Kenya Insights

Category: Africa

  • ‘Trump Has No Reason To Give You Anything, You Don’t Pay Taxes In The US’ Uhuru Urges Africa Leaders To Stop Complaining and Take Responsibility On Aid Freeze

    ‘Trump Has No Reason To Give You Anything, You Don’t Pay Taxes In The US’ Uhuru Urges Africa Leaders To Stop Complaining and Take Responsibility On Aid Freeze

    Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on African leaders to stop complaining and take responsibility for their nations’ development following the suspension of foreign aid by U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Speaking at the inaugural East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit in Mombasa on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Uhuru emphasized the need for self-reliance and prudent use of resources.

    “I saw some people the other day crying that Trump has removed funding. It is not your government, it’s not your country. He has no reason to give you anything. You don’t pay taxes in America. He is appealing to his people. This is a wake-up call for you to say, ‘Okay, what are we going to do for ourselves?’” Uhuru stated.

    The former president criticized African leaders for misallocating resources, particularly on unnecessary conflicts and wars. “Nobody is going to continue holding a hand out there to give you (money). It is time for us to use our resources for the right things. We are the ones using them for the wrong things. The bullets and the guns we buy are not given for free. We buy them. And we are not buying them to go and fight wars off our shores. We are fighting our own people. Brother killing sister, sister killing brother over stupid things,” he added.

    Trump’s Foreign Aid Freeze Sparks Global Concerns

    President Trump’s executive order, issued shortly after his inauguration, imposed a 90-day freeze on nearly all foreign development assistance. The move is part of his “America First” policy, which aims to realign U.S. foreign aid priorities. In the 2023 fiscal year, the U.S. allocated nearly $70 billion in development aid, primarily through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

    The freeze has left thousands of employees in low and middle-income countries, including Kenya, without salaries and facing uncertain futures. Local employees in Kenya have already been sent home, while in the U.S., at least 56 senior USAID officials were placed on leave, and hundreds of contractors were laid off as of January 27.

    The suspension has disrupted critical humanitarian, development, and security programs worldwide, with organizations struggling to cover operational costs such as rent and utilities. Layoff notices are expected to be issued by February 2025, further exacerbating the crisis.

    Internal Tensions at USAID

    Jason Gray, USAID’s acting administrator, revealed in an internal memo that attempts were made within the agency to bypass Trump’s directive, highlighting internal tensions over the policy. The freeze has sparked widespread concerns about the fate of vital aid programs and the livelihoods of thousands of affected workers globally.

    A Call for Self-Reliance

    Uhuru’s remarks come at a critical time as African nations grapple with the implications of reduced foreign aid. His call for self-reliance and responsible governance resonates with many who believe that African leaders must prioritize sustainable development and peace-building over wasteful expenditures.

    As the 90-day review period progresses, the global community watches closely to see how the U.S. will realign its foreign aid priorities and what steps African nations will take to address the funding gap. For now, Uhuru’s message is clear: it’s time for Africa to stop relying on handouts and start investing in its own future.

  • M23 Rebels In Congo Using Advanced Arms Similar To Israeli Military: South African Former General

    M23 Rebels In Congo Using Advanced Arms Similar To Israeli Military: South African Former General

    M23 rebels fighting the Congolese army in eastern Congo are using advanced weapons and equipment similar to those used by the Israeli army and US special forces, a retired South African army general said Tuesday.

    Maomela Moreti Motau told the Newsroom Afrika local broadcaster that he observed weapons used by the rebels and believes they are not typical of the region.

    “The weapon I saw, I believe, is one used by the armed forces of Israel. I could be mistaken, but it is not a weapon that Rwanda generally uses,” said Motau.

    He pointed out that visuals of rebels, who reportedly overran Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, on Monday, show their weapons and equipment are not sourced locally. “Those weapons are from forces that manufacture arms themselves. They are not from the region,” he said.

    The retired general, known for his extensive military experience, added that the M23 rebels are outfitted like a regular army, not a guerrilla force. “Their uniforms, their equipment—they are not dressed like a ragtag army. I was a guerrilla fighter myself, so I know what guerrilla fighters look like,” he said.

    He also noted that the M23 rebels appear to be well-resourced, citing their use of special equipment, such as sunglasses similar to those used by US special forces. “This is not how a non-conventional army looks. They are clearly supported by a powerful force,” he said.

    Motau condemned the killing of South African peacekeepers by the M23 rebels, calling for the incident to be taken seriously. The clashes have claimed the lives of 13 South African peacekeepers, three Malawian soldiers, and a UN peacekeeper.

    Motau asserted that South Africa should send a strong message to those supporting the M23 rebels, warning that failing to act could embolden others to challenge the nation’s security.

    “If you don’t take a stand, very soon, we’ll be attacked in our own country because people will think we lack the capability to defend ourselves,” he said.

    Rwanda, frequently accused of backing the M23 rebels, has consistently denied the allegations, with President Paul Kagame rejecting claims of involvement.

    The M23 rebels have intensified their fight against the Congolese army in Goma, targeting the city for its strategic and economic importance. Goma is a gateway to some of the most mineral-rich areas in the world.

    The eastern Congo is home to vast deposits of valuable resources, including coltan, gold, and tin, which are crucial for global industries such as electronics. Analysts believe the M23 rebels want to control those resources to fund their operations and gain leverage in negotiations with the government.

    The group claims its fight is also driven by grievances about alleged discrimination against Tutsi communities in the region. The Congolese government, however, accuses the M23 of destabilizing the area with external support, particularly from neighboring Rwanda.

    The conflict has displaced thousands and worsened regional tensions.

    (Anadolu)

  • South Sudan Lifts Social Media Ban

    South Sudan Lifts Social Media Ban

    South Sudan government on Monday lifted a ban on social media platforms Facebook and TikTok, a week after it was imposed by a regulatory authority in hope to curb the spread of inflammatory content following violent protests.

    Last week, protests sparked by gruesome videos of killings in Sudan’s Al Jazira state erupted in Juba and quickly spread across South Sudan, leading to the deaths of 16 Sudanese nationals, mostly businessmen, and the looting of businesses. In response, the government blocked access to Facebook and TikTok.

    In a directive to internet providers, the National Communications Authority (NCA) lifted the ban on social media platforms, effective from midnight, stating that the primary objective for which it was imposed had been achieved.

    “Following our directives issued on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025, regarding the blockage of Facebook and TikTok in the Republic of South Sudan, we are pleased to report that the primary objective of removing graphic and inflammatory content has been successfully achieved,” he said.

