KENYA

Court paves the way for companies to now participate in criminal trials

The High Court in Nairobi has declared a section of the law allowing victims to participate in trial unconstitutional for not including companies and associations. Justice Thande Mugure, in her judgement, said that Parliament should have taken a broader view of the impact of crimes, including on companies and other non-natural humans. The judge ruled that it is discriminatory to offer victims of crime rights while closing the door on firms and organisations.

(The Standard)

TANZANIA

Samia lauds court efficacy

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has commended the judiciary for reducing case backlogs. She emphasised the importance of expeditious justice dispensation through dispute arbitration to uphold peace and attract investments. 

“What I want to re-emphasise is the acceleration of the hearing of commercial cases. When we attract investors, it brings about legal issues and commercial disputes. It is good for our courts to give importance to this type of case as well,” Dr Samia said. 

Acknowledging a decrease in case delays, President Samia commended the judiciary for implementing mediation measures to expedite proceedings. The Head of State emphasised that the sixth-phase administration has opened up the country to regional and international investment and business. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that investors have confidence in the protection of their interests.

(Daily News)

UGANDA

Parliament approves new aviation law 

Parliament has passed the Civil Aviation Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that will bring Uganda’s aviation authority in conformity with the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

This follows the approval of eight amendments under the proposed Bill, which will now be forwarded to the President for assent. The Bill was passed on Thursday, 01 February 2024 at a sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

(Independent)

SUDAN

ICC Prosecutor: Sudan situation ‘dire by any metric’.

“We are fast approaching a breaking point, and the situation in Sudan demands your attention more than ever,” International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan said during his briefing to the UN Security Council (UNSC) from N’Djamena, capital of Chad, yesterday. During his briefing, Khan described the situation in Sudan as “dire by any metric.” One-third of the population in the affected parts of Chad are Sudanese refugees, and they are arriving at a rate faster than Chad and the UN can respond, he said. He said that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are to blame for crimes committed in Darfur.  Khan said that during his visit to the Adré and Farchana refugee camps, he listened to the testimonies of refugees about their suffering and the violations that had occurred, including sexual violence.  

(Dabanga)

SOMALIA

Somalia joins Kenya and Rwanda in banning single-use plastics

Somalia is the latest African country to ban single-use plastics, potentially boosting the growing campaign to limit the use of non-biodegradable packaging material in the war against global warming. A decree issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change indicated that the country will stop single-use plastics by June 30, 2024, providing a five-month grace period for importers and users to adjust. “All business people engaged in bag importation, manufacturers, retailers and commercial establishments within the country are hereby notified that as of June 30th 2024, the importation and use of single-use bags shall be prohibited”, read a statement issued by the Ministry.

(Business Daily)

ETHIOPIA

House extends state of emergency

The House of People’s Representatives has extended the state of emergency by another four months. The House approved the motion to extend the state of emergency for a further four months by a majority vote with two votes against and three abstentions. On the occasion, Minister of Justice Gedion Timotheos told the Members of Parliament that the state of emergency had spared the Amhara region from destruction.  

(ENA)