Kenya

Kenya seals loopholes with freshly ratified tax treaty

Kenya has ratified a key international treaty that tightens the noose on multinational corporations that have devised complex cross-border tax avoidance strategies. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) confirmed that Kenya officially ratified the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS Convention), which helps governments to seal loopholes for abuse. The deposited instrument of ratification automatically updates Kenya’s 15 double-taxation agreements (DTAs), tightening the noose on multinationals that might have been abusing the bilateral agreements through various tax avoidance strategies. “Today, Kenya deposited its instrument of ratification for the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, underlining its strong commitment to prevent the abuse of tax treaties and base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) by multinational enterprises,” said the OECD in a statement published on Wednesday.

(The East African)

Tanzania

ACT maps out strategies ahead of general election

The opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, has unveiled its strategies for the upcoming general election, with a clear focus on securing 50 constituencies on the mainland and gaining more seats in Zanzibar. Aside from preparing for the polls, ACT-Wazalendo is actively monitoring over 50 cases related to local government elections, viewing the legal action as part of its broader political strategy. The party’s Deputy Chairman for the mainland, Mr Issihaka Mchinjita, expressed confidence in their ability to win key constituencies, thanks to their growing membership and strategic planning.

(The Citizen)

Uganda

Government starts developing bioeconomy policy

The government, through the National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST), has embarked on developing the National Bioeconomy Policy to promote coordinated, sustainable and innovative utilization of bioresources in Uganda. UNCST Executive Secretary Dr Martin Ongol said the Council is currently holding consultative meetings with key stakeholders for a roadmap to support the design and implementation of the policy. “We are expecting this consultation process to take almost one year because we want to bring in the aspect of bio-entrepreneurs and the private sector,” Dr Ongol said on Tuesday at the conclusion of a two-day consultative workshop for the development of the roadmap for the policy in Kampala.

(Monitor)

Rwanda

Petition against Rwanda’s cybercrime law set for pre-trial

A petition filed in March last year by a human rights lawyer questioning the constitutionality of Rwanda’s cybercrime law, is finally set for pre-trial by the Supreme Court on February 6. The lawyer, Jean-Paul Ibambe, is seeking for the revocation of article 39 of the country’s law on prevention and punishment of cybercrimes, which criminalises the publication of rumours. “Any person who, knowingly and through a computer or a computer system, publishes rumours that may incite fear, insurrection or violence amongst the population or that may make a person lose their credibility, commits an offence,” the article reads.

(The New Times)

Ethiopia

House speaker highlights Ethiopia’s commitment to fostering int’l partnerships

The House of People’s Representatives Speaker, Tagesse Chafo, conferred with Denmark Princess Benedikte Astrid Ingeborg Ingrid in his office on Wednesday. The two sides discussed ways to foster socio-economic cooperation between Ethiopia and Denmark. The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation and exploring areas of collaboration that could benefit both nations.

(ENA)

Sudan

Extrajudicial killings, abductions, and torture follow Sudan army’s victory in Wad Madani

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) recent recapture of Wad Madani in El Gezira state on Saturday has sparked a wave of disturbing reports highlighting widespread violations against civilians. Alarming footage circulating on social media shows SAF forces and allied forces carrying out torture, extrajudicial killings, and widespread destruction in areas previously controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Within 72 hours of retaking the state, reports state that at least 45 civilians were executed in El Dinder. In El Hasaheisa and Um El Gura, east of Wad Madani, reports indicate that the Sudan Shield Forces torched villages, killing eight people, including children, and abducting 14 others. Human rights groups have confirmed that these acts, alongside brutal arrests and torture, are part of a vicious cycle of revenge against those accused of collaborating with the RSF.

(Dabanga)

Somalia

Somali president visits Ethiopia in boos to strained relations

Somalia’s president visited Ethiopia on Saturday, his office said, the strongest sign yet of improving relations between the two neighbours after a year of tensions over Addis Ababa’s plans to build a naval base in a breakaway Somali region. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud flew to Ethiopia from Uganda where he travelled earlier on Saturday to attend a summit on African agriculture, his office said in a statement posted on X. While in Ethiopia, he held discussions with Ethiopian leadership “to strengthen bilateral relations and advance shared priorities”, the statement said. “This renewed cooperation underscores a new era of collaboration between Somalia and Ethiopia.” 

They also agreed to restore and enhance bilateral relations through full diplomatic representation in their capitals, according to the joint statement on X. On January 2, Ethiopia sent its Defence minister to Mogadishu, the first bilateral visit since relations between the countries soured. Tensions erupted in January 2024 after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland. In the MoU, Somaliland was to lease Addis Ababa a stretch of coastline for an Ethiopian naval base and commercial port in exchange for possible recognition of Somaliland’s independence.

(Business Daily)