KENYA

Ruto, TikTok CEO Chew agree to moderate content in Kenya

TikTok has agreed to moderate content on its App in Kenya, the country’s presidency said Thursday, days after parliament received a petition to ban the popular video-sharing platform. “Short-form video hosting service TikTok will work with Kenya in reviewing and monitoring its content,” President William Ruto’s office said in a statement after a call with TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew. “This new development means that inappropriate or offensive content will be expunged from the platform,” it added.

(Source: The EastAfrican)

TANZANIA

Indonesia pledges more investments in Tanzania

Indonesia has pledged to increase investments in Tanzania, including in management of the Mnazi Bay gas block by its state-owned company. Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo made the pledge at a press conference shortly after holding talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the State House in Dar es Salaam. According to President Widodo, the co-operation in gas is very strategic and will strengthen co-operation between developing countries. The two leaders discussed several bilateral co-operation areas and signed seven Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on defence, energy, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and blue economy, mining and exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports.

(Source: Daily News)

UGANDA

World Bank only cares about gay rights, Bobi Wine says

Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has accused the World Bank of selectively championing gays rights and ignoring others. The global lender on August 8, 2023 halted new loans for Uganda’s development projects, following the country’s enactment of Anti-homosexuality Act, 2023. The move will affect projects worth $1.8 billion (Ush6.7 trillion). However, Kyagulanyi has criticised the move saying the same sanctions should be slapped on President Yoweri Museveni’s government because of other human rights violations.

(The EastAfrican)

RWANDA

Rwanda President Kagame warns Catholic pilgrims who ‘worship poverty’

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has threatened to round up Catholic faithful who visit a global pilgrimage site in his country, accusing them of “worshipping poverty”. Every year thousands of people, many travelling for several days on foot, visit Kibeho, a town in southern Rwanda where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three schoolgirls four decades ago. But Kagame lashed out at the pilgrims after more than 20,000 attended a Catholic mass in the hillside town on Assumption Day, August 15. “No one must worship poverty. Do not ever do that again… If I ever hear about this again, that people travelled to go and worship poverty, I will bring trucks and round them up and imprison them, and only release them when the poverty mentality has left them,” said Kagame, himself a Catholic.

(Source: The EastAfrican)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia Joins BRICS family of Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa

Ethiopia’s bid to join the BRICS family was endorsed during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Office of the Prime Minister announced.  It is to be recalled that Ethiopia has made an official request to join the BRICS group, which embraces Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that it is a great moment for Ethiopia as the BRICS leaders endorse our entry into this group. He also stated that “Ethiopia stands ready to co-operate with all for an inclusive and prosperous global order.” 

(Source: ENA)

SUDAN

African Union preparing for inter-Sudanese dialogue

The African Union will organise a meeting in September to prepare for a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue conference. More than 60 politicians, rebel leaders, civil society activists, and academics will participate. Wajdi Saleh, a leading member of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, urges the formation of an inclusive civilian front against the war. The preliminary meeting aims to discuss the extent of representation in the Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue and the parties to be invited, the agenda, the structure of the dialogue, the place and date, its funding, and the role of the international community. 

(Source: Radio Dabanga)

SOMALIA

Regional resistance & lawmaker demands to challenge unilateral ban on TikTok, Telegram, & 1XBET

In a move that has sparked controversy and opposition, the Federal Government’s directive to ban popular social media platforms TikTok, Telegram, and online betting site 1XBET is encountering significant headwinds as certain regional governments reject the decision. Simultaneously, lawmakers are calling for more transparency and explanations from the government regarding the ban. The Federal Government’s ban on TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBET has ignited a contentious debate surrounding the regulation of social media and online platforms in Somalia. While the government argues that the ban is necessary to address various concerns, including security and moral issues, critics argue that such measures infringe upon citizens’ rights and hinder their access to global digital platforms. As the ban’s implementation approaches, tensions continue to rise, and the resistance from regional governments and lawmakers amplifies the need for the Federal Government to provide clear justifications and address the concerns raised by various stakeholders.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)