Kenya

Treasury suffers new setback in taxes implementation plan

The Treasury suffered another setback in its quest to implement the contentious Finance Act after the Court of Appeal declined to lift an order suspending the law.

The bench of three judges said it will rule on the application by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u, who argued that the suspension of the Act was affecting government operations, on July 28. (Business Daily)

Tanzania 

Samia: Tanzania gaining from ‘burning’ neighbour

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has once again taken a swipe at the economy of an unnamed neighbouring country that she says is losing investors to Tanzania because of instability.

In a viral video that has drawn mixed reactions from Kenyans, the President claimed that the country was “burning” forcing a number of investors to flee.

She said her country had received an unprecedented number of investors and that their businesses would transform the country’s economy.

According to President Suluhu, investors will not stay in an unstable environment that threatens their businesses. (The East African)

Uganda

Uganda urges EAC member states to enforce free movement

The First Deputy Premier and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, has called on member states of the East African Community (EAC) to uphold the principles of the free movement of persons, goods, and services. Kadaga made this statement during the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of constructing offices for the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), which took place on Wednesday.

Kadaga’s remarks were prompted by recent accusations between Uganda and South Sudan regarding practices that violate the spirit of the EAC. Uganda had waived visa requirements for South Sudanese citizens, but reports indicated that South Sudan continued to apply its “Aliens Registration Act” against Ugandans.

On the other hand, South Sudan complained that Uganda was charging South Sudanese students studying in Ugandan tertiary institutions a fee for a student pass. Kadaga emphasised that the EAC council of ministers had made policy directions on all matters related to EAC integration, including the free movement of persons, goods, and services. (The Independent) 

Rwanda

Congo-Brazzaville President visits Rwanda, to address Parliament

The President of the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Denis Sassou Nguesso, is set to visit Rwanda on Friday, July 21, where he is expected to address a joint session of Parliament this afternoon, among other activities, The New Times has learnt.

The Presidency of the Republic of Congo posted on its Twitter page that at the invitation of his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, will make a State Visit to Rwanda, from July 21 to 22.

His visit follows that of President Kagame to Congo-Brazzaville, from April 11 to 13, 2022. During that visit, Kagame addressed a joint session of the Congolese Parliament where he reflected on the actions of both countries in achieving continental prosperity and deepening the friendship between Rwanda and Congo. (The New Times)

Somalia

Over 200 Al-Shabaab militants killed in week-long operations

Somali security forces, supported by international partners, have killed more than 200 al-Shabab militants, including senior leaders, in a week-long operation in Jubbaland and Galmudug regional states.

The Ministry of Defense spokesperson, General Abdullahi Ali Aanod, said that the joint operations took place on the 14th and 15th in the Weel Maaro area of the Jubbaland region, where 100 militants were killed. Another operation in Ali Qura resulted in the deaths of 50 militants on Wednesday morning. (Radio Dalsan)