Niger Coup confirmed

(Social Justice South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Our service can now confirm, that The President of Niger, has been kidnapped in a Coup. According to the BBC, the President and ministers are being held hostage by soldiers, while the North African nation's boarders are being closed, isolating the country from the rest of the world.

I hereby permit this service to publish portions of my article from my personal column The Tempest and the Hurricane, which was written prior confirmation of the Coup, confirmed by the BBC as having in fact occurred:

"Article by Marc Aupiais

The BBC is reporting a possible coup in the North African nation of Niger. It would appear that elements of the armed forces, took the president at gunpoint, from his fortified position in the nation's "presidential palace". Whether it is the top brass of the military or not is unsure. The cause of the possible coup, which followed gunfire, and has seen tanks on the streets, seems to be the president's attempt to change the Niger constitution to gain a third term. A similar situation resulted in the Constitutional Court and parliament sanctioned Coup in Honduras recently. Not much else is apparent at present!"

(The Hurricane and the Tempest (Catholic; Independent; South African) 18 / 02 | February / 2010)

Madagascar : Mayor continues campagn: government's "riot police" kill protestors: aiming at violently removing their government

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. CNA (Catholic; Independent; American) 30 / Jan / 2009; Zenit News (French Edition: Catholic; Independent; American) 05 / Feb / 2009; Vatican radio: 15 / 06 / 2009; Agenzia Fides/ Fides Service (Catholic; Independent; Italian) 02 / 02 / 2009; 05 / 02 / 2009; Fides: info on Madagascar; 25 / 11 / 2004; Reuters (Secular; independent; British) 07 / 02 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

A few days ago: Mayor: Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar's capital Antananarivo: was removed from his position, by Madagascar's president: after attempting to have the well known island's President: Marc Ravalomanana: removed. Rajoelina challenged his removal: was reinstated, and stepped down: his attempt to have the country's constitutional court remove their president: failed. Rajoelina supporters have consistently looted, and have held several violent protests. Up to 25 people died: at the hands of police: after his supporters were told to remove the country's president from the "Presidential" ("Ambohitsorohitra") Palace: causing police loyal to the President: to eventually open fire with live bullets. Original riot police fled in fear, but others resorted to live fire: preventing the removal of the president from his home. Rajoelina, had promised to give Ravalomanana's: "Ambohitsorohitra" presidential palace: to his new "Prime Minister": Roindefo Monja: who he has declared as such without an election, while the Madagascan president still has yet to be defeated.

Andry Rajoelina, has banked on poverty, and controversial foreign economic deals: and the manner in which the Madagascan economy has grown since Ravalomanana, its president: was elected: without much improvement in quality of life for many Madagascans. His means have largely been violent protests, as well as the airing of an interview with an ex-president/dictator of Madagascar: who is in exile, and the government also: has finally responded in a noticeably violent manner. The anti-government protestors: have attacked properties owned by they Island's president, and have shut down, apparently: all but Radio Don Bosco in Antananarivo: the Catholic Radio station, which has somehow survived: despite questioning the anti-governmental claims, of victory: as incorrect.

The protesters, however: accuse Madagascar's president of being a dictator, and at least 68 people have died, at the hands, apparently: of protesters, who broke into riots: deaths because of looting, and violence by protesters: has not been an unusual situation since their violent protests, often involving looting: began. They say that the Madagascan Government has prevented media initiatives: and objected after the sacked mayor: Andry Rajoelina's TV station: was shut down: having aired an interview: with exiled Marxist dictator: then president, then ex-president: "Didier Ratsiraka".

The UN has called on Madagascar's president to protect civilians, and Ban Ki-moom, UN Secretary General: had on Thursday: determined to send an envoy: "Haile Menkerios"; to assess how the UN (United nations): can encourage peace in the troubled nation.

Radio Don Bosco, and Fides News: both believe that the protests are losing power. Claims exist that tensions still are there: but people need to work.

While the sacked mayor: has proclaimed that he controls the Island: the government still: clearly controls the riot police. The Madagascan situation is rife with controversy and with complexity. Both sides have now resorted in some measure: to violence. Foreign nations: have expressed distress over the situation. There are hopes to cause dialogue between the sides. Madagascar's president was legitimately elected, and the Madagascan Parliament: largely consisting of his supporters: since his being elected: is the only body: which could impeach the president under the Madagascan constitution: it seems: from the ruling of their constitutional court.