    “As a result of this achievement, the NCA hereby announces the lifting of the blockage of Facebook and TikTok, effective today at 00:00 hours, January 27th, 2025,” said NCA Director General Napoleon Adok Gai in the document addressed to Internet providers.

    He appreciated the cooperation of internet providers in helping the Authority fulfill its mandate.

    “In conjunction with this decision, we urge all our licensees with cache servers of Facebook and Tik Tok being hosted in South Sudan to actively participate in monitoring these social media platforms and to assist in reporting inflammatory and graphic content that should be pulled down by the social media platform operators (Meta and Tik Tok),” he said.

    Gai said the rise of violence linked to social media content in South Sudan underscores the need for a balanced approach that addresses the root causes of online incitement while protecting the rights of the population.

    “By lifting of this blockage of Facebook and TikTok operations, they wish to foster a safer digital environment and promote peace and stability the country. The authority will be reaching out for consolidated approach to avoid shutdowns,” he added.

    Local mobile operators, including Zain, MTN, and Gemtel, confirmed they had received the government directive and had lifted the block, which had drawn strong criticism from local and international rights groups.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a statement yesterday called on the government authorities to reverse the social media ban and ensure that the public has open and reliable internet access, saying social media was essential for news gathering amid unrest in the country.

    “Blocking social media access is a blanket act of censorship and a disproportionate response to unrest that makes it difficult for journalists to do their jobs and robs the public of the diverse sources of news. South Sudanese authorities should immediately lift this social media suspension,” the press release quoted the CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, Muthoki Mumo, as saying.

  • Congo Chaos: French, Kenyan Embassies Among Foreign Missions In Goma City Set On Fire On Accusations Of Supporting M23 Rebels

    Congo Chaos: French, Kenyan Embassies Among Foreign Missions In Goma City Set On Fire On Accusations Of Supporting M23 Rebels

    • Protesters also demonstrate outside US Embassy in Kinshasa as M23 rebels continued their offensive in eastern Congo
    •  Kenyan Foreign Ministry says protesters attacked Kenyan, Ugandan, South African embassies

    Angry protesters attacked the French Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday morning, setting fire to tires outside the mission in the capital Kinshasa, where protests were also held outside embassies of several African countries, as well as of the US.

    “The French Embassy in Kinshasa was attacked this morning by protesters, who caused a fire that has now been brought under control. These attacks are unacceptable,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the attack on his X account.

    Videos shared on social media showed the angry crowd setting fire outside the French Embassy as protesters accused Paris of “supporting the Rwandan army, who have invaded Congo disguised as M23 rebels.”

    The situation in eastern Congo is deteriorating, with at least 17 South African, Ugandan, and UN peacekeepers killed in clashes with M23 rebels on Monday.

    A demonstrator was also seen in another viral video and social media post climbing the French Embassy wall, while others wrote slogans against French President Emmanuel Macron on street walls.

    Protesters also demonstrated outside the US Embassy in Kinshasa as the M23 rebels continued their offensive in eastern Congo, according to local sources and media reports.

    Security forces used tear gas to disperse the protesters outside the US Embassy.

    While welcoming the mobilization of support for the Congolese Armed Forces, the Kinshasa government condemned the vandalism.

    A spokesman said the government is “strengthening the security measures of the embassies.”

    Earlier on Monday, M23 rebels, who are allegedly backed by Rwanda, claimed to have taken control of eastern Goma city, while Kinshasa claimed Rwandan forces were present.

    So far, at least 25 people have been killed in Goma and nine in Rwanda. Hundreds have been injured in the ongoing clashes.

    Locals say both government forces and rebels control parts of the city of 3 million people, including internally displaced persons.

    Meanwhile, demonstrators also stormed and looted the Uganda’s Embassy, accusing Uganda of supporting Rwandan proxies, referring to M23 rebels.

    Protesters also attacked the Kenyan Embassy in Kinshasa.

    The Kenyan Foreign Ministry said in a statement that protesters attacked Kenyan, Ugandan, and South African embassies.

    The “marauding protesters … are voicing their discontent on the conflict in the eastern part of that country,” the ministry said, urging Kinshasa authorities to take appropriate action.

  • Nigerian Extradited To US For Alleged Sextortion Which Led To Victims Death

    Nigerian Extradited To US For Alleged Sextortion Which Led To Victims Death

    A Nigerian man has been extradited to the US to face prosecution over alleged sextortion of a minor, which led to the victim’s death.

    Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, 24, from Nigeria’s Osun state was flown to the US on Saturday after an agreement was reportedly reached with the Nigerian government that he would not be sentenced to death if found guilty.

    Lawal appeared in a federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, on Monday wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, with shackles on his wrists and ankles, US media reported.

    He entered a not guilty plea to charges including child exploitation resulting in death and the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

    The investigation which led to the Nigerian’s extradition was launched after Gavin Guffey, a 17-year-old took his own life after he was allegedly victimised by Mr Lawal.

    The accused allegedly posed as a young woman on social media and coerced the teen into sending compromising photos.

    He then extorted and sent harassing messages to the victim threatening to leak the photos and ruin his reputation unless he sent him money. Mr Lawal was said to have later done the same thing to members of the victim’s family.

    Mr Lawal faces the possibility of life in prison. The charge of child exploitation resulting in death carries a mandatory 30-year sentence.

    He will continue to be held without bail. His next court hearing is Monday.

    Last year, the parents of a British teenager who took his own life after becoming a victim of sextortion made a direct appeal to criminals in Nigeria to stop “terrorising” the vulnerable.

    Their son, Murray Dowey, from Dunblane, was only 16 when he died last year.

    He was believed to have been tricked by criminals into sending intimate pictures of himself and then blackmailed.

    In September 2024, two brothers from Nigeria who targeted a 17-year-old in a sextortion scam were sentenced to 17 years and six months in jail in the US, It was the first successful prosecution of Nigerians for sextortion in the US.

    Instagram owner Meta says it has removed thousands of accounts in Nigeria that were trying to target people in sextortion schemes.

    The director of Nigeria’s National Cyber Crime Centre Uche Ifeanyi Henry has previously told the BBC that Nigeria’s government had spent millions of pounds on a state-of-the-art cyber-crime centre, to show it was taking the issue seriously.

  • AU Announces Dates And Process For The AUC Elections 2025

    AU Announces Dates And Process For The AUC Elections 2025

    The African Union Commission (AUC) has detailed the procedure for its 2025 elections, announced on January 27, 2025. The elections will unfold in two distinct phases:

    First Phase: Scheduled for February 12-13, 2025, where the AU Executive Council, made up of foreign ministers from member states, will elect and appoint the commissioners.

