Kenya

Journalists in Nairobi Stage Protest Against Police Brutality

Journalists in Nairobi on Wednesday held a peaceful protest against police brutality and other forms of intimidation targeting reporters covering anti-government demonstrations.

The Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG), alongside the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and other media stakeholders, called for the protests.

The arrest of veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho on July 17, 2024, which police later admitted was a case of mistaken identity, and the shooting of Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki, a correspondent for Kameme TV and radio in Nakuru, the day before, sparked the call for protests.

The incidents triggered widespread condemnation among media circles.

(All Africa)

Tanzania

President Suluhu Appoints New Minister for Foreign Affairs

Social media platforms were abuzz, with those lucky enough to have internet bundles discussing the new appointees and those laid off.

This was immediately after the State House in Dodoma released a statement indicating that Tanzania’s Ambassador to Italy, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, has been appointed the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation to fill the vacuum left by January Makamba, whose appointment was revoked by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

With several new faces making the Head of State’s list, the Daily News Digital’s focus is on Ambassador Kombo, who is set to lead the Foreign Affairs docket.

(Daily News)

Uganda

MPs, Deputy Speaker Clash on Anti-corruption Demonstrations

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, had a difficult time controlling the House as it returned from recess on Tuesday.

Amidst the “Walk to Parliament” in Kampala, the leader of the opposition, Joel Senyonyi, openly accused the administration of double standards when dealing with protestors against alleged corruption in Parliament.

Senyonyi said Tayebwa, on July 12, met and received protestors who turned up at Parliament to present a petition against Lwemiyaga Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo.

Ssekikubo is leading the collection of signatures for the censure of former leader of the opposition Mathias Mpuuga and three backbench commissioners, Solomon Silwany, Esther Afoyochan, and Prossy Mbabazi, who allegedly shared the USh 1.7 billion as a service award.

(The Independent)

Rwanda

Number of Women in Rwanda’s Lower House of Parliament Rises to 63.8%

Up to 63.8% of the 80 members of the newly elected Rwandan Chamber of Deputies, the Lower House, are women, a list from the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has shown.

The new development represents an increase in women MPs, up from 61% in the previous parliament.

A 2021 report dubbed “Women in Parliament” published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union showed that Rwanda was the world’s leading country in terms of having the largest number of women in government positions.

Besides the 63.8% of the country’s parliamentary seats occupied by women, 13 ministerial positions out of the available 32 in the current Cabinet are held by women.

Among the women MPs in the new parliament are notable names that are making a comeback, including the outspoken Christine Bakundifite, who was a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which spearheads scrutiny of government entities and officials.

(The New Times)

Ethiopia

Consultations Among Political Parties Foundation to Address Nat’l Challenges, Build Robust Democratic System

Ethiopian political parties held a discussion forum today to exchange views on current affairs and major national issues. The Joint Council of Political Parties remarked that the ongoing consultations among the parties in Ethiopia are key foundations for addressing national challenges and building a robust democratic system. 

Democracy Building Centre Coordinator Office Head with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister and Vice President of Prosperity Party, Ademe Farah, Chairperson of the Joint Council of Political Parties, Desta Dinka, among other leaders and members of political parties, were in attendance at the discussion forum.  

On the occasion, Dinka stressed the need to further bolster the culture of dialogue among political parties to address national challenges jointly.

(ENA)

Sudan

US Mediates New Round of Negotiations to End Sudan Conflict

In a press statement by the US State Department, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Swiss government for hosting the talks. The African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations will also participate as observers.

According to Blinken, the primary goal of the talks is to achieve a nationwide cessation of violence, which will facilitate humanitarian access to those in need and create a comprehensive monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure compliance with any agreement reached.

The Secretary of State clarified that these discussions will not address “broader political issues” but will focus on immediate ceasefire measures.

(The Independent)