KENYA 

Kenyan politics marred with blackmail, intimidation, Ruto tells Americans 

Deputy President William Ruto has said that there is a lot of blackmail and intimidation ahead of the August 9 polls.

Speaking at the Karson Institute for Race, Peace and Social Justice in Maryland, US, Ruto said that despite the use of the criminal justice system to intimidate leaders, he is confident he will clinch the presidency.

“Kenyans will make independent choices. We would have expected to do this without the baggage of blackmail going on at the moment but unfortunately, that’s where we are,” he said.

The DP noted that the biggest issues on the ballot during the August General E lection will be the democracy of the country and whether people have the opportunity to make choices, devoid of blackmail, threats and intimidation.

Ruto left the country on Sunday for a 12-day tour of the US, UK and Qatar.

During the trip, he is expected to meet different groups of people across different states, including government officials.

(Source: The Star)

UGANDA

Uganda’s First Son Gen Muhoozi plans another visit to Rwanda

Uganda’s First Son Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has announced that he will return to Kigali “to solve all outstanding issues between Rwanda and Uganda”.

This comes five weeks after the Commander of Uganda’s land forces met President Paul Kagame in Kigali on a mission to restore bilateral relations.

“After a long discussion with my uncle, President Kagame, this morning, we have agreed that I will return to Kigali in the coming days to sort out all outstanding issues between Uganda and Rwanda,” Lt. Gen. Muhoozi tweeted on Monday.

Analysts say that Lt-Gen Muhoozi’s latest visit that brought optimism to Rwandans and Ugandans has not resulted in anything tangible from a realistic perspective.

“After following most of Lt-Gen. Muhoozi’s tweets, from a psychological perspective, there is a possibility of just chasing appeasement instead of real results. Despite the promises, we have not seen any tangible change. Rwanda might just have to reiterate its requests to Uganda,” said Dr Eric Ndushabandi, a lecturer of political science at the University of Rwanda.

Dr Ndushabandi added that although Lt-Gen Muhoozi holds a significant position to influence political decisions in Uganda, relations between both countries will not normalise until presidents Yoweri Museveni and Kagame are deliberately involved.

(Source: The East African)

TANZANIA

US sanctions Tanzanian for funding Mozambique insurgents 

The United States has announced sanctions on a Tanzanian national for his role in financing the ISIS-backed insurgency in Mozambique.

Washington says Peter Charles Mbaga, aka Abu Kaidha, facilitated fund transfers from South Africa, where he is based, and helped an armed group linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) purchase equipment on the South African market.

The 45-year-old is further cited for seeking to purchase weapons in Mozambique.

The US “is taking this action to disrupt and expose key ISIS supporters who exploit South Africa’s financial system to facilitate the funding of ISIS affiliates and networks across Africa,” said US Treasury Under Secretary Brian E. Nelson.

(Source: The East African)

RWANDA

World leaders adopt Rwanda-sponsored resolution on plastic pollution

The Fifth Session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, adopted a historic resolution to end plastic pollution.

The resolution, which was co-authored by Rwanda and Peru, sets in motion the development of an international, legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.

It was adopted after the leaders agreed that all countries – be they coastal, land-locked, or island states – are affected by the growing dependence on single-use and non-biodegradable plastics.

The resolution sets out the urgent need for a legally-binding global framework that takes bold action to end plastic pollution.

The framework will encourage regular monitoring through national action plans, as well as international cooperation and knowledge-sharing.

(Source: The New Times)

ETHIOPIA 

Ethiopia Closely Following Developments in Europe with Great Caution: PM Abiy

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that Ethiopia closely follows the developments in Europe with great caution, urging all parties to exercise restraint in the Ukraine crisis.

“Ethiopia has abundant lessons to share from its recent engagement in war. Our experience has shown the devastating consequence that war inflicts upon families, communities, livelihoods and the economy at large. While the material consequence of war can be thought to be easily replenished, it is the lasting impact on the fabric of society that scars nations,” he said in his statement.

“As Ethiopia closely follows the developments in Europe with great caution, we urge all parties to exercise restraint in the Ukraine crisis. We express our concern at the escalating rhetoric that risks further intensifying the issue and call upon all concerned to explore the multiple pathways to reach an understanding, ”the premier pointed out.

(Source: ENA)

SUDAN 

Sudan says position on Russia ‘clear’ 

Sudan’s military junta has said it had always had a “clear” stand on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, even though officials declined to disclose it to the public.

And as international pressure mounted on Khartoum, especially from its European Union partners, the deputy chairman of the Sovereign Council said Sudan had already pronounced itself on the matter on Monday.

Lt-Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (aka Hemedti), who toured Moscow last week, defended what he called “deep” Sudan-Russia relations, and revealed a series of joint cooperation agreements reached between the two countries in many fields, especially military and economic.

The Sovereign Council had earlier said it supports diplomatic solutions to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

However, Sudan on Wednesday abstained on a vote to condemn Russian aggression by the UN General Assembly, joining 34 other countries, 17 of them in Africa, in doing so.

(Source: The East African)

ERITREA

Vote by the delegation of Eritrea during the 11th Special Emergency Session of UNGA explained 

“Eritrea firmly believes that respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, are sacrosanct principles and should be respected by everyone, at all times, for the attainment of sustainable world peace.

Eritrea’s vote is a demonstration of its uncompromising stand for peace. Its position is against internationalising, incessant rhetoric, and impositions of unilateral sanctions, which regrettably further polarise international relations and escalate the situation with enormous implications for civilians. Instead, we have consistently opted for world regions to be given the needed space and solidarity to address political problems.

The situation between Russia and Ukraine raises serious concern with political, economic and security ramifications for Europe and the rest of the world. It requires immediate resolution by giving more chances to diplomacy. We hope that the ongoing talks between the two parties on the Belarusian border yield a quick and acceptable agreement to stop the war and pave a foundation for peace in the region.

Eritrea opposes all forms of unilateral sanctions as illegal and counterproductive. Eritrea, as a country that has been subjected to such measures by the West for two decades, including new sets of unilateral measures, understands that sanctions do not resolve problems of peace and security. On the contrary, they only hurt innocent people and undermine the road to peace.

It will be remiss if I don’t address disturbing reports that African citizens living in Ukraine are facing difficulties to cross the borders. We call on all countries to facilitate safe passages to people fleeing for safety regardless of their racial identity.

Let me conclude by reiterating that Eritrea would like to see that the windows for diplomacy remain open. We are confident of the ability of the parties to resolve their differences and reach an outcome that meets the interests and concerns of all. We hope that the international community constructively supports the parties in their search for sustainable peace.”

(Source: Ministry of Information)

SOMALIA

What Was Discussed During Sheikh Sharif’s Meeting With The New US Ambassador? 

Former Somali President and Chairman of the Union of Candidates, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Tuesday, March 3, met with US Ambassador to Somalia Larry ‘Andre at the US Embassy in Mogadishu.

The meeting between the two officials discussed the current political situation in the country, the completion of the parliamentary elections, the challenges facing the election and the issue of security.

Former Somali President and Chairman of the Union of Candidates Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed thanked the United States for its support to peace building and the democratisation process in Somalia.

“I met with the new Ambassador Larry ‘Andre at the US Embassy today. We discussed the situation in the country, the completion of the elections and the security challenges, ” said Sheikh Sharii.

In a statement issued during his meeting with Ambassador Larry ‘Andre, Sharif concluded by saying, “I thank the United States for its support to peace building and the democratisation process in Somalia.”

(Source: Radio Dalsan)