Kenya

Rigathi to unveil new party in May
 Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has settled on May 15 to unveil a new political party that will challenge President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the upcoming elections. The party, reportedly already registered, will be introduced publicly with its name, slogan, and colours ahead of a grand launch event scheduled for May 29.
  (Daily Nation)

Tanzania

Tanzania Lifts Ban on Agricultural Imports from South Africa and Malawi
Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, has lifted the ban on agricultural imports from South Africa and Malawi. The restriction, previously imposed despite both countries being members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), was reversed following diplomatic engagement between the foreign affairs ministries of the three countries.
  (The Citizen)

Uganda

19 Ugandans Set for Repatriation, Over 30 Await Rescue from Myanmar Scam Rings
The Thai government is preparing to repatriate 19 Ugandans who were trafficked and held in cyber scam centres in Myanmar for over a year, Uganda’s Ambassador to Thailand has confirmed. However, 37 more Ugandans remain stranded in Myanmar. Diplomatic efforts with the Thai and Myanmar authorities are ongoing to secure their release.
  (The Monitor)

Rwanda

Rwanda Escorts Southern African Troops from Congo to Tanzania
Rwanda has facilitated the withdrawal of Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo through its territory into Tanzania. The troops, part of the SAMIDRC mission, are pulling out after SADC terminated the mission’s mandate in March.
(The New Times)

Ethiopia

Freedom under fire: New media law walks back years of progress
 Parliament has passed a controversial amendment to the Working Media Proclamation, with only one MP opposing it. Critics, including legal experts, civil society groups, and the Ethiopian Media Council, warn that the law curtails press freedom, enables political interference, and grants excessive powers to the Director-General of the Media Authority. The law also shifts key responsibilities from the Authority’s board to the Prime Minister and holds media houses directly liable for live broadcasts.
(The Reporter)

Sudan

Doctors’ network accuses RSF of war crimes after 31 killed
 At least 31 people, including children, were executed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Omdurman’s Al-Salha area, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The victims were allegedly accused of affiliation with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Videos circulating on social media show RSF fighters shooting at civilians. The killings have been described as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
  (Al Jazeera)

Somalia

President urges Arab support amid waning Western backing in fight against militants
 President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appealed to Arab nations for military and financial support as Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts face declining Western engagement. Writing in Asharq Al-Awsat, Mohamud emphasised the urgent threat posed by Al-Shabaab and local ISIS affiliates and urged Arab countries to help prevent extremist spillover across the Gulf of Aden.
  (Somali Guardian)