Kenya

Raila retreats from Ruto deal amid backlash

In a dramatic turn of events, ODM leader Raila Odinga appears to be backing away from a proposed political deal with President William Ruto, as his coalition partners reject the plan for a government of national unity. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has joined other Azimio la Umoja principals in firmly rejecting the planned national dialogue, throwing a wrench into Ruto’s plans to form a broad-based administration. 

(The Star)

Uganda

EC boss Byabakama joins electoral reforms choir

The Electoral Commission (EC) has said it will not be able to implement electoral reforms because they are behind schedule. EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama told reporters yesterday that the Commission needs at least two years to implement the reforms. 

(The Monitor)

Tanzania

Minister vows to clean up ‘rotten’ ID agency

Tanzania Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni on Wednesday vowed to clean up the “rot” within the National Identification Authority (Nida) following widespread public complaints.

Mr. Masauni made the remarks after residents of Ubungo in Dar es Salaam voiced a number of grievances, including prolonged delays and bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining national identity cards. 

(The Citizen)

Rwanda

Rwanda migration deal: “A gimmick that doesn’t act as a deterrent,” new UK PM says

The first deportation flights bound for Rwanda from the UK will eventually not take off.

Former British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had vowed they’d leave the UK by early July but the downfall of his party at the latest election has upset his plans. All was ready in Rwanda to welcome the deported asylum-seekers, though. 

(Africa News)

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce to expand at 10th General Assembly

The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) is gearing up for its 10th General Assembly on July 18, 2024. The ECCSA announced key agenda items for the conference, and a major highlight will be the endorsement of Chambers of Commerce from four newly formed regions. The division of the Southern Nations region created independent Trade and Sectoral Association Councils in Sidama, South West, Central, and South Ethiopia regions. (Merkato2)

Somalia

ISIS leader Abdulqadir Mumin still operational in Somalia

The leader of ISIS in Somalia, Abdulqadir Mumin, has been confirmed alive after surviving a U.S. airstrike targeting him on May 31, 2024. Although unconfirmed, sources within Puntland’s intelligence agencies said that Mumin continues to operate from a highly secured, secret location in the Al-Miskaad mountains of the Bari region. Recent intelligence confirms that Mumin is alive despite the U.S. airstrike that aimed to eliminate him. The strike resulted in the deaths of three ISIS members and injuries to several others, but Mumin was not among the casualties. Initial reports from American intelligence officials were uncertain about his status following the strike​​​​​​.

 (Radio Daslan)

DRC

Worsening security in DRC takes centre stage at EA Community retreat

Ministers of Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where armed conflicts have exacerbated humanitarian crises.

The ministers, who gathered for a three-day retreat in Zanzibar, highlighted the imperative of a political process as the pathway to sustainable peace in Eastern DRC and recommended convening of a summit of the EAC Heads of State to revitalise the political track of the Nairobi-led peace process in coordination with the Luanda process. 

(The Citizen)