KENYA

Inside UDA’s strategy to gain control of Parliament and the county assemblies 

Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will have a head start in the battle for control of the National Assembly, the Senate, County Assemblies and the Council of Governors.

An analysis of a list of General Election candidates gazetted last weekend by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) shows UDA has sponsored more candidates for the five institutions than any of the other political parties.

UDA is fielding National Assembly candidates in 261 out of 290 constituencies countrywide, complemented by additional candidates fielded by affiliate parties under the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

It seems Dr Ruto is also keen on controlling the county assemblies. UDA has candidates in 1,291 out of 1,450 wards countrywide, while ODM follows with 808 and Jubilee (804).

(Source: The Nation)

TANZANIA

Tanzania issues alert over nose bleeding illness that killed 3 people 

Tanzanian health authorities issued an alert on Wednesday saying three people have died and 13 others admitted to health centres after a strange disease broke out in the country’s southern region of Lindi.

Symptoms of the disease included fever, nosebleeds, headache and body fatigue, said Mr Sichalwe, adding that the deaths and patients were recorded as of Tuesday in Ruangwa district, and their tested samples showed negative for Covid-19, Ebola and Marburg.

He said the Health ministry has formed a team of experts from the Department of Epidemics, the chief government chemist, the Muhimbili University of Health Sciences, the National Medical Research Institute and the Department of Livestock to investigate the disease.

Other measures taken by the government included quarantining patients that are suspected to have been infected by the disease and contact tracing, said the chief medical officer.

(Source: The East African)

UGANDA

Museveni rejects World Bank data on middle income status 

President Museveni has dismissed the recent World Bank report which classified Uganda as still a low-income country.

In a July 1 economic update, the World Bank maintained that Uganda’s per capita gross national income stood at $840 (UgShs3.1 million) per annum, according to its data for the period ended 2020/2021.

However, during the launch of the Public Policy Executive Oversight Forum (Apex platform), the President questioned the World Bank’s source of information, insisting that Uganda had attained middle-income status.

“The economy is growing. The other day, I had some arguments about whether we have gone to middle income or not. We reaffirm. I do not know where the World Bank is getting their data from,” Mr Museveni said.

He added: “But our data about our country is that we are now at GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita of $1,046 (Shs3.9m) and that is already in the middle income. We need to stay there for three more years or go up to be declared officially. We have got some money and the things to do are many. That is why prioritisation becomes important.”

(Source: Daily Monitor)

RWANDA

President Kagame says he may run for 4th term in 2024

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, says he has plans to run again in 2024, seeking a fourth term in office. 

Speaking to France 24, he said: “I would consider running for another 20 years. I have no problem with that. Elections are about people choosing.”

However, controversy surrounded the last presidential election five years ago, where Kagame reportedly won 99% of the vote. Following Kagame’s announcement, Human Right Watch’s Central African Director, Lewis Mudge said: “What comes as a surprise is that some people are indeed surprised. Rwanda is a country where it’s very, very dangerous to oppose the government, let alone to be a political opponent…”

In 2003, the Rwandan constitution changed and said presidents would have a seven-year tenure renewable once. However, another change in 2015 removed the seven-year term and allowed presidents to serve two five-year terms, starting in 2017, which allowed Kagame to run for his third term. The referendum to change the constitution in 2015 had more than 90% of the vote.

After 2000, Kagame ran for president in 2003, 2010 and 2017, winning more than 90% of the vote each time. However, after the 2017 election, Human Rights Watch released evidence stating that election officials had forced voters to cast their vote in full view and had even voted for electors that did not show up.

(Source: The Africa Report)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia agrees to UN rebuilding of war-torn Tigray 

The Ethiopian government has signed a provisional agreement to allow the UN to begin reconstruction works in war-torn Tigray until parties negotiate a permanent peace deal.

The agreement with the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) means the agency can begin rebuilding certain basic social services with funding from the World Bank which announced the grant earlier in April.

The World Bank through its International Development Association (IDA) arm had approved a $300 million grant for Ethiopia’s Response-Recovery-Resilience programme to rehabilitate all regions affected by conflict or violence in the country.

A dispatch from Ethiopia’s Finance ministry said UNOPS will work in Tigray “until situations in Tigray improve to enable the government to implement the project with its own structure in which case UNOPS will hand over activities to the government.”

(Source: The East African)

ERITREA

Eritrea-Somalia Joint Statement on the Visit of H. E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Eritrea 

At the invitation of H. E Isaias Afwerki, President of the State of Eritrea, H. E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, paid an official state visit to Eritrea from July 9 to 12.

The visit underscored the historic fraternal ties and mutual solidarity between the peoples of Eritrea and Somalia.

During his stay, and accompanied by President Isaias, President Hassan Sheikh toured development projects in the southern and Red Sea regions of Eritrea with a particular focus on water security and management, agriculture, dairy production, green energy, and infrastructural development.

The two leaders held extensive, cordial discussions focusing on the situation of their countries, bilateral relations as well as regional matters. Based on their convergent views, the two leaders agreed to bolster political, diplomatic, security, economic, social, and cultural cooperation between Eritrea and Somalia.

(Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea)

SUDAN

Clarity over military role is needed to avoid future disputes in Sudan: EU-Troika 

The Troika and European Union on Wednesday called for talks between the political forces and the component military in Sudan to define the role and responsibilities of the army leaders after the decision to withdraw from politics.

On July 4, the head of the military-led Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said they decided to not participate in the dialogue process or the transitional government. However, he said they would form a higher military body to deal with security and defence issues with some additional powers in related fields.

“There must also be full clarity on, and oversight of, the military’s role and responsibilities.  Such matters cannot be defined unilaterally by the military; they require dialogue and transparency to help avoid future disputes,” further stressed the Troika and EU.

“The Troika and the European Union look forward to supporting a transitional civilian government that enjoys popular support, reflecting the hope and aspirations we share with the Sudanese people,” concluded the joint statement.

(Source: Sudan Tribune)

SOMALIA

Hassan Sheikh heads To Kenya And The Purpose Of His Trip 

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is on his way to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, as preparations for his final visit continue.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is also expected to pay a two-day official visit to the country, according to reports.

The president’s trip will be his fourth overseas trip since he was re-elected as the president of Somalia, and he has previously travelled to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Eritrea, where he recently returned to sign an agreement with President Isias Afewerki.

The official purpose of Hassan Sheikh’s visit is to strengthen relations between Somalia and Kenya, as relations between the two countries have deteriorated in recent times, and the country’s media have reported on the khat trade, which is of particular importance to Kenyans.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)