The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo

I had the hardest time getting to sleep last night. I watched this documentary on HBO called The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo by Lisa Jackson. when I finally got to sleep, I dreamed of armed men with machetes and guns! Awful!

Anyhoo, the documentary was about an hour and so and it was already pretty late. Seeing these filthy pigs, wouldn’t even want them to lay their eyes on me, let alone hands or anything else. On top of being animals, they are probably the stupidest people you’ll ever meet. At one point, Lisa interviews ex Mai-Mai soldiers (who have been known for being the most barbaric of soldiers, along with Interharmwe fighters),  claiming they rape for power. Because according to their “cult” raping a women, gives you strength against the enemy. Though most claimed they would kill anybody who’d dare rape their sisters or mothers, some actually went as far as claiming that if it’s for other soldiers to get stronger, they would let it happen and not interrupt, for the greater good of the Congo. Well if that’s what it takes, then F#&k Congo. Really!

The biggest problem and the main reason all this violence is widespread is because it’s not just  Congolese rebels fighting the army, the Ugandans and Rwandans are part of the fight as well. And they’re all guilty. Do you imagine these men reintegrating society? They’re animals. There’s no way they sould still be breathing, let alone given a chance to get back to normal life. If you ask me, just drop a nuclear bomb on Congo. You’d kill these animals, innocents wouldn’t live in fear, and victims would be better off than to have to live with these scars. Because they don’t just rape, they mutilate, burn, cut off body parts and make their victims eat their relatives. Who’d want to live after that? Most of the atrocities are uncomprehensible. After you get past the explanation of men living in the bushes and having “urges”, you still can’t quite grasp the need to cut open a pregnant woman’s womb to kill the baby with their bare hands after they’ve cut off the husband in pieces, all in front of the kids to watch.

 

Winner of the Sundance Special Jury Prize in Documentary, this extraordinary film, shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), shatters the silence that surrounds the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Many tens of thousands of women and girls have been systematically kidnapped, raped, mutilated and tortured by soldiers from both foreign militias and the Congolese army. A survivor of gang rape herself, Emmy Award®-winning filmmaker Lisa F. Jackson travels through the DRC to understand what is happening and why.

 

 

Ways to help? Here are links to some organizations that do allievate victim’s suffering:

ON THE GROUND
Women for Women International - Restoring Hope
Women for Women International helps rebuild the lives of women in war-torn regions through financial and emotional support, job skills training, rights education, access to capital, and assistance for small business development. This Crisis in the Congo page includes links to personal stories of survival, a report on the status of women in the Congo, a fact sheet on the Congo, and updates on programs run by the organization.

International Rescue Committee - The IRC in Democratic Republic of Congo
This global network of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, healthcare providers, educators, community leaders, activists, and volunteers provides access to safety, sanctuary, and sustainable change for people whose lives have been shattered by violence and oppression. The website includes links to reports on sexual violence in the Congo, descriptions of the group’s humanitarian aid programs, and video and photographic reports from the region.

Human Rights Watch - Congo
This NGO aims to protect the human rights of people around the world by supporting efforts to prevent discrimination, uphold political freedoms, investigate and expose human rights violations. The website includes links to briefings and papers on war crimes and human rights violations, as well as a multimedia presentation on the Katanga province known as the Triangle of Death. For more information, read a report entitled Triangle of Death.

Panzi Hospital, Bukavu
Under the guidance of Dr. Denis Mukwege, the General Referral Hospital of Panzi offers treatment to the victims of sexual violence from all over the Congo. The website includes background information on medical treatment, psychological care, socio-economic assistance, and daycare for children of survivors provided by the hospital.

United Nations: Mission in the Congo (MONUC)
Established by the United Nations Security Council to facilitate the implementation of the Lusaka Accord signed in 1999, MONUC is authorized by the UN to ‘protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence and contribute to the improvement of the security conditions.’ In 2007, the UN also created UN Action a joint initiative of 12 UN entities with the goal of preventing sexual violence and responding effectively to the needs of survivors. For more information, visit Stop Rape Now.

 

My Guilty Pleasure: The Bachelor’s Matt Grant

Oh My! I plead guilty! guilty as charged. I’ve stopped watching reality TV a while ago. BUT this season of the Bachelor got me glued to my TV every Monday night. Matt Grant, the British Hunk looking for love is the reason. I’m disappointed though, that in the end, he chose (who I think was) the wrong girl for him, Shayne. I mean he’s smart, funny, witty, successful and good looking and oooh..the way he dresses…, so why end up with the needy, immature, clingy pseudo actress from the cover magazines. Granted, I thought she was pretty decent, but still not good enough for him! He made it seem like he was looking for the real deal, but his decision yesterday night was the opposite of that!

Matty, what have you done?

We wish them well! There won’t ever be a better looking and funnier Bachelor, so this is the last season I watch…

 

Greatest Action Hero Movie of all times…

And the award goes to… IRON MAN. Went to see it this saturday night. I was screaming even at the end of the credits. Loved it! The movie had the 2nd best opening of all times, that’s gotta tell you something!

First off, as much as I love Robert Downey Jr (and I mean, luv luv!), I still wasn’t sure about him playing an action hero given his previous roles. But the man, outdid himself, as always. He was great, better yet… fantastic. No one could’ve played it better than him! The wittiness and sarcasm made him funny as hell!

Robert “Iron Man” Downey Jr…

 Overall, the movie is great, the actors (though my choice of a leading would’ve been someone other than plain-jane Gwyneth Paltrow), the special effects, the plot, the dialogues were amazing and Tony Stark’s humour is what did it for me…I loved it all.

On top of all that, what I loved even more was beyond the obvious great plot and acting, the underlying dilema Tony Stark goes through when he realises his weapons are actually not used to fight for peace as many arms dealer would claim, but rather inciting and into the wrong hands killing and destroying more than helping. So he goes from heartless industrial weapon marchant to building a conscience and decides to take matter into his own hands and repair the damage him and his company are responsible for.

Anyhoo, like I said… THREE THUMBS WAAAAY UP!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…

 

Exciting News:

May 13th…

“Iron Man 2“
Release date: April 30, 2010
Lowdown: This franchise has always been planned as a trilogy, and you can expect everyone to return and for Terrence Howard (aka War Machine) to get a lot more screen time.