    Second Phase: Set for February 15-16, 2025, following the opening ceremony of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State, where the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson will be elected.

    According to the AUC, the voting process starts with all candidates listed on the ballot. A candidate needs to secure a two-thirds majority to win. If no candidate achieves this after three rounds of voting, the process narrows down to a runoff between the two highest vote-getters.

    The AUC elaborated on the voting mechanics:

    If after three ballots, no candidate secures the necessary majority, only the two leading candidates will continue, with the candidate having fewer votes being eliminated.

    In the case where only one candidate remains but does not achieve the two-thirds majority, the current Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, will suspend the election.

    Candidates for the Chairperson position include former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.

    The race for Deputy Chairperson features six candidates: Salah Francis and Selma Malika from Algeria, Mohamed Ahmed Fathi and Hanan Morsy from Egypt, Najat M. Elhajjaji from Libya, and Latifa Akharbach from Morocco.

    This structured approach aims to ensure a transparent and democratic process for electing the leadership of the African Union Commission.

  • AU Criticizes Moody’s Latest Positive Rating On Kenya As Irresponsible

    AU Criticizes Moody’s Latest Positive Rating On Kenya As Irresponsible

    The African Union (AU) has slammed the latest credit rating adjustment for Kenya by global rating firm Moody’s, which recently revised the country’s outlook from negative to positive.

    The Union, through its arm, African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), has labelled the decision as incorrect, irresponsible and detrimental, pointing out that Kenya has not yet navigated through a stable economic outlook to justify such a shift.

    “It is rare for a credit rating agency to move from ‘negative’ to ‘positive’, skipping a ‘stable’ outlook,” the Union said in a statement dated January 27.

    “The change is an admission, in remedy, that a negative outlook was an incorrect rating.”

    Additionally, the AU says the rating action was a reversal of Moody’s premature rating action on July 8, 2024, which was largely driven by protests in Kenya over the proposed Finance Bill.

    It notes that the rating was speculative, as midterm review data on the Appropriation Bill, the spending allocations, the final budget, the finance bill and the new cabinet had not yet been released when the rating agency made its announcement.

    On January 24, Moody’s changed Kenya’s outlook from ‘negative’ to ‘positive’, and reaffirmed its Caa1 rating, citing a potential ease in liquidity risks and improving debt affordability over time.

    “Domestic financing costs have started to decline amid monetary easing and could continue to do so if the government sustains its more effective management of social demand and fiscal consolidation,” Moody’s said.

    Commercial external funding

    It added that such a track record would also boost Kenya’s access to both concessional and commercial external funding.

    “Revenue collection efforts, if successful, present the potential for further improvements in debt affordability, although Kenya has struggled to expand revenue significantly and durably in the past, notwithstanding recent measures.”

    Nevertheless, the agency noted that a new International Monetary Fund programme would enhance Kenya’s external financing while other multilateral creditors such as the World Bank will continue to be significant financing sources, even without the IMF funding.

    Notably, the disagreement between AU and the agency’s rating highlights the broader debate over the role of international credit rating agencies and their impact on emerging economies.

    The AU says this is not the first time Moody’s has acted prematurely and erred in its analysis.

    In January 2023, AU said Moody’s also erred by downgrading Nigeria from ’83’ to ‘Caat’ citing that the government’s fiscal and debt position was expected to deteriorate further under the new administration.

    As a result, the Federal Government of Nigeria challenged the inaccuracy of that rating action on the basis that the rating agency lacked an understanding of the country’s domestic environment.

    Consequently, Moody’s later reversed Nigeria’s outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ in December 2023, citing positive economic policy developments in the country.

    “However, relatively similar factors were present when Moody’s downgraded Nigeria and the rating reversal in the short-term was evidence that the rating agency had acted prematurely and erred”.

    The Union thus reiterates that such rating actions as irresponsible and detrimental, leading to unnecessary costs to governments, triggering Eurabond sell-offs, and sustaining a negative sentiment on African instruments.

  • Nigerian Singer 2Baba Announces Divorce From Wife Annie

    Nigerian Singer 2Baba Announces Divorce From Wife Annie

    Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, widely known by his stage name Tuface or 2Baba, has publicly announced his divorce from his wife of 13 years, Annie Macaulay Idibia.

    The revelation, which has surprised fans and the entertainment industry, was initially shared on Tuface’s Instagram account in a post that was later deleted, fueling speculation and mixed reactions online.

    In the now-deleted post, the ‘African Queen’ hitmaker revealed that he and Annie had been separated for some time and had recently filed for divorce.

    He wrote: “Hello to my beautiful people of all federations. well, this thing I have to say is short but also long… I and Annie Macaulay have been separated for a while now and have recently filed for divorce. I would grant a press release soon to say my story… not because it is anyone’s right to know about my personal life, but because I love my people and I need them to know my innocence or offence. stay blessed, my people. I love you all.”

    Moments after the post gained traction, it was deleted, leaving fans confused. This was followed by an initial claim that his account had been hacked. However, in a video shared on his Instagram Stories late Sunday night, Tuface clarified that the post about his separation was indeed written and posted by him, effectively dismissing earlier reports of hacking.

    The Young, Famous And African stars share two children together, and have been in the spotlight for years, with their relationship often making headlines for its ups and downs. The couple’s journey has been far from smooth, weathering storms ranging from infidelity rumours to public family disputes. Despite these challenges, they had long been seen as one of Nigeria’s most admired celebrity couples.

    The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Dubai in 2012, following years of dating and a relationship that had begun before Tuface’s rise to fame.

    Annie, a Nollywood actress, has often spoken about the trials of being married to one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians on the hit reality TV series with many advising her to leave her marriage.

  • South African President Signs Controversial Land Seizure Law

    South African President Signs Controversial Land Seizure Law

    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a bill allowing land seizures by the state without compensation – a move that has put him at odds with some members of his government.

    Black people only own a small fraction of farmland nationwide more than 30 years after the end of the racist system of apartheid – the majority remains with the white minority.

    This has led to frustration and anger over the slow pace of reform.

    While Ramaphosa’s ANC party hailed the law as a “significant milestone” in the country’s transformation, some members of the coalition government say they may challenge it in court.

    The law “outlines how expropriation can be done and on what basis” by the state, the government says.

