KENYA

Lawmakers propose to reduce the public service retirement age to 55 years

A parliamentary committee is considering reducing the mandatory retirement age from the current 60 years to 55 to give young people an opportunity to be employed in the public service.On Thursday, August 3, the National Assembly´s Labour Committee, while considering the Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, said it will introduce an amendment to the proposed legislation to cap the retirement age at 55.

The Bill sponsored by Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru seeks to amend the current Act by prescribing that no officer should be in any acting capacity beyond six months.Kangudo, MP Fabian Muli said if the committee is to serve the interest of the youth, then it should propose further amendments to the Bill to reduce the retirement age.

(Daily Nation)

TANZANIA

Tanzania opens embassy in Algeria

Tanzania has officially opened an embassy in Algiers, Algeria as part of its continued efforts to strengthen multilateral cooperation and effective implementation of economic diplomacy.The embassy has been launched by Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Stergomena Tax, and attended by her Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf and first Algerian envoy to Tanzania, Ambassador Noureddine Djoudi.

Speaking at the well-attended event in Algiers on Thursday, Dr Tax cited the agriculture, mining, tourism, oil and gas, health, manufacturing, energy and blue economy sectors as areas where the two countries are determined to strengthen their cooperation.

(Daily News)

SUDAN

UK targets Russia’s Wagner group in new Sudan sanctions

The British government has selected five new targets for sanctions in Sudan, including three companies that they allege are a front for the Russian Wagner Group. According to an official communique last week by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office, they identified a web of mining and investment companies, all inextricably linked to one another.

Andrei Sergeevich Mandel was identified as a target for sanctions for his role as DirectorGeneral of M-Invest. Both M-Invest and Mandel are under intense scrutiny for their reported responsibility in undermining Sudan’s peace and security.

(Dabanga Sudan)

UGANDA

Uganda: Kakwenza petitions EU to impose visa bans on govt officials over rights abuse

Award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has petitioned the European Union delegation in Uganda, asking that visa bans be imposed on some government officials over their role in abusing the human rights of Ugandans.

In his petition, which he says needs urgency, Kakwenza says he is driven by deep concern regarding the “apparent failure of the 27 member states of the European Union to effectively enforce the union’s policy on human rights and corruption” in Uganda.

(All Africa)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia gains USD 226.8 million from mineral exports

The Ministry of Mines has announced that the earnings from exported minerals totalled USD 226.8 million in the 2022/23 fiscal year. The Ministry also reviewed its performance during the year, highlighting that a total of Birr 896.8 million was granted to both domestic and foreign developers engaged in mineral exploration, production, and processing.

The ministry emphasized the importance of increasing the national production of coal as a substitute for imported coal. It also suggested that the incentive for purchasing gold could be raised from 35 to 60 percent. The Minister of Mines, Habtamu Tegune, reported that efforts were underway to revive the operations of Mosobo Cement, Capital Cement, and Pioneer Cement factories, which had previously ceased working. 

(2merkato)

RWANDA

Kagame urges African leaders to enact investment policies

President Paul Kagame on Thursday, August 3, issued a rallying call to fellow African leaders saying that governments must step up and enact enabling investment policies, to be able to attract major impactful investments such as the just-inaugurated Anjia Prefabricated Construction Cement Factory in Muhanga district, Southern Province.

“That’s what we have been doing here in Rwanda for a number of years,” he pointed out. The Head of State made the call shortly after launching and also touring the $100 million facility which targets an annual output of a million metric tonnes output in order to address the supply deficit in the market.

(New Times)

SOMALIA

Puntland leader Deni dismisses claims of extending term in office

Puntland President Abdullahi Deni has denied accusations that he intends to extend his term in office once it expires in January. Speaking during the 25th anniversary of Puntland’s founding, President Deni reaffirmed his commitment to term limits and stated that he is ready to face the ballot when the time comes.“I am unequivocal in my stance on term limits. The government that I am in charge of, especially the cabinet and myself, is hoping and ready for the election on time,” President Deni said.

This statement comes after widespread claims that the outgoing leader intends to secure an extended stay in office through recent district council elections and constitutional changes.

(Radio Dalsan)