KENYA

Aftermath: The cost of the Raila-led nationwide anti-Ruto demos

As the dust settles down from a chaotic day of countrywide protests on Wednesday, businesses are now counting the cost of the demonstrations that disrupted their daily activities and caused wanton looting and destruction of property worth millions of shillings in some areas.

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has estimated the losses from the closure of businesses during the protests that rocked major towns including the capital Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa, Machakos and Kisii at about Sh3 billion.

The losses could get worse next week should the opposition follow through with its threat to call for protests once a week, every Wednesday, a factor that would paralyse business activities and lead to losses running into billions of shillings.

(Source: Daily Nation)

UGANDA

Uganda and Iran strengthen ties, to focus on oil sector

In a significant step towards enhancing their diplomatic relations, Uganda and Iran have solidified their partnership by signing four crucial memoranda of understanding (MoUs). The signing followed talks between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi at State House, Entebbe Wednesday evening.

The MoUs encompass a wide range of areas, including visa exemptions, agriculture, fisheries, animal health, and livestock production. This collaboration is expected to foster cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two nations in the selected sectors. Additionally, the two countries have established a Joint Permanent Commission as part of the agreements to strengthen the framework for ongoing collaboration.

(Source: The Independent)

RWANDA

Govt releases highly anticipated noise control guidelines

In a significant move to address public concerns about noise pollution, the Ministry of Environment has finally released comprehensive guidelines outlining safe sound levels for different locations and times of the day.

Unlike previous regulations that only required noise-emitting establishments to implement soundproofing measures, the new guidelines establish clear decibel thresholds for public spaces, churches, hospitals, schools, and other areas.

The guidelines, unveiled on Wednesday, July 12, are applicable to various activities such as businesses, hotels, restaurants, advertisers using loudspeakers, construction sites, factories, and churches. Anyone found in violation of these guidelines will face penalties.

(Source: The New Times)

ETHIOPIA

43rd Ordinary Session of AU Executive Council Kicks off in Nairobi

The 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council Session of the African Union (AU) kicked off  in Nairobi, Kenya earlier today.

A high-level delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen is attending the meeting.

He called on African countries to remove they restrictions on the free movement of people and goods across the continent to speed up integration. 

Kenya is ready to progressively abolish visa requirements for fellow Africans, the Cabinet Secretary added.

The Foreign Minister of Comoros and current Chairman of the Executive Council, Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, on his part, stressed that the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is paramount to the economic integration of Africa.

(Source: ENA)

SUDAN

Cairo summit explores solutions to Sudan conflict

The summit of Sudan’s neighbouring countries begins today, Thursday 13 July, in Cairo, aiming to find a resolution to the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The summit seeks to limit the conflict’s repercussions on the region’s countries, given Sudan’s rejection of the IGAD initiative. Kenya’s presidency of the quadruple mechanism has been deemed biased towards the RSF by the SAF.

Ahmed Fahmy, the official Egyptian presidential spokesperson, announced that the summit will explore strategies to end the current conflict and mitigate its negative impact on neighbouring nations. Additionally, it seeks to establish effective mechanisms, with the participation of neighbouring countries, to achieve a peaceful settlement in Sudan, coordinating efforts with regional and international stakeholders.

(Source: Dabanga)

SOMALIA 

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the Somalia Arms and Security Act

The meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, Salah Ahmed Jama, appointed the Director of the Immigration and Nationality Agency, Ahmed Saeed Mohamed, after the proposal of the Ministry of Internal Security.

The Council also approved the proposal of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to appoint members of the Board of Directors of the Electricity Authority which will be the backbone of the technical supervision and implementation of the Electricity Law, the nine members were selected based on their experience.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers approved the Somalia Arms Bill and the Law on Security and Safety of Government Institutions, Hotel Security, Business Areas and Social Services Centers.

Also, the Ministries of Internal Security, Defence, Interior, Federal and Reconciliation and Education, Genetics and Higher Education, the council heard important reports on Security, Education and Implementation of the Public Identification System.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)

ERITREA

President Isaias attends summit of leaders of the neighbouring countries of Sudan

Speaking at the Summit, President Isaias commended the initiative that the Government of Egypt took to organize the summit, reiterated Eritrea’s support for the people of Sudan to extricate themselves from the quagmire, and underlined the imperative of respecting the sovereignty of Sudan.

President Isaias also stressed the pitfalls of military intervention and hoped that collective efforts will lead to the gate of safety.

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eritrea)