Kenya

Ruto returns to the UN General Assembly with old messages on climate, debt, and tech

President Ruto departed on Wednesday for his latest trip to the US, his third since he became the President, to push for his pet ideas on climate change, debt policy shifts and tech innovations. This is as per a dispatch released by the State House Spokesperson who indicated that President Ruto would be meeting officials of big tech companies, before heading to the UN General Assembly to give an address on climate change-related concerns.

(The Daily Nation)

Tanzania

President Samia named new GCA advisory board member

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been appointed to serve as a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) – a vital world body that fosters climate resilience for human wellbeing.

According to a statement released by the Directorate of Presidential Communications on Tuesday, the appointment letter was officially presented to Dr Samia by the GCA’s Board Chairperson, Mr Ban Ki-moon. The former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) presented the latter to President Samia at the sideline of the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya a week ago.

“This appointment is in recognition of President Samia’s outstanding leadership, competence and efforts to address climate change in Africa and worldwide, where Tanzania has been the front runner in implementing various climate restoration projects,” read part of the statement.

(The Daily News)

Uganda

Germany advises against nuclear power in Uganda

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Matthias Schauer, has advised against plans by Uganda to invest in nuclear power plants. Ambassador Schauer joins a number of local and international experts who have advised Uganda against plans to put up 2000-megawatt nuclear power.

Schauer, whose country continues to support Uganda’s clean energy projects and policies, said nuclear power generation is not only costly but environmentally sensitive. He was speaking at the launch of the Energy Policy for Uganda 2023 at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.

He said the plans to put nuclear power plants in place seem not to fit in with the goals of the new policy. According to the ambassador, Uganda is envied by industrial nations including Germany for its abundant hydropower and huge potential for solar power.

Germany stopped producing any electricity from its nuclear power plant in April this year. He said Germany shut down its nuclear power plants for fear of disasters like the Chornobyl disaster in 1986 and the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster.

(The Independent)

Rwanda

Rwanda, Republic of Korea enter double taxation avoidance pact

Rwanda and the Republic of Korea on Wednesday, September 13, signed a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA), on the sidelines of the ongoing 7th edition of the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference, in Busan, South Korea.

The agreement will in addition to attracting Korean investors to Rwanda, play an invaluable role in encouraging the outflow of investment by ensuring protection from discriminatory tax measures, providing an attractive withholding tax rate and a robust framework for dispute resolution.

“Signing of this Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement represents a remarkable milestone in our economic cooperation history,” said Richard Tusabe, the Minister of State in charge of the National Treasury.

“The decision to pursue this agreement was driven by various factors, including the significant presence of Korean investors in sectors such as ICT, transport, education, and health in Rwanda, the burgeoning cross-border trade, the increasing interest of Rwandan investors in exploring opportunities in Korea, our sound tax system, and the strong political relationship between our two nations.”

(The New Times) 

Ethiopia

Ethiopia participating in BRICS population matters meeting

Muktar Kedir, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to South Africa is currently participating in the BRICS Meeting of officials and experts on population matters taking place in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

A four-day meeting from 12 -15 September 2023, aimed at advancing the implementation of the Agenda for BRICS Cooperation on Population Matters for the period 2015-2020 is underway, according to the Embassy of Ethiopia in South Africa.

The meeting has brought together delegations from BRICS member countries, comprised of government officials, academics, and representatives from Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), it was learned.  The agenda on population matters was initially adopted during the inaugural meeting of ministers responsible for population matters in Brasilia, Brazil, in February 2015.

It is to be recalled that Ethiopia became a member of BRICS during the 15th BRICS Summit held in South Africa.

(ENA)

Eritrea

President Isaias holds talks with Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

President Isaias Afwerki early this week met Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, and his delegation for extensive talks on bilateral ties and the peace process in Sudan.

President Isaias reiterated Eritrea’s views on the Transition to Safety that it had submitted prior to the eruption of the conflict and referred to pitfalls and complications that ensue from the proliferation of initiatives. President Isaias also underlined the need for effective coordination and harmonization of the efforts.

(Shabait)

Sudan

Sudan war causes daily economic loss of $80 million

Sudanese economist Haisam Fathi estimates the daily costs of the violent conflict that erupted between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, at $80 million. The exchange rate of hard currencies continues to rise. According to the United Nations, the economic activity in Sudan declined by more than one third in the first three weeks of the war. Economist Haisam Fathi told Radio Dabanga yesterday that the formal economy in the country has come to a “near standstill”, while the rates of hard currencies continue to climb. 

The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Sudanese pound in the parallel market jumped to SDG730 yesterday, while it reached SDG625 at the banks. Hard currency rates last week recorded a significant increase following a rise in demand. Fathi attributed the increase to the growing number of Sudanese who plan to leave the country.

He estimated the economic losses of the war at S80 million per day. Three months ago, economic analyst Hafiz Ismail called the loss of properties, jobs, and income resources already “disastrous”. He estimated the cost of the losses to be equivalent to $4 billion, “which will of course increase when the war continues”.

In mid-July, Sudanese economists estimated the economic losses caused by the war so far at $9 billion, or roughly $100 million per day. The value of property and goods plundered was estimated at another $40 billion.

(Dabanga)

Somalia

Somalia joins global efforts for biodiversity conservation as newest member of IPBES

Somalia has proudly announced its membership in the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), becoming the 114th nation to join this esteemed international body. The decision was confirmed by Khadija Mohamed Al Makhzoumi, the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, during a media briefing on Monday.

Minister Al Makhzoumi emphasized that this membership is part of Somalia’s ongoing commitment to promoting scientific research and policy initiatives aimed at preserving and safeguarding the planet’s rich biodiversity.

In her statement, Minister Al Makhzoumi highlighted the importance of global collaboration in addressing the pressing challenges posed by biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. By joining the IPBES, Somalia is actively contributing to the platform’s mission of providing sound scientific assessments and policy recommendations to governments and policymakers worldwide. (Radio Dalsan)