Kenya

Clear Air on Raila’s Whereabouts

Recently, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has been noticeably absent from several key events where his presence was expected. His absence has sparked widespread speculation, with bloggers, political opponents, and parts of the media filling the information gap with various accounts of his whereabouts. The mounting rumours eventually led ODM to issue a statement clarifying the situation and dismissing what it called “misinformation regarding the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga.”

(Source: Daily Nation )

 

Uganda

Museveni Replaces Kamya With High Court Judge Batala as IGG, Deputies Retained

President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala as the new Inspector General of Government (IGG), replacing Beti Kamya, whose four-year tenure ended on Tuesday evening. Justice Batala’s appointment, confirmed by Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Farouk Kirunda, marks a new chapter for the Inspectorate of Government, the institution responsible for promoting good governance, accountability, and fighting corruption in public institutions. Kamya, a former minister and strong critic of President Museveni’s government, was appointed IGG on 15 July 2021, taking over from Irene Mulyagonja, who had left the position to join the Constitutional Court.

 (Source: The Monitor)

Tanzania

Tanzanian Lawyers File Case at High Court Challenging Polepole’s Disappearance

Following reports alleging the abduction of former Tanzanian Ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Polepole, the Tanzania Police Force has announced that it has begun investigating the claims. The Police, however, emphasises that it is still awaiting his appearance at the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Previously, the Police had summoned Polepole to report to the Office of the DCI to provide explanations regarding various allegations he made on social media. Recently, social media reports have emerged from someone alleged to be a relative of Polepole, claiming that he has been abducted.

 (Source: The Citizen) 

 

Rwanda

House Approves Air Service Agreements Rwanda Signed With 12 Countries

The Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, October 7, approved 12 draft laws ratifying air services agreements signed by the Rwandan government with multiple countries to expand international and regional aviation links. Members of Parliament (MPs) stated that the legislative approval will play a vital role in expanding RwandAir’s reach, enhancing air travel safety, improving service quality, and reducing operational costs. The agreements with Eswatini, Guinea, Georgia, Canada, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Oman, Poland, Suriname, France, and Zimbabwe were signed on different occasions between 2022 and 2024. Each agreement details the rights and responsibilities of the parties, covering passenger and cargo transport, landing rights, and operational safety standards.

(Source: The New Times)

 

Ethiopia

Ethiopia Sets March 2026 Deadline for WTO Accession

Ethiopia has set March 2026 as the deadline to finalise its accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), ending more than two decades of planning and negotiations, and last week marked the conclusion of Ethiopia’s sixth WTO working party meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, with officials describing it as the most productive yet. A seventh meeting is anticipated to occur in January 2026.

 

“Our plan is to finalise the WTO negotiations during the ministerial conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026,” said Kassahun Gofe, Chief Negotiator and Minister of Trade and Regional Integration. Speaking at the meeting on September 26, Ethiopia’s Gofe noted the country’s accession “has entered a decisive phase.” He also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to meeting the requirements for Ethiopia to join the WTO at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé in March 2026.

 (Source: The Reporter)

Sudan 

ICC Convicts Former Janjaweed Leader Kushayb of Darfur War Crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday convicted former Janjaweed militia leader Ali Mohamed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed in Sudan’s Darfur region. The verdict is the court’s first for the long-running conflict in Darfur. The ICC is still seeking the surrender of former Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and two senior aides, Abdel Raheem Mohamed Hussein and Ahmed Haroun, on similar charges. Also wanted is Abdallah Banda, a rebel commander accused of a deadly attack on peacekeepers in 2007.

 (Source: Sudan Tribune)

 

Somalia

Talks Between President Mohamud and Jubaland Leader End Without Agreement

Negotiations between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Jubaland State President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, commonly known as Ahmed Madobe, have ended without an agreement after two days of tense discussions in the southern port city of Kismayo. According to official and diplomatic sources, the talks, which began on Saturday and concluded late Sunday, failed to produce a breakthrough on key political disputes, particularly the controversial Jubaland regional election held in November 2024 and Madobe’s participation in the National Consultative Council (NCC). President Mohamud reportedly insisted that the Jubaland election process should be revisited, arguing that it lacked transparency and excluded critical federal oversight mechanisms. Madobe, however, firmly rejected the demand, maintaining that the election was legitimate and reflected the will of the Jubaland people.

(Source: Radio Dalsun)