KENYA

Swearing-in date of president-elect to be public holiday, Kinyua says

The date of the swearing in of the president-elect will be declared a public holiday, Kinyua clarified, adding that the mandate of the committee will be triggered once the electoral commission formally announces a president-elect.

Mr Kinyua laid out the role of the committee as to facilitate handing over process between the outgoing president and the president-elect. It will also organize security, personnel and facilities as needed for the president-elect.

The committee will also facilitate briefing of the president-elect by various public officers and organize the swearing in ceremony of the president-elect.

(Source: Daily Nation)

TANZANIA

Tanzania business sector upbeat on Kenya’s elections 

With anxiety growing as to who will become the new Kenyan leader, optimism is high among business sector players in Tanzania.

Even as the votes were being tallied Tuesday night, prominent individuals in Tanzania’s business sector played down any widespread disruptions that will affect trade with Tanzania.

“Kenya is an important trade partner with Tanzania as is to other countries in the region,” said Ms Sia Marunda of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (Arusha Region).

Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) acting executive director Raphael Laizer was also full of optimism on increased trade volumes should Kenya remain calm.

Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) President Paul Koyi said Kenya will continue to be Tanzania’s business partner.

(Source: The East African)

UGANDA

Museveni pledges to back Somalia’s bid to join EAC 

President Museveni has pledged to support Somalia in its bid to join the East African Community (EAC) and exploit trade opportunities that exist in the region.

Mr Museveni said Somalia has all qualifications to join EAC, which include; sharing a border with one of the member countries, having a private sector-led economy and being a democratic country.

He was speaking during the closing ceremony of a two-day inaugural Uganda-Somalia business and investment summit held in Kampala yesterday.

EAC currently comprises Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DR Congo. Mr Abdirashid Duale, the chief executive officer of Dahabshiil, a money transfer company, said the summit does not only present opportunities but also helps the business community understand the challenges that people in the region face.

(Daily Monitor)

RWANDA

Rwanda rejects calls to release terror convict Rusesabagina 

Rwanda has rejected calls to release Paul Rusesabagina, who was found guilty of crimes related to terrorism, despite intense lobbying by the US which has termed his arrest as “wrongful” detention.

He, a permanent resident of the US who was portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda saving the lives of hundreds of ethnic Tutsis during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, was sentenced to 25 years for terrorism by a Rwandan court last year in what his supporters called a sham trial.

Speaking at a joint press briefing on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that during his meeting with President Paul Kagame he raised concerns related to Rusesabagina’s trial and conviction, particularly the lack of fair trial guarantees.

(Source: The East African)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia government in ‘direct engagements’ with Tigray rebels: AU 

The Ethiopian government and Tigrayan rebels have had “direct engagements,” the African Union said in a statement made public on Thursday, in the first official confirmation of such contacts between the two warring sides.

The government has been locked in a grinding conflict with the rebels, but in recent weeks both sides have mooted the possibility of talks to end the 21-month war, with Ethiopia pushing for the AU to lead any negotiations.”

The rebels on the other hand want Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been actively involved in peace efforts, to mediate between the two parties.

In a statement dated August 4, but posted on its website on Thursday, the Peace and Security Council said it “commends the AU High Representative for the direct engagements between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).”

(Source: Al Arabiya News)

SUDAN

Thousands of Sudanese protesters rally against military rule 

Thousands of Sudanese protesters rallied Thursday against last year’s military coup and to demand civilian rule and better living conditions.

Demonstrators in downtown Khartoum shouted for the army to “go back to the barracks,” AFP correspondents reported.

Sudan has been reeling from political unrest, a spiraling economic crisis and a broad security breakdown since army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a coup last October 25.

Thursday’s demonstrations saw protesters gather on a main street in Khartoum, where they also called for “safety and security” and “free health care and education.”

(Source: Al Arabiya News)

SOMALIA

New minister of state for the presidency officially assumes office 

The new Minister of State for the National Presidency, Abshir Mohamed Ahmed, took over from Hassan Macallin Khalif, in an event held at Villa Somalia.

Minister Abshir Bukhari presented the plans for the development of the activities of the National Presidency, thanking Minister Hassan Khalif for the good work he has done in the Presidency, during his tenure.

Mr Ahmed and Mr Khalif were present at the ceremony attended by the Advisors of the President and the Prime Minister, the Deputy Director of the National Presidency Mohamed Amin Sheikh; Osman, Director of the Presidential Departments; and officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)