of our people,” read the statement.
It is believed that Kalimbwe is no longer happy with the way Hichilema is running the country. Opposition leaders, journalists and government critics are being arrested on frivolous charges.
Recently, the former President Lungu was barred from jogging in public.
On November 15, Socialist Party (SP) leader Fred M’membe was arrested on charges of espionage.
Zimbabwe’s top investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono believes that Kalimbwe is deciding not to allow Hichilema’s totalitarian tendencies to drift him away from his principles.
“This is a very sad day for Zambian politics because everyone knows how dedicated Joseph Kalimbwe was to the United Party for National Development and to President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration.
“Hundreds of thousands if not millions of Africans got to know about UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema through Joseph Kalimbwe’s activism on social media driven by him and the youth team behind him.
“He articulated with clarity what their struggle was about, and his solidarity for good causes went beyond Zambia. He was and hopefully remains a cross-border political activist who cares about African people.
“Africa is a difficult place for principled people because the majority of our people support personalities and not ideas and principled objectives.
“So taking a stand can get you ridiculed and insulted, but decent people worry more about what is right and not about what people will say.
“I hope that the issues that have made Joseph Kalimbwe withdraw his support for President Hichilema and his administration can be resolved because it is too ghastly to imagine Edgar Lungu being re-elected due to the Hichilema presidency failures,” Chin’ono said.
“It would be a public affairs duty too for Joseph Kalimbwe to explain in detail the issues that led to this withdrawal because withdrawing without explanation will do more damage not just to President Hichilema, but to the causes that I know Joseph Kalimbwe holds so dear to his heart.
“Wishing you strength and wisdom in the days ahead Joseph Kalimbwe as you shall not only deal with false accusations and insults, but the thought process of how you and the administration can mend fences for the greater good of the Zambian people in the principle of One Zambia, One Nation.”
Former Zanu-PF Masvingo urban legislator Tongai Matutu said: “We told you long ago, Zambians will miss Edgar Lungu. Now the economy is in a total mess the cost of living is now unbearable. The only achievement of Hichilema over the past two years is giving Americans a military base to destabilise Zambians and Africa.”
Kalimbwe earned the support of an X user Addie Mahembe.
“Joseph Kalimbwe has earned my respect. Our struggle should never be about personalities. It should be about principles, values and ideas.
“I’m a strong advocate for an Inclusive, Democratic Developmental States in Africa. Anyone who speaks this language becomes more comrade, and if it’s a party, deserves my vote,” Mahembe said.-nehandaradio
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) said it was blocked from covering the critical part of Zimbabwe’s recent harmonised general elections which were “marked by a curtailment of rights and freedoms and the lack of a level playing field”.
According to the EU EOM’s final report released on Friday, the mission stated that the August 23 plebiscite was marred by massive irregularities including an uneven playing field and voter suppression.
The mission further stated that it faced significant challenges in facing critical officials at national level including members of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) whom they met only once.
“The 23 August 2023 harmonised elections in Zimbabwe were marked by a curtailment of rights and freedoms and the lack of a level playing field, which limited voters’ ability to make their choices in a genuinely free and pluralistic environment.
“A palpable fear of violence underlay the electoral process throughout, and a climate of retribution developed after the elections.
“In this context, comprehensive and meaningful reforms, and the political will to engage in them are necessary on the part of the Zimbabwean authorities to lay the ground for genuine and credible elections in the future.
“The EU EOM was invited by the government of Zimbabwe to observe the harmonised elections and the EU signed an Administrative Arrangement that should have granted the mission access to all relevant interlocutors.
“Yet, the mission faced significant challenges to meet with any official bodies at the national level, despite repeated requests. This included the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which the EU EOM was only able to meet once, and which was equally unavailable for meetings with the Chief Observer and the European Parliament delegation.
“This lack of meaningful access was coupled with an extensive, coordinated, and continued disinformation campaign against the EU EOM and other international observation efforts on the part of some national media,” read the final report.
The EU EOM also condemned the arrest of members of the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) and Electoral Resource Centre (ERC) by the regime on allegations that they were planning to present a parallel voter tabulation unit which would reportedly lead to the untimely release of results.
“Citizen observers faced severe restrictions due to a shrinking space for civic activities, administrative barriers, pressure, consistent intimidation, and even mass arrests on election day.
“A raid took place on election night where some 40 members of key reputable citizen observer organisations such as Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) and Electoral Resource Centre (ERC), part of the internationally recognised Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM), were arrested for ‘coordinating the alleged release of election results’.
“They were held without legal counsel for some 12 hours and, although released on bail, still face upcoming court proceedings.
“The legal framework could have provided an adequate basis for the conduct of credible elections, if implemented properly. Recent legal changes, including the passage of the so-called ‘patriotic provisions to the criminal code, legislative work on the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) bill, and selective implementation of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MPOA) underlined the closing space for the exercise of freedoms of association, assembly, and expression,” read the report.
The mission noted that the ZEC allegedly failed to be independent and transparent “throughout the electoral period”.
“Until election day, the technical implementation of the electoral process was largely conducted in line with the electoral calendar. However, a lack of guarantees for independence, transparency, and significant delays in the opening of a considerable number of polling stations on election day reduced public trust in ZEC and the efficiency of the electoral preparations.
Throughout the electoral period, ZEC’s activities were characterised by a lack of transparency and insufficient communication,” the EU EOM noted.
A video has emerged showing a Nigerian prophet telling the late SuperSport United goalkeeper George Chigova to ignore his heart condition diagnosis.
George Chigova Dies George Chigova, the former Zimbabwe Warriors goalminder, passed on in his sleep at his Johannesburg home on 15 November 2023. He had been out of football action since July, when he collapsed during a training session with SuperSport United.
