Kenya

DP Rigathi Gachagua revenue push sparks outrage

A push by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the allocation of funds to counties to be based on population rather than geography has sparked outrage from leaders in marginalised regions.

On Tuesday, leaders drawn from the arid and semi-arid lands (Asal) counties of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Turkana, Samburu, Baringo, West Pokot, Tana River, Kajiado, Narok, and Lamu criticised the so-called one-man-one-vote-one-shilling formula of sharing revenue.

Among them were former Garissa governor Ali Korane and former Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro. In a joint statement read by Mr Ethuro, they said the pastoralist region contributes significantly to the country’s politics and economy.

(Nation)

Tanzania

Tanzania, China should explore new areas of relationship centred on sustainable development—Diplomats

A section of diplomats and academicians have emphasised the significance of upholding relations between China and Tanzania that have lasted for 60 years.

However, they suggested that more efforts should be made to uphold diplomatic relationships to bring about sustainable development in various areas, including industry and agriculture, as well as address climate change matters.

This was unanimously stated by key speakers during the symposium on ‘Uphold the Original Aspiration of Diplomatic Relations, Firmly Adhere to One – China Principle’ held at the Chinese embassy in Dar es Salaam.

(Daily News)

Uganda

Free movement for East Africans, finally?

Uganda has finally signed the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) protocol that allows lawful free movement in and out of citizens of the countries of the East and Horn of Africa region.

By signing the Protocol on May 14 in Kampala, Uganda signalled that it intends to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of its citizens and those of the IGAD bloc.

At the signing ceremony at Serena International Conference Centre in Kampala, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo, correctly told the delegates that the IGAD member states are “actually late” in implementing the protocol on the free movement of citizens within the bloc.

(The Independent)

Rwanda

Parliamentary election: Mukantwari, a primary school teacher on a mission to curtail family conflicts

Elizabeth Mukantwari, a Kinyarwanda language and maths teacher at Kagasa Primary School in Kicukiro District, Kigali, wants to contest for a seat in parliament with a noble mission of “fighting rampant family conflicts” so as to ensure the wellbeing of communities and a better future for Rwandan children.

Mukantwari who has been a primary school teacher for 15 years said this after presenting her candidature to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on Wednesday, May 22.

 (The New Times)

Ethiopia

Government, competing political parties hold consultation forum to identify strategic agendas

Ethiopia’s government and the competing political parties have embarked on a consultation forum to identify strategic issues and decide on them to be dealt with in the national consultation.

A half-day forum, which brought together participants from the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) and representatives of various competing political parties in the country, was held.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed directed the need for closer collaboration between the government and the political parties in Ethiopia during his discussion with party leaders early last month.

During that meeting, the prime minister stressed the need for setting agendas, identifying necessary corrections and adjustments for policy input, and determining the type of cooperation needed moving forward, as this would be paramount for continuous discussions.

(ENA)

Sudan

UK foreign secretary ‘appalled’ at violence around North Darfur capital

British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said in a statement on the ministry’s website yesterday that the “violence in and around El Fasher was appalling.”

Villages around El Fasher have been burnt down. Hospitals have been destroyed. Hundreds are dead and injured from the fighting in recent days, and over 800,000 civilians have no means of escape.

He expressed grave concern at credible reports that some of the violence in Darfur was ethnically motivated. “Attacks against Masalit, Fur, Zaghawa, and other non-Arab communities by the RSF and allied militias are already taking place around El Fasher.” he said. “The pattern of ongoing violence in Darfur, including clear systematic attacks against civilians, could amount to crimes against humanity.”

(Dabanga)