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Jeffrey Smith
@Smith_JeffreyT
Founder @VanguardAfrica | Co-Creator, Host @ResistBureau | Author: @ForeignPolicy @TIME @PostOpinions @JoDemocracy @TheAfricaReport | UConn Husky | Views=mine🌱
Joined June 2012
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    For @ResistBureau, I spoke with John Prendergast and Khayran Noor to unpack how mega-events like the #WorldCup can be used for sportswashing, power projection, and covering up repression. The spectacle is real, but so is the impact on human rights. Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=AV6Qea…
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    .@WilliamsRuto takes a page out of the dictator’s playbook — most notably, Paul Kagame — by speaking in the local language while employing illusions that resonate deeply in the local psyche. By doing so, they hope the global / English press won’t cover it. Let’s make him famous.
    Wiliam Ruto [to Online activists in his native Kalenjin language]: "𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱..."
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    People Power. Your Power. ✊
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    Happy birthday, @HEBobiwine. We met after the first time you were tortured by authorities in #Uganda. It didn't break your resolve. Nor have the attempts on your life, the killing of your supporters and colleagues, or the daily intimidation. It is an honor to call you a friend ✊
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    In #Kenya, @WilliamsRuto now has an established record of allowing foreign governments to abduct their citizens on its soil. This is a flagrant disregard of international norms and laws. So glad to see that @MariaSTsehai is safe. This transnational repression must come to an end.
    Mungu ni mwema! Nimepambana na ninyi mmepambana I am now safe many thanks to everyone and I will talk more tomorrow Nawapenda sana! #TutaelewanaTu
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    #Nigeria "The government may have quelled the [#EndSARS] protests but they ignited a political consciousness. ... Enter @PeterObi. With his reputation for good governance and his disdain for the trappings of office." mg.co.za/africa/2022-10… @SocratesMbamalu @mailandguardian
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    Thank you @MTVBaseAfrica for postponing the #MTVMAMA's in light of realities in #Uganda. This took courage. Importantly, big platforms and corporations must think twice before partnering with dictatorships. Stand on the side of the people, not their oppressors. Let's keep going💪
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    The composure and bravery of @HEBobiwine is on another level. Here is the moment he was forcibly removed from his vehicle, pepper sprayed, and gunshots fired. This happened during a live press conference with major global media. There was stunned silence. (video: @VanguardAfrica)
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    Part of the #Nigeria tragedy is that much of what's happening isn't unexpected. Military dictators don't change. In 2015 though, the world, the Washington establishment and even pro-democracy groups were willing to give him a shot, a blank slate. Justice for victims. #EndSarsNow
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    For those tracking @MTVBaseAfrica and the #MTVMAMA's in #Uganda (after a violent sham election) I can report that influential artists have written to Viacom execs (who run MTV) asking that they reconsider, warning that they risk tarnishing the org's name. Stay tuned. #VisitUganda
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    #Uganda "Young men who support @HEBobiwine disappear daily. They are taken to secret locations. If they ever turn up alive, they are badly wounded and abused." berliner-zeitung.de/open-source/ug… @berlinerzeitung
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    When I first met @HEBobiwine he told me: “They're going to imprison some of us. And they will kill some of us too.” He was right. And American taxpayers are footing the bill. It's time to drastically rethink US foreign policy. My thoughts in @PostOpinions:
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    "When our leaders have become misleaders and mentors have become tormentors. When freedom of expression becomes the target of oppression, opposition becomes our position." bbc.com/news/world-afr… #FreeBobiWine
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    #UGANDA UPDATE Just spoke with Bobi Wine and team. Their home is still surrounded by the military, and those inside unable to leave. Bobi et. al have had no access to food for days. How embassies, in-country, have not demanded entry with food is beyond me. A total abdication.