On Wednesday, he reportedly woke up, walked around the house and returned to sleep. When his wife went to wake him up after sleeping for too long, he was unresponsive, and paramedics declared him dead.
Nigerian Prophet Told George Chigova To Ignore Heart Condition Diagnosis A video is trending online showing George Chigova having an encounter with a Nigerian prophet. The church leader picked Chigova and asked him about the contract extension at SuperSport United. Chigova then replied that they were delaying the process because they discovered that his heart was weak and irregular.
The Nigerian prophet then told Chigova that there was nothing wrong with his heart; it was just his thoughts. He alleged that the diagnosis was just people trying to make sure he did not get a new football contract.
Watch the video below.
A video has emerged of the late Zimbabwean goalkeeper George Chigova (32) visiting a Nigerian prophet in South Africa who appears to tell him to ignore advice that he had a heart problem and insisting "there is nothing on you, its your thoughts." pic.twitter.com/ag11oqTa2e
Social Media Anger X users expressed reservations about the Nigerian prophet. Some threw the blame on him for George Chigova’s death. Check the comments below.
John:
“Fake prophets are now a menace in the African continent, ummm.”
Mziwandile:
“Africans will perish with this level of colonial religious fundamentalism. Why entrust one’s health to a Pentecostal soothsayer with neither medical training nor a basic understanding of science .”
Sizwe:
“I will always trust the Doctor, not a Pastor, in the issues of my health!!!”
Stride:
“Shame! These so-called prophets should be banned! Kagame, of all the people, is trying best in this area.”
The leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Nelson Chamisa, has urgently appealed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reconsider the scheduled December 9 by-elections, citing the recent tragic abduction and murder of a CCC member. Bishop Tapfumaneyi Masaya, a prominent CCC figure, was discovered dead on Monday, having been abducted two days earlier in Mabvuku, Harare, while campaigning for Munyaradzi Febion Kufahakutizwi, the party’s parliamentary candidate.
A series of distressing incidents involving CCC activists, including the abduction and torture of legislator Takudzwa Ngadziore and former parliamentarian James Chidhakwa, have intensified tensions in the lead-up to the by-elections. These elections were initiated by the recall of CCC Members of Parliament, councillors, and senators by the self-proclaimed interim party secretary-general, Sengezo Tshabangu.
In an interview with NewsDay, Chamisa openly questioned President Mnangagwa’s silence in the face of the alarming attacks on CCC members. Expressing concern, Chamisa urged Mnangagwa to halt the abuse of state institutions, illegal by-elections, and the mistreatment of citizens. He highlighted previous instances of violence against CCC members and stressed the need for constructive dialogue between leaders for the collective benefit of the nation.
Chamisa emphasized that the focus should be on addressing the pressing political and socio-economic challenges facing the nation, stating that Zimbabweans are leaving their homeland in large numbers. He criticized the expenditure of millions of dollars on what he termed “illegal by-elections” while the country grapples with critical issues.
Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa distanced the ruling party from the by-elections, asserting that they are conducted in accordance with the law and are beyond Zanu PF’s control. He stated that the matter is currently before the courts, cautioning against involving Zanu PF in internal party affairs.
Chamisa expressed deep concern over the death of Bishop Masaya, calling it disturbing. The family has requested an independent postmortem, delaying the planned return of the body. The postmortem, scheduled for the following day, faced reservations from the family’s legal representatives.
Both the United States embassy in Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) issued calls for a thorough investigation into Masaya’s death. They urged local authorities to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing the need for peaceful preparations for the upcoming by-elections and an end to political violence.
Jada Pinkett Smith has been very forthcoming with her personal life in recent months, but she’s now explained why she didn’t mention much about her “entanglement” with August Alsina in her new book.
Appearing on The Breakfast Club on Thursday (November 16), the Girls Trip actor was asked why she chose not to mention the R&B singer — who she had a romantic relationship with not too long after they met in in 2015 — in her Worthy memoir.
“I felt like he’s been through enough,” she told co-host Charlamagne Tha God. “And I just wanted to be respectful in that manner. I really did.”
She then added that she hopes she can “heal” the situation with Alsina “at some point.”
You can hear Pinkett Smith’s comments around the 1:00:23 mark in the video below:
Despite starting their relationship around 2015, it didn’t become news until Alsina discussed it in a June 2020 interview with Angela Lee.
Not long afterwards, Pinkett Smith appeared on her showRed Table Talk alongside husband Will Smith to discuss the relationship.
“About four and a half years ago … I started a friendship with August,” she said. “We actually became really, really good friends.” And then, she explained, she “got into a different kind of entanglement with August.”
While Alsina’s name was not mentioned directly in Worthy, Pinkett Smith did discuss the relationship, comparing it to a Hans Christian Anderson story.
The Matrix actor has made a lot of headlines as of late during her promo run for Worthy. One of the most noteworthy moments was when she revealed that 2Pac, who she had known since they were both students at the Baltimore School for the Arts, proposed to her back in 1995 while he was serving a prison sentence for sexual abuse charges.
“Seeing him there, the condition that he was in and having to leave him there. He was in bad shape. And so, when he asked me to get married, he was at Rikers [Island],” Pinkett Smith said during an appearance on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s All the Smoke podcast.
“I knew at that time that he needed somebody to do time with him, which I was gonna do anyway. He didn’t have to marry me to do that. I’m here. He needed a rock. Because of our friendship and everything we had been through together, he just wanted to feel that solidified foundation.”
She continued: “I promise you, he would’ve married me and divorced me as soon as his ass got out [of prison]. He would’ve! […] I just think it was the mind state that he was in. He wrote me this long letter, and even before ‘Pac went to jail, he was starting to shift in a certain manner. Good, really good.
