KENYA

High court suspends gov’t move to increase ID, passport application charges

The High Court has suspended a gazette notice that increased charges on a number of government services including application of national IDs and passports.

This comes after a petitioner moved to court challenging the gazette notice dated November 6th.

“A conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending Gazette Notices No. 15239-15242 dated 6th November 2023 and/or any other document purporting to give authority to increase or review the charges/fees/levies specified therein pending the hearing and determination of this Application inter-partes,” ordered Justice L.N Mugambi.

In the petition, Dr. Magare Gikenyi argues that the cost for the listed services was increased arbitrarily without any formula or public participation whatsoever.

(Citizen Digital)

TANZANIA

Germany’s president apologises for killings in Tanzania under colonial rule

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier apologised for colonial-era killings in Tanzania during Germany’s rule and vowed to raise awareness of the atrocities in his country, in a step towards “communal healing” of the bloody past.

“I would like to ask for forgiveness for what Germans did to your ancestors here,” Steinmeier said during a visit to the Maji Maji Museum in the southern Tanzanian city of Songea. “I want to assure you that we Germans will search with you for answers to the unanswered questions that give you no peace.”

(Aljazeera)

UGANDA

Land commission ordered to compensate Sir Apollo Kaggwa’s family over fraudulent land lease

The High Court in Kampala has ordered the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) to compensate the family of the late Sir Apollo Kaggwa for fraudulently and illegally subdividing their land measuring 14.31 acres in Munyonyo.

This decision was delivered by the land division judge Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya today Thursday. In 2014, Solomon Luwalala, David Muyise and Apollo Wasswa Basudde sued the ULC seeking orders and declarations among others that the property comprising Block 255 plot 98 and 97 Kyandondo is the property of the late Sir Apollo Kaggwa.

(The Observer)

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed eyes Red Sea port, inflaming tensions

Ethiopia is abuzz with rumours of a new war — which would be Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s fourth in five years.

As well as importing weapons and mobilising his army, Mr Abiy — who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his rapprochement with Eritrea — has been saying that access to the sea is an existential question.

Ethiopia’s most obvious target is the Eritrean Red Sea port of Assab, which was part of Ethiopia until Eritrean independence more than 30 years ago.

(BBC)

SUDAN

Sudan’s military rivals escalate clashes in Omdurman

Fierce clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Wednesday in Khartoum’s twin city, Omdurman, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two conflicting parties.

The fighting involved military aviation, artillery shelling, and heavy ground combat, engulfing several neighbourhoods in the densely populated city.

(Sudan Tribune)