Kenya

Ruto adds more to debt in first six months than Uhuru

President William Ruto’s administration has borrowed Sh17.4 billion more than his predecessor in its first six months in office, upending the plan to go slow on debt.

Treasury data shows that the new administration tapped loans worth Sh452 billion in the six months to March, which is more than the Sh434.6 billion that its predecessor borrowed in the same period a year earlier. Analysts had expected that the Ruto administration would cut fresh borrowing by a larger margin after committing to ramping up its tax collections.

But the rise in spending under the Bottom-Up economic plan, which proposes to channel resources to sectors that can have a massive impact in creating jobs and wealth, has prevented deeper cuts on the country’s borrowing.

Dr Ruto faces a narrow fiscal space to roll out his policies after his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, increased public borrowing to fund infrastructure projects. Kenya’s debt increased more than four-fold to Sh8.66 trillion under Dr Ruto’s predecessor, who invested heavily in new rail links and other infrastructure.

(Source: Business Daily)

Tanzania

Political parties’ council praise Samia for building democracy

LEADERS of political parties in the country have expressed their happiness following the decision by the Union government to allocate funds for running the ‘Political Parties Council (PPC),’ a move that will help build democracy and enable the parties to carry out their duties.

This was said by the Chairperson of the Political Parties’ Council, Mr Juma Ali Khatib, when he spoke to journalists here about the decision made by the Union government to support the council to fund some of its activities.

The decision was revealed recently by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs) Jenista Mhagama.

She said President Samia Suluhu Hassan had considered allocating a budget of about 1.5bn/- so that the Council would be able to run its office smoothly.

(Source: Daily News)

Uganda

Baryomunsi slams social media users over Kampala pothole exhibition

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has condemned the ongoing social media potholes exhibition where Ugandans are using their social media platforms to expose the dilapidated road network in Kampala City.
Addressing the media at the ICT ministry offices in Kampala on Wednesday, Dr Baryomunsi said there is no problem in using social media to highlight the issues affecting society, but cautioned the manner in which the Kampala pothole exhibition is being conducted saying it would more important to raise the matter to the local leaders before resorting to the social media exposure.

(Source: Monitor)

Rwanda

Kagame, Benin president discuss bilateral ties

President Paul Kagame on Saturday, April 15, held a tête-à-tête with host President Patrice Talon of Benin, as part of his two-day state visit to the western Africa country.

During the meeting, both Heads of State exchanged on the friendly relations between the two nations and the common aspiration to transform the lives of citizens through intra-African cooperation, according to Village Urugwiro.

Following the meeting, President Kagame and host President Talon graced the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements that, according to Village Urugwiro, will see a series of agreements signed to increase bilateral cooperation in sectors of ICT, trade and investment, and agriculture.

(Source: The NewTimes)

Ethiopia

TPLF delivers medium, light weapons to National Defense Force

The National Rehabilitation Deputy Commissioner, Brigadier General Deribe Mekuria, said that the TPLF has handed over the first round of various light and medium weapons collected around Dengolat area in Tigray Region.

The disarmament of the TPLF combatants is underway as part of the implementation of the peace agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa, on 2 November 2022.

Based on the agreement, the National Defense Force has secured heavy weapons of the TPLF in the first round of the disarmament process, where it collected aircraft guns from the same group.

The deputy commissioner, who discussed the disarmament process with leaders of Tigray Region Interim Administration last week, said the process will continue up until April 24.

Accordingly, Brigadier General Deribe said that the first round of light and medium weapons collected at around Dangolat were handed over to NDF.

(Source: ENA)

Sudan

Sudan warring parties agree on a 24-hour humanitarian ceasefire

Following international phone calls, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) under command of Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia commanded by Lt Gen Mohamed ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo agreed on humanitarian ceasefire starting at 18:00 on Wednesday for a period of 24 hours.

Several sources reported, however, from Khartoum that the fighting did not stop after 18:00.

The armistice will not extend beyond the agreed period of time, Lt Gen Shamseldin Kabbashi, a member of the Sovereignty Council, stated today.

RSF Commander Hemedti tweeted this morning that “Following a conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and outreach by other friendly nations similarly calling for a temporary ceasefire, the RSF reaffirms its approval of a 24 HR armistice to ensure the safe passage of civilians and the evacuation of the wounded.

(Source: Dabanga)

Somalia

Authorities in Mogadishu to enhance security ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations

The Somali government has announced its intentions to ramp up security measures in anticipation of Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which will mark the end of Ramadan this week.

During a meeting in the capital attended by the Governor of Banadir Region, the Police Chief, the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), the Chairman of the Military Court, and other high-ranking officials reviewed plans to enhance security in the capital city, Mogadishu.

The meeting, chaired by Mohamed Ali Hagaa, the Minister of State for Security, focused on reinforcing security measures and implementing the Arms Control Act in Mogadishu.

The officials also agreed to launch a security operation named Ciltire to ensure a more secure environment for the citizens of Mogadishu.

(Source: Dalsan)