 

 

 

Party’s over, Turn out the Lights!

Allright, no more Hillary bashing. I actually don’t have to do that anymore. She is toast…burned…done! I actually almost feel bad for her. …Wait…. naaaah! I don’t. It was about time. Everyone’s declared her demise, except for her. We don’t even hear Bill anymore. Boo hoo!

Anyway, time is not for revenge or stomping her. Victory for the first battle is done. Focus…focus. The long road to presidency is ahead, and i’m confident. McCain… really, McCain. Not that there is nothing to woory about, because his only way of winning is not trying to be more charismatic than Obama, to which even Hillary, the once hailed emblem of feminism, miserably failed. His path to victory is in default votes. Those that Obama cannot persuade, who even if a prophet endorsed Obama would not vote for him, for reasons beyond his speeches, policies and values.

Other than that… I still think he’s a favorite. Let’s hope he keeps running his campaign as he’s done up until now. no doubt McCain with all of his hot temper would not stoop to Hillary’s lows. Call McCain what you want, he’s proven above that. Or so I hope!

 

 

Mandela’s 90th Bday!

Just when his name was removed from the US Terrorist list (that was 2 weeks ago and Secretary Rice apologized for that!), to celebrate his 90th birthday, Madiba is going to be in London in June (27th). Proceeds will go to his Aids charity, 46 664 (his prison number) and performers will include: U2, Annie Lenox, Sugababes, Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, Italian star Zucchero and Spainish group Amaral, while Queen will perform with vocalist Paul Rodgers, Amy Winehouse and many other surprises!

Anybody who registers on the 46664 website before 1800 BST on Tuesday will be able to buy pre-sale tickets from 0900 on Wednesday, before they go on general sale at 0900 on Friday.

 

Wish I could be there!

 

 

In other news,

KOBE IS MVP!

 

Shut Him Up!

Can someone ask Jeremiah Wright to just shut up and go bury himself. The saying goes “When in a hole, STOP digging”.  Well, he’s still digging. The Obama Campaign should just shut him up once and for all coz this guy has done more damage to them than Rove, Cheney and Clinton combined! And no matter how much you distance yourself from him, he’ll always be linked to his campaign. And the media loves it! Well, Wright is getting his 15 minutes of fame. The man was on every major news outlet yesterday night!

What’s even more annoynig is that he seems to have an agenda. Unfortunately for him, I don’t think anybody will think Obama is throwing his pastor under the bus if he disavows him. BHO might even come out looking like a victim. The disappointing part is that it had to come from one of his own. But then again, any white person in their right mind wouldn’t be able to get away with these attacks. So of course, had to be a brother!

Wright also restated the idea that HIV was invented as a weapon against minority communities, had kind words for Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and railed against American imperialism.

The media attention to Wright’s recent appearances has created another headache for the Obama campaign. The senator from Illinois is struggling to close out the primary season against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) after losing key races in Ohio and Pennsylvania and seeing new doubts raised about his prospects in a general election against Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the presumptive Republican nominee.

 

My Concern is that he’s not only doing a tremendous disservice to Obama, but also to the black religious community as whole, by portraying African American religious wing as unpatriotic and wild, as if Farrakhan and his nation of Islam had not done enough damage.

Just SHUT UP! ( What I really wanted to say was $%$ the  %^&$  @$, but don’t want to be vulgar)

Here’s what Obama’s response to Rev Wright’s latest. I guess, had he done tihs earlier, then it wouldn’t have gotten this far!

 

M.

 

Kobe (re) Rocks!

Okay, so I used to be the BIGGEST Kobe/ Lakers fan ever… until he started acting up and walking around all cocky and stuff. So, for the past 2-3 years, he’s been at the bottom of my “me likey” chart.

This video though might’ve gained him some points in my book. 2 weeks ago, he literally jumped over an Aston Martin (which happens to be THE car I could die for! Life is so unfair!) Anyway, look at the video. Then Kenny Smith re enacted the moment on the TNT Inside the NBA (Love that show). Hilarious!

 

 

Gotta love it! And since DWade/ Miami is not up for Playoffs or MVP, well let’s just call him Kobe “MVP” Bryant!

M.

 

 

 

 

Lost in Translation…

She’s half a million behind in the popular vote. North Carolina and Michigan (probably) will go to Obama. He’s picked up 100 super delegates since Super tuesday. she’s picked up only a handful. He’s got more cash than he knows what to do with and raised $40 mil in March. She’s $10 mil in debt.

So how come with all these well known facts, the media is talking about “Obama having a problem?” “He can’t close the deal”. Somehow, the media lost focus on the bottom line: She CAN’T WIN!

I mean, MY God. Talk about media spin. It’s like they have amnesia or something. Only a handful of journalists ( Jack Cafferty, Eugene Robinson, Rachel Maddow and else) are making sense anymore. Honestly, a month ago, Scarborough was over the moon about how Obama was such a strong candidate (after he won the white vote in Georgia). Now all they talk about is how “he has a problem”. Give me a break. Like any candidate has ever won every single constituency and demographic out there. There is always going to be one or more  that you can just not get. So what? Hispanics? women? (at least some women) would rather vote for her. Big deal!  Bush didn’t win blacks in South Carolina. He still won the elections (arguably!)

People just need to stop with this wishy washy stuff. This is the reason why democrats loose elections and are much less effective at winning than Republicans are. Hate it or love it, the republican party is more united than the democratic will ever be, and it shows. I mean what does this say about a party if they can’t even win after George Bush’s disastrous mandates. How pathetic would that be?

 

Go on, Brush your Shoulder Off!

I knoooooow! I’ve been absent lately. Final exams and heavy work load are actually hitting me HARD!  it’s Friday, just got home from work, it’s 7:00 pm, about to take a hot steamy shower, put on my pj’s and SLEEP! SLEEP… Tomorrow is another day!

BUT before that, I had to post this video of none other than Barack. After that horrible debate on Wednseday (probably his worst debate ever, but then again ABC is mostly to blame for that), he was speaking in PA and just watch this. When Obama meets JayZ!

He got 99 problems but a B$#% ain’t one!  HILARIOUS! How could you vote against that?

 

 

Laterzzz,

M.

 

 

Cesaire n’est Plus!

