text:
Acts 5:1 [study!]
— But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
— But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
— But a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
— But, a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
— And a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
— But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land,
— But a certaine man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, solde a possession,
— AND a certain man whose name was Hanania, with his wife whose name was Shaphira, sold a field,
— And a certain man whose name was Ananias, with his wife whose name was Sapphira, sold his field,
But 1161
a certain 5100
τὶς
{tis}
An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.
man 435
ἀνήρ
{an'-ayr}
A primary word (compare G0444); a man (properly as an individual male).
named 3686
ὄνομα
onoma
{on'-om-ah}
From a presumed derivative of the base of G1097 (compare G3685); a 'name' (literally or figuratively), (authority, character).
Ananias, 367
Ἁνανίας
{an-an-ee'-as}
Of Hebrew origin [H2608]; Ananias, the name of three Israelites.
with 4862
σύν
{soon}
A primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
Sapphira 4551
Σαπφ[ε]ίρη
Sappheire
{sap-fi'-ray}
Feminine of G4552; Sapphire, an Israelitess.
his y846
αὑτοῦ
hautou
{how-too'}
Contraction for G1438; self (in some oblique case or reflexive relation).
wife, 1135
γυνή
gune
{goo-nay'}
Probably from the base of G1096; a woman; specifically a wife.
πωλέω
{po-leh'-o}
Probably ultimately from πέλομαι [[pelomai]] (to be busy, to trade); to barter (as a pedlar), that is, to sell.
a possession, 2933
κτῆμα
ktema
{ktay'-mah}
From G2932; an acquirement, that is, estate.
_ _ Acts 5:1-11. Ananias and Sapphira.
_ _ "The first trace of a shade upon the bright form of the young Church. Probably among the new Christians a kind of holy rivalry had sprung up, every one eager to place his means at the disposal of the apostles" [Olshausen]. Thus might the new-born zeal of some outrun their abiding principle, while others might be tempted to seek credit for a liberality which was not in their character.
_ _ The chapter begins with a melancholy but, which puts a stop to the pleasant and agreeable prospect of things which we had in the foregoing chapters; as every man, so every church, in its best state has its but. 1. The disciples were very holy, and heavenly, and seemed to be all exceedingly good; but there were hypocrites among them, whose hearts were not right in the sight of God, who, when they were baptized, and took upon them the form of godliness, denied the power of godliness, and stopped short of that. There is a mixture of bad with good in the best societies on this side heaven; tares will grow among the wheat until the harvest. 2. It was the praise of the disciples that they came up to that perfection which Christ recommended to the rich young man — they sold what they had, and gave to the poor; but even that proved a cloak and cover of hypocrisy which was thought the greatest proof and evidence of sincerity. 3. The signs and wonders which the apostles wrought were hitherto miracles of mercy; but now comes in a miracle of judgment, and here is an instance of severity following the instances of goodness, that God may be both loved and feared. Observe here,
_ _ I. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira his wife. It is good to see husband and wife joining together in that which is good, but to be confederate in evil is to be like Adam and Eve, when they agreed to eat the forbidden fruit, and were one in their disobedience. Now their sin was, 1. That they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, and of the first rank, when really they were not true disciples; they would pass for some of the most fruitful trees in Christ's vineyard, when really the root of the matter was not found in them. They sold a possession, and brought the money (as Barnabas did) to the apostles' feet, that they might not seem to be behind the very chief of believers, but might be applauded and cried up, and stand so much the fairer for preferment in the church, which perhaps they thought would shortly shine in secular pomp and grandeur. Note, It is possible that hypocrites may deny themselves in one thing, but then it is to serve themselves in another; they may forego their secular advantage in one instance, with a prospect of finding their account in something else. Ananias and Sapphira would take upon them a profession of Christianity, and make a fair show in the flesh with it, and so would mock God, and deceive others, when they knew they could not go through with the Christian profession. It was commendable, and so far it was right, in that rich young man, that he would not pretend to follow Christ, when, if it should come to a pinch, he knew he could not come up to his terms, but he went away sorrowful. Ananias and Sapphira pretended they could come up to the terms, that they might have the credit of being disciples, when really they could not, and so were a discredit to discipleship. Note, It is often of fatal consequence for people to go a greater length in profession than their inward principle will admit of. 2. That they were covetous of the wealth of the world, and distrustful of God and his providence: They sold their land, and perhaps then, in a pang of zeal, designed no other than to dedicate the whole of the purchase-money to pious uses, and made a vow, or at least conceived a full purpose, to do so; but, when the money was received, their heart failed them, and they kept back part of the price, (Acts 5:2), because they loved the money, and thought it was too much to part with at once, and to trust in the apostles' hands, and because they knew not but they might want it themselves; though now all things were common, yet it would not be so long, and what should they do in a time of need, if they should leave themselves nothing to take to? They could not take God's word that they should be provided for, but thought they would play a wiser part than the rest had done, and lay up for a rainy day. Thus they thought to serve both God and mammon — God, by bringing part of the money to the apostles' feet, and mammon, by keeping the other part in their own pockets; as if there were not an all-sufficiency in God to make up the whole to them, except they retained some in their own hands by way of caution-money. Their hearts were divided, so they were found faulty, Hosea 10:2. They halted between two; if they had been thorough-paced worldlings, they would not have sold their possession; and, if they had been thorough-paced Christians, they would not have detained part of the price. 3. That they thought to deceive the apostles, and make them believe they brought the whole purchase-money, when really it was but a part. They came with as good an assurance, and as great a show of piety and devotion, as any of them, and laid the money at the apostles' feet, as if it were their all. They dissembled with God and his Spirit, with Christ and his church and ministers; and this was their sin.
_ _ II. The indictment of Ananias, which proved both his condemnation and execution for this sin. When he brought the money, and expected to be commended and encouraged, as others were, Peter took him to task about it, He, without any enquiry or examination of witnesses concerning it, charges him peremptorily with the crime, and aggravates it, and lays a load upon him for it, showing it to him in its own colour, Acts 5:3, Acts 5:4. The Spirit of God in Peter not only discovered the fact without any information (when perhaps no man in the world knew it but the man and his wife themselves), but likewise discerned the principle of reigning infidelity in the heart of Ananias, which was at the bottom of it, and therefore proceeded against him so suddenly. Had it been a sin of infirmity, through the surprise of a temptation, Peter would have taken Ananias aside, and have bidden him go home, and fetch the rest of the money, and repent of his folly in attempting to put this cheat upon them; but he knew that his heart was fully set in him to do this evil, and therefore allowed him not space to repent. He here showed him,
_ _ 1. The origin of his sin: Satan filled his heart; he not only suggested it to him, and put it into his head, but hurried him on with resolution to do it. Whatever is contrary to the good Spirit proceeds from the evil spirit, and those hearts are filled by Satan in which worldliness reigns, and has the ascendant. Some think that Ananias was one of those that had received the Holy Ghost, and was filled with his gifts, but, having provoked the Spirit to withdraw from him, now Satan filled his heart; as, when the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, an evil spirit from God troubled him. Satan is a lying spirit; he was so in the mouth of Ahab's prophets, and so he was in the mouth of Ananias, and by this made it appear that he filled his heart.
_ _ 2. The sin itself: He lied to the Holy Ghost; a sin of such a heinous nature that he could not have been guilty of it if Satan had not filled his heart.
_ _ (1.) The phrase which we render lying to the Holy Ghost, pseusasthai se to pneuma to hagion, some read, to belie the Holy Ghost, which may be taken two ways: [1.] That he belied the Holy Ghost in himself; so Dr. Lightfoot takes it, and supposes that Ananias was not an ordinary believer, but a minister, and one that had received the gift of the Holy Ghost with the hundred and twenty (for mention is made of him immediately after Barnabas); yet he durst thus, by dissembling, belie and shame that gift. Or thus; Those who had sold their estates, and laid the money at the apostles' feet, did it by the special impulse of the Holy Ghost, enabling them to do an act so very great and generous; and Ananias pretended that he was moved by the Holy Ghost to do what he did, as others were; whereas it appeared by his baseness that he was not under the influence of the good Spirit at all; for, had it been his work, it would have been perfect. [2.] That he belied the Holy Ghost in the apostles, to whom he brought the money; he misrepresented the Spirit they were actuated by, either by a suspicion that they would not faithfully distribute what they were entrusted with (which was a base suggestion, as if they were false to the trust reposed in them), or by an assurance that they could not discover the fraud. He belied the Holy Ghost when by what he did he would have it thought that those who are endued with the gifts of the Holy Ghost might as easily be imposed upon as other men; like Gehazi, whom his master convicted of his error by that word, Went not my heart with thee? 2 Kings 5:26. It is charged upon the house of Israel and Judah, when, like Ananias here, they dealt very treacherously, that they belied the Lord, saying, It is not he, Jeremiah 5:11, Jeremiah 5:12. Thus Ananias thought the apostles were altogether such as himself, and this was belying the Holy Ghost in them, as if he were not in them a discerner of spirits, whereas they had all the gifts of the Spirit in them, which to others were divided severally. See 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. Those that pretend to an inspiration of the Spirit, in imposing upon the church their own fancies, either in opinion or practice — that say they are moved from above when they are carried on by their pride, covetousness, or affectation of dominion, belie the Holy Ghost.
_ _ (2.) But we read it, to lie unto the Holy Ghost, which reading is countenanced by Acts 5:4, Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. [1.] Ananias told a lie, a deliberate lie, and with a purpose to deceive; he told Peter that he had sold a possession (house or lands) and this was the purchase-money. Perhaps he expressed himself in words that were capable of a double meaning, used some equivocations about it, which he thought might palliate the matter a little, and save him from the guilt of a downright lie: or perhaps he said nothing; but it was all one, he did as the rest did who brought the whole price, and would be thought to do so, and expected the praise those had that did so, and the same privilege and access to the common stock as they had; and therefore it was an implicit protestation that he brought the whole price, as they did; and this was a lie, for he kept back part. Note, Many are brought to gross lying by reigning pride, and affectation of the applause of men, particularly in works of charity to the poor. That therefore we may not be found boasting of a false gift given to us, or given by us (Proverbs 25:14), we must not boast even of a true gift, which is the meaning of our Saviour's caution in works of charity, Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. Those that boast of good works they never did, or promise good works they never do, or make the good works they do more or better than really they are, come under the guilt of Ananias's lie, which it concerns us all to dread the thought of. [2.] He told this lie to the Holy Ghost. It was not so much to the apostles as to the Holy Ghost in them that the money was brought, and that was said which was said, Acts 5:4, Thou hast not lied unto men (not to men only, not to men chiefly, though the apostles be but men), but thou hast lied unto God. Hence it is justly inferred that the Holy Ghost is God; for he that lieth to the Holy Ghost lieth to God. "Those that lied to the apostles, actuated and acting by the Spirit of God, are said to lie to God, because the apostles acted by the power and authority of God, whence it follows (as Dr. Whitby well observes) that the power and authority of the Spirit must be the power and authority of God." And, as he further argues, "Ananias is said to lie to God, because he lied to that Spirit in the apostles which enabled them to discern the secrets of men's hearts and actions, which being the property of God alone, he that lies to him must therefore lie to God, because he lies to one who has the incommunicable property of God, and consequently the divine essence."
_ _ 3. The aggravations of the sin (Acts 5:4): While it remained, was it not thine own? And, after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Which may be understood two ways: — (1.) "Thou wast under no temptation to keep back part of the price; before it was sold it was thy own, and not mortgaged nor encumbered, nor any way engaged for debt; and when it was sold it was in thy own power to dispose of the money at thy pleasure; so that thou mightest as well have brought the whole as a part. Thou hadst no debts to pay, perhaps no children to provide for; so that thou wast not under the influence of any particular inducement to keep back part of the price. Thou was a transgressor without a cause." Or, (2.) "Thou wast under no necessity of selling thy land at all, nor bringing any of the money to the apostles' feet. Thou mightest have kept the money, if thou hadst pleased, and the land too, and never have pretended to this piece of perfection." This rule of charity the apostle gives, that people be not pressed, and that it be not urged as of necessity, because God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), and Philemon must do a good work, not as it were of necessity, but willingly, Philemon 1:14. As it is better not to vow than to vow and not to pay, so better had it been for him not to have sold his land at all than thus to keep back part of the price; not to have pretended to do the good work than thus to do it by the halves. "When it was sold, it was in thine own power; but it was not so when it was vowed: thou hadst then opened thy mouth to the Lord, and couldst not go back." Thus, in giving our hearts to God, we are not admitted to divide them. Satan, like the mother whose own the child was not, would take up with a half; but God will have all or none.