    It replaces the pre-democratic Expropriation Act of 1975, which placed an obligation on the state to pay owners it wanted to take land from, under the principle of “willing seller, willing buyer”.

    The new law allows for expropriation without compensation only in circumstances where it is “just and equitable and in the public interest” to do so.

    This includes if the property is not being used and there’s no intention to either develop or make money from it or when it poses a risk to people.

    The president’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that, under the law, the state “may not expropriate property arbitrarily or for a purpose other than… in the public interest”.

    “Expropriation may not be exercised unless the expropriating authority has without success attempted to reach an agreement with the owner,” he added.

    The signing of the law comes after a five-year consultative process as well as the findings of a presidential panel set up to look into the issue.

    The pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA), the second largest party in the government of national unity (GNU), says it “strongly opposes” the law and was consulting with its lawyers.

    It says that while it supports legislation addressing land restitution, it takes issue with the process followed by the country’s parliament to enact this law.

    The Freedom Front Plus, a party which defends the rights of the white minority and is also in the GNU, vowed to challenge the constitutionality of the law and do “everything in its power” to have it amended if it is found to be unconstitutional.

    One of the sticking points for the party was the law’s possible threat to private ownership.

    Outside of the coalition government, the Economic Freedom Fighters, known for its radical views on nationalisation and land distribution, has called the move a “legislative cop-out” by the governing party.

    The party also says the law will not help resolve the contentious issue of land restitution in South Africa.

  • South Sudan Threatens To Shutdown Stanbic Bank In Sh722M Row With Airline

    South Sudan Threatens To Shutdown Stanbic Bank In Sh722M Row With Airline

    South Sudan’s banking regulator has threatened to suspend Stanbic Bank’s licence within 14 days in an escalation of a Sh722 million dispute pitting the lender and an airline.

    In his letter to the lender, Bank of South Sudan (BOSS) Governor John Ohisa directed Stanbic Bank South Sudan to immediately cooperate with the country’s investigative bodies concerning the dispute between it and Air Afrik.

    He also directed Stanbic to re-register its subsidiary as a stand-alone unit in compliance with the country’s laws and discussions.

    The governor said BOSS would crack the whip if the lender did not heed the directives.

    “As the regulator, we hereby direct Stanbic Bank South Sudan to immediately co-operate with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Anti-Corruption Security Division, and all relevant investigative and legal authorities by ensuring full disclosure and documentation relating to the allegations and recording of statements by required personnel from your bank,” said Ohisa.

    “Failure to comply with these directives will result in immediate and decisive action within two weeks of receipt of this letter, including the suspension of Stanbic Bank South Sudan’s banking licence.”

    The lender in its reply said it is complying fully with the security agencies. However, the bank’s head of Brand and Marketing Lilian Onyach said the dispute between it and Air Afrik was a civil one and ought not to be criminalised.

    “It is our view that the matter is civil and should be treated as such in any jurisdiction which calls for the requisite judicial process aligned to a civil dispute. Stanbic Bank is committed to complying with South Sudan laws, regulations and guidelines of BOSS and looks forward to the amicable conclusion of our discussions,” said Onyach.

    On re-registering the subsidiary as a stand-alone entity, Onyach said they were in discussions with BOSS to resolve the issue. Nevertheless, she maintained that the bank is vouching for the maintenance of the current arrangement.

    “Regarding the conversion of the branch into a subsidiary, we confirm we are engaging with the regulator with a view of eliciting an amicable resolution,” she noted.

    While we have expressed our preference to maintain our current branch structure, we are committed to a mutually beneficial agreement on the matter. We have committed to provide a comprehensive update to the Bank of South Sudan by January 31, 2025.”

    The dispute revolves around BOSS, Air Afrik and Stanbic. It has resulted in multiple cases, with the lender’s chief executive Joshua Oigara obtaining orders barring Kenyan authorities from either questioning or arresting him over the dispute.

    High Court

    There is also a separate battle between Stanbic and Air Afrik at the Court of Appeal.

    Stanbic moved to the Court of Appeal, arguing that a High Court ruling had made it impossible for it to tell its side of the story.

    According to the lender’s lawyer Kamau Karori, the orders by Justice Nixon Sifuna meant that it had to get the approval of Air Afrik to file its witness statement. According to him, this was unheard of. Air Afrik argued that the bank intended to delay the case by filing an appeal. According to the firm, the High Court had already heard at least five witnesses. Air Afrik alleged that Stanbic had not adduced evidence to show that it would be prejudiced by the orders issued in the lower court.

    In the case, Afrik said it offers airline carriage and chartered flight services in South Sudan and the East African region. Its main route is Nairobi Juba.

    It claimed that in 2014, the South Sudan government inked a deal to lease several aircraft for a year but with a likelihood of being extended for five years. According to the firm, the total cost for the deal was around Sh2 billion.

    The court heard that the agreement was renewed and the South Sudan government committed to pay a 35 per cent deposit for the same. That was at least Sh722 million.

    The firm said it maintained its account with Stanbic Bank in Juba and the Salva Kiir government wired the money on February 8, 2016.

    Afrik said the lender reversed the money on May 27, 2016, on a claim that the money had been paid in error.

    The South Sudan firm stated that Stanbic first wired back Sh600 million and then debited close to Sh100 million from its account stating that he had mistakenly withdrawn the money.

    Afrik in its case said it lost money plus the business. Meanwhile, Stanbic decried harassment by South Sudan authorities over the dispute. The bank said it had received a summons from the South Sudan prosecution attorney, which it claimed was a similar intimidatory tactic employed by the Kenyan counterparts.

    The lawyer said the investigative body is probing a false complaint which had already been previously investigated and the bank cleared. He asserted that Air Afrik had filed a complaint with the Central Bank of Kenya over the same issue.

    Still, he said, the regulator threw it out after finding that the bank had done nothing wrong by debiting amounts it had erroneously wired to the firm.

    At the same time, he argued that Air Afrik filed a separate case before the commercial court and was handled by Prof Sifuna. Kamau said Oigara he wasn’t working with Stanbic at the time the transaction is alleged to have happened.

    According to Stanbic’s legal officer Janet Wanjohi, the row stemmed from a transaction in 2016.

    Wanjohi explained that Air Afrik was Stanbic’s customer and it operated a business account in Juba, South Sudan in its South Sudan branch.

    She narrated that on February 5, 2016, Stanbic received a credit advice note from South Sudan’s banking regulator advising it that its clearing and settlement account had been credited with $7.2 million (Sh770 million) for Air Afrik.

