Kenya

Govt won’t allow loss of life, destruction of property

President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that they have nothing to worry over threats by opposition leaders to hold countrywide demonstrations next week. President Ruto said Kenya is a country governed by the rule of law and no one was above the law.

“The government will not allow loss of life, destruction of property and looting. We will not allow a few individuals who have refused to accept election results to cause chaos among peace-loving people,” said President Ruto.

The President was speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, when he met leaders from Trans Nzoia County.  He said Kenyans have the right to protest but must do so peacefully and within the law. The Head of State urged Opposition leader Raila Odinga to liaise with police over the planned demonstration.

(Source: Nation)

Tanzania

Forging new deal for TZ, SA

President Samia Suluhu Hassan Thursday arrived in Pretoria, South Africa, for a two-day State visit at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The State visit will crown the second session of the South Africa-Tanzania Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The commission comprises four committees –Political and Diplomatic; Defence and Security; Economic Affairs, and Social and Cultural Affairs. The Commission is a platform for strengthening cooperation, especially in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure, transport, energy, water, science and innovation, education, defence, agriculture, environment, health and culture, among others.

According to the latest data, Tanzania and South Africa’s bilateral trade has developed rapidly with the former’s exports to the latter reaching 971 million US dollars (equivalent to TSh 2.25 trillion).

The country’s economic diplomacy with backups from the offices of the High Commissioner in South Africa in collaboration with authorities saw Tanzania’s exports soaring from 700 million US dollars (TSh1.6 trillion) in 2017 to TSh2.25 trillion in 2021).

(Source: Daily News)

Uganda

Stop imposing homosexuality on us, Museveni tells the West

President Museveni has warned Western countries to stop imposing their social practices like homosexuality on Africans. “On the issue of homosexuals, we shall get the time and discuss the matter thoroughly. Homosexuals are deviations from normal. Is it by nature or by nurture? We need to answer those questions. We need a medical opinion on that,” he said.

While addressing the Parliament Thursday afternoon, Mr. Museveni wondered why western countries threaten to impose sanctions on those who are opposed to homosexuality yet it should be the other way round.

“The western countries should stop wasting the time of humanity by imposing their social practices on us. Sex is confidential, so why should the public know whether you are a homosexual or not unless you pronounce yourself,” he remarked.

“In Europe, people marry their cousins but in Uganda and some other parts of Africa, it is taboo to marry your cousin, so should we impose sanctions on them? That is not our problem,” he added.

(Source: Monitor)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia rejects ‘irresponsible statement’ attributed to Egypt FM threatening nation

Ethiopia rejected the irresponsible statement attributed to the Foreign Minister of Egypt, threatening Ethiopia with yet another ‘all options are open’ declaration with regard to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Thursday that such a threat constitutes a flagrant breach of the United Nations Charter and Constitutive Act of the African Union.

This also stands as a clear violation of the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) signed on 23 March 2015 between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan. Egypt must cease its callous and unlawful pronouncements, it added.

The ministry called upon all concerned actors to take note of Egypt’s flagrant violation of principles of international relations, and underscored that no interest can be advanced through threats and intimidation.

If approached in good faith and with full respect for principles of international law, amicable solution between the three countries is within reach in the negotiations under the auspices of the African Union, the statement noted.

(Source: ENA)

Eritrea

Africa: United against illegal unilateral sanctions

In a move that holds a promise of assertiveness and independent choice, the AU at its 36th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State, held on 18 and 19 February 2023 reiterated its declaration that was adopted for the first-time last year; at its 35th Ordinary Summit held in February 2022.

The Resolution condemned unilateral sanctions imposed on three of its Member States – namely Eritrea, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. The decision aptly emphasized the harmful effects of these sanctions and called for their immediate lifting. The reiteration of this declaration in 2023 is an encouraging step on the part of the continental organisation.

(Source: Ministry of Information)

Sudan

FFC: Sudan political actors confirm criteria for future prime minister

Mohamed Abdelhakam, leading member of Sudan’s Federal Association and the Forces for Freedom and Change-Central Council (FFC-CC), confirmed that signatories of Sudan’s Framework Agreement have agreed on the criteria for selecting a prime minister. 

The Framework Agreement was signed on December 5 last year by the military junta and more than 40 opposition parties and groups under the umbrella of the mainstream FFC-CC. The formation of the new transitional civilian government is due before the start of the fasting month of Ramadan on March 23. 

Abdelhakam said that the criteria for a prime minister adhere to the principles of the December 2018 revolution, when Sudan experienced a popular uprising led by the Sudanese Professionals Association and signatories to the Declaration of Freedom and Change to call for the overthrow of the regime.  

(Source: Dabanga)