Kenya

Gachagua’s Mt Kenya offer to Raila triggers a storm

Reactions to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s statement that Mt Kenya voters are ready to back ODM leader Raila Odinga to unseat President Ruto come 2027 expose shifting political alliances. Gachagua is currently crafting an anti-Ruto alliance for 2027, listing himself, Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Governor George Natembeya and Eugene Wamalwa as potential flag bearers. However, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Kapseret Constituency MP Oscar Sudi have dismissed the proposal as baseless.

(Daily Nation)

Tanzania

Election participation hinges on reforms, ACT Wazalendo says

ACT Wazalendo has still not decided whether to participate in future elections, pending the completion of necessary reforms to Tanzania’s electoral system. The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has emphasised that its National Leadership Committee will determine its participation, or lack thereof, in the elections at the right time.

ACT Wazalendo has called for reforms, including the establishment of independent electoral commissions for both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar and reject of early voting in Zanzibar. Despite ongoing political tensions, ACT Wazalendo has not ruled out participation in future elections but has made it clear that any decisions will depend on the outcome of the reform efforts.

(The Citizen)

Uganda

Uganda opposition leader’s case transferred to the DPP

Dr. Kizza Besigye’s case has been transferred to the DPP and is now before the civil court. Legal experts say that President Museveni’s insistence on the use of the Martial court has been a long practice to deny bail to capital offenders, and there is fear that the case against Dr. Besigye may be transferred back to the court martial. Given that the matter may now be heard in the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Dr. Besigye’s lawyers are working to ensure that he is granted bail to enable him access to medical care. The next court appearance will be on 7th March 2025.

(The East African)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria ex-leaders to head DRC peace process

African countries have appointed ex-Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, ex-Kenya president Uhuru Kenyatta and ex-Nigeria president Olusegun Obasanjo as “facilitators” of a new peace process in the DRC. The three leaders have been appointed as part of the two regional African blocs’ – the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – attempt to install a ceasefire. The EAC and SADC agreed at a summit on February 8 to merge two separate peace processes— based in Luanda and Nairobi—that were operating before the latest escalation of violence. The EAC and SADC’s key goals are an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” as well as humanitarian supplies and securitisation of the airport at Goma.

(ENA)

Rwanda

US and European nations pressure Rwanda to defuse M23 rebellion

Western countries, mainly Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the United States, are exerting pressure on Rwanda in a concerted effort to stop the conflict in eastern DRC. They have imposed sanctions on key officials of the M23 rebel group and Rwandese government officials and threatened to cut aid and funding to Rwanda.  The US now requires that properties and interests of the sanctioned officials in its jurisdiction be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. 

The Rwandese government has rejected the sanctions, claiming that they would not bring peace to the DRC situation. Rwanda also suspended all development cooperation with Belgium, accusing Brussels of lobbying against financial assistance to the East African country. Rwanda claims that the sanctions are punitive and one-sided measures that may amount to unwarranted external interference that undermines the African-led mediation process. Meanwhile, the DRC government has welcomed the sanctions calling them the beginning of more penalties to come.

(The East African)

Somalia

With US help, Puntland now turns heat on ISIS militants

Somalia’s Puntland authorities have cranked up their war on local ISIS cells, banking on aerial raids offered by the US to eliminate the extremist group. This is the second time in a month that the US has carried out an air strike in the Puntland region, killing two Islamic State militants. Two air strikes carried out on Wednesday resulted in the killing of more than 30 ISIS militants – most of whom were foreigners – and destroyed the supply vehicle they were transporting.

(The East African)

Sudan

Legal expert: Constitutional amendments ‘give Sudan military absolute control’

On February 19, 2023, the Sovereignty Council and the Council of Ministers approved significant amendments to the Constitutional Charter for Sudan’s 2019 Transitional Period, which had been stalled after the 2021 coup. The amendments, published on February 23, centralise power in the hands of the military, removing provisions related to the pro-democracy Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Key changes include granting the Sovereignty Council control over foreign policy and prohibiting foreign passport holders from government positions. The investigation committee for the June 3, 2019, massacre was abolished, and military leaders were granted legal immunity from crimes committed since the coup. Legal experts argue that the amendments entrench dictatorial rule, grant the military unchecked authority, and eliminate accountability for past and ongoing crimes, including the war in Sudan. They also raise concerns over the return of elements from the Omar al-Bashir regime to the political fold.

(Dabanga)