Africa – Burundi – Power Struggle And Electoral Process

June 27, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

The East African nation Burundi is forced into political crisis with incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking third consecutive five year term in office after serving from 2005 until 2015.

Burundi constitution allows maximum two terms in office. President Pierre Nkurunziza decision to extend term in office and subsequent measures to compete in the Presidential election has led to public protests with government violent crackdown deploying militia against unarmed citizens and opposition factions plunging the nation into political instability.

Not long ago Burundi was ravaged in civil war over ethnic clashes between Hulu and Tutsi tribes that began in 1993 and ended in 2005.

The election of President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2005 and the administration misuse of power until now evidently prompted unsuccessful military coup followed by arrests and unrest in the country.

Election is meaningful upon the process remaining fair, free, constitutional, transparent and most importantly devoid of corruption and violence. 

Unfortunately in contemporary politics such expectation has become a tall order even though the electoral process without these basic requirements facilitates undesirable and unworthy choices to be elected to power only to abuse authority verifiable in legacy.

Furthermore removal of taxpayer funded extraordinary privileges and benefits in public office including means to earn kickbacks from various deals with economic and other sectors that is a major attraction in the fast track to wealth amassment in politics would skim disingenuous and unscrupulous entities from participation.

Politics would then perhaps attract selfless and genuinely dedicated members to do the needful for the people and the nation.

Additionally, anyone could always engage in community and national service using personal wealth and resources for that would confirm sincerity and commitment rather than aspiring political positions at taxpayers’ expense predominantly to achieve self and vested interests.

The leaderships after completing term in office would be wise to contribute positively as a member of civil society and renounce ambitions that are counterproductive.

The purpose behind constitution is to remind leaders and political members to abide by the rules and not slight the document to suit their convenience.

Any political system governed by hunger for power, fortune and individual goals to prolong self-rule and dynasty violate democracy denying the nation – republic status.

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza stepping down from office enabling other candidates to contest in the Presidential and national election would be honorable and set precedence in the present and future to respect the rule of law exempting none in the country.

The action would save the nation from unnecessary bloodshed and chaos for Burundi could no longer afford or sustain turmoil.

The lawmakers as law-breakers trend are the reason behind dysfunctional government.

The noble path is to lead by example demonstrating loyalty and trustworthiness through deeds not unending desire to claim authority against population will.

The people in Burundi deserve peaceful existence to rebuild lives towards progress and prosperity.

The development across the state possible when national leadership and government engage in constructive role and refrain from unleashing people paid services like police force and army to quell citizens voice.

Prioritizing country over self and political motives is necessary for resolution.

Best wishes to citizens in Burundi in gaining recognition for people choice governance.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World – Nuclear Armament 2015

June 25, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

Hello Everyone!

I present the topic with emphasis on nuclear armament exacerbating global security.

In my previous segment, I talked about the implications of nuclear proliferation currently invigorated amongst major nuclear powers as well as other nuclear states worldwide.

Being a nuclear power is a burden than formidability. The misconception about nuclear empowerment deserves discussion and debate.

I reiterate my statement that nuclear status is meaningless. The reason I say this is because a nuclear state deploying nuclear arsenal or nuclear components against non-nuclear state as it happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the 20th century and subsequently in Vietnam, Iraq, and recently in Syria demonstrates weakness not strength and further highlights belligerence.

The nuclear nation air strikes laden with nuclear substance against non-nuclear state is a routine affair.

The reckless indulgence is in direct violation of the rules of engagement in warfare.

There is no deliberation prior to the use of depleted uranium or white phosphorous causing tremendous suffering to victims evident in citizens of Iraq and Gaza.

During Iraq war, the aggressors and allies used uranium on civilians in Fallujah and as a result the babies are born with congenital birth defects leading to generational impact.

This is one dimension of nuclear showdown.

The frivolous statements during presidential election in the United States warning non-nuclear adversary on the possible use of nuclear arsenal against them and euphemistically quoting all options on the table are maintained as acceptable norm of speech.

The other scenario is – nuclear nation threatening another nuclear state. The dangerous precedence ignores the preemptive nuclear exchange besides creating tensions in the region. The example is Cuban missile crisis in the 20th century that brought two nuclear powers – United States and the former Soviet Union on the brink of nuclear confrontation.

Likewise the two nuclear states in the Indian sub-confinent, South Asia – India and Pakistan Kargil war in May 1999 almost led to nuclear meltdown. 

In the 21st century, the provocation persists in the Korean peninsula with regular military drills showcasing nuclear capable fighter jets and submarines contributing to North Korea missile testing and investment in nuclear enhancement. The P5+1 usual response to North Korea’s nuclear activities is economic sanctions lasting over decades forcing population in that country into starvation.

The incumbent administration in the United States – pivot Asia policy in Asia pacific and counterpart China’s territorial annexations is another development for the world to contend with in the ongoing skirmishes in the region.

Similarly in the Baltic Sea – NATO involvement and continuous military exercise prompts Russia towards missile defense system preparedness amid disagreements between Russia and western powers on Ukraine instability.

Middle East – volatility from violence and pervasive terrorism is the choice amongst terror networks sponsors unyielding to peace prospects in ending Syrian conflict.

The intention in the Middle East is to prolong status quo having changed that part of the world into hot bed for terror operation.

Central Asia – Afghanistan designated as war zone under the pretext of combating Taliban and al Qaeda operatives in the nation.

United States military presence in central Asia substituting former Soviet Union projects the nuclear triangle with Russia and China 

Pakistan – another nuclear state with extensive terror infiltration should be a matter of great concern for the world. United States arms supply to Pakistan while extending cordial relations with ally India is a paradoxical paradigm.