_ _ 4. All this guilt, thus aggravated, is charged upon him: Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Observe, Though Satan filled his heart to do it, yet he is said to have conceived it in his own heart, which shows that we cannot extenuate our sins by laying the fault of them upon the devil; he tempts, but he cannot force; it is of our own lusts that we are drawn away and enticed. The evil thing, whatever it is, that is said or done, the sinner has conceived it in his own heart; and therefore, if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. The close of the charge is very high, but very just: Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. What emphasis does the prophet lay upon that of Ahaz, not wearying men only, but wearying my God also! Isaiah 7:13. And Moses upon that of Israel, Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord! Exodus 16:8. So here, Thou mightest have imposed upon us, who are men like thyself; but, be not deceived, God is not mocked. If we think to put a cheat upon God, we shall prove in the end to have put a fatal cheat upon our own souls.
_ _ III. The death and burial of Ananias, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:6.
_ _ 1. He died upon the spot: Ananias, hearing these words, was speechless, in the same sense that he was who was charged with intruding into the wedding feast without a wedding garment: he had nothing to say for himself; but this was not all: he was struck speechless with a witness, for he was struck dead: He fell down, and gave up the ghost. It does not appear whether Peter designed and expected that this would follow upon what he said to him; it is probable that he did, for to Sapphira his wife Peter particularly spoke death, Acts 5:9. Some think that an angel struck him, that he died, as Herod, Acts 12:23. Or, his own conscience smote him with such horror and amazement at the sense of his guilt, that he sunk and died away under the load of it. And perhaps, when he was convicted of lying to the Holy Ghost, he remembered the unpardonableness of the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which struck him like a dagger to the heart. See the power of the word of God in the mouth of the apostles. As it was to some a savour of life unto life, so it was to others a savour of death unto death. As there are those whom the gospel justifies, so there are those whom it condemns. This punishment of Ananias may seem severe, but we are sure it was just. (1.) It was designed to maintain the honour of the Holy Ghost as now lately poured out upon the apostles, in order to the setting up of the gospel kingdom. It was a great affront which Ananias put upon the Holy Ghost, as if he could be imposed upon: and it had a direct tendency to invalidate the apostles' testimony; for, if they could not by the Spirit discover this fraud, how could they by this Spirit discover the deep things of God, which they were to reveal to the children of men? It was therefore necessary that the credit of the apostles' gifts and powers should be supported, though it was at this expense. (2.) It was designed to deter others from the like presumptions, now at the beginning of this dispensation. Simon Magus afterwards was not thus punished, nor Elymas; but Ananias was made an example now at first, that, with the sensible proofs given what a comfortable thing it is to receive the Spirit, there might be also sensible proofs given what a dangerous thing it is to resist the Spirit, and do despite to him. How severely was the worshipping of the golden calf punished, and the gathering of sticks on the sabbath-day, when the laws of the second and fourth commandments were now newly given! So was the offering of strange fire by Nadab and Abihu, and the mutiny of Korah and his company, when the fire from heaven was now newly given, and the authority of Moses and Aaron now newly established. The doing of this by the ministry of Peter, who himself with a lie denied his Master but a little while ago, intimates that it was not the resentment of a wrong done to himself; for then he, who had himself been faulty, would have had charity for those that offended; and he, who himself had repented and been forgiven, would have forgiven this affront, and endeavoured to bring this offender to repentance; but it was the act of the Spirit of God in Peter: to him the indignity was done, and by him the punishment was inflicted.
_ _ 2. He was buried immediately, for this was the manner of the Jews (Acts 5:6): The young men, who it is probable were appointed to that office in the church of burying the dead, as among the Romans the libitinarii and polinctores; or the young men that attended the apostles, and waited on them, they wound up the dead body in grave-clothes, carried it out of the city, and buried it decently, though he died in sin, and by an immediate stroke of divine vengeance.
_ _ IV. The reckoning with Sapphira, the wife of Ananias, who perhaps was first in the transgression, and tempted her husband to eat this forbidden fruit. She came in to the place where the apostles were, which, as it should seem, was Solomon's porch, for there we find them (Acts 5:12), a part of the temple where Christ used to walk, John 10:23. She came in about three hours after, expecting to share in the thanks of the house for her coming in, and consenting to the sale of the land, of which perhaps she was entitled to her dower or thirds; for she knew not what had been done. It was strange that nobody ran to tell her of the sudden death of her husband, that she might keep away; perhaps some one did, and she was not at home; and so when she came to present herself before the apostles, as a benefactor to the fund she met with a breach instead of a blessing.
_ _ 1. She was found guilty of sharing with her husband in his sin, by a question that Peter asked her (Acts 5:8): Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? naming the sum which Ananias had brought and laid at the apostles' feet. "Was this all you received for the sale of the land, and had you no more for it?" "No," saith she, "we had no more, but that was every farthing we received." Ananias and his wife agreed to tell the same story, and the bargain being private, and by consent kept to themselves, nobody could disprove them, and therefore they thought they might safely stand in the lie, and should gain credit to it. It is sad to see those relations who should quicken one another to that which is good harden one another in that which is evil.
_ _ 2. Sentence was passed upon her, that she should partake in her husband's doom, Acts 5:9.
_ _ (1.) Her sin is opened: How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Before he passes sentence, he makes her to know her abominations, and shows her the evil of her sin. Observe, [1.] That they tempted the Spirit of the Lord; as Israel tempted God in the desert, when they said, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? after they had seen so many miraculous proofs of his power; and not only his presence, but his presidency, when they said, Can God furnish a table? So here, "Can the Spirit in the apostles discover this fraud? Can they discern that this is but a part of the price, when we tell them it is the whole?" Can he judge through this dark cloud? Job 22:13. They saw that the apostles had the gift of tongues; but had they the gift of discerning spirits? Those that presume upon security and impunity in sin tempt the Spirit of God; they tempt God as if he were altogether such a one as themselves. [2.] That they agreed together to do it, making the bond of their relation to each other (which by the divine institution is a sacred tie) to become a bond of iniquity. It is hard to say which is worse between yoke-fellows and other relations — a discord in good or concord in evil. It seems to intimate that their agreeing together to do it was a further tempting of the Spirit; as if, when they had engaged to keep one another's counsel in this matter, even the Spirit of the Lord himself could not discover them. Thus they digged deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, but were made to know it is in vain. "How is it that you are thus infatuated? What strange stupidity has seized you, that you would venture to make trial of that which is past dispute? How is it that you, who are baptized Christians, do not understand yourselves better? How durst you run so great a risk?"
_ _ (2.) Her doom is read: Behold, the feet of those who have buried thy husband are at the door (perhaps he heard them coming, or knew that they could not be long): and they shall carry thee out. As Adam and Eve, who agreed to eat the forbidden fruit, were turned together out of paradise, so Ananias and Sapphira, who agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord, were together chased out of the world.
_ _ 3. The sentence executed itself. There needed no executioner, a killing power went along with Peter's word, as sometimes a healing power did; for the God in whose name he spoke kills and makes alive; and out of his mouth (and Peter was now his mouth) both evil and good proceed (Acts 5:10): Then fell she down straightway at his feet. Some sinners God makes quick work with, while others he bears long with; for which difference, doubtless, there are good reasons; but he is not accountable to us for them. She heard not till now that her husband was dead, the notice of which, with the discovery of her sin, and the sentence of death passed upon her, struck her as a thunderbolt and took her away as with a whirlwind. And many instances there are of sudden deaths which are not to be looked upon as the punishment of some gross sin, like this. We must not think that all who die suddenly are sinners above others; perhaps it is in favour to them, that they have a quick passage: however, it is forewarning to all to be always ready. But here it is plain that it was in judgment. Some put the question concerning the eternal state of Ananias and Sapphira, and incline to think that the destruction of the flesh was that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. And I should go in with that charitable opinion if there had been any space given them to repent, as there was to the incestuous Corinthian. But secret things belong not to us. It is said, She fell down at Peter's feet; there, where she should have laid the whole price and did not, she was herself laid, as it were to make up the deficiency. The young men that had the care of funerals coming in found her dead; and it is not said, They wound her up, as they did Ananias, but, They carried her out as she was, and buried her by her husband; and probably an inscription was set over their graves, intimating that they were joint-monuments of divine wrath against those that lie to the Holy Ghost. Some ask whether the apostles kept the money which they did bring, and concerning which they lied? I am apt to think they did; they had not the superstition of those who said, It is not lawful for us to put it into the treasury: for unto the pure all things are pure. What they brought was not polluted to those to whom they brought it; but what they kept back was polluted to those that kept it back. Use was made of the censers of Korah's mutineers.
_ _ V. The impression that this made upon the people. Notice is taken of this in the midst of the story (Acts 5:5): Great fear came upon all that heard these things, that heard what Peter said, and saw what followed; or upon all that heard the story of it; for, no doubt, it was all the talk of the city. And again (Acts 5:11), Great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 1. Those that had joined themselves to the church were thereby struck with an awe of God and of his judgments, and with a greater veneration for this dispensation of the Spirit which they were now under. It was not a damp or check to their holy joy, but it taught them to be serious in it, and to rejoice with trembling. All that laid their money at the apostles' feet after this were afraid of keeping back any part of the price. 2. All that heard it were put into a consternation by it, and were ready to say, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God and his Spirit in the apostles? As 1 Samuel 6:20.
But a certain man named Ananias — It is certain, not a believer, for all that believed were of one heart and of one soul: probably not baptized; but intending now to offer himself for baptism.
But (1) a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
(1) Luke shows by contrary examples how great a sin hypocrisy is, especially in those who under a false pretence and cloak of zeal seem to shine and be of great importance in the Church.
Cir, am 4038, ad 34,
Leviticus 10:1-3 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. ... Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Matthew 13:47-48 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: ... Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
Lv 10:1. Jsh 6:1. Mt 13:47. Jn 6:37. 2Ti 2:20.
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Rustic Tin Decorative Box with Oval Patterns from Mexico, "Guarded Secrets"
The square shape of this decorative box is handcrafted of tin and elaborated with patterned motifs for an excellent addition to your home. Mexican duo Aida and Cristino Lavariega present the box, given a rustic finish. A clear glass panel accentuates the lid, which lifts open with a hinge.
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Aida's income supports and provides for the education of her sons who are attending University.
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"Our technique can be divided into three important and demanding processes — marking, embossing and painting. You can't perfect any one process unless you've mastered the previous steps."
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"When we first began, all our designs had the natural metallic tones of polished tin. However, shoppers began asking for more colors and so Aida began experimenting, mixing colors and looking for attractive combinations to enhance our designs. Ever since, she has been in charge of the painstaking and delicate job of decorating figures one by one.
"Our technique can be divided into three important and demanding processes — marking, embossing and painting. You can't perfect any one process unless you've mastered the previous steps, and this is achieved through practice and discipline, and by choosing the right tools and materials for quality work.
"We're delighted to join the Novica family of artisans. We put a lot of love into our work and want our art to reach every corner of the world."


