Kenya

This is not politics, IG Koome says on scaling down of Uhuru’s security

The Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome on Friday confirmed the scaling down of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s security detail adding that officers of senior rank have been recalled.

Mr Koome, who was speaking in Mombasa, also confirmed that security detail of former Cabinet Secretaries have been scaled down. He said the changes were made in accordance with the law.

(Source: The Daily Nation)

Tanzania

Lawmakers suggest ending corporal punishment in schools

Last month, a video footage, showing a teacher in Kagera region striking pupils on their feet for allegedly failing to complete an assignment, circulated through social media and the government swiftly responded by suspending the teacher pending investigations

Some Members of Parliament have raised questions that suggest a need for ending corporal punishment among school children and regulate home penalties after the recent incident sparked anger.

(Source: The Citizen)

Uganda

Parliament rejects committee report on school fees

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, yesterday rejected a report by the Education Committee on the exorbitant fees charged by schools. Mr. Tayebwa said the report fell short of the expectations of the House and ordered the committee to work on a new comprehensive and better report.

(Source: The Monitor)

Biruta, US Deputy Secretary of State discuss DR Congo situation

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Vincent Biruta, on Wednesday, February 1, met with the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, in Washington.

They discussed regional security issues of mutual interest, including “how to arrest the deteriorating situation” in eastern DR Congo, Ned Price, the spokesperson of the US State Department, said in a statement.

(Source: The New Times)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia developing transitional justice policy to ensure sustainable peace, reconciliation

Transitional justice policy document which is expected to contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation and justice in Ethiopia has been developed, according to Ministry of Justice. The document presented to media practitioners today was developed based on findings of a study conducted by experts with the view to soliciting inputs from relevant stakeholders.

The draft document comprises three main parts and the first looks into the history of transitional justice in Ethiopia and its relevance to the current situation. The second part analyzes alternative policy options on a wide-range of mechanisms for the pursuit of transitional justice in Ethiopia. The last part examines and proposes a range of institutional arrangements to implement transitional justice mechanisms in Ethiopia.

(Source: ENA)

Sudan

SPLM-N Agar to boycott JPA conference in Sudan capital

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North faction under the leadership of Malik Agar (SPLM-N Agar), announced their boycott of the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) conference which began in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday, due to the selection of participants in the workshop.

Spokesperson for the SPLM-N Agar, Saad Mohamed Abdallah, told Radio Dabanga yesterday that they reject “the attempt to flood the peace agreement with a political agenda, because the invitations were directed improperly”.

(Source: Radio Dabanga)

Somalia

Airport, roads closed in Mogadishu ahead of the conference between the leaders of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya

Somalia has grounded civilian planes at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde airport ahead of the conference between the leaders of Somalia neighboring Countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. Somali officials closed key roads in Mogadishu in preparation for the conference. Security has also significantly been tightened at numerous vital checkpoints

The conference will be hosted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and will begin today in Mogadishu to discuss strengthening partnerships in the fight against international terrorism. The meeting is to discuss the completion of operations to liberate areas still occupied by Al-Shabaab militias and to coordinate support and cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts. President Hassan Sheikh has placed great importance on the fight against terrorist groups and has regained control of many areas previously occupied by Al-Shabaab.

Several people who spoke with Dalsan expressed dissatisfaction with the road closures, saying that it forces them to walk or take exceedingly long detours.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)