I know I’ve been slacking lately when it comes to blogging, Just stopped by real quick (as if work is not kicking my behind enough!), I just learned Aime Cesaire passed away today and i honeslty didn’t think I’d react this way. I mean I knew of the man, his writings and I’ve even quoted him many times, but I swear it’s like someone close to me passed away! (je sais, je sais, wanée…merci)

Anyway, it’s a great loss and he will be remembered. Le 160e anniversaire de l’abolition de l’esclavage est dans une semaine et serait la platforme ideale pour commemorer son message, bien que ce soit Rama Yade et son mari qui president les manifestations. Au risque de m’attirer les foudres, cet homme commande le respect et la gratitude a l’instar d’autres comperes de la “negritude”. Je ne citerais pas de noms, mais on se sait!

Quick BIO:

 

Issu d’une modeste famille de sept enfants, Aimé Césaire étudie d’abord au lycée Schoelcher, à Fort-de-France. Grâce aux conseils d’un de ses professeurs, il obtient une bourse pour partir poursuivre ses études à Paris, au lycée Louis Le Grand. C’est là qu’il rencontre Léopold Sédar Senghor, avec lequel il fonde, en 1934, L’ Etudiant noir. C’est dans cette revue qu’Aimé Césaire emploie, pour la première fois, le mot qui, à lui seul, résumera son combat, tant littéraire que politique : la ‘négritude‘. A la veille de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, il publie le ‘Cahier d’un retour au pays natal’, texte fondateur à bien des égards, puis rentre en Martinique, pour y enseigner le français. La Seconde Guerre mondiale lui donne l’occasion de forger ses idéaux politiques, la Libération de mettre ces idéaux en pratique. Pendant plus de 50 ans, il mêle ses activités d’écrivain avec ses mandats de maire et de député. Et se bat à la fois pour la reconnaissance de la spécificité et la richesse de la langue de ses ancêtres, et l’indépendance des colonies françaises. Faire prendre conscience au peuple noir de la richesse de ses propres racines : tel est donc, depuis plus de 60 ans, le but premier de l’oeuvre d’Aimé Césaire. Une oeuvre à la fois littéraire et politique qui prouve que le rêve peut être le moteur de la réalité. Et qu’on peut, en même temps, être fier de son identité, et prôner l’universalité. En 2008, retiré de la vie politique depuis plusieurs années, Aimé Césaire décède à l’âge de 94 ans. Il reste une figure incontournable de l’histoire martiniquaise et l’un des derniers fondateurs vivants de la pensée négritudiste.

 

Ecoutez le monde blanc
horriblement las de son effort immense
ses articulations rebelles craquer sous les étoiles dures
ses raideurs d’acier bleu transperçant la chair mystique
écoute ses victoires proditoires trompeter ses défaites
écoute aux alibis grandioses son piètre trébuchement
Pitié pour nos vainqueurs omniscients et naïfs ! ” ~ Cesaire.

 

 

Six Random Things about Me!

Since I was tagged by eVaDiVa, I had to come up with a list of 6 random things about me. Hummm…

So randomly (Gosh, it took me 1/2 hr to come up with this…)

1. I listen to music absolutely all the time, any mood (happy, sad, melow)…first thing I do in the morning is put on some music, and that’s the last thing I do before going to sleep, something’s gotta play!

2. I like watching sports, but I don’t play any (my mom tried classical dance, let’s just say me and my pink tutu did not get along more than a month, so I played tennis for 7 years)

3. My twin brother and I were born on a Tuesday. Him at 11:59, me at 12:00, but I had to be re animated because his fat behind took too long to come out. Can you imagine I almost didnt make it!

4. I can count 6 six body parts I hate about myself…actually 7

5. I still watch cartoons religiously on sundays on the Disney Channel (Totally Spies and The Emperor’s New Groove are my favorite)

6. I suck my tongue when I’m hungry. (the ugliest thing ever, so you probably won’t catch me doing it).

 

There you have it. I had to post it before eVa made the list herself. Waneeeeeee!

 

M.

 

Africa’s Pinochet is going down!

Finally, Senegal has decided to act instead of harboring a murderer.   

BBC News:”Senegal’s national assembly has amended the country’s constitution to allow the trial of Chad ex-leader Hissene Habre.”

 

Hissene Habre’s regime is accused of widespread murder and torture. A commission of inquiry said his government was responsible for some 40,000 politically motivated murders and 200,000 cases of torture.

This man’s been living in Senegal since 1990. It was about time. Make him go through the longest and most humiliating trial ever, then just dismember the bastard! Same goes for Taylor.

 

According to a former death squad leader testifying at Taylor’s trial, the ex President ordered militias to eat the flesh of their enemies. Joseph “Zigzag” Marzah said Mr Taylor had instructed fighters loyal to him to even eat UN Peacekeepers to “set an example for the people to be afraid”.

“We ate a few [Ecomog soldiers], but not many. But many were executed, about 68,” Mr Marzah said.

‘Throw away the head’

When asked by defence lawyer Courtenay Griffith about how the militiamen would “prepare a human being” for eating, Mr Marzah described the splitting, cleaning, decapitating and cooking of the corpse with salt and pepper.

“We slit your throat, butcher you… throw away the head, take the flesh and put it in a pot… Charles Taylor knows that,” he added.

Mr Marzah also described how he had killed so many men, women and children that he had lost count, and also slit open the stomachs of pregnant women on Mr Taylor’s orders.

 

I have one word to describe these people: ANIMALS.  I almost wonder why bother with trials and tribulations!

 

War!

 

Un an plus tard, l’Afrique Repond à Sarkozy

This is a “frenchie” post. Sorry!

So un an plus tard, une poignee d’intellectuels africains, une vingtaine (Senegal, Mauritanie, Cameroun, Chad, Algerie, Madagascar, Congo…) ont décidé de répondre, au nom de l’AFRIQUE, au discours de Sarkozy en juillet 2007 a l’Université Cheikh Anta Diop (quelle ironie!). Le discours prononcé à  Dakar se voulait de donner le ton quant a la nouvelle politique de la France en Afrique. Bien que beaucoup s’entete à penser que Sarkozy ait voulu jouer au plus malin, je reste persuadée que son discours a eu l’effet desiré, et il est loin de s’en excuser. Ou Sarkozy peut il bien trouvé le culot de venir nous donner des lecons sur notre histoire et notre culture? Chez nous, en tout cas chez le chef d’état senegalais qui lui en a donné le droit.

