Kenya

Ruto: I Am Still King of the Mountain

President William Ruto, who is on a development tour of Mt. Kenya, insists that he does not need political brokers to ascend in the vote-rich region, brushing off his acrimonious fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Ruto emphasised that he has nurtured his political roots in the region for over two decades and that Gachagua’s impeachment last year has not severed his ties with the voters.

(Nation.Africa)

Tanzania

Samia: We Will Act Decisively Against Election Disruptors

President Samia Suluhu has issued a warning against individuals seeking to disrupt peace during Tanzania’s upcoming general elections. Speaking at the National Editors’ Council at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding national stability. President Hassan also cautioned against the misuse of religious platforms to spread division.

(The Citizen)

Uganda

Trump Advisers in Uganda Over Eastern DRC Conflict

Top advisers to the U.S. President on Africa are scheduled to visit Uganda and meet with President Yoweri Museveni, along with regional counterparts, to discuss the escalating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Mr. Assad Boulos, the U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa, and Corina Sanders, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, are expected to arrive in Uganda this Thursday. During their trip, the team will meet heads of state and business leaders to advance peace efforts in eastern DRC and promote U.S. private sector investment in the region.

(The Monitor)

Rwanda

Rwanda Seeks Apology From UK Over Minister’s Blunder

The Rwanda government has requested the United Kingdom government to issue a public apology and correction following what it described as “false, insulting” remarks made by the UK Minister for Africa, Lord Ray Collins, about a massacre by an Islamist militia in eastern DR Congo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the request was made on Friday, February 28, in response to comments made by Lord Collins during a session in the House of Lords on February 26. The statement came after the Rwandan government summoned the British High Commissioner on Thursday over Lord Collins’s remarks linking Rwanda to an attack by the Islamic State-linked ADF terrorist group, which killed 70 people in a church in Lubero, North Kivu province.

(The New Times)

Ethiopia

Privilege Dilemma Puts WTO Accession On Fast Track

Ethiopia is committed to expediting its bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to benefit from the special privileges extended only to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Chief negotiator and Trade Minister Kassahun Gofe (PhD) says delaying the accession process to gain a latecomer advantage will likely do more harm than good. The Trade Minister highlighted the federal government’s interest in accelerating the accession process during a press brief organised in the wake of the fifth WTO working party meeting in Geneva on March 19. The meeting was convened to review the Elements of the Draft Working Party Report and documents submitted by Ethiopia, including the revised goods and services offer, legislative action plan, and responses to various questions received from Member States regarding state trading, import licensing, and subsidies, among other matters.

(The Reporter)

Sudan 

Sudan Cabinet Halts Attaché Appointments, Reaffirms Diplomatic Cuts

Sudan’s Council of Ministers has halted requests to appoint new specialised attachés to embassies abroad, enforcing a policy aimed at reducing the country’s diplomatic footprint, according to a recent cabinet decision. The move follows a mid-March announcement by the Ministry of Culture and Information detailing the appointment of new media attachés in Addis Ababa and Cairo, with promises of more to follow in other capitals. The policy dates back to 2018, when the government closed 13 diplomatic missions and all but three attaché offices, while cutting administrative staff by up to 50% to reduce spending.

(Sudan Tribune)

Somalia

Hundreds of Somali Police Officers Go Missing Amid Al-Shabaab Offensive

Hundreds of Somali police officers have disappeared and are suspected of defecting to militant ranks or deserting their posts after thousands of officers have recently been deployed to the frontlines to counter Al-Shabaab’s advance toward the capital, Five Somali TV reported Wednesday. The broadcaster obtained internal police documents listing 145 missing officers by name and rank, though other sources suggest the number could be as high as 600.  The officers were not on authorised leave, but authorities have not clarified whether they vanished during combat deployment or fled urban postings to avoid frontline duty.

(Somali Guardian)