“And I think that for him, he just felt like, ‘Okay, if I can tether myself, it’ll keep me on a trajectory.’ But trust me, he would’ve divorced me as soon as he — one thing he wouldn’t want me as is a wife. I know that for a fact! But I think just being at Rikers, it just kinda shook him a little.”
As United Party for National Development we hope that former Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was correctly quoted in a local tabloid alleging that Zambia is now worse than police state’.
However, these remarks have drawn our attention because President Hakainde Hichilema has been consistent and he has demonstrated his commitment to adhering to democratic principles.
Mr Lungu led this country for seven years, in which the rule of law was non-existent in his English vocabularly.
Imagine that, one was standing on an ant-hill and sees the 7th President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, Bally, as he is commonly addressed, and Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Who among the two could be believed of having brought peace which was non-existent during PF brutal regime.
The statement in the tabloid reveals that Mr Lungu is still bruised and he is still hurt that HH is now President of the Republic of Zambia.
Is MR Lungu not the same person who said that, he was going to hand-over power to himself and went further to promise that he was going to arrest President Hakainde Hichilema after winning 2021 elections which he unfortunately lost with a million votes, difference making it the worst loss ever.
Mr Lungu should be careful with what he says, because he is now bringing back memories of his brutal regime, such as the death of a civil servant Nsama – Nsama and Joseph Kaunda who were shot in cold blood and left orphans.
Another incident among many more, under his regime is the death of a 21-year old girl, Mapenzi Chibulo, who was shot in cold blood for supporting President Hichilema a man his party wanted out of politics and never to become a President of this country.
What does Mr Lungu say about that incident, where Police under his administration at High Court shot at a UPND member, who up to-date is living with a bullet in his buttock.
However, we acknowledge Mr Lungu’s concerns but he should know that President Hakainde Hichilema is focused on restructuring the huge debt his administration wrecklessly borrowed, winning back lost investor confidence, creating investment opportunities, creating jobs, reducing high inflation among others
All in all, we can say President Hichilema’s focus and priority now is in re-building the economy and building an inclusive Zambia where all are equal as one.
Mr Lungu as former President, should be cautious with whatever he says as that is now opening wounds of the past.
It is human and paramount to appreciate President Hakainde’s efforts, in creating a more democratic and peaceful environment , where all citizens feel valued, heard and enjoy the benefits of the atmosphere of unity and progress
UPND looks forward to strong collaboration and constructive dialogue that transcends political divides for the collective benefit of Zambia.
Hapunda resigns, says speaking against Lungu’s return is considered rebellion in PF
Brian Hapunda has resigned from the PF saying he can no longer belong to a party that treats any views that do not support Edgar Lungu’s return to active politics as rebellion rather than constructive criticism.
The former Diplomat announced in a letter to the party Secretary General that he had since tossed away his peddles and jumped off the PF boat.
Hapunda, who served in the Foreign Service, outlined his decision in a letterBrian Hapunda throws away paddles, abandons PF boat citing concerns over the lack of intra-party democracy.
The news comes after Hapunda had expressed his dissent in an interview published in the Diggers Newspaper on October 3rd, 2023, where he outlined his concerns about the direction of the party.
Hapunda’s resignation highlights a crucial aspect of his dissatisfaction—pointing to insufficient intra-party democracy and a tendency to dismiss dissenting opinions.
In his letter, Hapunda stated, “It is disheartening that expressing personal views contrary to the return of President Lungu to active politics is seen as rebellion rather than constructive critique.”
“Given president Lungu’s confirmed return to active politics and subsequent return to lead the PF, provided proper procedures are followed, I find it morally challenging to remain within a party whose course I had previously opposed.”
The former PF member’s departure sheds light on the challenges faced by the party, including the presence of two PF factions, the failure to organise an elective convention, and the need for a rebranding process after the party’s loss in the 2021 elections.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba
He writes….
“Dear Sir,
RESIGNATION FROM THE PATRIOTIC FRONT – MYSELF
I am writing to officially tender my resignation from the Patriotic Front (PF), effective immediately. After careful consideration and consultation with my family, I have arrived at this decision due to the following reasons:
Lack of effective leadership and clear political direction within the party. The presence of two power factions, PF1 led by former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and PF2 led by Honorable Miles Sampa, has resulted in disunity and a lack of cohesion.
Failure of the party to organize an elective convention and undertake a rebranding process following the loss of power to the United Party for National Development (UPND) in the 2021 elections. This failure to adapt and rejuvenate has hindered the party’s ability to regain relevance and public trust.
Insufficient intra-party democracy and a tendency to dismiss dissenting opinions. It is disheartening that expressing personal views contrary to the return of President Lungu to active politics is seen as rebellion rather than constructive critique.
Given President Lungu’s confirmed return to active politics and subsequent return to lead the PF, provided proper procedures are followed, I find it morally challenging to remain within a party whose course I had previously opposed. The reasons for my dissent were expressed in an interview published in the Diggers Newspaper on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023. I hope that future PF leaders will give due consideration to diverse perspectives for the well-being of the party.
I would like to express my appreciation to former President Lungu for the opportunity to serve in the Foreign Service as a Diplomat. Furthermore, I extend my best wishes to the Patriotic Front for its future endeavors.
JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES
Date: Thursday 16th November, 2023
Time: 09:30 hours
Venue: Citizens First Secretariat
Protocol:
• Presidents of Opposition Political Parties Present
• The OCiDA Chairman Emeritus Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore Mpundu
• Board Members of OCiDA Present
• Central Committee Members of the Parties Present
• Members of the Press
• Distinguished Guests
• Countrymen and Women;
• All Protocols Observed
Countrymen and Women
We are happy to welcome you to this joint press briefing by opposition political parties on the State of the Nation. Allow me to start by expressing my profound gratitude to the various political leaders for their magnanimity in allowing the Citizens First to host them at the Citizen’s Secretariat and indeed for bestowing on me the responsibility to read this joint statement. Our coming together demonstrates the willingness and commitment of all the leaders assembled here to find common ground on the pressing national issues that affect us all, some of which present serious threats to national unity, our country’s sovereignty and indeed our independence as a sovereign state.
