KENYA

Govt begins talks with the opposition after a wave of protests

Kenya’s government and the opposition launched fresh talks Wednesday aimed at resolving a bitter political feud following a spate of violent protests over the high cost of living and calls for electoral reforms.

Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has organized 10 days of demonstrations since March — most blighted by sometimes deadly confrontations with the police — to demand an audit of last year’s election that brought President William Ruto to power.

At least 20 people have been killed in the clashes, according to official figures, although rights campaigners put the toll much higher. The unrest in one of East Africa’s most stable democracies has provoked alarm at home and abroad and spurred calls for mediation to end the standoff.

(africanews)

TANZANIA

High Court rules in favour of Tanzania- Dubai port deal

The High Court (Mbeya Divison) has ruled that the IGA contract between the Government of Tanzania and Dubai has no problem, so the objection raised by the plaintiffs bears no merit.

The decision was handed down by a panel of three judges led by Judge Dunstan Ndunguru, in collaboration with judges Mustafa Ismail and Abdi Kagomba.

The two core issues that were given a decision by the court include: If Article 2, 4(2), and 28(1) and (3) violates Articles 1, 8, and 28(1) and (3) of the national Constitution; and if IGA is a contract in the context of the Law of Contracts.

The court rules that the IGA is not a contract that can be governed by the laws of contracts.

(the citizen.co)

UGANDA

World Bank says no new funding to Uganda over anti-gay law

The World Bank said it will not consider new loans to Uganda after the East African country earlier this year enacted an anti-gay bill that rights groups and others have condemned.

The World Bank had deployed a team to Uganda after the law was enacted in May and determined that additional measures were necessary to ensure projects align with the bank’s environmental and social standards.

“No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested,” the World Bank Group said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities,” it added.

(Independent)

RWANDA

Rwanda to open diplomatic mission in Jordan

Rwanda has decided to have a diplomatic presence in Amman, the capital of Jordan, Foreign Affairs Minister Vincent Biruta announced on August 9 during his two-day official visit to the Middle East nation.

During his visit, it was also announced that Rwandan citizens traveling to Jordan no longer need visas as per a reciprocity deal signed by both countries’ Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

“I wish to take this opportunity to announce that Rwanda has decided to have a diplomatic presence here in Amman. This is an important step to carry our cooperation forward for further collaboration in areas of mutual interest,” Biruta said.

(the new times)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia working on further bolstering bilateral, multilateral engagements: Spokesperson

The Government of Ethiopia has been continuously working on further bolstering the country’s bilateral and multilateral engagements,  the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Meles Alem said. 

The Spokesperson made the remark today during his bi-weekly press briefing of the ministry to local and Addis-based international media agencies.

In his press briefing, Ambassador Meles highlighted the recent visits by South Sudanese President, World Bank President, Foreign Ministers of Japan and South Korea.

He reiterated Ethiopia’s incessant efforts to further bolster the country’s longstanding, multifaceted ties in bilateral and multilateral venues.

The Spokesperson noted, the recent visit by President Salva Kiir Mayardit to Ethiopia is aimed at elevating Ethio-South Sudanese relations to a higher level in bilateral, regional and multilateral settings and the two countries are working closely to realize this aspiration.

(ena.et)

SOMALIA

Somalia, Kenya sign bilateral air services agreement

Kenya and Somalia have now formally inked a bilateral air services agreement to permit direct flights between their respective airspaces after months of negotiations between the two nations. 

Fardowsa Osman Egal, the minister of roads, transport, and public works for Somalia, and Kipchumba Murkomen, cabinet secretary for the ministry of roads, transport, and public works, signed the agreement on Wednesday at Transcom House in Nairobi. According to Minister Egal, this agreement opens the door for airlines registered in Somalia to fly to Kenya and acquire more international flying privileges.

“Previously, operating flights to Kenya was subject to restrictions for airlines registered in Somalia. But thanks to this agreement, they can now operate flights to Kenya.

(radiodalsan)