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Juan Manuel Bonet Planes (París, 1953) es un crítico de arte y literatura, poeta, comisario de exposiciones y museólogo español. Ha desempeñado los puestos de director del Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM) y del Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía de Madrid. Desde enero de 2017 a julio de 2018 ocupó el cargo de director del Instituto Cervantes.

Trayectoria
Nació en París, donde su padre, el historiador del arte Antonio Bonet Correa, daba clases en la Sorbona y donde se casó con una alumna, su madre, que es traductora. Su padre obtuvo el puesto de catedrático de arte hispanoamericano en la Universidad de Sevilla,
y se trasladó allí. Ya de adolescente escribía poemas en francés, y a los 15 años escribía en el periódico en que su padre dirigía las páginas de arte, El Correo de Andalucía, firmando como Juan de Aix, la localidad de la que era originaria la familia de su madre. Hizo entrevistas a los pintores de la galería que abrió Juana de Aizpuru en Sevilla hasta que empezó él mismo una carrera como pintor con Quico Rivas en el Equipo Múltiple, que pronto abandonó. En Madrid dirigió la galería Buades. Expuso a la nueva figuración: Carlos Alcolea, Guillermo Pérez Villalta, y a los treinta años empezó a publicar poesía y se hizo amigo de Andrés Trapiello.