When all is said and done, we are of the strong view that as a nation, there is more that unites us than what divides us and our goal is to come together and overcome the external forces that seek to push a wedge through us in their quest to divide us. It is our hope that together, we will have the strength to gunner the spirit of unity that enabled our forefathers and mothers to work in unison and defeat the divisive forces that are lurking.
It is very clear that President Hakainde and his government are hell bent on surrendering the interest of this country to their foreign backers and we shudder to think how our forefathers and mothers who fought so valiantly to secure independence for us must be thinking to see this level of betrayal by a leader who is keen to reverse every form of self-actualization and national sovereignty that was won with bloodshed and even loss of life for many.
A country with the second largest copper deposits in Africa, coupled with critical minerals and all manner of precious and semi-precious minerals and a youthful population, the country remains scandalously poor due to the misplaced priorities. The priority of President Hichilema and his UPND administration appears to be destroying any form of opposition, corruptly amassing personal wealth, and faithfully serving the interests of those they regard as their masters: the external forces that continue cheering them on even when the economy remains significantly embattled with an exchange rate that is in free fall, with the cost of living that is significantly escalating and exacerbating poverty levels while youth unemployment has gone through the chart. And faced with all these vices, you have a President that is shuttling between two extremes; globetrotting from one end of the world to the other even where the country can be better represented by a Director and on the other extreme, seeking to suppress the opposition using some elements of compromised government institutions that seem to be ready to support his quest to further divide the nation.
We have recognised the increasing desperation by Mr. Hichilema emanating from the realisation that he has very little to show for the years he has spent in power other than the scheduled normal recruitment of teachers and health workers into the civil service to fill the space and infrastructure that was constructed by his predecessors. And instead of shifting gears and getting to work, he is introducing his so called “imingalato” by which; in his own words implying that he intends to kill opposition leaders by wriggling their necks. By any measure, this statement alone is tantamount to hate speech and yet it came from a head of state who swore an oath to protect the constitution of Zambia and is supposedly a church elder. Following that statement by the President, we have seen all manner of harassment, persecution, prosecution interference in matters relating to political parties, extra-judicial punishment and torture. He is doing all this because he has seen the clear writings on the wall: Aleya!!! Come 2026; he is going out and we want to serve notice to all those agents he has recruited to fight his battle that Nothing Can Stand In the Way of the People. The Will of the people will Prevail!!! If the Great KK could Fall, who is HH?
Ladies and Gentlemen;
The eroding of democracy under President Hichilema is very real and is evidenced by the conduct of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the behavior of the Inspector General of Police, the conduct of the Judiciary and the Registrar of Societies, all speak to a grand scheme being orchestrated by those in power to frustrate democracy and allow a DICTATOR to assert himself and take root. Instead of taking pride in the democracy that has made Zambia the pride of the continent, he has instead opted to weaponise state institutions in order to prolong his stay in power. While claiming to be a democrat, his actions have shown clear actions of a Dictator that MUST be stopped in his tracks.
Today opposition leaders have made court attendance a full time vacation simply because he wants to frustrate their efforts. He has continued to frustrate opposition political parties and leaders by denying them the right to organise political meetings, the right to peacefully assemble, the right to hold rallies, all of which are enshrined in the Republican Constitution.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
OCiDA, LAZ, the Consortium of Civil Society Organisations, the United Kingdom and the United States of America governments through their High Commission and Embassy respectively, here in Zambia, and now the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia as well as the Catholic Bishops through their Pastoral Letters, have all validated the various opposition political parties’ repeated warnings to the nation about flagrant and incessant acts of violation of the Constitution and growing dictatorship, emasculation of the institutions of state that are meant to protect the rights of the citizens. – the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Judiciary, Parliament, the Police and now we are aware of a clandestine operation that is bringing men and women in uniform in the political fray simply because you have a President that wants to hold on to power by any means necessary. A man who swore on oath to protect the Constitution of Zambia is today seeking to operate outside of the constitution and exposing civil servants to possible arraignment after he vacates office in 2026.
As opposition leaders we would like to state that we have resolved to stand in alignment and agree to the statements and position of the CSO’s, the Catholic Bishops, the EFZ and the many voices that have echoed their disdain towards the diminishing democratic space in Zambia. We are equally elated by the statement by OCiDA titled; The Horrific Assault on Constitutional Democracy in Zambia by President Hakainde Hichilema and His UPND Administration, and as we adopt this and the many points raised, we would also like to re-eco some challenges that we have seen that have the potential to undermine the integrity of a nation and throw us into anarchy if not addressed forthwith.
These issues include;
1. Rampant Corruption
We have seen a significant increase in corruption that has been necessitated by the Hakainde Hichilema single sourcing practice especially when dealing with key expenses on which the welfare of the nation heavily relies. What is ironic is that the oversight institutions have elected silence in the face of national pillage.
The donor agencies have equally opted to remain mute even in the face of blatant abuse of public office orchestrated by those at the apex of public office.
We would like to ask the ACC to visit ZAMRA and look at Egypt transaction so that they notify the nation why the correct procedure was not followed in that multi million dollar transaction. The nation deserves to know why ZAMRA went ahead to approve the contract and delivery of drugs from Egypt in the absence of a dossier. The scandal at ZAMRA today will make Honey Bee look like a storm in a cup. As the ACC carries out their investigation, we would like them to extend that to ZAMSA and let the nation know why the Egyptian deal was only closed after the Egyptian transaction was only finalized after the ZAMSA Director General was hounded out.