Discours raciste? Evidemment. Raciste, paternaliste, conciliant, sournois, cynique et ignorant. Sarkozy, en gros! Et alors?  « [Le colonisateur] a pris, mais je veux dire avec respect qu’il a aussi donné. Il a construit des ponts, des routes, des hôpitaux, des dispensaires, des écoles. » dixit N.S. Daccord, mais encore? Evidemment, aucune note de repentance dans son discours et ca OUI, je le lui reproche. On ne ré- écrit pas l’histoire. Et cela vaut  pour les francais autant que pour les africains.

Oui, nous avions une civilisation, une histoire et une culture avant l’esclavage et la colonisation. De quoi etre fier. La question essentielle de nos jours serait quelle est la part des africains dans l’écriture de notre histoire d’AUJOURDHUI. Il est important de connaitre son passé et de le célébrer, mais rien n’est plus important que d’aller de l’avant et se concentrer sur son present et son future. Et c’est la que le bas blaisse! A en juger par l’état de notre continent (violences génocidaires, guerres fratricides, dictatures, gaspillage et pillages des ressources, persistance du pacte colonial…), les raisons de s’ennorgueiller et de se rejouir sont minces, pire, elles sont infimes.  Quelle part des dommages est a attribuer aux etrangers?  Quelle part attribuer aux africains eux memes? C’est une des questions posées dans l’ouvrage. Peut on reellement s’attendre, dans un monde capitaliste et gouverné par la course aux profits, a ce que la France, et autres nous aident ad vitam eternam?  On tend la main, et on se tire une balle dans le pied aussi en ayant des regimes comme en Guinee Equatoriale, Nigeria… Actually, toute l’afrique à l’exception de 3 ou 4 pays sur la bonne voie.

J’ai toujours affirmé que si j’avais été un pays de l’Ouest, je ne donnerais pas un penny a l’Afrique, en tout cas à aucun gouvernement africain. La colonisation, plutot la neocolonisation fait encore partie des facteurs qui nuisent au development de l’Afrique. “La tragedie de l’Afrique, c’est la trahison de l’Elite”, disait Césaire. Malheuresement, nous avons les leaders que l’on merite: roublards, menteurs, assassins, mecreants, voleurs, egocentriques, violeurs, atés… et j’en passe. Comment prosperer?

Au final,  peut etre que le sermon condescendant de Sarkozy , nous rapellera que notre future est entre nos mains et que l’aide au development en Afrique (en tout cas entre etats) est une grosse farce qui n’enrichit que les elites de ces pays (l’affaire Shell et nos ressources naturels, l’affaire des dechets toxiques en CI…). Evidemment la France nous coule, ca a toujours ete le cas. Le principe du neocolonialism est de pouvoir avoir accés et profiter des ressources des africains, MAIS d’africains independants et donc censés etre au controle de leur destin. Ce qui rend l’africain plus pitoyable que jamais a mes yeux.

 So, les cris de fureur et les denonciations, oui, mais à petite dose s’il vous plait. Si Sarkozy s’est sentie en droit de s’imposer en donneur de lecon, c’est parce qu’on le lui a permis. Wade etait assis a ses cotés et a meme acquiessé au discours de Sarko. A mon avis, une énieme source d’embarassement et à denoncer 3 fois plus fort que le discours lui  meme. Mais cela personne ne s’en offusque! Sarkozy n’est peut etre pas le candidat le plus enclein à  donner des lecons, mais lecon il faut . Esperons que le résultat final soit une remise en cause des africains et de leur future, plutot que se suffir à dénoncer et désigner l’étranger comme étant la cause de tous nos maux. En gros, élargissons le debat!

“ Le drame de l’Afrique, c’est que l’homme africain n’est pas assez entré dans l’Histoire (…) Jamais il ne s’élance vers l’avenir (…) Dans cet univers où la nature commande tout, l’homme reste immobile au milieu d’un ordre immuable où tout est écrit d’avance (…) Il n’y a de place ni pour l’aventure humaine, ni pour l’idée de progrès ”,~ SARKOZY, en 2007. 

“ ce bloc de sable et de cendre, ce morceau inerte et passif qui depuis six mille ans fait obstacle à la marche universelle ”~ Victor Hugo, en 1879.

___________________________________ 

Rien de nouveau… pas de quoi s’attarder. Aidons nous, respectons nous, ENSUITE,pourra t-on s’offusquer de propos pareils!

Retournez a l’essentiel, le débat que Nkrumah (Cabral, Nyerere…et autres) a commencé il y’a 60 ans est malheuresement plus pertinant que jamais.

M.

 

Champions League 2008 - The Last 8 Standing

VIVA Barcelona!

I wish, I just wish for Arsenal vs Barcelona for the final. ;) Could this be ’06 all over again? Oh the sweet smell of victory!

You’re going DOWNNNNN!

from www.footytube.com posted with vodpod

 

What is Malaria?

 

Zodiac Signs

Allright! J’admets. Je fais partie de ceux/celles qui ne croiENt en leur horoscope que quand ca les arrange.

So, apres avoir recue ceci en mail une dizaine de fois, ok… ok… ok, je le poste! Finally.

LION - Le Patron
Très organisé. A besoin d’ordre dans sa vie - Aime avoir le contrôle. Aime les extêmes. A tendance à parler de tout. Autoritaire. Aime aider autrui. Sociable et partant pour tout. Extraverti.  Généreux, coeur chaud. Sensible. Energie créative. Imbu de lui-même. Aimant. Faire les bonnes choses lui est important. Charmeur.

  VIERGE - Le Perfectioniste
Dominant dans ses relations. Conservateur. Veut toujours avoir le dernier mot. Raisonneur. Soucieux. Très élégant. Déteste le bruit et les chaos. Passionné. Bosseur. Loyal. Beau. Enclin à la conversation. Dur à satisfaire. Sévère. Pragmatique et très grognon. Souvent timide. Pessimiste.

 SCORPION - L’extême
Très énergique.  Intelligent. Peut être jalous et/ou possessif. Bosseur. Embrasse très bien.  Peut devenir obsessèdé ou réservé. Rancunier. Attirant. Déterminé.  Aime les longues relations. Bavard. Romantique. Peut être égocentrique à des moments. Passionné et émotif.

