KENYA

Gachagua, Kalonzo and Wamalwa tout a big announcement on coalition

Plans to form an opposition alliance in a bid to ensure President William Ruto only serves one term is gaining momentum, with leading lights saying they are closer to the proverbial “white smoke”. Emerging from a two-hour meeting at a Nairobi hotel, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa said the country should be ready for a big announcement. The three politicians are forming what they consider a formidable alliance to take on President Ruto in his re-election bid in a battle of allies-turned-foes.

TANZANIA

Tanzania reviews a bill to grant diaspora land rights

Tanzania has rescheduled a motion that would grant legal rights to Tanzanians living abroad to invest in the country with rights to land ownership. The amendments were delayed after parliament withdrew the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, to introduce definitions such as “Diaspora Tanzanite Card”, “Special Status”, and “Tanzania Non-citizen Diaspora”, then establish procedures for land ownership rights for special status holders.

(The East African)

UGANDA

Besigye’s High Court hearing

The hearing of a habeas corpus application for Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale, initially set for next week, was scheduled for this week. The case is pivotal in transferring Besigye and Lutale’s trial from the military court to a civilian court, as directed by the Supreme Court. The two were allegedly abducted from Nairobi on November 16, 2024, unlawfully transferred to Uganda, and detained at Makindye Military Barracks, where they were reportedly tortured. 

(The Independent)

RWANDA

DRC-Rwanda case on human rights violations begins at the African Court

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) has begun hearing a case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Rwanda over alleged violations of the rights of Congolese in the eastern part of the country. The case was filed in August 2023, and the African Court began its public hearings on 13th February, with nine judges presiding, led by Court President Imani Daud Aboud. DRC, represented by 17 lawyers, called for the court to hold Rwanda accountable for the violations in its territory, order the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC, demand the cessation of support to the M23 rebels, and provide reparations for damages and victims. 

(The East African)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia, Somalia demonstrate commitment to spirit of Ankara Declaration

The first round of technical negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia within the scope of the Ankara Declaration took place in Ankara, Türkiye. The technical negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia within the scope of the Declaration adopted on 11 December 2024 were hosted by Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye. By virtue of the Declaration, Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had put forward a vision, ushering the way to a more prosperous and stable future. 

(ENA)

SOUTH SUDAN

South Sudan’s opposition protests firing of officials

On Wednesday, South Sudan’s opposition, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, led by the first vice president Riek Machar, called for the reinstatement of two party officials who’d been dismissed by President Salva Kiir. Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Health, and Alfred Futuyo Karaba, Governor of Western Equatoria State, were among the nine officials fired on Monday, 10th February, by Presidential decree.

(The East African)