REGIONAL DISCUSSIONS:

South African mining companies and their Canadian, American et-al strategic partners 'may have' and 'may lose' their multi-million dollar mining interests in CAR if Seleka band policy harms the 1961 mining policy which states that "Mining Companies in the Central African Republic engaged in exploration,
mining, processing or transport of minerals on the Central African
Republic territory transfer to their country of residence the dividends
and other results of these transactions hence have to proffer security
to their assets and human resource".

SANDF officials have confirmed that the 200 troops in Bangui were there protecting the assets of South Africans. This fact has stirred a serious debate in Pretoria.

East Africa has proved to be wielding too much geopolitical power making Pretotia lose face as a serious geopolitical player.

Uganda and Kenya have played significant roles in regional security by spearheading military interventions that have procured very positive results.

Nairobi has managed to pacify the Sudan's besides training Juba military personnel
Kampala led the Somali effort and was joined by Nairobi and pacified Somalia
Intel shows Kenyan and Uganda military intel cops coined the killing of M23 structures to pacify DRC.
Uganda may use the same strategy in CAR as a means to end the Kony mystery.

South Africa, to redefine its strategic geopolitical significance may use Bangui as its launching pad and score a direct one.
That way, Pretoria will curve out territories where it will insist the East Africans have no mandate since it has the greater responsibility owing to the initial fact that it has numerous assets that require its responsibility.
Geopolitical relevance comes into play.

Very incisive, and appropriate, @Analyst. I have posted a reply to your Wall on 'The other Place" on the same.

Regardless of what the Boers conjure up, IGAD/EAC?Kenyana will not cede an inch to them. Doing so will abandon all hopes of our ever being competitive globally and in Africa. To survive and thrive, the Middle of Africa will not bow to the greed of the South Africans. Whatever of their Companies operating in the CAR and DRC, if they are there legally and doing their thing legally, will thrive just as well under the Umbrella of Kenyana.

At some stage into this Decade, we will come up head-to-head with the Boers. As Day Follows Night!! And be better be resolute and united, and damn well prepped for it.

Canadian and Australian warships trailed this suspect ship and seized it just adjacent to Zanzibar. It was carrying $100million worth of heroin.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-02/100m-worth-of-heroin-seized-in-indian-ocean/4605142

In the picture below Canadian Navy personnel are boarding the ship

mogen wrote:Canadian and Australian warships trailed this suspect ship and seized it just adjacent to Zanzibar. It was carrying $100million worth of heroin.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-02/100m-worth-of-heroin-seized-in-indian-ocean/4605142

In the picture below Canadian Navy personnel are boarding the ship

Reportedly the Artur brothers have resurfaced on Indian Ocean Islands of the Maldives. Question is: Was the seized shipment their latest project?
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Artur-brothers-in-islands-saga--/-/1056/1736596/-/u5uv2/-/index.html

I am guessing president-elect Kenyatta wants to set some tone with the West, what with his choice of our Ole Man to speak at his 'commencement'. He's one of the few that can give the West a hiding given a mic and get away with it, and something tells me there's ample reason for them to be 'reminded' of some things, at least mildly. Anyways, I am happy for both men.

Spartan wrote:I am guessing president-elect Kenyatta wants to set some tone with the West, what with his choice of our Ole Man to speak at his 'commencement'. He's one of the few that can give the West a hiding given a mic and get away with it, and something tells me there's ample reason for them to be 'reminded' of some things, at least mildly. Anyways, I am happy for both men.

This serves to illustrate that M7s valuable contribution to the region is being appreciated. Kenya must be keen to maintain the cordial and economic relationships with Uganda. What better way to do this than give priority to the country in such auspicious occasions. Furthermore M7 has gradually earned himself respect and admiration in the region.

The costly boer experiment comes to an abrupt end.hope they've learned their lesson hata kama it came at the price of so many lives.they've been seeing successful military exercises in the continent but it takes more than just posturing.next time should they send their soldiers out & about i hope they'l have done their homework

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22025593

This site sometimes takes the appearance of an abandoned battlefield - where do folks go to, People??

Just returned from my favorite Eastern Theatre, and man, things are pretty interesting there at present. But with certainty I can state that all rebellion in the DRC by tutsi-led-managed renegades are effectively a thing of the past. No words to express the admiration I hold for the old Lion - hell, Mukenga is grovelling at his feet begging for protection and approval, praying that M7 will push for his eventual incorporation into mainstream DRC Society and Military. Not only has the Old Lion obviated the need for that UNSC-sanctioned SAADC/NIF into the DRC but the presence of that UPDF Brigade in the CAR plus a thick Unbreakable Wall of EAC/IGAD Political Will have shot down all pretensions by SANDF of an adventurous jaunt into the CAR.

