Kenya

Musalia Mudavadi assigned Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ruto’s first Cabinet reshuffle

President William Ruto has reshuffled his Cabinet, giving Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi more roles and responsibilities.

Mr. Mudavadi will now double as Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS after Alfred Mutua was moved to Tourism and Wildlife. It’s worth noting that the Head of State has not removed any members of the executive in the changes, only moved them around.

In the changes, he shifted functions and reconstituted some ministries.

(Source: Nation Africa)

Tanzania

President Samia gears for historic state visit to India, seeking to boost economic, healthcare, and industrial ties

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to embark on a historic state visit to India from October 8 to October 11, 2023.

The visit is expected to bring more fortune to Tanzanians and further strengthen the historically robust strategic partnership between the two countries.

One of the primary intentions of the visit is to enhance cooperation in strategic areas across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, industry, and investment.

(Source: The Citizen)

Uganda

Bobi Wine grabbed by security at Entebbe, driven home

National Unity Platform (NUP) principal, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine was Thursday picked up by security operatives upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport from his international mobilization tours and whisked away.

“He was picked off the plane and driven to an unknown destination. Up to now, we cannot speculate his whereabouts,” NUP Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, told journalists at a security checkpoint along Entebbe Kampala highway where he had been blocked from proceeding to Entebbe Airport.

(Source: The Monitor)

Rwanda

Rwanda welcomes re-arrest of genocide suspect Karangwa

Faustin Nkusi, the spokesperson of the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), has welcomed the Netherlands’ decision to re-arrest Major Pierre-Claver Karangwa, who stands accused of genocide crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.

Karangwa, who was released in June this year, was re-arrested earlier this week in the Netherlands.

Nkusi told The New Times that Karangwa is one of the 18 suspects indicted by the NPPA for extradition from the Netherlands to Rwanda. His indictment, specifically for alleged genocide crimes committed in Mugina Commune, formerly part of Gitarama prefecture, was issued on March 10, 2012.

However, this year, the Dutch Supreme Court rejected Rwanda’s extradition request.

(Source: The New Times)

Ethiopia

DPM Demeke receives South Sudanese East Africa minister

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen received South Sudanese East African Affairs Minister, Deng Alor Kuol at his office today.

The two sides held discussions pertaining to regional peace and stability, also touching on the Sudanese crisis, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government of Ethiopia continues to play a balanced and constructive role regarding the crisis in Sudan, Demeke said.

Deng brought a message from President Salva Kiir to Ethiopia regarding issues on “Abiye” in light of the ongoing crisis in Sudan and the role of the African Union in dealing with the matter.

On issues related to Abiye, Demeke underlined that Ethiopia supports the case to be addressed peacefully and that Ethiopia will continue to play a constructive role in the region.

(Source: ENA)

Somalia

Kenya’s troops to withdraw from Somalia in 2024

Defence Minister Aden Duale informed Senators that the Kenya Defence Forces [KDF], which have been stationed in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], will complete their withdrawal from Somalia by the conclusion of December 2024.

Minister Duale emphasized Kenya’s commitment to adhering to the Somali Transition Plan (STP). Since the commencement of Operation Linda Nchi in 2011, around 3,500 KDF troops have been deployed to Somalia.

These troops subsequently joined the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMSOM], which has now transitioned into ATMIS.  The soldiers primarily operate in Jubaland, receiving support from the European Union and other development partners.

Minister Duale assured the Senators that Kenya does not have any intentions to prolong its presence in Somalia and will adhere to the established plan. 

(Source: Radion Dalsan)