Kenya 

Kenya’s Critical Minerals Gain US Attention as Ruto Meets Rubio 

President William Ruto and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have discussed opportunities to develop Kenya’s critical minerals sector, with Washington highlighting Kenya’s potential to become a key player in the industry and to create opportunities for US firms to participate in local value addition. The discussions come as Kenya advances plans to develop strategic resources, including rare earth elements, niobium, titanium, graphite and lithium, with the Mrima Hill deposit in Kwale County attracting particular international interest. The US has said it is prepared to support Kenya in developing mineral-processing capacity. At the same time, both countries have emphasised local processing and value addition rather than exporting raw minerals. 

(Source: Daily Nation) 

Uganda 

Besigye Treason Trial Delayed as State Lawyers Miss Court 

The treason trial of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye has been adjourned to October 5, 2026, after two state prosecutors failed to appear when the case was due to resume before the High Court in Kampala on September 23. Justice Emmanuel Baguma was scheduled to hear further proceedings, including a ruling on the admissibility of a flash drive containing recordings relied on by a prosecution witness. Defence lawyers told the court that the prosecutors were attending another matter elsewhere on the court premises, prompting the judge to grant a further adjournment and warn that it would be the last. The State alleges that Besigye and his co-accused met in Uganda and abroad as part of a plan to overthrow the government, allegations they have denied. 

(Source: Monitor) 

Tanzania 

Lissu Treason Case Reaches Final Legal Arguments 

The treason trial of Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu has reached the final submissions stage at the High Court in Dar es Salaam, with both the prosecution and the defence presenting their closing arguments before a three-judge panel. Lissu faces a single treason charge under Section 39(2)(d) of Tanzania’s Penal Code, arising from remarks he allegedly made on April 3, 2025, urging the public to prevent the 2025 General Election. The prosecution closed its case after calling 17 witnesses, and Lissu subsequently presented five defence witnesses before closing his case on September 18. The final submissions will focus on whether the evidence meets the legal threshold for the charge, with the court expected to consider the arguments before delivering its judgment. 

(Source: The Citizen) 

Rwanda 

Kigali and Brussels Reopen Diplomatic Channel After 18-Month Rift 

Rwanda and Belgium have agreed to restore diplomatic relations 18 months after severing ties over disagreements linked to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The decision was announced on September 22, 2026, following talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers. Their respective embassies will reopen soon, initially under chargés d’affaires, with small diplomatic and technical teams. The two governments said they will maintain open and transparent dialogue while recognising that differences remain, particularly over the situation in eastern DRC. Qatar helped facilitate the first meeting between the ministers in Doha in June 2025, and both sides now cite mutual respect, non-interference and constructive engagement as principles for rebuilding bilateral relations. 

(Source: The New Times) 

Ethiopia 

Ethiopia Maintains Restraint Amid Renewed Regional Tensions 

Ethiopia is maintaining a cautious approach amid renewed political and security tensions following the formation of an alliance of seven armed groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Amhara Fano National Movement, which have declared their intention to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. The coalition brings together groups that were previously on opposing sides of Ethiopia’s 2020–2022 conflict, and tensions have also resurfaced in the Tigray region. The Ethiopian government has accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups and contributing to instability, allegations that Eritrea has denied. The characterisation of the alliance as a “Trojan horse” is an interpretation advanced by sources aligned with the Ethiopian government, not a fact. 

(Source: ENA) 

Sudan 

Sudanese Civilian Coalition, Norway Renew Push for Peace at UN 

Sudan’s Civil Democratic Alliance of the Forces of the Revolution (Somoud), led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, held talks with Norwegian State Secretary Andreas Kravik in New York on 22 September 2026 to discuss efforts to end Sudan’s war and address the worsening humanitarian crisis. The coalition urged Norway to increase humanitarian assistance and to push for an unconditional ceasefire, alongside an inclusive political process aimed at addressing the roots of the conflict and restoring Sudan’s democratic transition. Kravik briefed the delegation on Norway’s diplomatic efforts and its participation in a joint meeting of international groups working on the Sudan crisis, while reaffirming Norway’s support for a settlement based on freedom, peace, justice and civilian democratic governance. 

(Source: Sudan Tribune) 

Somalia 

Somalia and Germany Seek to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation 

Somalia and Germany have discussed strengthening bilateral relations, expanding cooperation in political, development and parliamentary affairs, and creating more opportunities for partnerships between Somali and German businesses. The discussions took place in Mogadishu between the Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and German Ambassador Sebastian Groth, with other officials from both sides attending. Germany is already a significant development partner for Somalia, with its development cooperation valued at about €546 million, covering areas including economic development, vocational training, agriculture, food security, water management, climate resilience, and support for democratisation and federal state structures. 

(Source: SONNA)