KENYA

Ruto closing in on Raila lead, latest Tifa poll shows

Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga is still the most popular presidential candidate at 46.7 percent, but Kenya Kwanza’s William Ruto is closing in on him at 44.6 percent, a new Tifa opinion poll shows. 

Roots Party candidate George Wajackoya is third with about 1.8 percent and Waihiga Mwaure of Agano Party is fourth with 0.1 percent.

When compared to the previous Tifa poll, the new numbers indicate that Dr Ruto has narrowed the lead on Mr Odinga who previously polled at 42 percent against the DP’s 39 percent.

According to the poll, UDA is still the most popular political party across the country, followed by ODM, Jubilee, Wiper and Roots Party.

According to the survey, on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy, most Kenyans believe that the Jubilee administration has performed better in improving the country’s infrastructure, security as well as social protection and welfare.

On the negative side, most respondents believe the President is responsible for the high cost of living, increasing debt and unemployment.

(Source: Daily Nation) 

TANZANIA

New constitution a lingering legacy for President Samia

President Samia Suluhu Hassan could be on the cusp of making history as the leader who delivered the new constitution for Tanzania, should current efforts to revive the stalled process succeed.

That reality may have taken a significant political step after the ruling party, CCM, gave the green light for the government to once again revive the process of writing a new constitution.

This is because apart from restoring public trust of getting the document that has been demanded throughout the 30 years of pluralism, Samia’s apparent win of CCM’s endorsement and her personal effort on political reconciliation gives the brightest hope yet. 

By delivering the new mother law, Samia will be viewed as the Head of State who successfully baby sat the dream hitherto considered a hard bone to crack by all her predecessors; Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1985-1995), Benjamin Mkapa (1995-2005), Jakaya Kikwete (2005-2015) and John Magufuli (2015-2021).

(Source: The Citizen)

UGANDA

Pre-trial of jailed NUP legislators fails again

For the second time running in about two weeks, the pre-trial of jailed Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North), has flopped due to unreadiness of the prosecution.

When the matter came up for further pre-trial before the International Crimes Division of the High Court yesterday, majority of the defence lawyers said they had partly or completely not received evidence from the prosecution as earlier ordered.

The duo is accused of being behind the spate of killings in Masaka Sub-region that left about 26 residents dead between March and June 2021.

They face charges ranging from terrorism, murder, attempted murder to aiding and abetting terrorism.

Kampala Lord mayor Erias Lukwago, another of the defence lawyers, said several law firms representing the duo, had not yet received the evidence from the prosecution as earlier directed by court.

(Source: The Monitor)

RWANDA

Rwanda on course to grow electric mobility market

Five years ago, Rwanda announced plans to introduce environmentally friendly transport services as part of the efforts to prioritise a climate resilient low carbon economy.

Other initiatives to support the agenda included building smart green cities as well as the use of ICT and digital solutions for improved service delivery.

But it was not until April last year, that a Cabinet meeting approved a strategy for electric mobility adaptation aiming at increasing electric vehicles and motorcycles.

The main components reduced electricity tariffs, spare parts, batteries and charging station equipment treated as VAT zero rated products, as well as exemption from import and excise duties.

Other incentives included exemption of a five percent of withholding tax at customs, rent free land for charging stations, free licence and authorisation for commercial EVs and also manufacturing and assembly firms getting 15 percent corporate income tax and tax holiday.

A year later, there is a growing fleet of electric vehicles in the capital, with the government considering electric buses to further cut down carbon emissions. 

(Source: The New Times) 

ETHIOPIA

Government expresses readiness to hold peace talks without preconditions

The Government of Ethiopia has reiterated its readiness for the peace talks anytime and anywhere without preconditions.

The special envoys and ambassadors of the United Nations (UN), European Union and US  have been briefed about the position of the Ethiopian government on the peace talks.

The Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Redwan Hussein and Minister of Justice Gideon Timothiwos briefed the special envoys and ambassadors.

Ambassador Redwan said “Myself  and Dr. Gideon held briefings for UN, EU and US Special Envoys and Ambassadors of US, France, Italy, Germany as well as UK. We expressed the positions of the Federal government.”

He added that: “The Government is ready to talk anytime anywhere; talks should begin without preconditions.”

Redwan further stated that the African Union (AU) leads the process and can solicit logistical support from any source.

Moreover, the National Security Advisor pointed out: “We also briefed the team regarding efforts made to create a collaborative environment and narrow gaps with a commission of experts of the UN.”

(Source: Ethiopia News Agency) 

SUDAN

Former Sudan Sovereignty Council member warns of ‘descent into war’

Mohamed El Faki Suleiman, a former member of the Sovereignty Council, warned that the situation in Sudan may lead to the country’s eventual descent into war.

In an interview with Radio Dabanga, he said that the Sudanese people are “being tested more than ever”, adding that the “already fragmented civil and military forces and hateful discourses are a ready-made recipe for war”.

Suleiman called on all civil forces interested in the revolution to align themselves behind a single clear agenda.

The former council member added that “everyone must agree on the fundamental agenda” that represents the forces of the revolution, the various resistance committees, Forces for Freedom and Change, and the rebel movements that have signed and not signed the Juba Agreement.

He pointed out that the conflict between these forces may arise “through a perceived power imbalance between the positions that they have been handed”.

Suleiman stressed that it is better to entrust the transitional phase to a government on the basis of their independent competencies and expertise.

For his final point, he stated that the “completion of this step enables us to address the soldiers to return to the barracks and devote themselves to their task of establishing a national army”.

(Source: Radio Dabanga)

SOMALIA

Prime Minister Hamse meets people with special needs

The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, Thursday met people with special needs.

The Prime Minister listened to the suggestions made by people with special needs and issues that need the government’s help.

For their part, people with special needs presented the issues that need to be addressed, thanking the Prime Minister for giving priority to listening to the vulnerable sections of society.

The Prime Minister is currently holding the final consultations to form the new government of the country, and a few days ago he asked the People’s Assembly for more time to appoint his Council of Ministers.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)