Kenya 

MPs to reverse regulations on hiking ID charges

Members of Parliament will revoke regulations that seek to make it expensive to acquire and replace an Identity Card and birth and death registration documents. The lawmakers say there was no public participation and that the regulations are marred by errors. Ainabhoi MP Samuel Chepkong’a, who chairs the Delegated Legislation Committee of the National Assembly, made the committee’s position clear to Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok during a meeting with the committee on Wednesday following complaints from committee members that they are punitive.

(Daily Nation)

Tanzania

Tanzania, UAE strengthen ties with key economic agreements

Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations by finalising and signing key cooperation agreements, particularly in economic sectors, as Dodoma and Abu Dhabi pursue enhanced mutual prosperity. The agreements were reached during the inaugural Diplomatic Consultations Meeting held at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The Tanzanian delegation was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. During the talks, both sides emphasised their determination to strengthen existing ties and elevate them to new heights.

(Daily Nation)

Uganda

Investors decry delayed approval of real estate bill

Uganda’s real estate sector is eagerly awaiting the approval of a long-delayed Bill aimed at regulating and registering land brokers. The Bill’s absence has discouraged international investors, dealing a significant blow to the country’s economic development, according to Ms Shirley Kongai, president of the Association of Real Estate Agents Uganda (AREA). “We have been asking for this Bill since 2008, when the association started. The delay has discouraged investment because for all the time we have attracted international players into the real estate space, they have always asked us to clean our space,” Kongai emphasised.

(Monitor)

Rwanda 

Senate approves new CJ, deputy

The Senate has approved the nomination of Domitilla Mukantangazwa for the President of the Supreme Court and her deputy Alphonse Hitiyareme after vetting their qualifications. During a session on Thursday, December 5, 26, senators voted unanimously in approval of the two lawyers picked to head the Rwandan judiciary. The Senate Committee on Political Affairs and Governance vetted the qualifications of the two lawyers.

(The New Times)

Ethiopia

Newly accredited ambassadors express keen interest in strengthening bilateral relations with Ethiopia

Newly accredited Ambassadors from the European Union and other European countries have vowed to bolster bilateral relations and cooperation with Ethiopia. President Taye Atske Selasie officially received the credentials of 24 newly appointed ambassadors from 23 countries and the European Union at his office in two rounds from 3 to 4 November 2024. European Union Ambassador to Ethiopia Sofie From-Emmesberger emphasised her commitment to closely engaging with the Ethiopian government, recognising the country’s rich history and potential.

(ENA)

Somalia

Kenya and Uganda to mediate the Ethiopia-Somalia dispute

Kenyan President William Ruto said on Saturday he and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni would help mediate between Somalia and Ethiopia in a dispute that threatens to distabilise the Horn of Africa region. Landlocked Ethiopia, which has thousands of troops in Somalia to fight al Qaeda-linked insurgents, has angered the Mogadishu government with its plan to build a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somaliland, which, in exchange for the port, could gain possible recognition as an independent nation from Ethiopia, has struggled to get international recognition despite governing itself and enjoying comparative peace and stability since declaring independence in 1991.

(Reuters)