Desde 1995 a 2000 fue director del Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM). Y con posterioridad del Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, de Madrid.

Entre septiembre de 2012 y enero de 2017 fue director del Instituto Cervantes de París. El 27 de enero de 2017 fue nombrado director del Instituto Cervantes,  cargo que ha desempeñado hasta el 19 de julio de 2018.

Considerado como uno de los expertos en pintura contemporánea más importantes de España, es colaborador de los periódicos ABC y El País. Preside la Fundación-Archivo Rafael Cansinos Assens. Está casado con la historiadora polaca Monika Poliwka. Su obra más conocida es su monumental Diccionario de las Vanguardias en España (1907-1936).

En cuanto a su poesía, oscila entre lo tradicional y lo vanguardista, y se ha visto en ella tanto rasgos impresionistas como minimalistas. Es autor, asimismo, del dietario La ronda de los días (1990).

Obra
Autor de monografías sobre Juan Gris, Ramón Gaya, Gerardo Rueda, Martín Chirino, Modesto Ciruelos, José Manuel Ballester, Mauricio Bueno y Pelayo Ortega, de un Diccionario de las vanguardias en España (1907-1936), de Impresos de vanguardia en España 1912-1936, de libros de poemas —La patria oscura, Café des exilés, Praga, Postales, Polonia-Noche, Nord-Sud—, de un dietario —La ronda de los días—, y de ediciones críticas de Ramón Gómez de la Serna, Rafael Cansinos Assens, José María Eguren, Rafael Lasso de la Vega, Joyce Mansour y Joan Perucho. Comisario de exposiciones como El surrealismo entre Viejo y Nuevo Mundo, El poeta como artista, El ultraísmo y las artes plásticas, Literatura argentina de vanguardia, España años 50, Vertical Thoughts: Morton Feldman and Visual Arts y Un mundo construido: Polonia 1918-1939, y de retrospectivas de, entre otros, Pablo Picasso, Giorgio Morandi, Tarsila do Amaral, Henri Michaux, Josef Sudek, Francisco Bores, Francisco Santa Cruz, Ramón Gaya, Juan Manuel Díaz-Caneja, Angel Orcajo, Esteban Vicente, José Guerrero, Manolo Millares, Francesc Catalá Roca, Leopoldo Pomés, Enrique Brinkmann, Bernard Plossu, Alex Katz, Helmut Federle, Dis Berlin, José Manuel Ballester y Neo Rauch. En 2012 publica Las cosas se han roto. Antología de la poesía Ultraísta, donde reúne a gran parte de los poetas de la primera manifestación española de las vanguardias en literatura. En 2019, en colaboración con Juan Bonilla, publica "Tierra negra con alas. Antología de la poesía vanguardista latinoamericana."

Poesía
 La patria oscura (1983)
 Café des exilés (1990)
 Última Europa (1990)
 Praga. Doce poemas de Pavel Hrádok en versión de J. M. B. (1994)
 Postales (2004)
 Polonia-Noche (2009)
 Via Labirinto (2016) obra poética completa, que incluye los inéditos En través y 5 suites.

Dietario
 La ronda de los días (1990)

Ensayo histórico
 Diccionario de las Vanguardias en España (1907-1936) (1995)
Impresos de vanguardia en España (1912-1936) (2009).

Antologías
 Las cosas se han roto. Antología de la poesía Ultraísta (2012)
 Tierra negra con alas. Antología de la poesía vanguardista latinoamericana (en colaboración con Juan Bonilla) (2019)

Referencias

Críticos de arte de España
Críticos literarios de España
Poetas de España
Escritores de España del siglo XX
Impresionismo
Literatura de vanguardia
Poesía moderna
Escritores en español del siglo XX
Escritores en español del siglo XXI
Museólogos de España
Directores del Instituto Cervantes
Nacidos en París
Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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by Sam Sodomsky
Gene Simmons Will Come to Your House and Deliver His Giant Box Set
Introducing "The Gene Simmons Vault Experience"
Gene Simmons has announced "the Gene Simmons Vault Experience." The ambitious endeavor will send the Kiss frontman all over the world, hand-delivering his unwieldy, 38-pound, career-spanning box set The Vault to happy fans in the comfort of their homes. The 10-disc set contains over 150 unreleased songs in addition to a leather-bound photo book, a Gene Simmons "non-makeup" action figure, an "In Gene We Trust" oversized medallion, a "very special surprise item," and more. The whole thing costs just $2,000.
Of course, there's also the $50,000 "Home Experience" package that involves Simmons himself bringing the damn thing straight to your doorstep. (Note: Some scheduling and travel restrictions may apply.) A more affordable $25,000 package grants you Executive Producer credit on the box set, exclusive studio time with Simmons, and access to unreleased recordings. Watch an informational video for "The Gene Simmons Vault Experience" below, and find out more information here.
https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/907591455493038080