It is thought that Madagascar's violent upstart, by a sacked mayor: may well have been overplayed: that there is not enough support to remove the country's president. An attempt to set up a second authority, apposing Madagascar's presidency, and government: has resulted in a power vacuum, according to the anti-government group: whose leader: has cited this as a reason to call himself leader of the country. He has said that a transitional government would contain representation from all the regions of the Island. The damage of his efforts: on the people of Madagascar: who are angry: already because of economic issues: and the effects of the global downturn: could well mean that this is a situation: that Madagascar could be better without.

Whether or not accusations about mismanagement of Madagascar are true: the Large Island nation: could soon need extensive international aid: with commerce, and communication centers having been attacked by the insurgency.

It is not the first time: that Madagascar has had two rival governments: 2002 saw violence: due to doubt as to whether or not its current president, or the Marxist predecessor: was president. When the situation was cleared up: the current: embattled President of Madagascasr: was declared the winner. There was already the visibility of signs of the current struggle of personality: in July last year.

Kenya, drought a "National Emergency"- Kenyan government

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters' Alertnet (Article by Reuters:Secular; Independent; Based in great Britain; Global)09 / Jan / 2009; CRS (Catholic; Independent: answer to USCCB though; Relief Organization; American Based)13 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Kenyan Government, has declared a "National Emergency", after a drought "has" allegedly rendered +-10 000 000 (Ten Million) Kenyan Citizens "Food Insecure"; according to a Reuters article; via AlertNet: which quotes the Kenyan government. This situational report, by Reuters: is largely based on a release, by the office of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki's office, even as Reuters, but not the Kenyan government: notes the role of violence in the situation. Kenya, has seen human rights violation related accusations, and electoral violence in recent times, and accusations: of death squads, and the resulting reduction in tourism, a recent drought has hit it hard.

Kenya, will now, among other measures: begin to import: 5 000 000 (Five Million) additional bags of maize due to a shortfall: largely blamed on 2007 election violence, which resulted in +-1 300 (One Thousand, and Three Hundred) deaths, and +-300 000 (Three Hundred Thousand) people being driven from their homes, due to violence.

Both the Kenyan government, and working independent of them, Catholic Relief Services, are attempting to minimize the damage done by an alleged Drought and Famine, which is affecting many citizens in Kenya. The role of election violence, and allegations of Government death squads, and political persecution in this, possibly, could have increased vulnerability to the situation. Most of the efforts, seem to focus on basics, such as food, water, and farming products. CRS, is helping supply food, according to their dispatch (CRS (Catholic; Independent: answer to USCCB though; Relief Organization; American Based)13 / 01 / 2009).

For those who want to help:

CRS, forwards one to a donation page: from the article they wrote on their efforts:
https://secure2.convio.net/crs/site/Donation2?1080.donation=form1&df_id=1080

It seems to be their general donations page, but I may be mistaken on this, but possibly, one can write in the "Special Request" section, where they want the money to go: I am unsure of this.

A good thing about, our source on this: US based CRS: is that CRS, has a good ratio: of direct funding towards communities, versus the cost of their work.

Kenya: more general Overview:

Kenya, was once one of Africa's so-called: shining stars, however, electoral violence, and purported human rights abuses, along with drought, and famine: have harshly affected, what once was a nation, seen, perhaps falsely as a hope for many.

In previous articles, we have covered, the political situation in Kenya, having stabilized somewhat at this stage. Recent events, however: show a government, made up largely of people, seemingly more interested in their own political success, than in the success of their country. The global economic downturn, will likely also affect such nations: but with such a makeshift government, the chances are, that problems in Kenya, won't be ultimately solved overnight. Efforts, at helping populations make it through such trying times: however, can make differences in lives, just as efforts in Zimbabwe, and the DRC (Congo), have paid off somewhat.

Corruption, and accountability in Africa

What Kenya, and much of Africa: truly need at this point, is accountability for actions, politically, and in business. That a situation, such as the one: over, or perhaps caused by alleged vote rigging, and alleged political human rights abuses: has occurred: has made Kenya less able to deal with life threatening situations.