Latin America – Imperial aspirations pursued with territorial disputes alongside military and naval occupation of the region.

Africa – the militarization of the continent claiming to safeguard African borders underestimates human intelligence on the real reason behind massive military incursion.

The risks that accompany nuclear status are attention worthy.

The safekeeping of nuclear weapons demand vigilance, prudence and effective management taking both human and technological errors into account.

The nuclear arsenal maintenance is no ordinary task and requires constant monitoring to avert any disorder.

The safe disposal of outdated and obsolete inventory alone costs a fortune.

In the event of mobilization of nuclear stockpiles carried out from time to time, the lapse during transportation and transit is alarming based on past incident in the United States with missing arsenal upon arrival in the destination.

Then there are nuclear sites wear and tear triggering leakage and contamination of rivers are issues that affects residents in the area.

In the aftermath of Soviet Union disintegration – the former nuclear states like Ukraine, Georgia and other nations under Soviet bloc are yet to confirm complete nuclear disarmament with remnants stock misplaced following rapid fragmentation and Soviet withdrawal.

Nuclear status is a menace costing taxpayers in billions and accordingly an economic liability to the nuclear state.

Nuclear powers military interventions and imperial ambitions through invasion and occupation has depleted national treasury in quest for regional and global conquest.

There is no guarantee that there would be no extemporaneous and impulsive actions using nuclear weapons as there are entities promoting such concept as a casual experiment much to global detriment.

Nuclear power is redundant and best renounced with a commitment to preserve life and habitat i.e. the planet for present and future existence.

The world becoming nuclear free zone is global responsibility and could no longer be evaded for that would mean denying peace, stability, security and most importantly life on earth.

The next segment will be on economic woes and miscalculation in the illegal invasion and occupation of foreign land.

I will be back with my thoughts on that subject.

Thank you for your interest.

Peace to all!

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Security – Nuclear Proliferation

June 23, 2015

Dear Citizens,

I present a short segment on Nuclear Status with details to follow shortly on this issue and global matter.

Please click on the audio link for the content.

Thank you for your interest.

Padmini Arhant

World – Straight Talk With Hegemony

June 22, 2015

Dear Citizens,

I present the audio version of my thoughts and analysis on Hegemony controlled politics and world affairs.

Please click on the audio link for the content.

Thank you for your participation.

Padmini Arhant

United States – License to Kill At Will

June 21, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

In the past week, yet another incident involving African American citizens claimed nine lives while praying at the church in Charleston, South Carolina.

The person (s) responsible for the horrendous crime was armed and overwhelmed with hatred and prejudice that has led them to commit such act.

Certain media assertion that the shooter was suffering from mental illness and at the same time failure to recognize the inherent problem i.e. easier access for anyone regardless of mental health to obtain ammunition further exacerbate victims and future potential targets in the country.

Two reasons – Violence and contempt mar human mind leading to internal degradation. 

In December 2012, the mass murder of 28 citizens with 20 of them being children in Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut apparently has no impact and the tradition maintained with weapons flow within and outside United States pursuing goals premised on violent strategy.

The powerful forces ruling the world and those in position of authority in the United States sponsoring terrorism to kill innocent people in foreign land viz. Syria, Iraq and Libya…in addition to drone attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and East as well as West Africa, waging warfare against people seeking freedom and political rights in Palestine, Yemen and elsewhere set precedence for citizens in the country to follow their leaders and the prevalent system granting immunity to such crimes is a subscription to summary execution.

Unless the license to kill at will among the powerful, famous and those choosing to harm unarmed citizens is revoked bringing the responsible assailants to accountability, the profuse bleeding witnessed in war zones and national scene would continue without mercy and merit.

I convey my sincere condolences to victims’ families in the Charleston, South Carolina tragedy and every other event notwithstanding the horrific 9/11 terrorism on American soil opening the floodgates for terror worldwide by architects and catalysts with lofty ambitions i.e. global supremacy.

May God bless the souls of the deceased and provide solace and courage to survivors and next of kin in enduring the ordeal.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

United States Presidential Race 2016 – Full Feature

June 18, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

Dear Citizens,

The segment will focus on the United States Presidential race 2016.

I present my thoughts on two Presidential candidates – Hillary Clinton of the democratic party and Jeb Bush representing the republican party.

The other candidacies in the race will be discussed in the upcoming segment.

Your attention is critical for the world could no longer afford the status quo with the political systems worldwide under incognito power.

Furthermore, the participation and subsequent election more likely the selection of either the democratic contender Hillary Clinton or the republican challenger Jeb Bush would mean the continuation of Clinton or Bush dynasty in disguise as democracy besides perpetual warfare prolonging economic recession.

Thank you for your interest.

Padmini Arhant

United States Presidential Race 2016

June 17, 2015

Dear Citizens,

The segment will focus on the United States Presidential race 2016.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

World – Questions to Hegemony – Full Feature

June 16, 2015

 By Padmini Arhant

Padmini Arhant

Dear Citizens,

I present the segment 2 introduction with further questions to hegemony.

The full feature publication brought to you for further reference and knowledge.

Thank you for your interest.

Padmini Arhant

World – Questions to Hegemony

June 16, 2015

By Padmini Arhant,

Dear Citizens,

I present the segment on Hegemony rule and media role.

Thank you for your interest.

Padmini Arhant

Europe – Padmini Arhant on Immigration Issue

June 15, 2015

 

Planet in Peril – Melting Glaciers. Padmini Arhant

By Padmini Arhant,

Dear Citizens,

I present my thoughts on Europe’s immigration issue.  Please click on the audio link for the content.

Thank you for your interest.

Padmini Arhant

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