This is not just grand corruption, but also puts the lives of many Zambians at risk owing to the procuring of drugs that have not been tested and validated by experts but instead that was done by a DG who himself was an interested party.
2. Abduction of Citizens Rights:
We have seen an increase in abduction of citizens especially those with a political inclination, who end up being locked up without appearing before the courts of law beyond the stipulated period. This conduct has potential to backfire as it is sawing retributive seeds and may result in a perpetuation of this treatment once government changes in 2026. While all efforts are being made by the opposition to reconcile the nation, the head of state has remained restrained and he is not willing to address the growing tribal divide that is fast threatening the peace that this country has always enjoyed since 24th October, 1964.
Human Rights are guaranteed in the republican constitution and the expectation is that government MUST do everything to ensure that the rights of the Citizens are not just upheld bust also guaranteed.
These abuses of the law and citizens are being made in “full view” of the donor community who continue to praise government even when all the fundamentals point in the direction of a distressed and falling state.
We demand that the president starts walking the talk and stop the rhetoric of reading inclusive speeches while his action and instructions are meant to diminish political space.
3. Meddling in Opposition Parties
It is an act of grave cowardice for the ruling party to start meddling in the internal affairs of opposition parties. What started with the DP, and the NDC moved to the CF has now gone to the PF and who knows what party is next. All these actions are aimed at weakening the opposition in Zambia. as they do not want a strong opposition that can stand up to them.
For the first time in this country’s history, we are having senior military personnel being drafted to participate in covert activities that are intended to disenfranchise the opposition. We want to remind civil servants and the men and women in uniform who are being drafted into covert operations to resist such activities. We would like to warn those pushing such an agenda that we know what is happening and we will not hesitate to hold you personally accountable at the right time.
It is apparent that this takeover of parties was made possible owing to the apparent lack of unity among opposition leaders as well as other interest groups and the citizens not taking a position to speak out in favor of democracy. We now have the Patriotic Front (PF) saga where a parallel leadership has been established that is intended to usurp authority of the only line of defense in the national assembly in their way to turn Zambia into a one Party state using an emasculated Parliament and a Judiciary that has proven to be highly conflicted and compromised.
We are also seen arrests of several opposition leaders on trumped up charges of espionage arising from them expressing their views in an interview with a Zimbabwean journalist. Views that reflect their right to free speech. We want to state for the record, that even for a vindictive and self-righteous person as this leader is, the charge of espionage is inconceivable and will cause much shame to this country but it will only help fuel the resolve for the opposition to remain united in fighting the cause for democracy.
Such actions are a clear evidence of how Zambia today has been auctioned by Mr. Hichilema to foreign commercial interests. We want to tell the Zambian people that it is not Mr. Hichilema who is making some of these decisions. It is his foreign funders who are writing the script and the only thing he is doing is to ask them; “How High he should jump?” We know what is going on, we even know his Caucasian friends who privately boast of how they control him and by default running the country.
As a matter of fact, one of these “friends of the president” has been boasting of having ordered for the arrest of Mr. Given Lubinda, Dr. Fred M’membe, Mr. Raphael Nakacinda and Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba for various charges resulting from the Zimbabwean documentary that exposed the Zambian government of meddling in that country’s internal affairs at the behest of his sponsors. We would like to remind Mr. Hichilema that we will not stand by and allow him to plunge this nation into a cesspool of anarchy simply because of his insatiable appetite for extra judicial power.
His path of victimization has potential to plunging the country into a bloodbath, and it is for this reason that we would like to appeal to his remaining thread of consciousness and ask him to take some time and reflect on the onerous responsibility that comes with the position of President. He is not the first commander in Chief that this country has had and he will certainly not be the last, but so far he has proven to be the first to show blatant abuse of authority to a point where people are scared of expressing themselves for fear of state sponsored victimization.
4. Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)
Whereas we have been insisting that the position of Chief Electoral Officer be filled, we are however concerned with the choice of candidate that has been selected to take over such a strategic institution. We are aware that the newly recruited Chief Electoral Officer was relieved of his duties at the ECZ for gross misconduct that involved electoral malpractice during the 2016 General Elections. We are at a loss as to how the very person who was dismissed for seeking to manipulate election results in favor of the then opposition UPND, would today be expected to act with impartiality.
It is our founded view that a responsible government would not employ one with such a tainted professional background unless you would like to benefit from their devious attributes and skills.
What is worse is that the Hakainde government has opted to have a team of highly compromised individuals at the helm of this very important institution. We would have expected that Mr. Hichilema would make every effort to ensure that ECZ is rid of any tribal inclination or leaning. Alas that opportunity has been missed as ECZ is not just tribally inclined to UPND but has known members of UPND placed in strategic position including those of Commissioners as well as Chairperson.
We would however like to remind the President that at the end of it all the Will of the People will prevail. No amount of machination will prevail over the resolve for you to vacate office come 2026. The people have resolved and no matter what you do, it will not work.
We would also like to caution those working for ECZ that the responsibility you bear but be executed with integrity and dignity regardless of the pressure that is exerted on you, resolve to do the right thing at all costs and you will not have to worry about being taken to task after the 2026 elections when the UPND is kicked out of office.
5. Freedom of Information:
We are once again at a loss as to why government seem to have developed inertia in allowing the Freedom of Information Bill to be tabled on the floor of Parliament. This was one of the campaign promises that the UPND and its leaders gave to the people of Zambia and once elected, they seem to be reluctant to bring about freedom of information.