Somalia, Africa: Ethiopean troops seen packing up: President resigned: claiming he had lost the country: News 24

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. News 24 (South African; Secular) 31/12/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

They said they would leave by the end of 2008, and they are packing up. Ethiopian troops, have been the lifeblood of order in Somalia, now they are to leave: News 24 reports of the danger posed by Islamic rebels on the loss of the Ethiopian army.

Somalia's president resigned recently, cited as an obstacle to peace: he had lost most of Somalia to rebels: by the time of his resignation.

Somalia- Rebels control most of the country- Administration's head admits

(Social Justice South Africa ; c.f. Reuters 16/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

With many unsuccessful attempts at governance since 1991, when a dictator was disposed of, Somalia has had many failed governments, with a warlord currently "president", and yet with a current insurgency still fighting for control, and it seems succeeding. The insurgents now control more territory within the Somalian Nation: than the administration of the North African country. When it is noted Somalia has a crippled government- that is to say that they have a government which hardly controls the country- and is basically unable to govern- as an internal war continues. The country is a danger to surrounding countries- in the region, and if it were not for recent intervention from Washington- the nation would not have its current government, salvaged as insurgents of Islamic background recently took the capitol, and were pushed out of it again.

For this protection- Somalia has Ethiopian troops to thank, who were spurred on by American support to save the militarily nearly conquered government, yet just last week the rebels advanced significantly again, and the government itself is divided by politics and feuds. Only a third- of the aid so needed needed to sustain over 3 million starving Somalians has been secured, after the the United Nations this year appealed for it.

Sub-Saharan Africa, SADC Region, Africa, Zimbabwe- MDC pulls out of Zimbabwean government- as region turns blind eye to mass persecution of Zimbabwe's

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters AlertNet (Secular) 14/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The cruel statement of Maria Antoinette is so widely known of the suffering, starving, dying, persecuted French people below her husband: "Let them eat cake". She was not referring to deliciousness of chocolate cake, though when we first hear it we think she is. She is referring to the crumbs which fall in the making of bread loaves- and SADC has done this to Zimbabwe. Instead of wanting Democracy, it seems we just desire the Zimbabwean people to die quietly, and if the Latest UN reports are true of the food crisis, as compared their aid budget- this is exactly what will happen. The problem of African suffering may finally be starved of the map of world politics, rather than be solved, as we herald the colour of first world politicians- despite not giving justice to Africa. Finally, the world has found a solution- to get rid of the symptom, them people who are dying. The Irish are said by some to have invented the hunger strike- to die on a person's doorway. Perhaps, without the MDC, and the media- the Zimbabwean people would not be permitted even protests, as Southern Africa plays political poker with the dying.

The MDC have withdrawn from the quick fix of ousted South African President Thabo Mbeki- to the Zimbabwean nation's problem, as the entire region seems to have sided with Mugabe.

Simply put- a mediator must be accepted by both sides, or kicked out- but Zimbabwean mediator- Mbeki has been rejected, both by his own communist leaning political party, and by the MDC as partisan from the start. As Mugabe wants to control both army and police, and continues to attack and persecute MDC supporters, the MDC only desired control of the police, as Mugabe had the army. The SADC leaders refused this, and allowed the persecution by police to continue, with the MDC, with majority vote- being but token politicians against an unfair deal.

So they have withdrawn, which is very politically wise- and may even save but a few lives- as the SADC region allows a genocide against the Zimbabwean people to continue unabated, through hunger, and even direct killing, and via arrests, and monkey acts.

Africa- Sub-Saharan Africa- Zambia- New President elected- police arrest Priest live on Catholic Radio- alleging he alleged a rigged election

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. BBC World News 13/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

After getting in narrowly, and replacing the Patriotic Front temporary President- President Ruphiah Banda (Movement for Multi-Party Democracy), of Zambia- has anointed his office, with the arrest of a Catholic priest, while the priest was live on Radio Icengelo, which the BBC says is church owned. The priest is alleged to have should we call it- caused tension through allegedly saying the recent election in Zambia was rigged. Creating antagonism in Zambia is apparently illegal, allowing for an arrest.