 BALANCE - L’harmoniseur
Gentil avec tous ceux qu’il rencontre. Peut maquiller son esprit.  Créatif, énergique, et très sociable. Déteste être seul. Pacifique, généreux. Beau et très aimant. Galant. Capitule trop facilement. Procrastinateur.  Très naif.

 BELIER - Le Téméraire
Energique. Aventureux et spontané. Confident et enthousiaste. Drôle. Aime les challenges. EXTRÊMEMENT impatient. Quelquefois égoïste. Pète-fusible. (facilement en colère.) Gai, passionné et esprit vif. Partant pour tout. Perd de l’intérêt rapidemant - Facilement ennuyé.  Egoïste. Courageux et sûr de lui. A tendance à être physique et athlétique.

  POISSON - L’adorable
Optimiste et honète. Douce personalité. Très indépendent. Inventif et intelligent.  Sympatique et loyal. Peut sembler insensible. Peut être un peu rebel. Très tétu mais original et charme intérieur et extérieur unique.  Personnalité excentrique.

  GEMEAU - Le Jacasseur
Elégant et plein d’esprit.  Partant pour tout, Très bavard. Gai, énergique. S’adapte facilement mais a besoin de s’exprimer. Raisonneur et franc. Aime le changement. Versatile. Occupé, quelques fois nerveux et tendu. Cancaneur. Peut paraître superficiel ou contradictoire, mais est simplement incertain. Beau physiquement et  mentalement.

 CANCER - Le Protecteur
Morose, sensible. Peut être timide. Très aimant et attentionné. Beau physiquement. Excellent partenaire dans la vie.  Protecteur. Inventif et imaginatif. Prudent. Susceptible. A besoin de l’amour des autres. Facilement blessé, mais sympathique.

 VERSEAU - Le Rêveur
Généreux, gentil et pensif. Très créatif et imaginatif. Peut devenir réservé et indécis.  Sensible. N’aime pas les détails. Reveur et irréaliste. Sympathique et aimant. Aimable. Généreux. Embrasse bien. Beau.

 CAPRICORNE - Le Battant
Patient et sage.  Pragmatique et rigide. Ambitieux. A tendance à être beau. Humoristique et drôle. Peut être un peu timide et réservé. Souvent pessimiste. A tendance à agir avant de réfléchir et peut être froid à des moments. Rancunier. Aime la compétition. Obtient toujours ce qu’il veut.

 TAUREAU - L’imprescriptible
Charmant mais  aggressif. Peut déteindre sur l’ennui mais ne l’est pas du tout. Travailleur.  Coeur chaud. Fort, as de l’endurance. Etre solide, stable, et fiable dans ce qu’il entreprend. Ne cherche pas les raccourcis. Fier de sa beauté. Patient et digne de confiance. Fait un très bon ami et donne de bons conseils.  Aimant et gentil. Aime ardemment et passionnément. Exprime ses émotions. Enclin à un féroce tempérament. Déterminé. Indulgent envers lui-même souvent. Très généreux.

 SAGITTAIRE - L’insouciant
Bonne nature optimiste. Ne veut pas grandir (Syndrome de Peter Pan). Indulgent envers lui-même. Vantard. Aime le luxe et les paris. Sociable  et partant pout tout. N’aime pas les responsabilités. Souvent fantaisiste. Impatient.  S’amuse à être dans les parages. A beaucoup d’amis. Galant. N’aime pas les règles. Quelques fois hypocrite. Déteste être confiné - les endroits exigus ou même les vêtements moulants. N’aime pas que l’on doute de lui. Beau à l’intérieur et l’extérieur.

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Exprime ses emotions? hummm!

 

What’s the Worst that could happen?

Very interesting Op-Ed piece in this morning’s New York Times by Mark Helprin: Make Sudan an Offer it can’t Refuse. He’s basically laying out there the case for a military intervention in Darfur.

I’ve been arguing for this for a while. Unilateral,  armed intervention. To those who argue this might end up being another Somalia’s ‘93 Black Hawk Down: this is Rwanda all over again. As Canadian Gen. Dallaire argued, 4000 troops could’ve effectively stopped the killing. You might not even have to bomb these people, just a serious threat of retaliation for the killings might be more than enough. What’s the worst that could happen? Too many times has Somalia been used as an excuse for not intervening elsewhere in Africa. Look at how well the Iraq war is going? That did not deter those making the case to attack Iran. NATO’s intervention in Kosovo in ‘99 was deemed illegal BUT legitimate. Could anyone argue it is not in Sudan? And would any country denounce such an intervention? (China and Russia would. But who cares! give them a piece too if you ask me!). Last week, my Intl Law professor recommended I never run for office for the sake of the World :( and reminded me I was to become a  ”future Intl peace and Conflict Resolution practitioner” and should not argue FOR bombing for peace. well, I will if I think it’s necessary. Sue Me!

One of the comments from the article was that the “world cringes when the US intervenes”. False. The world cringes when the US blatantly disregards its commitment to the  U.N and International Law… the rest of the world cringes when the US makes up intelligence to strong arm Congress and “the coalition of the willing” to go to war.

Humanitarian interventions are always welcome… WHEN and only when they’re just that: Humanitarian.

M.

 

Proudly Rocking African Tees

There has been a surge of African tees displaying pride in the motherland lately, as I was reminded after glancing over at CozWeAfricanWomenAreDoing&DoinItWell . Actually, it’s been going on for a while and 3 brands come to mind.

Number ONE: Gotta give it to the Montreal side, repping the Baobab Urban Brand to the fullest.

Click here for an interview from the master mind behind the concept on MrHookUpz.com.

   

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Number TWO: I am Africa. This one is to promote unity and uphold our African roots

                                         

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Number THREE: (Last but not least!) Probably the most commercialized out there from Bebenoir (luv the name of the Brand). The shop is based in New York. This is the only one of the three with its products assembled in Africa and is also linked to charity programs (in education). The first collection is appropriately named “Born In Africa”. I always get asked where they can be found when I rock mine!

This sure makes us all proud!

Tchuss,

M.

 

The Sociology of Compassion

Just dropped by real quick to mention this website I found that links one of its entries to my blog. It’s called Sociology of Compassion by Marc Durieux. Marc talks about an exhibition in Calgary to bring awareness about Darfur and provides a list of websites that are keeping current  and relevant on the issue.