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Ikeja Electric promises Ikorodu customers improved supply
The Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has promised residents and customers of Ikorodu area of Lagos State an improved customer experience and supply, reports ITRealms.
IE, ITRealms gathered, is one of the nation's electricity distribution company has assured Ikorodu residents of a boost in electricity supply, with its plans to ensure maximum utilization of the newly commissioned 2 X 60MVA transmission substation in Odogunyan, Lagos.
As a result of this new facility, the DisCo will be able to wheel more power to its customers at Odogunyan, Agbede, Odonla, Ogijo, Igbosoro, Ita-Oluwo, Poboyejo, Agodo, Cantonment, Fakale, Ita-Elewa, Odo-Kekere, Agbede, Ogijo, and environs.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held yesterday, the acting Managing Director/CEO of Ikeja Electric, Dr. Anthony Youdeowei, who was represented by the Chief Technical Coordinator, Engr. Sunday Oyewole, reiterated that the completion of Odogunyan Transmission Station by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) further provides the impetus to meet the demands of industrial, commercial and residential customers in Ikorodu.
"Ikeja Electric has commenced plans for maximum utilization of the new transmission capacity available at Odogunyan Transmission Station immediately after the commissioning exercise. Six 33 KV feeders will be radiated from the new two 60 MVA transformers immediately', he said.
He noted that the Odogunyan substation will relieve the workload on the existing Sabo Transmission Station at Ikorodu, thereby reducing the pressure on the network for stable and quality power to customers.
According to him, in line with its commitment to excellent service delivery, the company has also embarked on network expansion and rehabilitation in order to fully utilize the new capacity in a bid to effectively deliver power to customer for sustainable socio-economic development.
"We have embarked on rehabilitation and network expansion on the aging infrastructures for excellent service delivery to customers. The development has witnessed the replacement of Power Transformer at Mangoro and Adekunle Fajuyi Injection Substations. Rehabilitated and commissioned Maryland, Ogudu and Iju Injection Substations, while Power Transformers were also reconditioned at Oke-Afa, Itire, Alausa, Adaranijo and Ekoro Injection Substations" he said.
Youdeowei further revealed that rehabilitation works are currently ongoing at Ilupeju and Alaja Injection Substations where all the 11KV panels are currently being replaced with new ones to boost more and reliable power to the areas.
The Disco boss further called on customers in its network to ensure that they settle their bills promptly to enable the company meet its financial obligations to the sector and also carry out adequate maintenance of its infrastructure.
Dignitaries who attended the commissioning ceremony include the Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN; HRM, Oba Kabiru Adewale Sotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu; MD/CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed and the Honourable member of the House of Representative, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Jimi Benson, among others.
Ayo Midele/GEE
Labels: customers, Ikeja Electric, Ikorodu, improved, promises, supply


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Stanton Heck (January 8, 1877 – December 16, 1929), was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 50 films between 1918 and 1928. Earlier in his career, he appeared on stage in musicals such as 1906's A Parisian Model.

Partial filmography

 Broadway Bill (1918)
 The Landloper (1918)
 He's in Again (1918)
 Unexpected Places (1918)
 Hitting the High Spots (1918)
 The Hawk's Trail (1919)
 One-Thing-at-a-Time O'Day (1919)
 Easy to Make Money (1919)
 Pink Tights (1920)
 The Money Changers (1920)
 A Perfect Crime (1921)
 Scrap Iron (1921)
 The Power of a Lie (1922)
 The Gray Dawn (1922)
 Ashes (1922)
 Man's Size (1923)
 Hearts Aflame (1923)
 The Lone Star Ranger (1923)
 The Woman on the Jury (1924)
 White Man (1924)
 One Law for the Woman (1924)
 Soft Shoes (1925)
 Silent Sanderson (1925)
 The Mystic (1925)
 Old Clothes (1925)
 The Fighting Demon (1925)
 The Verdict (1925)
 Driftin' Thru (1926)
 The Bat (1926)
 Rustlers' Ranch (1926)
 The Gentle Cyclone (1926)
 Her Honor, the Governor (1926)
 The Branded Sombrero (1928)

References

External links

1877 births
1929 deaths
Male actors from Delaware
American male film actors
American male silent film actors
20th-century American male actors
Deaths from pneumonia in California


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American Fork distance to Salt Lake City
How far is American Fork from Salt Lake City?
Shortest distance between American Fork and Salt Lake City is 26.99 miles (43.44 km).
Flight distance from American Fork, UT to Salt Lake City, UT is 26.99 miles. Estimated flight time is 00 hours 03 minutes.
The driving distance from American Fork, Utah to Salt Lake City, Utah is: 31.42 miles (50.57 km) by car.
Driving from American Fork to Salt Lake City will take approximately 00 hours 33 minutes.
#1 American Fork
City in Utah County, Utah, United States
#2 Salt Lake City
City in and county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, United States and the capital of Utah
Starting point in American Fork: North 100 East (-111.795896,40.376902)
Ending point in Salt Lake City: Main Street (-111.890996,40.760782)
Estimated Travel Time Between American Fork and Salt Lake City
The distance between American Fork and Salt Lake City is 51 km if you choose to drive by road. You can go 00 hours 33 minutes if you drive your car at an average speed of 90 kilometers / hour. For different choices, please review the avg. speed travel time table on the below.
There is no time difference between American Fork and Salt Lake City. The current time is 15:03:09.
A car with a fuel efficiency of 8.3 l/100 km will need 4.2 liters (1.11 gallon) of gas to cover the route between American Fork and Salt Lake City.
The estimated cost of gas to go from American Fork to Salt Lake City is $4.55 (diesel $5.38).
The place names are translated into coordinates to approximate the distance between American Fork and Salt Lake City (latitude and longitude). Cities, states, and countries each have their own regional center. The Haversine formula is used to measure the radius.
Driving distance from Saint George, UT to American Fork 273.9 miles (441 km)
Driving distance from Draper, UT to American Fork 15.36 miles (25 km)
Herriman, UT
Driving distance from Herriman, UT to American Fork 18.41 miles (30 km)
Driving distance from Layton, UT to American Fork 53.52 miles (86 km)
Driving distance from Lehi, UT to American Fork 3.5 miles (6 km)
Driving distance from Logan, UT to American Fork 111.54 miles (180 km)
Millcreek, UT
Driving distance from Millcreek, UT to American Fork 26.54 miles (43 km)
Driving distance from Murray, UT to American Fork 24.42 miles (39 km)
Driving distance from Ogden, UT to American Fork 67.51 miles (109 km)
Driving distance from Orem, UT to American Fork 9.6 miles (15 km)
Driving distance from Provo, UT to American Fork 13.99 miles (23 km)
Driving distance from Sandy, UT to American Fork 19.35 miles (31 km)


Every day you hear on TV and radio the subject of sleep deprivation. Listen to Larry Mantle on the popular show AirTalk talk about the "TV and film industry." He suggests as a cure a new electronic device that will give you a warning before you fall asleep.
Writing to 12on12off, a camerawoman said to keep her from falling asleep at the wheel, she would put her hair outside the window, roll it up, and hopefully that would warn her she was falling asleep.
Long hair and electronic devices are not the answer to driving while sleep deprived.
Who is asking the question of why we must risk our lives? The I.A.T.S.E., in a unanimous decision, links sleep deprivation and fatigue to critical safety and health hazards.
The organization 12on12off is asking Producers and Production Managers not to schedule more than 12 hours on Friday, March 21st . No Fraturday please.


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Cardiacs – In Session – 1987 – Nights At The Roundtable: Session Edition
Cardiacs - musical bedlam with a side of chaos.
Cardiacs – musical bedlam with a side of chaos.
Click on the link here for Audio Player – Cardiacs in Session for Janice Long – BBC Radio 1 – November 27, 1987 – BBC Radio
When I first heard Cardiacs (back when they were known as Cardiac Arrest for a short period of time), I thought they were next logical step in that progression of music which hovered somewhere between early Split Enz, an upbeat Van der Graaf Generator with a dollop of Supersister. They had taken the form of Progressive Rock, took out the potential pretense, kept the stylistic and musical complexity and generally tossed it sideways. It has, on occasion, been referred to as Progressive Punk, but I'm with founder Tim Smith in saying it's not really that. Suffice to say, it's a lot of things, and so much more. It's the best and most kinetic stew imaginable.
The end result was an infectious musical madness that, one wondered, how long it could sustain on sheer energy and invention alone.
Well, Cardiac Arrest dissolved the name in 1980 and resurrected in 1981 as Cardiacs, they ramped it up further. With the key ingredient of Sarah Smith (the former Sarah Cutts) on Saxophone (which is probably where the Van der Graaf similarity pops in), Cardiac became one of the truly unique – and one of the most influential, musical entities in a few decades.
The band went through several personnel changes between the late 80s and 2008. For one thing, Sarah Smith left the band, and with her went one of the unique elements – they replaced her with keyboards and that did something to change the sound, even though she went on to record with the band and make rare appearances. But the intent and the execution were unmovable and Cardiacs continued carving their history until founder Tim Smith had a serious heart attack and several strokes, putting the band on permanent hiatus as of 2008. At the moment, it's up in the air as to whether or not the legacy of Cardiac will continue. But there are some 10 studio albums to immerse yourself in, as well as 5 compilations and 5 live albums to keep you going.
In the meantime, here is a live session, recorded by the BBC for The Janice Long show on November 27, 1987.
Crank it up and I dare you to fall asleep to it.
Tags: Arts and Entertainment, BBC, Cardiac, Cardiac Arrest, Janice Long, Split Enz, Supersister, Tim Smith
Previous Death By Merger – 1955 – Past Daily Reference Room
Next A Week Old And Day Strange – January 23, 1991