    The officer said that three days later, Stanbic credited the aviation company’s account with the money after deducting its commission.

    Subsequently, Wanjohi said, Air Afrik withdrew at least Sh101 million from the account.
    However, she explained that Stanbic realised that BOSS had not remitted the money it had instructed it to wire Air Afrik.

    The court heard that the lender opted to freeze any further withdrawals and it notified the aviation company that the money in the account would be reversed.

  • Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf Meet Suluhu, Says He’s Still In The Race

    Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf Meet Suluhu, Says He’s Still In The Race

    Djibouti’s African union chairperson candidate Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Thursday, January 23 2025 paid a courtesy call to President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania.

    The visit follows widespread speculation that he had withdrawn from the race against former Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

    A confirmation from the State House in Tanzania has since confirmed Mahmoud’s itinerary in the country which puts an end to the speculations.

    “Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Mhe. Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan amekutana na kuzungumza na Mjumbe Maalum wa Rais wa Djibouti Mhe. Ismail Omar Guelleh ambaye ni Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa nchi hiyo Mhe. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf mara baada ya kuwasili Ikulu Jijini Dar es Salaam tarehe 23 Januari, 2025,” the statement read.

    On Wednesday, January 22 unconfirmed reports were spread that the foreign affairs minister had opted out of the continental race and was due to give an update on the move.

    The move prompted a response from the country’s director of communication in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Moussa Omar to refute the claims.

    In his message, Omar confirmed that Mahmoud’s candidature was on course and gaining momentum.

    “Mahmoud Ali Youssouf’s campaign is gaining momentum. With a vision for an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous Africa, we move forward with determination.”

    “Victory is no longer a matter of possibility; it is within reach, fueled by the positive feedback we receive,” the ministry communication team said.

    Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga shifted his focus for the AUC seat to north Africa.

    Raila was in Algiers, Algeria on Wednesday, January 22 to affirm his candidature.

    According to President Ruto, Algeria aligned with Odinga’s candidature following a meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune held on Friday, June 14, 2025.

    Before his visit north, Raila was in Southern African states where he completed another diplomatic blitz across the SADC nations bloc

    Over just five days, Raila met with six heads of state, solidifying his vision and agenda for the African continent.

    He met President Emmerson Mnangagwa,(Zimbabwe), Nangolo Mumba (Namibia), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Sam Matekane (Lesotho Prime Minister) and newly elected Francisco Chapo of Mozambique

    The AUC elections will take place in February 2025.

    The winning candidate must secure a two-thirds majority during voting by the 55 member states.

    Raila will need at least 36 votes out of the total 55, with each AU member state casting only one vote.

  • ‪South Sudan Shuts Down Social Media For Three Months‬

    ‪South Sudan Shuts Down Social Media For Three Months‬

    South Sudanese authorities on Wednesday ordered telecoms to block access to social media for at least 30 days, citing concerns over the dissemination of graphic content relating to the ongoing violence against South Sudanese in neighboring Sudan.

    The temporary ban, which could be extended to up to 90 days, will come into force at midnight Thursday, according to a directive from the National Communication Authority, NCA, to telecom companies stressing that the measure was necessary to protect the public.

    “This directive may be lifted as soon as the situation is contained,” the NCA said. “The contents depicted violate our local laws and pose a significant threat to public safety and mental health.”

    However, the decision has sparked widespread concern among social media users and civil society activists in South Sudan, with many viewing the move as a violation of citizens’ rights.

    Ter Manyang, a prominent civil society activist, criticized the government for “infringing upon the freedom and rights guaranteed under Articles 24 and 25 of South Sudan’s transitional constitution.”

    “MTN and Zain, the telecommunications companies operating in South Sudan, have received directives from the NCA to suspend and restrict access to Facebook and TikTok for 90 days. This action represents a violation of citizens’ rights,” Manyang said.

    He also warned that the move could tarnish the image of the current administration and called for unity among South Sudanese citizens.

    “I urge all South Sudanese to unite against the current administration and any potential future leaders who seek to limit their rights to access social media,” Manyang added.

    Edmund Yakani, another well-known civil society activist, also criticized the ban, describing it as unacceptable. He suggested that the NCA should have focused on blocking individual accounts responsible for spreading hate speech, misinformation, and violent content, rather than imposing a blanket ban on entire platforms.

    “The South Sudan National Communication Authority should have directed telecommunication companies to block specific social media accounts promoting hostility, disinformation, or inhumane content, rather than shutting down Facebook and TikTok entirely,” Yakani said.

    He further emphasized the negative impact the shutdown could have on individuals who rely on social media for work and business. “Blocking or banning these platforms for 90 days will have serious consequences for those who earn a living online,” he said. “The NCA should reconsider this decision and explore more targeted measures to address the issue.”

    Yakani concluded by urging the NCA to review its approach and focus on restricting individual accounts responsible for human rights violations or promoting violence, rather than punishing the South Sudanese population.

    Many South Sudanese have been angered by footage from Sudan that purports to show killings by militia groups of South Sudanese in Gezira state. South Sudanese authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Jan. 17 after a night of retaliatory violence during which shops owned by Sudanese traders were looted.

    Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, condemned “the brutal killings of South Sudanese nationals” in Sudan and urged restraint.

    Civil war in Sudan has created a widening famine and the world’s largest displacement crisis. Fighting between forces loyal to rival military leaders exploded in the capital, Khartoum, in April 2023 and has since spread to other areas.

    The conflict has been marked by atrocities, including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the U.N. and rights groups.

  • Rwanda Police Bust ‘Porn Distribution Ring’ Operating On Secret WhatsApp Group, Involving Socialites

    Rwanda Police Bust ‘Porn Distribution Ring’ Operating On Secret WhatsApp Group, Involving Socialites

    Rwandan authorities have busted a ring of young men and women who have been filming themselves engaged in sexual acts and distributing it to willing buyers.

    The Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB) this week arrested seven individuals involved in these acts, five women and two men aged between 20 and 28 years.

    The group includes Ishimwe Patrick, Uwineza Nelly Sany, Gihozo Pascaline, Kwizera Emelyne, Uwase Sariha, Uwase Belyse, Shakira Uwase, Rucyahana David, and Banza Julien.

    Emelyne has been trending on social media in recent days after an alleged explicit video of her went viral.

    Seven have been arrested, while two are being investigated without detention.

    They had allegedly created a WhatsApp group of nine people called the “Rich Gang,” where they coordinated their activities and distributed the pornographic videos.

    The investigation also uncovered that some individuals, including both men and women, encourage others to share explicit content in exchange for large sums of money.