Did I mention Amayel’s Notes is one of those websites he cites…

Please do check Marc’s blog and the lsit of informative websites for those who know little (or know a lot and want to updated) about Darfur’s tragedy.

Thx Marc,

http://ourstory.com/thread.html?t=311756

 

The Bank Job!

Loved it, loved it, loved it! I went to see the movie this Saturday! I love British movies, especially those along the lines of Snatch (directed by none other than Guy Ritchie, starring Brad Pitt AkA Mikey), the Velvet Revolver…

After getting past the strong British accent and trying to figure out what the hell he just said that was supposed to be funny, I apparently wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the movie since the whole theater kept clapping and laughing ! Though the reviews weren’t very nice  calling the movie boring and “unthriller”, I really liked the plot, the characters and the humour (typically British). The movie didn’t blow up the box office but the theater was completely full, and finding a place to sit was a hassle.

The movie is about a gang of UNprofessional bank robbers, amateurs who decide to rob a bank’s safe deposit boxes. The movie is not just about the bank heist per se, the robbers actually find out after the coup that they got more than they can chew when they realise some of the boxes contained secret documents from MI5, compromising photos of certain parliamentaries, the royal families and payoffs for corrupt cops. Well, I won’t tell you how it ends, let’s just say they pissed off a lot of people, the WRONG people!

Did I mention it’s based on a true story! Makes it even more exciting to watch!

Overall, I give the movie an A-/B+.

Run see it! and run rent Snatch!

M.

 

The gift that gives Twice!

Remember the Aldo Hear/Speak/See No Evil campaign ?

This time around, YouthAIDS/PSI teamed up with H&M and came out with a Fashion Against AIDS line, with proceeds going towards fightihng AIDS. The Tees are almost sold out though, so catch’em if you can.

For more Info on more exciting campaigns, check out: http://projects.psi.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_homepageindex

Tchuss,

M.

 

aBeGe… Mention Special

To all Zouklovers,

 I’ve been a fan of “Tcham Bai”, aBeGe’s hit song featuring Marisa, from their 07 Album  ”C Nou Meme Again”. I actually realised, the whole album is SICK. Okay the band’s name is corny: A.ntillaz B.lack G.angstaz, but the album is out of this sphere!

If you thought Tcham Bai was bananas…listen to “Fleur Sauvage”. Can’t get enough of it. I’ve been addicted to the song and been listening everyday, all day! Thx Cyn

Can’t get enough? : http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=missba .

 

How about we feed the children first? Or Something of that Importance!

Ok. I’ve held my tongue long enough. Had to talk about this. For those of you who don’t know, Dakar is currently hosting the 11th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference. The biggest joke ever! So technically, you have leaders from the Muslim community dump tons of money into the host country for it to be able to attend to their needs while there. Hence, the fierce competition to be granted the honor of hosting the Summit (t least for us mere mortals from Sub Sahara). Dakar has been transformed in about a couple of months after it was reduced to a big construction site for way too long.

In the end, roads are nicer than ever, we even have a couple of bridges,  palm trees alongside the sea. They went as far as renting two megaboats for hotel arrangements for about 1 billion CFA a DAY. You’d think people would be shocked by these reckless spending knowing the ever growing inflation the population is facing. But no. Not in Africa, not in Senegal. Everybody is mesmerized and magically “the old man” (that’s what we call the Pdt) is not so useless after all. He has transformed our capital. He will forever be remembered.

Here’s a video shot by a friend in Dakar. We read about the boats, the roads, the palm trees… Here’s illustration:

The disgust I have for our leaders (and their families) is actually nothing compared to the dismay I feel when i see how simple minded some can be. The Conference has absolutely no goals to achieve (let’s face it, when have Arab countries been interested in Sub Saharan Africa…exactly…NEVER). So why are we rejoicing? I have no idea. The “Themes” section under the Summit’s webpage is still empty. I swear, you can check for yourself: http://www.ocidakar2008.com/?gclid=CIGGzOaD-ZECFQgqIgodbCHRow. Did I say the summit was going on as I write?

Ultimately, while children are dying, hospitals are on strike, cholera is not a disease of the past, everyday commodities are increasing by the month, some parents don’t know how to feed their kids, malaria is rampantly killing thousands a day, unemployment is at its highest, as well as the budget deficit, salaries are at an all time low…this is going on. The Summit Senegal was in charge of in 91, didn’t cause nearly as much noise. What happened to our country, I don’t know but it’s very disheartening.

Ok. I had to post this from E. whose french is as challenged as can be. Vraiiiiment! Vive les Maristes!

E says: les arabes pour le sommet? ou bien kon puisse filer a 200 a l hre parceque on a des nouvelles routes????

15:33:56E says: en regardant sur le bas de la route les talibes ?

15:33:56E says: he really needs to see the big picture

15:34:13E says: je suis pour le development urbanik, mais je suis contre la pauvrete avant tout

15:35:53I say: URBAIN…Urbain…

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God help us. Our future looks as grim as can possibly be. One word: Prioritize. It shouldnt be about nicer roads VERSUS saving lives.

M.

 

Why?

I’m suffering from Primary fatigue. Really. The race is dragging and god knows we should be done with the fighting already. I’m still going to be taped to my TV tonight to watch the Mississippi primaries though.

In another round of political scandals, NY Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer has been linked to a prostitution ring and money laundering issues. So then, the usual goes…story breaks out, the media takes a hold of it and goes into a frenzy, perpetrator sets up a news conference…and right there, guess who shows up next to him. The wife. Looking all wrinkled, exhausted from crying and emotionally drained. My question to these women is: Why? Why would you do that to yourself and your children? Why can’t he face up the media on his own? Would anybody call you selfish? I don’t think so. So on top of being humiliated, you have to see your face the next morning on the cover of every major newspaper looking horrible. Had it been just adultery… then well…it’s still unnecessary. But we’re dealing with prostitutes here. How much humiliation can one take?… ON NATIONAL TELEVISION

  And the guy is on the Senate ETHICS Committee!