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Home›Promotions›BBNaija Season Five is Coming with Big Surprises
BBNaija Season Five is Coming with Big Surprises
The fifth season of the very popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, is set to launch on Sunday, July 19, 2020 on DStv 198 and GOtv 29.
Following the success of the previous seasons, BBNaija Pepper Dem, season five promises to be bigger, better and more explosive.
While the new season will experience some changes due to the peculiar circumstances in 2020, none of the excitement and entertainment of the show will be lost.
The sweep of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world required that the auditions for the show this year be virtual. In previous seasons, hall and auditioning centers across the country were usually packed full of young Nigerians vying for a shot at success at the BBNaija audition.
The organizers this year received over 30,000 entries from youths across Nigeria. While they are yet to reveal the number of housemates the BBNaija house will be seeing this year, there's already a lot of excitement around who makes it. In 2019, the show had a total of 26 housemates.
Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said MultiChoice is committed to creating "a show that is COVID-19 free", so they are taking extra precautions in line with the NCDC guidelines to ensure housemates' safety.
Selected participants and potential housemates are already in lockdown and are quarantined individually ahead of launch and will not be in contact anyone before entering the BBNaija House.
In an online press briefing with media partners, the Chief Customer Officer revealed that the BBNaija prize money this year will be "the highest ever in the history of the show", expectations are high as to what the winner of the reality show stands to win this year, the amount will be revealed in good time before the launch. The winner of the last season of the show in 2019, Mercy Eke, went home with the 30 million naira prize money.
The organizers have also promised that there will be "new elements for DStv and GOtv subscribers" this year and an even higher level of audience engagement in the show.
There's a lot of excitement and anticipation for the new season of BBNaija despite COVID-19.
According to Martin, BBNaija will continue this year as a "show of our dedication to providing quality entertainment and value for our audience, while exporting Nigerian culture to the world.
TagsBBNAIJA
Creating Content in a Crisis, the DAZN ...
Why Marketers are on Upbeat for ' ...
How The Big Brother Naija Platform Contributed To My Growth as an Actress and Singer- Bisola Aiyeola
Toke Makinwa Gives Insight into Wildest BBNaija Moments of the Week
BrandNews
MultiChoice BBNaija: The Power of Bonding Vs Clamour for a Boycott, Few Hidden Lessons
How Bet9ja Walks its "More than a Bet" Talk, Buoys Nigerian Entertainment Industry
The Female Housemates Of The BBNaija 'Shine Ya Eye' Season Unveiled
Multichoice Announces 'No SMS Voting' as BBNaija Season Six Premieres July 24


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InTranslation
James Harithas with Raphael Rubinstein
It must have been around 1997 that I was having lunch with Jim Harithas and Norman Bluhm on Mercer Street in SoHo and I described to them an exhibition I'd just seen at the Drawing Center.
Mowry Baden's "Leisure Monuments"
By Robert Hullot-Kentor
No getting cozy; no sense propping up a window, leaning back in a chair or adjusting the lamp. There is a story to tell and snap shots to look at, but this will be over before it starts.
Chuck Close with Phong Bui
The following conversation between Chuck Close and Rail Publisher Phong Bui was initially held at The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation—The Space Program in its new location at 20 Jay Street, D.U.M.B.O., Brooklyn, of whom both are members of the Artists Advisory Committee—then carried further at the painter's West Village home last Sunday.
David Novros with Phong Bui
Since his last exhibition of six copper paintings at Earl McGrath Gallery in 2000, David Novros has been working on five monumental paintings which can be seen as his synthesis of early shaped canvas and fresco paintings. On a sunny afternoon this Spring, Rail Publisher Phong Bui paid a visit to the painter's studio to talk about his life and work.
Wynn Kramarsky with William Corbett
Wynn Kramarsky's collection of contemporary works on paper consists of more than 3,000 drawings amassed over the last 50 years. His interests focus on the work of Minimalist and Post-Minimalist artists.
Tribute to Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008)
By Dorothea Rockburne and Nan Rosenthal
Rauschenberg said "There is no reason not to consider the world as a gigantic painting." The process of cropping artfully from the "gigantic painting" and then clustering the actuality and materials of the real world in and onto his art was his central project.
Lost In Space: Art Post-Studio
By Sharon L. Butler
Renaissance artists were members of professional guilds, maintained studios known as workshops, and staffed them with assistants to help complete monumental commissions. But that was an era in which princes and popes extolled artists as the aesthetic lifeblood of the city-state and supported them accordingly. In modern times, artists haven't been able to count on such public largess.
He was a goner, a nonentity, and although he's had a perfectly respectable career, to the forces that "streamline" history, he was invisible.
The Mind-Body Problem: Courbet, Poussin and Contemporary Art
Two recent exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art give insight into our heritage from the tradition of European art. The first is Poussin and Nature: Arcadian Visions (February 12 – May 11) and the second is Courbet (February 27 – May 18). Incredibly, Arcadian Visions is the first exhibition devoted exclusively to Poussin's landscape painting. Courbet is the artist's first full retrospective in 30 years.
At Rest, in Peace: Farewell to Patrick Ireland
By Whitney Rugg
A procession began with the museum's accompanying exhibition, The Burial of Patrick Ireland. At the interment site, a modest pine coffin holding a death mask of the artist was lowered by pall bearers into the ground. The somber services included orations and poetry readings by prominent art world figures, culminating in a haunting recitation of keening, the traditional Irish mourning wail, by artist Alanna O'Kelly. At the completion of the ceremony, the audience of onlookers—comprised of the artist's family, friends, colleagues, scholars, reporters, and members of the general public—burst into raucous applause as Brian O'Doherty, the man who created Patrick Ireland, stood with his arms outstretched, cheering "thank you for peace!"