    Some even offer phone numbers and invite others to DM them for such content, which constitutes premeditated criminal activity and is punishable by law.

    The suspects were held Gikondo, Kacyiru, Kicukiro, Remera and Kimironko RIB stations awaiting arraignment.

    Police said some were found to have used narcotic drugs, including cannabis.

    “Some individuals have been found to be creating WhatsApp groups from which they spread explicit videos. We urge those involved to stop because such acts contravene the law and are punishable by law. All social media platforms are considered public spaces,” said RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira.

    “This practice must stop, because no one can claim their private photos were leaked, as it involves accomplices.”

    The arrests followed the circulation of an explicit video on social media suspected to involve one of the arrested girls.

    The case in a largely conservative Rwandan society has evoked a collective angst among the public and authorities.

    But some critics took to social media to condemn the arrests, saying the arrested people were victims and the police should instead arrest those who circulate the videos.

    In his recent prayer breakfast speech, President Paul Kagame castigated young people who share nude photos and videos of themselves online.

    “I follow some of these scandals on social media,” the President said. “You find young people posing nude in public spaces; what are they exhibiting that other people don’t have?”

    “There are no religious or family values centred around appearing naked, the nakedness of such people starts in the mind. Others are abusing drugs, which is the starting point of many of these other ills that even end up splitting families.”

    President Kagame challenged families to instil values and raise their children well to strengthen the Rwandan family unit.

    “What is our role, as leaders in government, religions or parents in addressing these problems? We can’t look the other way. What would our responsibilities be then?” the head of State said.

    Police say investigations have revealed that some people have become matchmakers, or brokers facilitating the spread of explicit content.

    Distributing pornographic material via computers or other digital networks is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, along with a fine between Rwf1 million ($712) and Rwf3 million.

    Convictions for drug use or pharmaceutical abuse may lead to one to two years of imprisonment or community service.

    Eavesdropping, recording, or broadcasting private conversations could lead to imprisonment for six months to one year.

    Meanwhile, distributing obscene content via technological means may result in imprisonment for six months to two years.

    Kwizera Emelyne among seven arrested for allegedly recording and sharing explicit videos.
    Gihozo Pascaline is one of the seven individuals arrested after appearing in explicit videos that have been circulating widely on social media.
    Uwineza Nelly Sany was also arrested inn connectionn with circulated explicit videos
    Uwase Belyse is also among those arrested after circulating explicit videos of themselves.
    Uwase Shakira has been also arrested in connection with appearance in explicit videos.
    Uwase Salha has been also arrested.
    Ishimwe Patrick alias Bezos created the ‘Rich Gang’ Whatsapp group.

    (The East African & IGIHE)

  • What Trump Second Term Presidency Mean For Kenya And Africa

    What Trump Second Term Presidency Mean For Kenya And Africa

    The inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday, January 20, 2025, for his second presidential term, has sent ripples across global markets and policymaking circles. While Kenya or any African country was directly addressed in his inauguration speech, the potential implications of these moves are profound.

    – Executive Order on Aid:
    -Upon taking office for his second term, President Donald Trump issued an executive order pausing U.S. foreign development aid for 90 days to evaluate its alignment with his administration’s policies. This directive affects all departments and agencies responsible for such aid, although the exact scope and affected entities remain unclear.

    – Implications for Kenya:
    – This decision comes at a pivotal time for Kenya, which had recently secured several aid-dependent agreements with the previous U.S. administration under President Joe Biden. During a state visit in May 2024, Kenyan President William Ruto and Biden signed deals focusing on:
    – Climate and Clean Energy: The U.S.-Kenya Climate and Clean Energy Industrial Partnership aimed at promoting clean energy manufacturing, backed by a $60 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation for climate-friendly public transportation in Kenya.

    Kenya and the US struck a deal and launched a pact known as US-Kenya Climate and Clean Energy Industrial Partnership, targeted at lobbying and engaging international financial institutions and multilateral trust funds to identify mechanisms for mobilising investment for clean energy manufacturing and services.

    As part of the climate deal between Dr Ruto and Mr Biden, it was agreed that a $60 million (Sh7,764,025,078.66) grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation– is a bilateral United States foreign aid agency established by the US Congress in 2004—would fund a four-year programme focusing on transportation needs of underserved groups in Kenya, safer options for women and pedestrians, and climate-friendly public transportation.

    – Security: Kenya was designated a Major non-NATO Ally (MNNA), the first in sub-Saharan Africa, enhancing defense trade and cooperation. This includes a $7 million initiative to modernize Kenya’s National Police Service and commitments to support anti-terrorism efforts in Somalia and peace in Sudan.

    MNNA status is a designation under American law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation.

    Currently, 19 countries are designated as MNNAs by the US including; Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, and Kenya. Others are Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia.
    – Education: Biden’s administration committed $3.3 million to fund scholarships for Kenyan students to study STEM in the U.S. and an additional $500,000 to foster academic collaborations between Kenyan and American universities.

    These developments now face uncertainty due to the aid freeze, potentially disrupting planned projects and partnerships in Kenya.

    – Broader Impact on Africa:
    – Trump’s regime may prove catastrophic for Africa, as experts predict cuts to U.S. aid, which currently amounts to about $8 billion annually, leaving millions—especially women and children—vulnerable to food insecurity, water scarcity, and the growing influence of authoritarian regimes, as well as Russia’s and China’s imperialist expansion.

    – Trade:
    – Trump’s policies will also have broader geopolitical implications. His administration’s “America First” approach emphasizes U.S. interests over international cooperation, which could lead to a reconfiguration of trade and diplomatic relationships. The spotlight is on whether the Trump administration will extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beyond its 2025 deadline, as AGOA has been instrumental in fostering trade and economic development between Africa and the United States by providing African countries access to U.S. markets and allowing them to diversify their economies beyond raw materials.

    Africa, which has increasingly become a focus of Chinese, Russian, and European influence, may navigate a more complicated geopolitical landscape, particularly in trade agreements, development aid, and investment. Trump’s focus on domestic interests could also impact U.S. foreign aid to Africa, further complicating the economic development of many African nations that depend on these resources.

    The shifting sands of U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s leadership present an urgent challenge for African governments. For Kenya, the immediate concern is managing the economic fallout from potentially lower oil prices, but the broader challenge will be balancing energy policies and climate action in a rapidly changing global order. African countries must explore alternative economic models, emphasizing diversification away from fossil fuels and focusing on sustainability to prepare for the long-term effects of climate change and global energy market shifts.

