Political and Regulatory Affairs Round-Up: Issue 3 of 2025

Kenya
‘Rebel’ MPs face the axe in House teams overhaul
A purge targeting ‘rebel’ MPs opposed to President William Ruto’s broad-based government is in the offing at the National Assembly once the House resumes next month. Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula directed the reconstitution of committees, setting the stage for an intense battle for control of the House teams between Ruto-allied legislators, those linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Wetang’ula, who was speaking during the opening of the 2025 mid-term retreat for MPs in Naivasha, directed the Leader of the Majority, Kimani Ichung’wah, and the Leader of the Minority, Junet Mohamed, to speed up restructuring the committees. This is meant to counter the newfound Kalonzo-Gachagua alliance, whose ripple effect could be felt in the National Assembly and ensure that the Kenya Kwanza coalition can still execute its agenda. Further compounding the situation is the revelation that the changes are engineered to reward ODM and UDA loyalists who were instrumental in the ousting of Gachagua. The shake-up is also meant to replace ‘disloyal’ House committee chairpersons and vice-chairpersons with trusted allies.
(The Standard)
Uganda
Uganda calls for talks to end DRC conflict
The Ugandan government has called for negotiations between the M23 rebels and DR Congo forces to end the conflict. “There is going to be a visual summit of East African Community Heads of State to discuss the current conflict, but as a government, our view is that the fighting groups should get to the negotiating table and resolve this conflict peacefully,” Information Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said. The minister added that Uganda will continue welcoming refugees fleeing conflict in DR Congo and other parts of the world.
(New Vision)
Tanzania
Kibaha to get higher administrative status
President Samia Suluhu Hassan will elevate Kibaha Town Council to municipal council status. Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mohamed Mchengerwa, announced at a ceremony to support resolutions of CCM’s National Congress, which endorsed President Samia as the party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections. CCM also endorsed Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi as its presidential candidate for Zanzibar.
(The Guardian)
Rwanda
Rwanda, Guinea sign security cooperation deal
Rwanda and Guinea on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding meant to strengthen security cooperation.
At the signing in Kigali, Rwanda was represented by its Minister of Interior, Vincent Biruta, while Guinea was represented by Bachir Diallo, Minister of Security and Civil Protection.
The objective of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in matters of security and civil protection through training, exchanges of experiences and sharing of good practices, technical assistance, and exchange of information and intelligence,
(The New Times)
Ethiopia
Türkiye deepens ties with Somalia and Ethiopia through MoUs
Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has signed two strategic agreements with counterparts in Somalia and Ethiopia weeks after Ankara mediated a truce between the two Horn of Africa nations. On Wednesday, AK Party Deputy Chairperson Zafer Sırakaya met Abdurahman Mohamed Hussein, the secretary-general of Somalia’s ruling Union for Peace and Development Party (UPD), in Ankara to sign a memorandum of understanding for closer bilateral cooperation between the parties.
On Thursday, Sırakaya was in Addis Ababa to meet with the Vice President of the Prosperity Party and the Deputy Prime Minister, Adem Farah. “We signed a memorandum of understanding with the ruling Prosperity Party in Ethiopia to strengthen inter-party and intergovernmental relations,” Sırakaya wrote on X after the ceremony. “From Europe to Asia, from Africa to America, we continue to create a network of compassion around the world with the vision that “a fairer world is possible,” Sırakaya said.
(Daily Sabah)
South Sudan
Sudan and South Sudan agree on enhancing bilateral relations
South Sudan’s Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Monday Sumaya Kumba and the Sudanese Ambassador to Juba, Issam Mohammed Karrar on Thursday held a meeting seeking to foster mutual understanding and address concerns between the two nations.
The meeting held in Juba also reinforced the commitment of the two foreign affairs ministries to a constructive dialogue aimed at navigating challenges and enhancing bilateral relations.
The nations reaffirmed their dedication and commitment to maintaining open lines of communication for cooperation and collaboration in various areas, citing the implementation of the voluntary return processes, timely reporting on the outcomes of the investigation into the Wad Madani incident and addressing issues of mutual concern between the two nations.
(Sudan Tribune)
Somalia
Somalia, Egypt agree to cooperate in fight against terrorism
In a statement, the Somali Defence Ministry said Egypt is committed to supporting the Somali government in the fight against terrorism. “The Federal Government of Somalia is cognisant of the role Egypt can partake in eliminating the Khawaarij (al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab terrorist group) and looks forward to their contribution alongside other Troop Partner Nations,” the Defence Ministry said. The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) began its five-year tenure in early January. The ministry made the statement during final technical discussions on the two nations’ participation in the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
(Anadolu Ajansi)