The Priest has been charged with inciting animosity between people, and of claiming that the recent elections were rigged. The opposition Patriotic Front has alleged a rigged election in the country, however- the Catholic Radio station is not confirming or denying whether or not the priest actually joined allegations, or if he alleged a "rigged" election. Father Frank Bwalya simply replies- "innocent until proven guilty". In an opposition stronghold, hundreds marched to see him freed. He was released on a police "bond" (I am guessing bail), and will appear in court on November 27th.

It is uncertain if the priest was airing the view at all, or for that matter whether or not the church believes the elections to be rigged. Sometimes priests do in fact support unjustly political causes, but if the priest did say this on a Catholic Owned Radio station, then there may be some credence to wider support of his statements in the church- if they were made at all.

Otherwise, this could be a sign of government repression of freedom of speech. His program was analyzing elections, and he called for calm when released. All one can do with these facts is speculate until more is known.

Rwanda- Germany kicked out over arrest of Rwandan official- Germany joins France, and the Catholic church in being apposed by the Rwandan President

(Social Justice South Africa; Scripturelink Voters guide; c.f. Reuters (Secular) AlertNet 11/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Germany is set to join France, the Catholic Church, and Rwanda's French speaking citizens on the list of people snubbed by the Rwandan government,an African administration accused by Congolese officials of funding an insurgency in their neighboring country- the DRC, an illegal conflict, which is strictly damaging the region, and aid efforts.

Rwanda's president is wanted by a French court, to face charges in the Hague for the murder of his predecessor, a death which caused the Rwandan genocide. A top aid was arrested by Germany in efforts to try the aid for the same plane crash incident. Rwanda's military's involvement in the DRC is confirmed as possible by representation of their government, who say proving it is another thing. The BBC reported of an incident of Rwandan troops firing at a United Nations attack helicopter in the neighboring Dr Congo, and others also give varying accounts. The Rebels in the DR Congo are of the tribe attacked in the genocide, and many of their victims are of the tribe which was largely seen as aggressive in the 1994 Genocide. Rwanda's president denies claims by parties including United Nations sources of involvement in the war in their neighboring nation, even as rebels in Congo claim to be there to fight Rwanda's own rebels. The requests involving solving the murder of the 1994 president of Rwanda, is the source of much of the Rwandan cuttings of ties.

French was recently removed as an official language in Rwanda, and government departments, and schools may no longer use this language. Since the French called for justice involving the Genocide, they, along with the Catholic church have suddenly been accused of involvement in the Genocide, by Rwanda's justice system.

Africa- Great Lakes Region-DRC-Congo- Goma Violence continues- claims of looting of refugee camps, and torching of these surface!

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. CNN (Secular) 31/10/08- thanks to a friend for pointing this out to me; IHT (Secular) 21/11/06; BBC World News 29/10/08)

CNN, like other news services is reporting on the harsh situation in the Kivu region around Goma. They have mentioned that there are reports being investigated, of camps being burnt. They note of 1 000 000 people who have fled Congo's violence.

We have already noted in previous articles, that even before this- camps had reached capacity- and many, even thousands- of the desperate refugees were having to find shelter elsewhere. Recently, when food aid was once again given out- a fence was scrambled over, and those being aided almost stampeded in a quest for the food. Catholic Relief Services, and many others have been forced to withdraw from the immediate area, to safer areas in the Congo. They (CRS) will still be supplying aid in Goma, but via the structures of Caritas Internationalis. Organizations such as Caritas Internationalis- are still doing a large portion of the work on the ground- via use of locals to distribute food to thousands, and also by tactical distribution of other products to ensure life- such as hygiene products, and blankets.

Rwanda, who the BBC (See one of our previous articles for c.f. or see link to BBC above), noted that the UN have reported to have been implicated somewhat in violence:

Rwandan troops shot at UN attack forces- at a helicopter, deny claims of being instrumental in this violence, or of responsibility for it. The fighting seems shockingly to involve the same two tribal groups who were involved in the Rwandan Genocide- the Rebels in Congo are of the tribe which was attacked in the Genocide, they claim to be protecting their tribe against "Rwandan Rebels" they claim are in the area. The conflict however is not ethnic, people of every group are dying or starving or fleeing because of the actions of the rebels, and there is no real visible presence of any enemy which they claim to be fighting, except the Congolese army, and the United Nations. The Rwandan president has still refused to appear before a French court for the death of his predecessor, whose death is widely thought to have been the Catalyst for the Rwandan genocide. Instead, French is now no longer an official language in Rwanda.