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How the Coronavirus Risks Further Weakening the Kivus
A MONUSCO Blue Helmet in Kibati (North-Kivu) in September 2012 (Monusco/Sylvain Liechti)
For the last 20 months, eastern Congo has been fighting the longest and most complex Ebola epidemic in DRC's history. It has also been the most lethal, killing 2,276 people.
On top of this, a new communicable disease appeared in the Kivus in March: the coronavirus, or COVID-19. On March 29, the first two cases were confirmed in Bukavu. Since then, others were recorded in Goma and Beni.
This analysis is an attempt to anticipate the effects that this epidemic might have on peace and security in the Kivus, even if, due to its unprecedented nature, such an exercise is difficult. COVID-19 is the first coronavirus pandemic in history. It is currently still in its early stages around the world, and even more so on the African continent. Above all, it too has not hit a conflict zone before.
Although the Ebola epidemic can provide useful insights, the two situations are not the same. The Ebola epidemic only affected a limited area of the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. While its death rate was very high (over half of those infected died), the disease was only transmittable after the dramatic and easily identifiable symptoms appeared and was therefore traceable. A vaccine was used to help control its contagion. The DRC also received support from the international community to cope with this epidemic totaling over 800 Million USD (in French). Health workers became targets (in French) and the capture of resources allocated by the international community became an objective, which seems to have escalated the conflicts.
Conversely, COVID-19 has shown no signs of stopping its geographical progression and nothing indicates that it will remain limited to certain areas in the east of DRC. Control strategies by means of tracking and confinement are extremely difficult with this virus, which can be transmitted by asymptomatic carriers. Only a handful of countries around the world (Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan or Vietnam) have until now been able to implement them with any success. All were countries with strong states, and it is unclear whether the DRC has such capacity, particularly in the east. This is also a pandemic which is affecting every continent. Although China and the European Union (EU) have committed to assist the continent (the EU announced that it has pledged 15 billion euros in aid), this assistance, targeted in part to the whole of Africa, will necessarily be more diluted than that of the response to the Ebola epidemic.
In such conditions, any prospective analysis is necessarily speculative, and any trends identified can only be provisional at best.
Observable Consequences
The arrival of the virus in the region has, nevertheless, had observable consequences in the Kivus. All the surrounding states have closed their borders to travelers: this was the case for Burundi since March 15, followed by Rwanda since the 21st and Uganda since the 23rd. These decisions have cut transport routes regularly used by Kivutians, such as the Bukavu-Goma road via Kibuye in Rwanda, or the Bukavu-Uvira road via Rwanda and Burundi. Some of the traffic has therefore been diverted to roads in poorer condition or that are more dangerous, exposing travelers to more risks. A rise in insecurity was seen at the start of April in the Ruzizi Plain (in French), without direct proof that this is due to the closing of borders. Also, provincial authorities have decided to close access roads to the main urban centers of the region, namely Bukavu, Goma, Butembo, and Beni.
Such restrictions do not apply in principle to the transport of goods. However, reports obtained by KST indicate that these decisions have been interpreted overly strictly and have in effect slowed down trade. Most of the region's trade, and specifically that of small traders who physically move with their goods, have been affected. Additionally, these borders – particularly between Goma and Gisenyi in Rwanda – see thousands of workers cross them daily under normal circumstances.
The crisis has therefore led to a loss of such economic activity as well as to a rise in the price of basic necessities, which has eroded the purchasing power of inhabitants. On March 26, shortly after the closing of the borders, inflation had already reached between 5 and 88% for basic necessities according to KST data in Goma.
However, the economic situation could deteriorate further if local authorities adopt strict confinement measures, such as those put in place in the municipality of Gombe in Kinshasa since April 6 (in French). These could have devastating consequences on employment and income in urban areas where wage labor is the exception, remote working rarely feasible and where the informal sector represents most of the work available (the urban informal sector represented 81.5% of jobs in 2012 in the DRC). If implemented, such measures could lead to tension by negatively impacting the basic interests of most of the population.
Furthermore, the international economic slowdown is also affecting the Kivus. Similarly to previous economic crises, transfers of remittances by the diaspora, overrepresented in the most vulnerable classes of industrial societies, could dry up. The price of raw materials on international markets has also fallen considerably. The impact is already visible including on tin prices whose ore, cassiterite, is mined in Walikale and Shabunda territories.
One-year gold price history in USD in tons (source: lme.com)
However, the value of other ores produced in the Kivus such as gold, considered a refuge currency, remained at a historically high level.
One-year gold price history in USD in ounces (source: lme.com)
The security implications of the global economic slowdown remain difficult to predict, however. The economic slump, particularly when it affects the young, could facilitate their recruitment by armed groups. The previous global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, however, did not have a direct impact on the scale of the conflicts. 2009 was even a year of relative calm, with the signing of the 23 March Agreements which put an end to the most powerful of uprisings of the time, the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). These peace agreements, however, were the result of regional reconfigurations rather than the international financial crisis.
Preventative measures
Above all, the effects of the coronavirus epidemic are not confined to the economy but impact all human activity in different ways. The UN Mission to the DRC (MONUSCO) is, for example, unusually affected by this crisis. While there has not been any known case among its ranks to date (according to a spokesperson asked by KST), it has taken preventative measures to avoid becoming a vector of this epidemic.
It has urged its staff who are at risk to return to their home country. Its civilian staff who have remained in the DRC have to work remotely from home. The rotations of uniformed personnel have been suspended for an initial period of three months, which in the medium term could have a negative effect on troop morale. MONUSCO's network of regular air links (the densest in the country) has been suspended, which poses logistical problems for many organizations who depend on it, including the FARDC.
Despite such precautions, hostile reactions from local communities towards UN staff could increase, as the coronavirus is, for the moment, largely seen as a problem that came from abroad. This kind of phenomenon has been seen by KST many times during the Ebola epidemic (in French). Moreover, hostile reactions to foreigners have also been seen in Kinshasa since the start of the coronavirus epidemic (in French).
Over the course of the coming months, MONUSCO donor states, who provide troops and finance, could focus their resources on their own countries, relegating the crisis in the Kivus to the back of their minds. Mediation and demobilization initiatives for armed groups, which require travel, meetings and other gatherings, risk becoming more difficult due to the measures aimed at fighting the health crisis. Some bases where combatants were gathered have been closed (such as in Mubambiro near Sake), with probable negative consequences for security.
It follows that MONUSCO's effectiveness will likely suffer for several months. Its ability to maintain pressure on armed groups, already found lacking by many Congolese, will be further weakened.
Regional impact
Countries in the region, which are often more closely integrated with the international economy, are also likely to be severely affected by the crisis. In recent years, Rwanda in particular has heavily invested in the air transport, tourism, and conference industries (in French). The exceptionally severe impact of the coronavirus crisis on these sectors could result in a shock leading to a review of the country's priorities.
Also, if the crisis there were to lead to political instability in neighboring countries, including among the elite, turning their focus abroad – and particularly to the DRC – could be a survival strategy for those in authority. Furthermore, this shock comes at a time when levels of distrust between Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi are exceptionally high, despite the efforts of the DRC to bring them together.
The war by proxy being waged by these countries on Congolese soil, particularly in the highlands of the South-Kivu, could therefore continue or even escalate. Controlling smuggling routes, particularly for resources which have maintained their value such as gold, could become even more critical at regional level.
Further, Congolese security forces risk having to deal with mounting challenges. The imposition of social distancing measures could force them to deploy their very limited resources to urban areas. Additionally, in the Kivus, the maintenance of order frequently leads to abuses by the security services, which can degenerate into local conflicts. The Congolese state's budget crisis, which is likely to worsen mainly due to the global economic slowdown, will make financing military operations harder. Even if MONUSCO were to seek to do everything possible to continue to support the FARDC in their fight against armed groups (in French) – particularly the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Beni territory – the weakening of both the FARDC and MONUSCO may have an adverse impact on such operations.
Armed groups and militias are also likely to be affected by the current crisis. Although it may be difficult to quantify, a large part of their income comes from taxes collected at roadblocks, where activity has already dropped, and in all probability for a prolonged period.