Meantime, the self-proclaimed President of the CAR has been ordered by the AU to disappear and allow a consensus leadership in the CAR to drive for fresh cobbling of the Political Order in the CAR - or we dust his sorry arse for him. New African Policy on regimes that drive out governments by Force of Arms - no legitimacy regardless of the faults of the dethroned regimes.

Sierra Leone Battalion takes position in Kismayu and parts about, mostly as Gendermerie or Military-Policing tasking under the Umbrella of the KDF. Things will get markedly hotter in the GEDO, Bay and Bikool as soon as the entire Sierra Leone Battalion has implanted itself in Kismayu. Withdrawal of KDF Troops? Not a chance! There is yet a lot of work to be done in Jubbaland!!

Btw - there is no truth to that rumour circulated in South Africa that Chadian 'Special Forces" were responsible for the attack on the SANDF in the CAR! Hakuna cha hiyo!!

Bazungu as looking hilariously comical running around pledging loyalty to you-know-who! Damn!!

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Uhuru-Ruto-meet-US-Ambassador-/-/1064/1740096/-/b3cxvrz/-/index.html

the line dropping the airforce's best munitions: Mr Kenyatta however told the US Ambassador that diplomatic contacts
between the two countries would be between the democratically elected
leaders.

ole Nkarei wrote:

Sierra Leone Battalion takes position in Kismayu and parts about, mostly as Gendermerie or Military-Policing tasking under the Umbrella of the KDF. Things will get markedly hotter in the GEDO, Bay and Bikool as soon as the entire Battalion has implanted itself in Kismayu. Withdrawal of KDF Troops? Not a chance! There is yet a lot of work to be done in Jubbaland!!

was highly suspicious of the pullout, the level of pacification needed post C-in-C inauguration is too much for the pullout of them hard men

my only query is: how big is Gedo, since apparently there are some ethiopian troops stationed there, and the zoomali PM appointed an adminstrator to govern that region..and there is still some level of KDF presence in that same Gedo region, in fact it should be part of sector two. am left nursing minor headaches while trying to understand which region falls under what sector with regards to Gedo state

@ProudKenyan.
GEDO is in Sector II firmly KDF's Theatre of Operations in AMISOM. But remember that before OLN and because of GEDO running alongside Ethiopia's Ogaden, ENDF operated in GEDO from the days after their 2005 invasion of Soomaliya. And has maintained a robust Intelligence and Civilian COIN presence in that part since. That made it functionally sound for KDF to operationally cede parts of GEDO that are adjacent to Bikool as staging grounds for ENDF Operations in Bikool and Bay - to utilise the Hummint Networks the Ethiopians had carefully crafted in their Border Regions.

Now the ENDF is withdrawing back into the Ogaden and GEDO reverts under the singular Operational Control of Sector II Command. And will soon be receiving the unhealthy attention of the 30th of yours truly as well as that of several other KDF Units all chaffing and stomping to hump it. With Sector I rapidly expanding into Bay and towards Shabelle Valley, we should close this Theatre firmly before end of present Mandate.

Has that helped kidogo?

Meantime, as TEA gets cold shouldered, events in Soomaliya/Jubbaland in accelerated momentum. Jubballand has an approved Provisional Constitution as of the 3rd of April. And the Steering Committee about to present the final draft for ratification by over 400 Delegates from Juba and GEDO. Support flowing in from all of Soomaliya and the diaspora, with over 60 current members of the Soomaliya Parliament in Kismayu now for three days, and a former Prime Minister and a large delegation from Puntland and Somaliland. All Peaceful, narry a sign of Alkebaab in Kismayu and areas around.

Bagamoyo northwest of Dar, this will sure kill Mombasa. Kenya needs to accelerate the port of Lamu and perhaps expand Mombasa too. Business competition will be cut-throat in a not so distant future:-
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlog/articles/20130408.aspx

Spartan wrote:I am guessing president-elect Kenyatta wants to set some tone with the West, what with his choice of our Ole Man to speak at his 'commencement'. He's one of the few that can give the West a hiding given a mic and get away with it, and something tells me there's ample reason for them to be 'reminded' of some things, at least mildly. Anyways, I am happy for both men.

You were dang right, bro.