The British Minister to Africa, believes that the world risks another Rwanda in the DRC, if correct actions are not guided into place. France wants to send in thousands of EU troops to aid the situation, but this requires co-operation in Europe.

Violence is taking place during crop planting season- this means there will not be crops planted in the affected areas this year- resulting in threats to food security. Many have lost everything in recent weeks, and soldiers on both sides have been accused of human rights violations, as the Congolese government gradually loses control of their troops. A barely holding peace treaty is barely maintaining peace in the region, with some fighting continuing after dark.

DRC- another town falls to Rebels- despite UN insistence they would halt advance- Rebels claim

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 28/10/08; South African Catholic 28/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

On Monday, the UN force, MONUC, was attacking rebel positions outside of Goma, following the falling of another town to the Human Rights abusing, foreign backed, criminal, Kivu Rebels. On Tuesday the UN force was vowing to protect urban areas. By the end of Tuesday, the town of Rutshuru had, if claims of the Rebel forces are to be given any credence, already been the latest victim of the rebel onslaught, as tens of thousands were likely forced to flee, or face the wrath of the infamous foreign backed rebel group- who don't blink at killing UN forces, or volunteers. The UN is claiming that rape and mutilation of sexual organs are weapons of war in the DRC, where children are captured, kidnapped, and forced to fight, even addicted to drugs to ensure loyalty.

The rebels, under their leader Nkunda, accused of human rights abuses, and normal criminal activities, including fraud and kidnapping, and use of child soldiers, also known as the "National Congress for the Defense of the People", or "CNDP" have abused their status as Tutsi- in order to pretend that this is an ethnic conflict.

DRC- Congo- Aid workers evacuated as Human-Rights-abusing- rebels advance further

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 28/10/08)

Article By Marc Aupiais

As the nation's Tutsi rebels advance further towards a regional captial against the Government forces in the eastern DRC, the United Nations, is pulling out about 50 aid workers from various charitable organizations from a town close to rebel forces, which is an aim of recent aggressions. Attack helicopters of the UN mission in the DRC recently attacked rebels positions with strategic air power- however the rebels responded with anti-aircraft barrages.

The rebels continue to fight government forces despite a recent treaty. The leader of the group currently advancing is wanted for fraud, use of child soldiers, illegal mining and human rights violations, but has yet to be advanced on by the recognized DRC government. Since the DRC gained a constitution via referendum, and has also had an election, the dynamics of the moral high ground have been shifting. The United Nations firmly states that they will do all in their power not allow further encroachment on urban areas by the infamous Kivu rebels, and that they will defend the nearby town with force.

The town, that the Rebels now want to launch an offensive against, Rutshuru, is home to tens of thousands of internal refugees fleeing violence caused largely by the advancing rebels. Recent attacks on a nearby town sent about 20 000 refugees fleeing for life, towards the provincial capital- Goma.

Africa- Uganda- Agenzia Fides- African Nations meet to discuss ideas of free-trade area throughout Africa

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides 22/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

As other sources also have since confirmed to have occurred, Agenzia Fides, on Wednesday the 22 reported on a meeting in Uganda, by Regional Representatives throughout Africa- to discuss among other subjects, the possible creation of a free-trade area throughout Africa.

Other issues covered included the improvement of infrastructure to allow this.

Kenya- Church asks for government to secure food for internal refugees

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides 10/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Following this year's elections, which were contested by opposition as rigged, and the violence in Kenya, including accusations recently of death squads being commissioned to kill ethnic groups,the church in Kenya is asking the government to secure food for refugees and improve the economy, as they believe that many deaths from malnourishment are preventable in the many internal refugee camps.

They claim that Kenya should not be a dumping ground for unwanted goods from elsewhere.

Guinea- 50 years, but still no true democracy- local Catholic source tells Agenzia Fides

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides 03/10/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

50 years of independence, in The Republic of Guinea, means little- according to Agenzia Fides, in an article on Friday, which quotes a local Catholic source as saying that the republic was not truly democratic- but run by the family of the president.

Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world, much of this is blamed on corruption.