I say KICK HIS BEHIND… IF YOU CAN’T, THEN HIRE SOMEONE TO BREAK HIS BONES… Let him go on television BY HIMSELF FACE THE MEDIA with bruises and broken lips. Matter of fact, go with him and right when he’s done with his apologies… PUNCH him as hard as you can. What’s he gonna do, punch back? No, he wouldn’t. Just keep punching and swinging!

At the end of the day, these women are either cold hearted idiots for sticking by these men, or they just have a bigger heart than I ever will.

 

Watch & Learn… or just Read a Damn Book!

I was watching American Lives (with Henry Louis Gates) on PBS, instead of concentrating on my Intl  Law case brief due tomorrow (I have issues with deadlines, I know). The program sets to trace prominent African American’s roots using genealogy and DNA science. 

I can’t help but feel proud while watching. Proud yes. But angry too. I’m even more amazed at the levels of ignorance from African Americans in this country. No doubt, our history is different. I’m part of the ones who actually stayed in Africa and were not forced into this country. Gates talks to Tina Turner, Don Cheadle, Morgan Freeman, Maya Angelou…amongst others. All of them are amazed at the accomplishments their ancestors were able to achieve. Chris Rock’s ancestors were actually senators. We can all agree their position wasn’t equal to their white counterparts, but still. They were senators. Yet, not only did Rock have no idea, but can you imagine the irony. So much for the “white man is trying to keep us down” mentality. Can you imagine, these people go through the worst hardships, they were BORN slaves, overcame the greatest possible hurdles. One of Rock’s ancestor, when given his 40 acres when he was freed, actually left 65 acres in his will.

How come, all of the participants were amazed, kept “wowing”  all teary eyed, and shocked by the discovery of what their ancestors had accomplished. I mean doesn’t anybody teach this. I don’t expect public (or private) schools teaching this subject matter, but come on, the information is out there and available. Or maybe it’s just that they’re not interested, which makes it even worst than I thought. I can’t possibly imagine worst conditions for anyone to make it through, but they did. And I feel they have achieved waaay more than this generation of hip hop loving, saggy pants wearing, bling blinging, womanizers hijacking our TV sets.

I’m not trying to be judgmental, just saying, if THEY did it, at THAT time, then … (you know where I’m going with this…). The whole time, I kept thinking” You don’t know this $h**t because? The program re-airs on March 12th at 8 PM.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” ~ Henry Ford

M.

 

Just drop out already!

So basically, she will stay in no matter what! 7 more weeks. SEVEN, long, dreadful, more excruciating weeks. It might just be 3 more months if it goes all the way to the Convention. Like the Democratic party can afford to be bickering and fighting, while McCain is officially the Republican nominee and will start campaigning for the general election.

    Just Go Away!

_

 Yes, she did win Ohio (56-42). Obama won Vermont, she won Rhode Island and Texas is too close too call (50-48, which doesn’t really matter since neither really technically win since the numbers will be too close). In the end, he still won more delegates than her tonight. That’s the flip side. She won the popular vote by a couple thousands, but he won more delegates tonight. So I hand it to her, she did ride the momentum wave tonight and is trying to make it seem like she is the comeback kid! Not just yet. In a day or two, we’ll be clear about the delegate count. All in all, he still maintains the same delegate lead over her. The argument out there was either a loss or a split, she should drop out, since technically, THERE IS NO WAY she can catch up to him. It’s like these elections did not really matter (in delegates count), only they give Clinton an extra push to justify staying the course. In the words of David Axelrod (Obama’s campaign strategist), “Tonight’s vote has not put a dent in Sen Obama’s delegate lead.”

It’s 11:38. Obama is speaking. Of course he acknowledges her win and congratulates (which she wouldn’t have).   Powerful speech, especially sending troops where it matters (Sudan, Afghanistan…) and making America what it used to be. Technically, he’s conceding, but still ahead.

So to do the maths, going into the primaries and caucus last night:

Delegate count (includes supers)

Obama 1319
Clinton: 1250

Difference: 69 (in favor of Obama)

The results AFTER last night’s contests:

Obama: 1451
Clinton: 1365

Difference: 86 (in favor of Obama)
(Total does not include TX caucus results, which is believed to favor him, even Clinton doesn’t dispute that!)

About 10,000 people a day switched to Obama from Clinton in Texas and Ohio - despite the everything including the Clinton attacks, the constant Clinton spin, the throw everything kitchen sink strategy, voter irregularities - and still more than 10,000 people a day in those two states shifted away (335,000 in 30 days).

Ultimately, it’s TIME for a nominee for the democratic party. It is undeniable that going negative helped her in this last leg of the race, and unfortunately she will ante up her rhetoric. That helps her campaign, but not the democratic party overall. Democrats can’t afford a brokered convention in August. You’d think with all the party change America has been asking for since giving Democrats majority in Congress, they’d take advantage of “Bush fatigue”. They might just find a way to mess it all up in the end if this race goes to the Convention. For Democrats to loose yet another election.

Democrats need to look at the bigger picture. And that bigger picture is the White House.

M.

 

One viral video was Enough…

Okay. The first video was inspiring. Making a 2nd one though… with people chanting Obama…Obama…is straight up CREEPY. This will only feed some people’s perception that there is a cult personality out there. And we don’t want that!

He won’t bring “World Peace” you know. It’s gonna take more than one man. He’s the best of the bunch, but not a saviour. Expectation might just become his greatest enemy.

Obama 08.

 

Spin Master H!

In another round of spinning, Spin master H’s campaign (formally known as HRC), will have you believe that in case Barack Hussein Obama doesn’t win all 4 primaries and caucuses of March 4 (Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island), that would mean Obama’s campaign is in trouble. Nice try! …in “sillyland”.

I wonder who runs this campaign? So loosing 11 states in a row is not a problem for her campaign, but him not sweeping 4 states is sign of trouble. Right!

***Notice here I used his whole name. I will tell it like it is, when people claim he’s muslim. Because HE’s Not! But it’s getting annoying to see him defending himself like being muslim was a plague. I understand if he had been, he would most probably be on the FBI’s most wanted list rather than standing for presidential election. There is nothing wrong with being muslim. And his campaign needs to stop defending it like he had just been accused of child molestation. Really, we’re not that bad! I’ve been having discussions on MT’s blog about it and even for me, an unconditional Obama backer, it is getting offensive!

So Barack Hussein Obama. Nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to defend. You’re not muslim and have never tried to be. We get it!