I think our prezzy & kabila hit it off from the start.During the immediate former kenyan president's tenure he rarely went out himself to court friends & mostly left it to other govt officials to work on such but our new prezzy may just define our foreign policy very clearly. the ambiguity sometimes haikuwa poa sana but if if we move in the right direction.....the region may live up to it's potential

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Kenya--DR-Congo-to-open-consulates-to-boost-trade/-/539546/1745512/-/6e4w00z/-/index.html

Looks like the Ole Man's attempt at humour fell flat with most Pokots. That was him trying his hand at creating a light-hearted moment, the seriousness of cattle rustling notwithstanding. There's something about MPs from Western Ke that make them very prickly about M7. Does it have something to do with his perceived support of Kibaki in 2008?

Spartan wrote:Looks like the Ole Man's attempt at humour fell flat with most Pokots. That was him trying his hand at creating a light-hearted moment, the seriousness of cattle rustling notwithstanding. There's something about MPs from Western Ke that make them very prickly about M7. Does it have something to do with his perceived support of Kibaki in 2008?

I' am equally surprised at the MP's reaction. I thought the statement was made with a light touch. I didn't think it would be an issue. The MPs are overreacting in my view.

The battle lines seem to have been drawn tayari.as SA, TZ & malawi plan to take their forces to the battle ground i foresee a 'kivumbi'.the rebels hasa M23 will hit the UN force especially if an agreement with the DRC govt. isn't reached before the deployment. am also wondering could the various rebels join hands against a common enemy? i think the UN force will suffer a terrible defeat.this may lead to the region hasa ke. & ug having to go in to cool the situation or the SADC led force having to reinforce juu 2500 troops against the many rebels? hawawesmake. this may however end up being a proxy war between EAC & SADC...........ama am i being too imaginative? with the only nation which has membership in both unions choosing SADC it may be quite interesting how it all plays out.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Rebels-urge-Tanzania-to-scrap-sending-UN-troops-to-DRC/-/1066/1747264/-/3fyk7uz/-/index.html

at this rate i believe we should start making bets on how long some african and scandinavian countries would remain signatories to the ICC statute
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2013/04/rwanda-seeks-to-block-talk-of-icc-at-security-council/

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/SADC-leaning-Tanzania-to-face-EALA-over-M23-/-/2558/1747688/-/pd1s70/-/index.html

To the Attention of the
Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Tanzanian People


Honorable Speaker


Honorable Senators


Honorable Members of Parliament


RE: Request for the cancellation of the
decision to deploy Tanzanian Armed Forces to wage war in the Democratic
Republic of Congo


The M23 has taken note of the UN
Resolution 2098, of March 28 2013 that transforms the UN Peacekeeping Mission
to DRC into a belligerent force with the mandate to carry out offensive
operations against Congolese citizens.


In doing so, the UN will in
effect come to the rescue of one of the most corrupt regimes in the world and
will contribute to extending the reign of an army that is infamous for rampant
rape and other atrocities that it wantonly and habitually inflicts on the
Congolese population.


It is ironical that contained in
the same UN Resolution 2098, are the UN Secretary General’s own words stating
that corruption is the main cause of the failure of the DRC Government.


It is particularly shocking to
note that the UN resolution creating a force with a mandate to wage war and to
kill, comes at the time when negotiations are taking place in the Ugandan
capital of Kampala between the DRC Government and the March 23 Movement, on the
recommendation of the 11 countries of the Great Lakes Region and under the
mediation of his Excellency President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Chairman of
the International conference of the Great Lakes Region “ICGLR”.


It is also worth noting that the
DRC Government Minister of Foreign Affairs, Raymond Tshibanda, said during an
interview on April 2nd 2013 that “Countries (South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi,
and Mozambique) who have contributed militarily to the UN intervention brigade
have accepted that their soldiers might be killed on Congolese land.


In taking a decision to engage in
war in DRC, the same countries give a defacto mandate to the oppressed forces
of M23 to retaliate and inflict fatalities upon the soldiers of the
Intervention Brigade as the M23 defend themselves and the population under
their protection.


The M23 takes this opportunity to
stress to the brotherly people of Tanzania that the Movement bears no
responsibility in the event of a massacre which appears to be on the horizon at
the instigation of those who, sitting in their air-conditioned skyscrapers in
New York and other Western cities, have nothing but contempt for the lives of
African soldiers ignoring everything with regard to our values and our Pan-African
beliefs.


The mistake should not be made of
assuming that the M23 forces will stand by idle as illegitimate business
interests, political corruption and social injustice result in the imposition
of might over the logic of reason in the Eastern DRC and beyond.


Our valiant and determined
combatants have consistently prevailed over much larger and better equipped
forces. The same will happen to the Intervention Brigade if your wisdom does
not prevail to intervene and stop this dangerous adventure in its tracks.


For this reason the M23 invites
the Parliament and the people of Tanzania to carefully re-consider this
situation and prevail upon the Tanzanian Government, a current member of the
ICGLR, not to send the sons and daughters of this noble nation to engage in an
absurd war against their Congolese brothers.


