KENYA 

Nick Salat’s vitriol confounds OKA leaders 

A fierce war of words broke out yesterday between allies of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, exposing the growing rift in One Kenya Alliance (OKA) over plans to join Azimio la Umoja.

Still reeling from the loss of Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula to Deputy President William Ruto’s camp in January, the fresh wars threaten to further tear the alliance apart.

Yesterday, Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat scathingly attacked Mr Musyoka, branding him indecisive and declaring his party will no longer be held to ransom by his delaying tactics and will attend the Azimio meeting in Nairobi tomorrow.

In a bare-knuckle statement to newsrooms, Mr Salat insisted that the party will not be derailed by Mr Musyoka in its quest to join the Raila Odinga-led Azimio La Umoja.

(Source: Daily Nation)

UGANDA

State prosecutor arrested over UgShs3m bribe to close defilement case file

Masindi Resident State Attorney (RSA) has been arrested on allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe of Shs3 million from a suspect in a case of defilement in order to close the file. 

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit on Thursday said Mr Charles Bwiiso was caught red handed receiving a deposit of Shs1.5 million from the suspect’s family.

Mr Bwiiso is said to have been arrested in a joint operation between officials from the anti-graft unit led by Brig Gen Henry Isoke and police.

It is alleged that a case of defilement was reported to Masindi police station and the suspect spent ten days in custody before appearing in court.

Sources at Masindi police told this publication that the families of the suspect and the victim agreed to settle the matter out of court and an agreement was written before they asked the Resident State Attorney to withdraw the case.

Mr Julius Hakiza, the Albertine regional police spokesperson confirmed the state attorney’s arrest.

TANZANIA

Tanzanian opposition leader freed after seven months in custody

A Tanzanian court has ordered the release of opposition leader Freeman Mbowe after the prosecution dropped terrorism charges against him.

In a judgement handed down on  March 4, session judge Joachim Tiganga ordered Mbowe’s freedom alongside three other defendants after the prosecution moved to drop charges of terrorism financing and conspiracy.

Mbowe, chairman of the Chadema party, was arrested in July along with a number of other senior party officials just hours before they were to hold a public forum to demand constitutional reforms in Tanzania.

His supporters had branded the case as a politically motivated move to crush dissent, and Mbowe has accused police of torturing him during his nearly seven months in custody.

“We have no intention to continue with the case,” state prosecutor Robert Kidando told the court.

(Source: Al Jazeera)

RWANDA

Belgium to continue with relations with Rwanda, says Belgian Ambassador

The Belgian Ambassador to Rwanda, Bert Vermessen, held talks with the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Donatille Mukabalisa, focusing on the good relations between the two countries, as well as the development of the two countries, especially in the fields of health, agriculture and investment.

The leaders also returned to the co-operation of the two parliaments as a way to further strengthen relations through the legislature.

The Belgian Ambassador to Rwanda said that in the context of economic cooperation, there are many sectors that will benefit, especially the business sector in both countries.

“We have talked a lot about the economy because in the next three weeks there will be a group of 25 Belgian investors who will come to study the state of the Rwandan market. We also talked about the East African market,” he said. 

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Mukabalisa Donatille, said the talks would be followed by practical activities, especially in the areas of investment that will benefit the people of both countries, as well as the East African Region as a whole.

(Source: Rwanda Broadcasting Agency) 

ERITREA

International Women’s Day celebration

International Women’s Day, March 8, was celebrated in the Central Region under the theme “Principled Belief for Timely Imperative!” featuring various programs observing the guidelines issued to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the ceremony held at the Central Office of the National Union of Eritrean Women, Ms. Ketema Keleta, head of Administration and Finance of the union branch, delivered an official statement of the union issued in connection with International Women’s Day.

Indicating that the struggle of Eritrean women for total emancipation has been part and parcel of the struggle for ensuring equality and national independence, Ms. Ketema said that the strong participation of Eritrean women has a unique place in the shining national history and the victory gained.

Ms. Ketema went on to say that the struggle of Eritrean women has significantly contributed to the transformation of the retrogressive attitude of the society on gender issues as well as creating equal opportunities for women in all sectors including employment, education, and other social services.

Ms. Ketema also called on Eritrean women to develop their overall capacity and play a due role in national affairs.

On the occasion, the Chairman of the Central Region Assembly, Mr. Abraham Semere, and head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the Central Region, Mr. Samson Kifle delivered messages of solidarity.

(Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea)

ETHIOPIA 

US Ready to Elevate Existing Diplomatic Ties with Ethiopia, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Says

The United States has expressed its desire to consolidate the existing diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.

In his weekly press briefing, spokesperson of the ministry, Dina Mufti said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen held discussions with US Embassy Chargé d’affaires in Ethiopia, Ambassador Tracey A. Jacobson.

During the discussion, Demeke briefed the Chargé d’affaires about the government’s effort to address humanitarian challenges in the country and the ongoing peace initiative for lasting peace in Ethiopia.

According to Dina, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister expressed his  concern for the United States which has restricted Ethiopia from AGOA. “Ethiopia does not deserve that,” Demeke told the Chargé d’affaires.

However, Ethiopia is highly desirous to deepen the historical relationship between the two nations.

On her part, US  Embassy Chargé d’affaires in Ethiopia, Ambassador Tracey A. Jacobson has been convinced about the country’s effort in addressing the ongoing major bottlenecks.

She also reaffirmed the US government’s readiness to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

(Source: Ethiopia News Agency)

SUDAN 

Sudan teachers strike reaches tipping point

The Sudanese Teachers Committee announced the implementation of a comprehensive scheduled strike in all states of Sudan starting March 10, 2022, following the Minister of Finance, Mr. Jibril Ibrahim’s failure to meet the deadline set by the committee in fulfilling the teachers’ demands.

The Committee said in a statement that Sunday will be a working day, with the strike resuming on Monday and Tuesday, and resuming work on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Durriya Babiker, a leading member of the Sudanese Teachers’ Committee, explained in an interview on Radio Dabanga, that the memorandum submitted by the committee to the Ministry of Finance included three demands, raising the minimum wage to SDG24,000, eliminating the duplication of salaries, and disbursing them in one structure. She added that the Ministry of Finance so far ignored the memorandum containing the demands.

(Source: Radio Dabanga)

SOMALIA

Turkey Hands Over Mogadishu Military Facility To Somalia

The Somali government took over the control of Turkish run military barracks in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

According to the Turkish Ministry of Defence, they handed control of the 1st Stage Facilities.

”As part of restructuring the Somali Armed Forces, the Northern Barracks – 1st Stage Facilities built by Turkey in Mogadishu were handed over to the Somali authorities. Good luck to our Somalian brothers,” the Turkish Ministry of Defence said in a tweet.

Since 2011, built schools, hospitals and infrastructure and provided Somalis with scholarships to study in Turkey.

In 2017, the Turkish built military academy in Mogadishu, which is Turkey’s largest military base overseas opened its doors.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)