    Authoritarians, such as Uganda’s Museveni and Rwanda’s Kagame, are likely to seek closer ties, while democracies like South Africa could face strained relations due to their opposition to Israeli war crimes. People facing atrocities in expanding conflicts in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere are unlikely to see much support from the U.S. over the next few years.

    – Health:
    – Trump’s presidency could also spell trouble for global health agencies.

    Trump has previously stated that he would cut funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations – agencies that collaborate with UNAIDS by leveraging support for the Global Fund.

    In his speech, the former president, who is making a return to the White House, said that WHO had failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable, holding that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the global agency promoted China’s disinformation about the virus, which led to the spread of the respiratory viral disease across the globe.

    Trump’s comments attracted a reaction from WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who said it was “time for all of us to be united in our common struggle against a common threat.”

    WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable, by ensuring that a billion more people have universal health coverage, protecting a billion more people from health emergencies, and providing a further billion people with better health and well-being.

    Trump’s presidency is likely to have severe harm on reproductive health and women’s rights across Africa, putting millions of women and girls in danger. Compared with women in Europe, African women are more than 100 times more likely to die from abortion. Access to safe abortion is urgently needed to save their lives. Trump’s previous term emboldened regressive anti-women’s rights forces globally, weaponizing Christian right values against minorities. Trump’s Geneva Consensus Declaration, which denies an international right to abortion, now has 39 country signatories and spurs restrictive abortion laws.

    An estimated 4.2 million African women resort to unsafe abortions each year, and 30,000 die as a result, according to the World Health Organization. At least 10% of the global total of abortions occur in Africa, the continent accounts for almost half of the world’s deaths from abortions, with one in 12 women dying from the procedure. For every death, 20 to 30 women have permanent damage to their uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, intestine, or bladder. The United Nations Fund for Population Activities says that about 530,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth every year, nearly half of them, 247,000, in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Project 2025, a conservative blueprint, proposes re-imposing the global gag rule and limiting abortion access, which threatens African women’s health services that depend on U.S. funding. This may lead to increased injuries and deaths from unsafe abortions as resources for these services are cut. For advocates and feminists, Trump’s re-election makes their work harder, but they pledge to strategize, uphold hard-won rights, and stand in solidarity to combat harmful policies and protect women globally.

    – HIV/AIDS:
    – Programs like PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and other health initiatives, vital to Africa, may also face cuts. There are 25.6 million people living with HIV in the African region. In 2022, about 380,000 people died from AIDS-related illness. HIV infection is often diagnosed through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which detect the presence or absence of HIV antibodies. Without aid to vital programs, the number of deaths can be expected to rise.

    Thanks to the support of the United States’ Global Fund and PEPFAR, millions of Kenyans have been able to access HIV/AIDS services. These programs have been a game-changer in the fight against one of the three killer diseases across Kenya and largely Africa. Under the HIV program, the donor supplies commodities, including testing kits and Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Through this support, at least 1.3 million people living with HIV in Kenya have been put on ARVs, according to data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC).

    With Trump’s return to the presidency, there are genuine concerns about a highly unpredictable funding environment.

    “Trump’s presidency will impact not just PEPFAR, but also UNAIDS, the UN agency for HIV/AIDS, and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Trump’s ‘America First’ policy prioritizes domestic interests, which means funding for these global initiatives is likely to decline.” The Director of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK), Nelson Otwoma, said in an interview with local press.

    He adds, “Trump does not appear likely to sustain the funding levels for PEPFAR and the Global Fund at current levels. This will directly impact Kenya.”

    “His approach to funding, coupled with Kenya’s issues of corruption and procurement irregularities, puts us in a precarious position. Trump is a businessman who pays attention to such issues, and I do not believe Kenya is in his good books,” he continues.

    “When they say ‘America First’, ‘Make America Great Again’ – they also prioritize American pharmaceutical companies. This could mean higher costs for ARVs since Kenya imports most of its ARVs from India, but Trump’s policies might push for the use of American pharmaceuticals, which could be more expensive,” says the representative of people living with HIV/AIDS.

    The Global Fund is among the highest funders of Kenya’s health system. Kenya’s total commodity allocation for HIV services is Sh28.7 billion, of which Sh5.3 billion comes from the Global Fund and Sh3.3 billion from the Kenyan Government. Out of the Sh28.7 billion, the Global Fund allocates Sh4.6 billion for ARVs, while the Kenyan Government allocates Sh2.2 billion. However, there is a total shortage of Sh2.4 billion worth of ARVs.

    PEPFAR funding for HIV commodities has been dwindling over the years, from Sh17 billion, Sh11 billion, Sh9 billion, to the current Sh7.3 billion.

    – Climate:
    – Trump’s decision to retreat from the Paris Agreement signals a retreat from multilateral efforts to combat climate change. This move could be catastrophic for African countries, given that climate-related risks such as droughts, floods, and food insecurity are becoming more frequent and severe in the region. While Africa contributes little to global emissions, it remains one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change. A rollback in global climate commitments would hinder progress in addressing these issues, leaving African countries to bear the brunt of environmental degradation without the support needed from global powers to mitigate its effects.

    Trump’s climate policies also pose risks; Africa, disproportionately affected by climate crises, may suffer more if U.S. support wanes. Trump’s climate change denial is particularly worrying for Africa, which heavily relies on climate funds to tackle issues like water scarcity and food insecurity.

    – Energy:
    – Donald Trump’s pledge to unlock more of Kenya’s vast stores of energy will likely lower consumer price growth, according to Central Bank of Kenya Governor Kamau Thugge.

    Kenya will analyze the impact of Trump’s promise to “‘drill, baby, drill,’” Governor Thugge told reporters while commenting on the domestic price-growth outlook. “If it results in lower fuel prices, then it’s also possible that that will contribute to lower inflation in the U.S. and also lower global inflation. And that could actually be a positive for us.”

    The newly minted U.S. president signaled a push for domestic oil and gas production that may boost the nation’s output and ultimately lower prices. Brent crude slipped below $80 a barrel in London.

    While Kenya announced an oil discovery in 2012, progress toward commercial production has stagnated, and the nation imports all the 5.5 million cubic meters of petroleum products it consumes. Kenya’s inflation is susceptible to the vagaries of weather at home and volatility of commodity prices abroad. The rate of price growth has declined and last year touched a 14-year low of 2.7%. It could climb to about 3.3% by March, according to the central bank.

