KENYA

Ruto’s inaugural Cabinet meeting approves launch of Hustlers Fund in three weeks

President William Ruto’s Cabinet has approved a plan to lower the cost of living, as it rolled out plans to culminate in the launch of the proposed Hustlers Fund in three weeks.

The fund will target informal and unstructured businesses considered unattractive to mainstream financial institutions, the Cabinet resolved.

The fund will include a number of products that will be launched progressively including Personal Loans, Micro Loans, SME Loans and Start Up Loans.

The Cabinet meeting, the first of the country’s fifth administration, was chaired by President Ruto Thursday at State House Nairobi.

(Source: Daily Nation)

TANZANIA

Tanzania government criticized for emergency response to deadly plane crash

Opposition politicians in Tanzania are criticizing the government for its emergency response to a plane crash Sunday in Lake Victoria that left 19 people dead, including the pilots. Authorities say they were communicating with the pilots immediately after the Precision Air plane crashed on its way from Dar es Salaam to the Kagera region.

Tanzania opposition politicians are criticizing authorities, saying a quicker response to the incident could have saved lives.

Meanwhile, authorities say an extensive investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the crash.

(Source: VOA)

UGANDA

Ebola: Inside Dr Besigye’s alternative response plan

Former presidential contender Kizza Besigye has opposed the government directive of cutting short the third term academic year from December 9 to November 25, advising that the spread of the Ebola disease can be prevented through sensitisation and other methods.

Dr Beigye called on the government to have in place a clear disaster management plan with a special budget to manage disaster and other related emergencies.

He called on the government to prioritise the fight against corruption so that government money is put to proper use.

(Source: The Monitor)

RWANDA

COP27: Activists want compensation fund for climate-induced losses

As the COP27 is underway in Egypt, climate change activists in Rwanda are expecting world leaders to support the idea of creating a fund to compensate developing countries that are victims to losses and damages caused by climate change.

The proposed ‘loss and damage compensation fund’ seeks to see developed countries compensate developing countries for the loss and damages they cause as they are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases causing climate change.

The fund was rejected by developed countries last year in Glasgow during COP26.

Now, delegates at COP27 have agreed to discuss the creation of an international fund to compensate developing countries for “loss and damage” caused by climate disasters.

(Source: The New Times)

ETHIOPIA

National Dialogue Commission, Civil Society Organisations Council ink partnership agreement

It is to be recalled that the Government of Ethiopia has established a National Dialogue Commission aimed at resolving the various challenges in Ethiopia by creating national consensus among all segments of the society through dialogue.  

The commission is carrying out various activities by soliciting the necessary supports from all corners of the country including regional states, civic organizations and international institutions.

Accordingly, Commission has today signed an agreement with the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council to work in partnership.

(Source: ENA)

SUDAN

Anti-junta Marches of the Millions continue across Sudan

Thousands of demonstrators across Sudan joined the Marches of the Millions called by the resistance committees in the country on Tuesday, to denounce the crimes against demonstrators by the ruling junta in November last year.

In the capital Khartoum, protesters set off from 10 separate muster points. The marchers were confronted with a barrage of tear gas, particularly at the Sharwani bus station near El Gasr street leading to the Republican Palace, to obstruct their progress.

One of the demonstrators was knocked down by a police vehicle, while others were injured to varying degrees.

Demonstrators in Khartoum North attempting to cross the Jereif East bridge to Khartoum were also subjected to excessive violence and tear gas by the police.

(Source: Dabanga)

SOMALIA

President Mohamud releases news about Eritrea and Villada trip

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and his delegation left the Aden Adde Airport in Mogadishu, on their way to Eritrea.

President Hassan Sheikh has prioritized the Somali forces in the country and enhancing the role of regional countries in the war against al-Shabaab, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.

The President will hold talks with his Eritrean counterpart, Asias Afwerki, on the promotion of relations between the two countries and cooperation between the two brotherly peoples.

There are thousands of soldiers of the Federal Government in Eritrea, who have been trained in Eritrea.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)