 

Sarkozy in Africa, a Royal in Afghanistan

Sarkozy and his blushing bride were in Africa this week (South Africa &Chad), of course accompanied by 40 of France’s top business leaders as well. In one of his speech, he referred to new accords between France’s future involvement in its former colonies. Well, that’s good news, considering how much France has interfered in Africa’s military, economic and social fields. Our leaders will then face responsibility and accountability in their actions with no prospect of help from the West. The only thing that worries me, is it might just make it harder for the necessary interventions France should be making (Darfur to cite one of them). Sarkozy has been very vocal about changing France and Africa’s relations. given how bad it’s crippled Africa, I think the change is more than welcome. Though hopefully, this is not just a tactic to deny help where it’s called for. Let Deby battle it out with his rebels. You come fighting, you leave fighting.

Of course the speech in South Africa was much different and had to do with energy. The country has been suffering power outages nationwide that has many fear it could possibly slow economic growth. Alstom (french) on Friday signed a deal worth €1.36 billion (about US$2 billion) to equip a new coal power station for South Africa. Rumours also abound about another billion dollar deal involving French nuclear giant Areva and US group Westinghouse Electric to build a nuclear power plant in South Africa.

Call Sarkozy what you want, but he works hard. (There are hard working scums out there!)

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I’m puzzled at the amount of irresponsibility witnessed here. Prince Harry goes to Afghanistan. I’m not sure whether it’s just a spoil move (blame him), craziness from his entourage (blame Buckingham), laxism from the army (blame the military) or mere irresponisability of the media (blame the press) for leaking this story. It was reported yesterday the Prince, 3rd in line to the throne was in Afghanistan fighting since December. I’m sure he was on the Most wanted list ever since the news came out. Today, Britain has decided to bring him back. We can all agree this is too much a risk for him and his brigade to go through. In the end, it took four irresponsible, crazy, laxist, spoiled to make this move happen. But hey, he’s back in England, safe and sound, and should stay there.

Somehow, it was commendable for him to go. Just not worth getting killed over. After all, if Britain can send their troops there to fight, they can send a royal. It’s like Michael Moore standing on the steps of Congress in Fahrenheit 9/11 asking congressmen how many kids they had sent or be willing to send to Iraq. The response was an overwhelming “not many”.

 

It’s February 29th…

 I hear spooky things happen this time of year (every 4 years). But then again, conspiracy theorists will make you believe something is going on every day of the year!

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In other news, 

HRC’s campaign came out all excited yesterday with raising $35 million. Impressive, I’ll admit, especially since media has been telling us how broke she was. Apparently not broke at all! Obama’s campaign has not disclosed their fundraising this month. One thing is for sure, it is around $60 million (maybe even more). Obama beat his own record of $36 million last month (previous record was held by John Kerry in 04 AFTER securing the nomination with $32 mill) 

In this morning’s New York Times, Gail Collins hits right on the money:

“If Hillary is stumbling, it may be because there just isn’t any good path to take. Nobody wants a bloodbath, and fighting against the first possible African-American president can be as tricky as going after the first possible woman. Still, she might have been able to handle all that, and the fact that he is a product of Kansas and Hawaii and Kenya, of Christians and Muslims, of a single mom on food stamps and Harvard Law, if he didn’t also turn out to have the best learning curve in political history.”

 

I Should’ve been a Lawyer!

I’m certain I would’ve been a great one at that. That was actually my first declared major in pursuing my B.A. : International Law. Unfortunately, reality sunk in, and my willing to settle back to Senegal when done with studies, made it impossible to go for such a major. The reason is International Law as taught in the US is very much different than the one taught anywhere else in the World and almost only applicable in the States, thanks to the US’s assumption that their domestic Law tromps International law and its unwillingness to comply to it. In short, the US puts domestic law above  international law (i.e. Iraq decision, Guantanamo…).

Though my major is International Peace and Conflict Resolution, my minor is International Law. And I  find law absolutely fascinating.

Here’s a legal Memo I’ve been working on today and taking up my time (at work… shame on me!). Hence I haven’t been able to respond to the comments yet. My bad!

 Memorandum 

To:        Zakir Hafez, Esq., World Bank 

From:  M.B.- International Peace and Conflict Resolution M.A. Candidate                                 

           School of international Service, American University, Washington DC

Re:      Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and Rules of Immunity for State Officials 

Date:   28 February, 2008­­­­­­

______________________________________________________________________________

I. Issue: -Whether this case falls under the International Court of Justice’s jurisdiction.                                           

-Whether Belgium violated the “Principle that a State may not exercise its authority on the territory of another State”; the “Principle of sovereign equality among all members of the United nations” and the “diplomatic immunity of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of a sovereign State…”             

 -Whether State official’s immunity expires in case of charges of crimes against humanity and committed war crimes.                

 -Whether Congo’s changing case as it stands before judgment from when the Application was filed makes the case inadmissible.          

  II. Short Answer: The International Court of Justice has jurisdiction over this case since the case’s subject matter has not transformed, the Court’s jurisdiction is established at the time of the Application’s filing. Belgium has violated the Minister for Foreign Affairs’ immunity and the principle of equal sovereignty amongst members of the United Nations.   

III. Facts: An investigating judge of the Brusselstribunal de première instance issued an international arrest warrant in absentia against Mr. Abdulaye Yerodia Ndombasi. He was being charged of perpetrating crimes against humanity. The arrest warrant was circulated internationally through Interpol. At the time the arrest warrant was issued Mr. Yerodia was the Minister for Foreign Affaires. A position he no longer held at the time the case was being tried.   

IV: Discussion: -With regards to Belgium’s claim of a lack of legal dispute since Mr. Yerodia is no longer a state official; hence of a lack of jurisdiction, the law ascertains the Court’s jurisdiction is established at the time the complaint was filed. Therefore, the Court has jurisdiction over this case.                            

  -With regards to the defendant’s diplomatic immunity, the law establishes that certain high ranking officials such as the Head of State, Head of Government and Minister for Foreign Affairs; enjoy immunities from jurisdiction in other states, both civil and criminal. A counter argument could be made here that Belgium could simply retract the complaint since it was found by the Court to have been filed unlawfully, and re-issue a new warrant.                           

 -With regards to expiration of immunity in case of charges of cr