Besides the many promises to have the Freedom of Information enacted, this issue still remains unaddressed and no tangible action has been taken to ensure closure. The result of government’s failure to enact the freedom of Information Bill has been the continued harassment of journalists for objective coverage.
We have seen journalists and media houses threatened under frivolous charges simply because of the absence of the protection they seek through the Freedom of Information Act. It is important that government is given the necessary safeguard by the fourth estate. The continued resistance to enact the Freedom of Information Bill is a clear abrogation of Freedom of Information and it goes against the values of a democratic state such as Zambia that is supposed to guarantee the safety of its citizens including members of the Fourth Estate.
The demand that the President makes haste to ensure that he meets this campaign promise by seeing through the enactment of the Freedom of information Bill otherwise we are left with no option but to speculate that their failure to do so is intended to cover their corrupt practices.
6. The Executive’s Control of Constitutional Offices
We are concerned with the level of control that the executive is exercising over oversight institutions that are meant to be first and second lines of defense especially in the fight against corruption has rendered these institutions to be ineffective especially as relates to fighting corruption of those that are currently serving in government. President Hakainde Hichilema does not seem to see anything wrong with that and one can only be left to speculate if he is doing so as a result of himself being a beneficiary as he cannot be investigated by those who feel they are part of the inner-cirle.
The continued housing of key institutions such as the DEC and the ACC under the Office of the President has made a mockery of the fight against corruption. These institutions are now being used as instruments of frustrating opposition leaders and perceived enemies of those in the ruling UPND or the Executive
To the Zambian People;
We ask you to demonstrate, that indomitable Zambian spirit of love for country, love for one another, unity in diversity and unwavering belief in constitutionalism and multi-party democracy. Zambians must realise what is at the heart of the battle before us – The Quest to Defend our Democracy. This UPND Government represents the biggest existential threat to the continued existence of Zambia as we know it. If they are allowed to continue along this trajectory, our nation will become a failed state. We now call upon you all, our gallant men and women, to also unite, to put aside any artificial differences being promoted by this divisive Government and come on board and stand with us as we seek to push back the hand of repression and divison. We ask you to voice out against the evident ills that are being perpetrated with impunity. You MUST resolve to reject the one Party State that they are pushing by obliterating the opposition and buying those that are willing to sell their souls for some pieces of silver.
Finally, to us as opposition political leaders, we MUST resolve to send a very strong message to Mr. Hichilema, that we are ready for him and no matter what they try, our resolve is to liberate Zambia economically, Politically and intellectually. We shall remain united around the need to liberate our country from funders and supporters of the UPND government who see it as their birthright to amass African wealth at the expense of majority Africans who continue to wallow in poverty.
We must remain resolved to unite and confront the UPND and their foreign destructive backers in defense of our Constitution, our sovereign rights as citizens, our political organisations, our hard-won multi-party democracy and God-given national wealth which Mr. Hichilema and his team want to plunder through shell corporations and proxy entities.
To this effect, we are announcing the beginning of a series of actions and activities enshrined in the Constitution of this Republic in exercise of our right to defend our democracy. We will be announcing a detailed program of activities that is intended to let the citizens understand that indeed we were Sold a Lie.
We thank you most sincerely and God bless our nation.
Yours Sincerely,
………………………………………….……: Nason Msoni – APC
………………………………………….…….: Harry Kalaba – CF
………………………………………….…….: Wynter Kabimba – EF
………………………………………….…….: Kasonde Mwenda – EFF
………………………………………….…….: Jackson Silavwe – Golden Party
………………………………………….…..: Saboi Imboela – NDC President
………………………………………….……: Chishala Kateka – New Heritage Party
………………………………………….……….: Sean Tembo – PEP
………………………………………….……..: Fred Mmembe – Socialist Party
………………………………………….………: Kelvin Bwalya Fube – ZMP
Distribution List:
The High Commission – COMESA
The World Bank Country Representative
The AU Leader
The US Ambassador – US Embassy in Zambia
The EU Delegation Head – EU
The Russian Ambassador – Russian Embassy in Zambia
The British High Commissioner – British High Commission
BBC Media Action
Independent Media Owners
All Media Houses
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ZAMBIANS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RECONCILE THEMSELVES WITH THE FACT THAT THE PF WAS AN ADMINISTRATION FROM HELL
The party sunk the country to lows previously unimagined. Lawlessness, violence, corruption, reckless debt, abuse of the police, low caliber leaders, abuse of judicial processes, accumulation of unexplained wealth by the connected, hate, tensions, fear – gosh, the list is long!
I can almost swear that the PF, in it’s current formation, if given the chance to rule again, would be exactly insufferable. The leaders do not seem to have learnt too many lessons. They come across as uncouth as ever, and disrespectful of the national ability to think.
That riotous behaviour PF MPs put on display in Parliament was totally unacceptable but very much in the party’s DNA. That’s not to say MPs do not have the right to express unhappiness. But shouting, pointing fingers and flaying arms !
Having accepted that the PF, past or present, is not who we want to be, we are going to have understand that, that very fact means the opposition party cannot be the measure of how we manage ourselves, going forward.
I say this because it is becoming evident that the UPND, in the last while, has been pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in a democratic country.
There are the rather fishy goings on around Miles Sampa. (Yes, totally impossible to prove, but the nose smells what it does, even if the eyes cannot see it.)
Then, there are the endless arrests of opposition members who are denied bond which should be straight forward, given the charge.
As for the police – . Too many of them arresting people that are not resisting.
An arrogant tone is entering the way leaders speak to us.What was that about coincidence, from the Minister of Home Affairs? A PS also disrespected a caller, live on radio.
In short, stuff that President Hichilema and the UPND promised us, is not being fulfilled. As for the President, he has gone quiet on us. He is not explaining why – the suspects should be given bond declaration – is being totally disobeyed.