This could incite such groups to use other means, including violent ones, to make up their shortfall in income: cases of kidnappings for ransom, looting and abductions may rise. Also, the issue of controlling smuggling routes could become even more critical.
The growth of self-defense groups (Mai-Mai or Raia Mutomboki) has also historically been linked to perceived threats from abroad, such as the presence of neighboring countries' armies in the 1990s or of uprisings backed by foreigners in the 2000s and 2010s. Even though the coronavirus pandemic is a different type of threat, armed groups could exploit the need for more security by carrying out checks on movements within communities, for example, since the virus is currently widely seen as a threat which came from abroad.
Lastly, the desire to appropriate part of the international aid allocated to fight the disease – regardless of whether it is financially significant – could add to continuing insecurity, as was the case during the Ebola epidemic.
A paralyzed international community, an escalation of regional conflicts, a weakening of the state… If confirmed, these trends may foster the emergence of new militias and armed groups, accelerating the fragmentation of the security landscape in the Kivus. Within a decade, the number of armed groups has increased from 30 to 130. Their numbers could rise further still in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis.
After the Death of at Least 77 Civilians, the Congolese Army's Strategy Against the ADF is Called into Question
A Congolese army soldier in North Kivu in 2012. (MONUSCO/Sylvain Liechti)
This blog post was updated on Monday, November 25, 2019, to reflect the killing of 8 more people in Beni, bringing the death count to 77.
"Are we next?" This is the dreaded question that haunts the sleepless nights of the inhabitants of Beni territory. Over the last two weeks, there has almost not been a night without civilian massacres, in the Grand Nord of North Kivu. Ten people killed in Kokola on November 5, 15 in Mbau the following week, 20 in Mavete and Beni on November 19… In all, Kivu Security Tracker (KST) has logged the deaths of 77 civilians in abuses carried out by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Over such a short period, such numbers have been unheard of since the wave of killings at the end of 2014, in which 345 people were killed in three months in Beni territory.
All such abuses occurred on the road between Beni town and Eringeti, the most used trunk road in the region. From these towns, you can hear, at a distance, the heavy artillery shelling by the Congolese army of the Uganda-based Islamist rebellion's positions. However, it is neighbors who are found dead in the early hours of the morning, in most cases killed by stabbing.
According to the Congolese army, however, the "large offensive" launched on October 30 against the ADF has all the hallmarks of success. In announcements largely taken up by Congolese media in the absence of alternative sources, it has reported significant progress in the "triangle of death," between Eringeti, Mbau and Kamango. If credible, the ADF camps of Vemba, Kadou, Kididiwe, Karwamba, Mabeto, Mayangose, Bahari, Chochota, and Mapobu have been recaptured.
KST has in fact been able to confirm that some of these have been captured, including Mapobu, one of the rebellion's main bases (see the above map), in offensives that have cost the lives of 19 Congolese soldiers. Also credible is the death of one of the ADF's leaders, named "Mzee wa Kazi" by the Congolese army. An analysis of the three different photos of his remains obtained by KST reveals that in reality this is Nasser Abdu Hamid Diiru, Deputy Mwalika Camp Commander.
Organigram from the Congo Research Group report "Inside the ADF" of November 2018.
Are such advances the sign of a future military victory? One indicator in particular raises doubt about the effective weakening of the ADF: the number of combatants killed. KST has only been able to confirm the death of 7 ADF combatants. Some photos of the taking of Mapobu show four additional bodies. The head of operations, General Jacques Nduru Chaligonza (in French), announced on November 8 that his men had killed 25 enemy combatants. However, since then the FARDC has refused to provide a complete list.
Regardless of the source, the casualties reported by the ADF appear relatively small in number. In their last report, UN experts estimated that this rebellion had between 790 and 1060 soldiers at its disposal, spread over their various camps.
"The enemy is carrying out delaying combat actions: they engage a few combatants every time and seek only to slow down our progress to allow the core of their forces to flee," admitted a Congolese army officer.
According to this source, the purpose of the ADF attacks against civilians was to push back the FARDC towards urban areas and to divert it from its objectives. "However, we have understood their strategy," the source stated. "That's why we are continuing our advances towards the interior." The target of the FARDC is the main ADF camp: the "Madina complex."
Map from the UN Group of Experts on the DRC report of June 2019.
In the eventuality that this base is captured, would it mean the end of the ADF? In previous offensives, such as that of 2014, the FARDC had managed to capture it. However, the territory had not been occupied permanently and the rebels had managed to recapture their strongholds and rebuild their capacity. There is no evidence that things would be different this time. "Our strategy is different," claimed the Congolese army officer. "Once we have conquered our targets, we're going to build up our presence and occupy the area."
Will the FARDC be able to sustain such an effort in the long term? Some military sources have announced that substantial resources have been implemented, putting forward an unverifiable figure of 22,000 soldiers present on the front. This seems doubtful, however, given the reported casualties. In the past, several FARDC offensives ended due to a lack of funding. It is unclear whether the Congolese state can do better this time, based on public finances. At the end of September, only 3.3 billion dollars had been raised for the state budget, against 4.3 announced at the time (in French). And Kinshasa has other costly priorities, such as the rollout of free primary education (in French).
In this context, accusations of complicity with the ADF are rife. In the past, authorities in Kinshasa have regularly accused local authorities of collusion with the rebellion. However, in the view of the former minister of Foreign Affairs, Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, still influential in the region, the issue lies rather with the Congolese army's senior commanders. "No offensive will succeed as long as these men, whose misdemeanors have been brought to light many times, are still in place," he stated to KST. This opponent had aligned himself with President Félix Tshisekedi last May (in French) and called for the appointment of certain officers to operational command against the ADF, without success (in French). He has since distanced himself from the presidency: he indicated that he has not returned to the country since August.
In any case, the toll in civilian lives has made the operation difficult to sustain in the long term. If there were to be further massacres, Congolese public opinion could cease to support the main offensive announced by Félix Tshisekedi in the east of the country. Sporadic demonstrations have occurred in Beni, Butembo, Oicha, and Kasindi. The citizen movement Lucha, who had assisted the FARDC on November 9 (in French), are now demonstrating to call for security measures in favor of the population, such as in Oicha on November 20. North Kivu deputies, who had called for this operation on November 4 (in French), now describe themselves as "deeply worried" by how the situation is evolving (in French).
"In fact, this operation had not been prepared," complained one of them. "It was only launched to satisfy the president who had committed to bringing peace in the east of the country. Some military chiefs never really believed in it themselves."
President Félix Tshisekedi had publicly announced, on October 10, the imminent start of the "last" offensive against the ADF that would "definitively exterminate them." To do so, he tried to obtain foreign support, notably from Uganda. He even more broadly attempted to constitute a regional coalition against armed groups in the east, with the creation of an integrated Chiefs of Staff in Goma.
These efforts failed in the face of mistrust between Kigali and Kampala: on October 25, Uganda refused to associate itself with this initiative. Félix Tshisekedi did discuss this problem again with Yoweri Museveni on November 9 in Kampala. Officially, the two men agreed "to work together" against "the negative forces which hold sway in the east of the DRC." "However, we are aware of no indications that, on the ground, Uganda is assisting the FARDC in this operation," claimed a MONUSCO official.
The FARDC are therefore alone on the front. Especially since MONUSCO has not joined in the offensive either. It has only provided occasional support in the form of reconnaissance flights and evacuation of the injured (in French) – some twenty FARDC soldiers have been evacuated to date, according to a UN source.
MONUSCO has also had difficulty in carrying out its mission to protect the civilian population, one of the two main priorities of its mandate (in French). "We're trying to establish 24/7 patrols, as well as roadblocks to filter movements of people," explained one of the officials. "But it's very difficult to monitor individuals who move at night with cold weapons. It even seems that the ADF are using networks already established in towns."
The Islamist rebellion has in fact been present in the region since 1995 and has developed strong ties with some local communities. And in turn it seems to have carefully prepared for the FARDC offensive. In September and October, KST observed an upswing in ADF attacks against FARDC positions, with the possible aim of intimidating them and recovering their weapons.
"We have also noticed movements towards Tshabi in the province of Ituri, which would suggest that the ADF have put their wives and children out of harm's way," added a UN source. During some of their attacks, the rebels have also targeted specific communities, such as the pygmies, whose members are sometimes employed as trackers for the Congolese army. A prominent family in Oicha was also massacred.
At this price, the Congolese army will perhaps be able to conquer the last ADF strongholds. Maybe this is its objective. It would allow those in power to show some results. A complete victory over the ADF, on the other hand, seems doubtful without a change of strategy.