The circumstances surrounding
this absurd decision to send forces to wage war in Eastern DRC, reminds us with
regret about the absence of the late Professor Julius Nyerere whose visionary
leadership, wisdom and philosophy of “UJAMAA” stood in total contrast with the
amateurish trigger-happiness of some of the present day leaders on our
continent. “BINADAMU WOTE NI NDUGU ZANGU” said Mwalimu who, the M23 freedom
fighters, like many of our African brothers and sisters across the continent
consider as our father and role model.


We take this opportunity to
express our respect for the people of the United Republic of Tanzania as we
wait to learn of your decision with regard to this matter.




BERTRAND BISIMWA


Note: These letters are usually given to members of the pressand reproduced at sites likechimpreports.

This is another reason why Eritrea's attempts to join Kenyana should be rebuffed. Until they....

Ati: Eritrea supports Egypt's position over Nile water dispute!!


Read more at http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article46276

In a welcome change from the Indian and Bangladeshi MONUSCO command, the UN has tapped this tactically astute Brazilian as MONUSCO prepares to assume offensive capabilities. His tactics in Haiti are detailed here in an analysis of the Haiti mission



Gen. Carlos dos Santos Cruz

Spartan wrote:In a welcome change from the Indian and Bangladeshi MONUSCO command, the UN has tapped this tactically astute Brazilian as MONUSCO prepares to assume offensive capabilities. His tactics in Haiti are detailed here in an analysis of the Haiti mission



Gen. Carlos dos Santos Cruz

This is most welcome, MONUSCO under the Asian command was to me a total embarrassment and a disgrace to all uniforms.

I have followed Hiraale's return to Kismayo on Somali discussion fora. People are waiting with bated breath to see how he will be received and what he does next. One this is for sure, Somalis are ready for peace, despite their usual differences, and that alone will ensure all stakeholders, including Biraale, act in the interest of peace.

In the meantime, Biraale isn't your average former warlord, he's a West Point alumni with a Military Science degree to boot. Surely the Jubaland people and our brothers in sector Two can do business with such a person

Spartan wrote:I have followed Hiraale's return to Kismayo on Somali discussion fora. People are waiting with bated breath to see how he will be received and what he does next. One this is for sure, Somalis are ready for peace, despite their usual differences, and that alone will ensure all stakeholders, including Biraale, act in the interest of peace.

In the meantime, Biraale isn't your average former warlord, he's a West Point alumni with a Military Science degree to boot. Surely the Jubaland people and our brothers in sector Two can do business with such a person

No wonder the KDF auctioned him out of Ethiopia. I feel that this guy, regardless of which side he stands in is a real asset in Somalia. A soldier who has an independent capacity to think will always be a valued friend, foe or double.

Barre Hiraale's re-entry into Chai Town was not secretive, nor covert as Media proposes. The realisation that Jubbaland will be steamrolled by IGAD as well as the substantive groundswell grassroot support (despite the feeble media-staged revolt of some "delegation"), has finally sunk in even in the SFG of Hassan Sheikh Mahmud. The festering difficulty has been a lack of leadership of the dissenting Merahan Clans which would stabilise their reactions to this inevitability. That is why Sector Command allowed Barre Hiraale into Kismayo, in concert with the Ethiopians, to provide focus and stability of those still dissenting so as to have a controlled reaction field and obviated the disjointed reactions which could degenerate into warfare.

Note the Statement from Mombasa by the C/C about ".. Inclusivity of the Jubbaland Process". Essentially Kenya cannot create a dictator / tyranny of such an unstable character as Madobe in our LAPSSET door;and spreading out Power reduces Madobe's stranglehold over Jubbaland. Barre Hiraale will proved that needed Counter-weight we all must create in Southern Soomaliya.

His retinue of a dozen close bodyguards and Aides work well to "keep your enemies closer". Sector 2 is bristling with mean-looking hungry-for-war KDF warriors - Barre Hilaare knows this and as a very well trained leader of men of War, he knows these odds. He just wants a piece of the jubbaland cake before it is all gobbled up!

We now know what Botswana president Ian Khama does when he snubs AU and SADC meetings. Apparently, one of his favorite pastimes is feeding Cheetahs, one of which scratched him in the face. I always knew this guy was an up-to-no-good Mzungu who just happened to have an African father. They would rather spend time and money with their pets than with other people, no wonder the pet services industry is worth more than $50bn a year, in the US alone, enough to save the homeless and those without healthcare in the US or Britain or Subsaharan Africa. But wait a minute, most of those are Black people .

Disclaimer: I just tell it as it is, I am not a racist nutcase.