This is how I see it. The UPND made 2 critical mistakes:
1. They (candidate HH) over promised on the economic front, while campaigning. A combination of our mountain of debt, and world downturn of the economy, has subsequently made many of the promises sound like pie in the sky. Life is hard for Zambians.
Now, I will say, again, that I believe that, economically, we are lucky to have UPND in power. They are economically astute. Give the current world economy and debt conditions to any other current political party, and we would be much worse off – to understate it.
That, however, does not assuage the critical hunger in poor homes and the bigger hole in pockets of the middle classes.
Faced with that situation, the UPND has incredibly failed to have the necessary conversation with citizens that says – yes, we thought we could make things easier quickly, but this is where we are.
2. This next idea is one I picked from a UNZA lecturer, in a recent meeting. I thought it made lots of sense, so I will repeat it.
Having to deal with an increasingly restless citizenry on the economic front, the UPND weak communication function (which admittedly has improved since Minister Mweetwa took over) lost the propaganda war to PF.
Like UPND before it, PF is taking the license of opposition to paint government negligent, even when they know it’s not true. They do it loudly and effectively.
Rather than use the massive communication powers at government’s disposal, to fight back on that propaganda turf, the UPND has, amazingly to me, chosen to take steps backward on the area in which it was doing very well – the democratic space.
It’s like watching a student who is very good at math, but is criticised for their bad grammar. In response, they begin to neglect the math and get poor marks, instead of improving on the English. Haaw!
Anyhow, let me end by saying we Zambians must not, as we are doing now, forgive UPND excesses against PF, because we believe they deserve it. A test of their own medicine, is a term I hear a lot.
The democracy is ours. Allowing UPND to implement openly undemocratic, vengeful actions on PF, because it’s PF after all, is exactly what the English proverb my mother liked to quote warns against – cutting off your nose to spite (punish) your face.
UPND should be held to account for everything it does. You see, what the ruling party does, to who they think is their enemy, will, if allowed to grow, end up at the doorsteps of ordinary citizens.
Zambia is ours. We must protect her democracy. It does not belong to any political party.
The Ingratitude of Man: How History Repeats Itself ====≈================================
By Barbrah Musamba Chama – The Voice of Reason
Throughout history, there have been numerous instances where individuals or groups have forgotten the sacrifices made by their leaders and longed for the days of oppression, mistreatment, and hardship. The Israelites’ yearning for their time in Egypt under Pharaoh is a prime example of this phenomenon.
Despite the harsh realities of slavery, the Israelites grew accustomed to the material comforts and familiarity of their Egyptian existence. When Moses led them out of bondage, they faced the challenges of an unfamiliar wilderness, food shortages, and internal strife. These hardships caused many Israelites to lament their liberation and wish for a return to the “security” of slavery.
Similarly, in Zambia, many citizens have forgotten the oppressive rule of Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front (PF) government. They have become accustomed to the relative stability and economic progress brought about by the current administration under Hakainde Hichilema, yet they seem to have conveniently forgotten the PF’s history of violence, corruption, and disregard for human rights.
The PF’s brutal treatment of citizens at bus stations, markets, and places like “Kamugodi,” a notorious torture chamber in Lusaka, is a stark reminder of their oppressive rule. Yet, some Zambians seem willing to overlook these atrocities for the sake of perceived short-term gains.
This amnesia, this willingness to forget the darkness of the past, is a dangerous trend. It allows those who seek power through oppression and violence to exploit the short-term memories of the people, promising a return to the “good old days” that were, in reality, anything but good.
Zambians must not allow themselves to fall into this trap of nostalgia. They must remember the PF’s brutality, their disregard for human rights, and their economic mismanagement. They must hold onto the progress made under the current administration and continue to demand accountability and transparency from their leaders.
Only by staying vigilant and refusing to be swayed by empty promises can Zambians safeguard their hard-won freedom and ensure that the country continues on its path towards a more just, prosperous, and democratic Zambia
Mizinga Melu continues shining as SADC names her CEO of the year
ABSA Bank Chief Executive Officer Mizinga Melu has bagged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) CEO of the year award at the African Bank 4.0 Awards which were held in Johannesburg, South Africa last evening.
The prestigious award recognizes exceptional, visionary leaders who navigate complex challenges, foster growth, and have led their organizations to unprecedented success while leaving a profound impact on the diverse SADC region.
The award aims to recognize and celebrate personalities from the Fintech, banking, and financial services industry across the SADC region.
The awards ceremony also saw Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank (ZICB’s) Mwangala Muyoyeta emerge the SADC best Chief Information Officer (CIO) while Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) Chief Executive Officer Mukwandi Chibesakunda got the Zambia CEO of the year award.
And speaking after winning the award, Melu said it is time that women stood up and competed at the international level and that she hopes her achievement will motivate other women to put up their best in their endeavours.
“I am greatly honoured to have been named the best CEO of the year in the SADC Region by the African Bank 4.0 Awards. To be recognised regionally is a massive achievement not only for me, but for Zambia as well. I hope this award inspires the youth and women to believe in themselves and that we can compete at the international level in any field, including the corporate world. I celebrate this award with my colleagues to whom I am highly indebted at Absa Zambia and Absa Group,” Melu said.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Mazuba Monze, says Ms. Melu is inspiring a generation of young people in Zambia to aspire for hard work and that the country is proud of her as she has been a torchbearer for excellence.
In a speech made on her behalf by Deputy High Commissioner Inonge Mwenya, Monze encouraged Ms. Melu to continue working hard.
“We wish to wholeheartedly congratulate Ms. Mizinga Melu for winning this prestigious award. We are absolutely ecstatic and proud of this daughter of Zambia who is really an exceptional torchbearer in raising the country’s image and making a difference beyond Zambia. We wish to encourage you to keep up the spirit because you are inspiring a whole generation of young ladies and gentlemen to follow your footsteps,” she said.
