Kenya

Raila to launch AUC bid in Addis Ababa

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s campaign secretariat has tapped the expertise of ex-diplomats and strategists for his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid. The team held its first strategy meeting in Nairobi on Friday last week ahead of its final campaign launch in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The advisory team consisting of seasoned diplomats, experts and strategists has been clustered into five regional groups – Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Africa. 

(Daily Nation)

Tanzania

Govt drafting unified local content policy to boost citizens’ participation in economy

The Government of Tanzania has announced that it is in the process of developing a unified Local Content Policy aimed at increasing Tanzanian participation across multiple economic sectors to strengthen the national economy. Once finalised, the policy will provide a framework to enable Tanzanians to play a large role in the public and private sectors’ activities. Currently, Tanzania does not have a unified local content policy, but rather sector-wise local content regulations

(The Citizen)

Uganda

Opposition MPs unanimously reject coffee bill, vow to fight merger

Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and other parties have today firmly rejected the National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024. Led by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, they have vowed to vigorously oppose the government’s plan to merge the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture. The MPs believe this merger will undermine the coffee sector and hinder its growth.

(Monitor)

Rwanda

Rwanda to halt registration of petrol motor vehicles in 2025

The Government of Rwanda will stop registering petrol-powered motorcycles for public transport in the city of Kigali in January 2025, limiting registration to electric motorbikes only as part of the government’s shift towards sustainable mobility. The Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed this policy as part of its push for cleaner, greener transportation options. “We will not register petrol motorbikes for public transport in Kigali. Only electric ones will be considered for commercial public transport,” Jimmy Gasore, Minister of Infrastructure, said in an interview with The New Times.

(The New Times)

Ethiopia

Foreign Minister reaffirms Ethiopia’s historical commitment to strengthening AU

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Timothewos discussed the country’s commitment to strengthening the African Union (AU) with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat. The two sides exchanged views on common issues, particularly the ties between Ethiopia and the African Union, as well as regional and continental matters. 

(ENA)

Sudan

El Burhan replaces four ministers, including Foreign Affairs

On Tuesday, Lt. Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, Chair of the Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), replaced four ministers of the Sudanese de-facto government, including Foreign Affairs. This reportedly strengthens Sudan’s ties with Egypt and China. Two of the newly appointed ministers are eastern Sudanese. El Burhan appointed Ambassador Ali Yousef as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Omar Banefeer as Minister of Trade and Supply, journalist Khaled Aleiser as Minister of Culture and Information, and Omar Bakheet, a Salafist, as Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments. One of the most prominent features of the new ministerial appointments is the response to the demands of eastern Sudanese tribal leaders, as Banefeer and Bakheet are from the east. This is the first appointment of eastern Sudanese ministers since the joint coup d’état by the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on October 25, 2021.

(Dabanga)

Somalia

Somalia moves to relocate Ethiopian embassy amid growing diplomatic tensions

In a move that has captured international attention, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has announced plans to relocate the Ethiopian Embassy, currently housed within the Somali presidential compound. The decision follows mounting public protests and concerns about the embassy’s location, which many Somalis view as an inappropriate symbol of foreign influence. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Minister Fiqi addressed the growing discontent among the Somali people, emphasising that the decision to relocate the embassy was made in response to public pressure.

(Radio Dalsan)