Kenya

President Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua, MPs set for 14pc pay raise in SRC review

State officers, including the President, the Deputy President, Cabinet Secretaries and MPs, are set for a 14% pay rise on average over the next two years starting next month in a review proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to cushion them against the rising cost of living. If approved, the officials will enjoy significant relief from the impact of the persistently high inflation which has eroded personal incomes amid rising prices of primary consumer products.

(Nation)

Tanzania

Tanzania’s Parliament approves 44.39trn budget.

Tanzania’s Parliament approved a record Tsh 44.39 trillion- Budget for 2023/24 on Monday after a week of debate over proposed plans to enhance social and economic development in the country. National Assembly Speaker Dr Tulia Ackson announced that 354 MPs or 95 per cent voted in support of the proposed budget that was tabled by Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba on June 15, 2023. According to the Speaker, 20 MPs abstained from their votes and none voted against the highly expected budget. Should MPs vote against the budget, the move would have prompted President Samia Suluhu Hassan to dissolve the parliament, Dr Tulia warned.

(Daily News)

Uganda

Parliament finally passes the tax amendment bill

Parliament has finally passed the Income Tax (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2023, removing the final obstacle to Islamic banking and financing. The Bill was deferred from Tuesday this week after it emerged that the Committee of Finance, planning, and Economic Development had introduced new clauses away from the original proposal by the finance ministry. On Thursday, there were contentions regarding the wording of the provisions for money accrued out of business. Muslim legislators prevailed in their wish to have the words “return on investment” replaced by “mark-up”

(Monitor)

Rwanda

Rwanda takes issue with the UK court ruling on the safety of asylum seekers

Rwanda takes issue with a recent ruling by the United Kingdom’s Court of Appeal which, among others, ruled that the country is not a safe destination for asylum seekers and refugees, Yolande Makolo, the government spokesperson said in a statement issued on Thursday. Makolo’s reaction came after three judges overturned a High Court ruling passed in December 2022, that described the UK’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda as lawful and “consistent with the refugee convention.” Dubbed “Migration and Economic Development Partnership”, the deal was initially established to allow migrants and asylum seekers who are illegally in the UK to be transferred to Rwanda.

(The New Times)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia submits request to join BRICS group

Addis Ababa June 29/2023 (ENA) Ethiopia has made a request to join the BRICS group, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Meles Alem gave a bi-weekly press briefing today. Responding to a question put to him by journalists, the spokesperson said Ethiopia has made an official request to join the BRICS group, which embraces Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Noting Ethiopia has been a member and founder of many international institutions, he said the country will continue to work with international institutions that can protect its interests. “We expect BRICS will give us a positive response to the request we have made,” he stated.

(ENA)

Sudan

Attacks torment Darfur despite Eid truce

Despite the declared Eid El Adha* truce, Darfur continues to be plagued by violence. The capital of Central Darfur, Zalingei, witnessed a brutal attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that left government buildings looted and set ablaze. In South Darfur, the area of Manawashi suffered a violent assault by RSF-backed militiamen. Displaced people in Kalma camp near Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, face shortages of food and medicine. RSF’s media advisor acknowledged collaborative efforts to end the bloodshed in Darfur. Zalingei was attacked by RSF on Tuesday, sources told Radio Dabanga from the city. Government buildings, “including the Ministry of Health, Zalingei Hospital, police station, customs office, Central Reserve, Zalingei Court, and the Public Prosecution office”, were looted and set ablaze. All government vehicles were reported stolen during the attack. In South Darfur, the area and market of Manawashi, 74 kilometres away from Nyala the capital, faced a violent assault by RSF-backed militiamen, resulting in loss of lives and injuries.

(Dabanga)

Somalia

Somali President vows to eradicate corruption and combat terrorism in Eid al-Adha address

In his Eid al-Adha address to the Somali people, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conveyed a heartfelt message and addressed various pressing issues, including the threat of terrorism and the abuse of public resources. The President expressed his commitment to eradicating corruption, emphasizing that he would spare no effort in combating the scourge. The President’s remarks come at a time when corruption in Somalia has reached alarming levels, with reports of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds by government officials and private sector actors making headlines on a regular basis.

(Radio Dalsan)