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Jeffrey Smith
@Smith_JeffreyT
Founder @VanguardAfrica | Co-Creator, Host @ResistBureau | Author: @ForeignPolicy @TIME @PostOpinions @JoDemocracy @TheAfricaReport | UConn Husky | Views=mine🌱
vanguardafrica.com
Joined June 2012
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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Jun 10
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Jan 13, 2025
    .@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.
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    Dictator Watch
    @DictatorWatch
    Jan 13, 2025
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Feb 4, 2021
    People Power. Your Power. ✊
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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Feb 12, 2021
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Jan 12, 2025
    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.
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    Maria Sarungi Tsehai
    @MariaSTsehai
    Jan 12, 2025
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Oct 8, 2022
    #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
    Obidients: Peter Obi’s supporters fly the Labour Party’s flag during a march of one million for the presidential candidate ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. Photo: Kola Sulaimon/AFP
    Who is Peter Obi, and why is he making the Nigerian establishment so nervous?
    From mg.co.za
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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Feb 4, 2021
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Jan 8, 2021
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Oct 21, 2020
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Jan 29, 2021
    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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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Mar 4, 2021
    #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
    Uganda is bleeding: Supporters of Bobi Wine are disappearing daily
    From berliner-zeitung.de
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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Dec 2, 2020
    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:
    Opinion | The Ugandan opposition leader survives an attack. The U.S. needs to take a stand.
    From washingtonpost.com
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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Aug 16, 2018
    "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
    Bobi Wine greets supporters
    Bobi Wine: The pop star seeking 'people power'
    From bbc.com
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    Jeffrey Smith
    @Smith_JeffreyT
    Jan 18, 2021
    #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.