KENYA

MPs back push for private land holding caps

Parliament has approved a fresh attempt to have the government cap the size of land an individual can hold.

MPs have backed a proposal that seeks to compel the Ministry of Lands to make rules and regulations for private land use and management on the minimum and maximum land holdings in Kenya.

The lawmakers approved a motion by Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi asking the government to implement Article 60 (1) of the Constitution which requires that land in Kenya shall be held, used and managed equitably and sustainably.

The Constitution empowers the National Assembly to prescribe minimum and maximum private land-holding acreages.

This is the third attempt by MPs to have the State implement Article 68 of the Constitution which requires Parliament to enact laws prescribing maximum and minimum landholding acreages with respect to private land.

(Source: Business Daily)

TANZANIA

MP calls for establishment of innovation fund

Vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade and Environment, Erick Shigongo, has advised the government to establish a National Innovation Fund that will help people to conduct researches and innovate new products.

Mr Shigongo issued the advice at the third conference on Business Development organised by the College of Business Education (CBE) when the Buchosa MP made a presentation on Creativity and Entrepreneurship.

He argued that no nation can grow without investing in creativity, innovation and research.

He said Tanzania is blessed with a good number of creative and innovative young people who can make changes and transform the nation into a creativity and technological hub in Africa if their talents and skills are recognised and supported.

(Source: Daily News)

UGANDA

Inside govt’s plan to implement MPs resolutions

Parliament is expected to debate today the government’s implementation of parliamentary resolutions spanning a period from May 2021 to May 2022.

The 56 resolutions covered 11 ministries including Gender, Works, Agriculture and Health.

Among the key resolutions that Parliament passed was urging the government to address challenges facing the girl-child and children in general in the digital era. This involves tracking the implementation of the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2019, and the Anti-Pornography Act, 2014.

(Source: The Monitor)

RWANDA

Anti-corruption campaign to focus on graft in banking sector

The Office of the Ombudsman said that injustice and corruption in financial services has far-reaching effects on the economy and the livelihoods of people, thus effective strategies are needed to tackle it.

The observation was made on November 24 during a press conference on the preparation of marking the International Anti-Corruption Day due for December 9, in Rwamagana District.

In marking International Anti-Corruption Day, the Office of the Ombudsman is organising a week long campaign from November 26, to December 9, under the theme “Promoting Anti-Corruption Values for Sustainable Development”.

According to the report of the Ombudsman for the fiscal year 2021-2022, the Office received 94 financial service-related complaints.

It indicated that the issues are mainly based on lack of compliance with loan agreements, which results in banks auctioning the debtors’ property, something that the property owners consider ‘injustice’.

(Source: The New Times)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopian Airlines undertaking preparation to resume flights to Tigray

Ethiopian Airlines is undertaking preparations to resume regular flight services to the Tigray region, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tassew said.

The resumption of flight to Tigray is expected to play great role in expediting humanitarian aid delivery to the region, he added.  

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO talking to ENA on the attained achievements and vision 2035 indicated that following the peace agreement signed between the government of Ethiopia and TPLF, Ethiopian is making preparations to resume flight to Tigray Region. 

(Source: ENA)

SUDAN

Rebel alliance announces support for Sudan’s upcoming framework agreement

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), an alliance of rebel movements that signed the Juba Peace Agreement with the Sudanese government in October 2020, announced yesterday that it will back the upcoming political agreement, brokered by the AU-IGAD-UN Trilateral Mechanism.  

Their condition is that their amendments will be included in the draft Constitution Charter prepared by the Sudanese Bar Association in August, which was amended after comments from the military.  

In a statement following a two-day meeting of the SRF Leadership Council, the former rebel leaders confirmed that their amendments are related to the power structures of the transitional period and the Juba Peace Agreement.  

They stated their support for the ongoing political process, calling the Constitutional Charter and the military’s input “an acceptable basis to build on.”

(Source: Dabanga)

SOMALIA 

African Union to delay Atmis withdrawal from Somalia

The African Union says it will delay withdrawal of its sanctioned military forces in Somalia, citing resurgence of Al-Shabaab attacks.

The decision was reached on Wednesday by the African Union Peace and Security Council, the 15-member body that decides policy and programmes on security across the continent, following a request from Somalia.

It means that the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) will delay the stated gradual withdrawal by six months, allowing the forces to support Somali National Army to battle the resurgence of Al-Shabaab.

(Source: The East African)