Thi is according to a statement issued by Tamara Nyirenda, the First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission South Africa.
George Santos said he won’t run for re-election in 2024 because a committee found he did something wrong.
The group discovered that the congressman stole money from his campaign and used his run for a seat in the House to make money for himself.
Mr Santos said on social media that the report was a “political attack”.
However, he said he will not run for another term because of the investigation.
“My family should not have to deal with constant pressure from the press all the time,” he wrote in a lengthy post, which also criticized the report for being unfair.
The Republican in New York might not stay in office until next November.
Two other people in the government are trying to kick him out of his job.
The ethics committee looked into Mr. Santos and found that he pretended to take out loans for his political groups to make people give more money to his campaign. The committee is made up of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats.
He used campaign money to pay himself back for loans that were not real.
“He used his powerful friends and other political campaigns to get more money for himself by doing dishonest or suspicious business deals,” the committee said in a report. “He kept up with all of this by telling a lot of lies to the people who voted for him, gave him money, and worked for him about where he came from and what he has done. ”
He’s said to have paid for things like Botox and a vacation, even though they didn’t really have anything to do with his campaign.
The ethics committee decided not to take action against the congressman because it might give him more chances to avoid punishment and could interfere with the criminal case against him.
It also said that his behavior deserves public disapproval, is not appropriate for the job, and has damaged the reputation of the House.
They sent Representative Santos to the Department of Justice to consider charging him with more crimes.
Mr Santos has been accused of doing bad things like lying, stealing money, and using someone else’s identity and credit cards.
After the report came out, the head of the ethics committee, Mississippi Republican Michael Guest, said he would propose a plan to kick Mr Santos out of Congress, according to Fox News.
Another politician, California Democrat Robert Garcia, also said online that he will propose a plan to remove someone from their position.
Earlier this month, Santos didn’t get kicked out of the House because most of the members didn’t want that to happen.
Only five people in the history of the US government have been kicked out, and three of them were expelled during the civil war.
‘Awful at telling the truth’
Mr Santos became a member of the House one year ago after winning an election.
He said he’s not a good liar, but he described himself during the campaign as someone who represents the American dream. He’s openly gay, his parents are from Brazil, and he worked on Wall Street before going into politics.
However, his story started to fall apart even before he took the oath of office.
Mr Santos said he went to Baruch College in New York City and then worked on Wall Street as a financial expert at big companies like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. He said his mom almost died in the 9/11 attacks, that he owns a lot of real estate, and that he is a proud Jewish American.
He said he didn’t finish college at Baruch or any other university, and he didn’t work for Goldman Sachs or Citigroup. He didn’t have any property in New York. He is a follower of the Catholic faith, not of the Jewish faith, and it’s possible that his mother was not in the United States on September 11, 2001.
Cell phones and the internet are not working in Gaza because there is not enough fuel to run the backup generators, according to Palestinian telecom companies.
Paltel and Jawwal telecom companies said they ran out of energy for their networks, and an internet monitor confirmed a big internet problem.
Israel stopped almost all fuel deliveries to Gaza during its war with Hamas that started five weeks ago. Only one delivery was allowed to go through.
The UN said a power outage could cause chaos and make it harder to help people in need.
“We are sorry to say that the phone and internet services in Gaza Strip are not working because the power that runs the network has run out, and they would not let more fuel in,” Paltel said in a statement on Thursday.
At the same time, the internet monitoring group NetBlocks said that live data showed Gaza was experiencing a big internet problem. Most people probably won’t have access to phone or internet services.
Israel started a big war in the Gaza Strip to destroy a group called Hamas, which it thinks is a bad group, because of an attack by many gunmen on October 7th. Hamas attacked Israel and killed over 1,200 people, and also took about 240 people as hostages.
Ever since Israel began attacking, the health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, has reported that 11,000 people have been killed. The United Nations has also warned that there could be a “humanitarian disaster” in the area.
The Israeli government stopped sending fuel because they are worried that Hamas might take it and use it for fighting.
On Wednesday, a truck with 23,000 liters of diesel fuel came from Egypt. But Israel said it could only be used to fill up UN aid trucks.
Other important services have also closed because of the same problems. This means places like hospitals, water pumps, plants that turn saltwater into drinking water, places that clean dirty water, and places that make bread.
The BBC’s Rushdi Abu Alouf, who is in the southern city of Khan Younis, said that all phone and internet services in Gaza were not working on Thursday night.
He said it would be really hard to find out what was happening in other places like Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where Israeli forces were doing an operation for the second day.
Our reporter has not been able to communicate again since then.
The person in charge of the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, is worried that the power outage in Gaza could make things worse and cause more problems in the community.
These signs show when you suddenly cannot talk to anyone anymore because of a blackout. “The UN leader, Philippe Lazzarini, said that it makes people even more anxious and panicked,” at a news conference in Geneva.
“This could cause more trouble or speed up the end of the last bit of peace in the Gaza Strip. ” And if this completely falls apart, we will have trouble working in a place without some order.
Human Rights Watch said that if there is no communication for a long time, it could make it easier for bad things to happen and allow people to get away with doing bad things. It could also make it harder to help people and put their lives in danger.
Mr Lazzarini also said that he thought someone was trying to stop or slow down Unrwa’s work in Gaza. He cautioned that the agency might have to completely stop its operations if it ran out of fuel.
Unrwa is taking care of 813,000 people who don’t have a place to live. They need 160,000 litres of fuel every day to keep things running.
“If we don’t get more fuel, people will die,” Mr.
I don’t know when it started. “It will happen soon. “