    Thugge said the monetary policy committee would gauge the effect of Trump’s new policies on inflation and in turn the Federal Reserve’s response.

    Despite the dangers posed to Africa by the return of the Trump regime, a transactional, investment-focused relationship with Africa, prioritizing trade, direct economic partnerships, and reduced reliance on aid would likely be beneficial in the long term, if Africa can manage to diminish its consistent spiral towards kleptocracy and authoritarian rule. This approach contrasts with Biden’s focus on mutual cooperation, potentially allowing African countries more autonomy in democratic reforms and fostering economic self-reliance.

  • Diplomatic Tiff: Somalia Accuses Kenya Of Violating Airspace, Summons Ambassador

    Diplomatic Tiff: Somalia Accuses Kenya Of Violating Airspace, Summons Ambassador

    Authorities in Somalia have reportedly protested after an aircraft registered in Kenya reportedly sneaked into the country’s airspace without authorization by the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) which regulates air transport in the Horn of Africa nation.

    According to reports, the aircraft cruised in Somalia’s airspace on Saturday, Jan 18 without permit from Somali aviation authorities. The aircraft reportedly partially covered its registration, and has landed at Kismayo town airport, officials said.

    While protesting, the officials maintained that the aircraft transported the leader of Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. The authorities in Somalia termed the incident a ‘violation of our space regulations’ and asked for an ‘immediate response’ from Kenya.

    However, there is no formal statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kenya or the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) regarding the incident which could trigger potential diplomatic fallout between the two sisterly East African countries.

    But on Saturday Somalian news sources established the travel arrangements of Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, who left for Kenya for official engagements. He is due to meet various representatives of international organizations and diplomats on matters of security, peace, and development in Jubaland.

    According to reports, Madobe will also discuss the support of the international community towards the development of the Jubaland state. Thereafter, sources added, he would leave for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for similar talks.

    Other sources also claim Madobe travel to the UAE is due to unspecified routine medical procedures.

    This marked Madobe’s first international trip after winning third term last year, albeit controversially. The federal government of Somalia had denounced the results, arguing that the elections went against the principles of universal suffrage polls.

    Madobe insisted on indirect elections, arguing that direct polls would pave the way to illegal term extensions for state and federal leaders. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud insists on uniform presidential elections where the people shall have a chance to pick their preferred leaders.

    Kenya has been receptive to Jubaland which plays an important role in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. The Kenya Defence Forces officers are stationed in several parts of Jubaland servicing under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

  • Ugandan General Returns To X To ‘Shake Up The World’

    Ugandan General Returns To X To ‘Shake Up The World’

    General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, has reactivated his X account barely a week after he quit the social media platform, citing renewed focus on his military duties.

    “I’m back!” Gen Kainerugaba posted on his verified account @mkainerugaba that has quickly amassed hundreds of followers.

    He came back in his characteristic style with a series of controversial posts, threatening to “shake up this world!”.

    The 50-year-old army general has become increasingly involved in the political arena, in breach of military protocol, reigniting debates about his ambitions to succeed his father, who has been in power since 1986.

    Critics have taken a swipe at the general over the statements he has made on social media, which touched on subjects considered taboo for a serving soldier.

    He recently sparked anger with a tweet in which he threatened to behead the country’s leading opposition figure, Bobi Wine.

    Announcing his return on the micro-blogging platform on Thursday, Gen Kainerugaba ordered Uganda’s security agencies to arrest on the spot any opposition figure found wearing anything that resembles the country’s military uniform.

    “And those who do not respect this order…have their own problems,” added the general, who heads Uganda’s land forces.

    He also threatened to deport an unnamed US diplomat, citing his reported failure to “salute” the general.

    “My only problem is the US Defense Attachè. If I find him anywhere…and he doesn’t stand up and salute me… I will arrest him on the spot!!

    The general also wondered what the BBC “said about me”, referring to the corporation’s reporting of his announcement to quit X last week.

    This is the second time Gen Kainerugaba has quit and then returned to the social media platform in three years.

    He first left in 2022 but returned days later and continued his social media outburst, which have previously sparked diplomatic tensions.

    In October that year, he made headlines after he posted a series of tweets threatening to invade neighbouring Kenya, a comment that forced his father to step in and apologise.

    Gen Kainerugaba’s recent post threatening to “cut off” the head of Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, drew widespread condemnation in the country.

    Although the general apologised about the post which he described as a joke, Bobi Wine said he could not take such threats lightly.

    The Ugandan government downplayed the post, with a spokesperson describing Gen Kainerugaba’s social media statements as “casual” remarks that should not be interpreted as reflecting official policy.

    Gen Kainerugaba is widely believed to be the heir apparent to his father, who has governed Uganda since 1986, although Museveni has denied that he is grooming him for the presidency.

    His X account currently has more than 1,000 followers. The old account had amassed over a million followers.

    In his return message, he urged his supporters to follow him back.

    “I want all my people back. Bring them all back!”

  • Congo Jails Three Chinese Citizens Found With Gold Bars And $400K Cash In Illegal Mining Crackdown

    Congo Jails Three Chinese Citizens Found With Gold Bars And $400K Cash In Illegal Mining Crackdown

    A Congolese court has sentenced three Chinese citizens to seven years in prison after they were arrested in possession of gold bars and $400,000 in cash and found guilty of illegal activities linked to the artisanal mining sector.

    The trio are the first Chinese nationals to stand trial since Democratic Republic of Congo launched its latest push to crack down on the unlicensed extraction of the many precious and strategic minerals buried in its conflict-torn east.

    “This is an educational trial that should normally serve as a wake-up call to all Chinese nationals who think they can leave China, arrive in Kitutu, Kibe, Lugushwa, Kamituga or Mwenga and behave as if they were in their own room, without even paying the hotel fees,” said Christian Wanduma, a lawyer representing local communities in the trial.

    The judge in a court in Bukavu, the capital of eastern South Kivu province, found the defendants guilty on Tuesday of money-laundering, illegal purchase and possession of mineral substances, and other charges.

    In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered them to pay a fine equivalent to $600,000, and permanently banned them from Congo once their sentences are served.

    He acquitted them of charges including fraud and illegal mineral extraction for lack of evidence. The defendants had pleaded guilty to four of the seven charges against them, but said throughout the trial that they had not known they were breaking Congolese law before they were arrested on Jan. 4.

    Their lawyers said they would appeal the ruling.

    Congo has struggled to stop unlicensed companies and local armed groups exploiting its rich reserves of cobalt, copper, gold and other minerals.

    Protesters took to the streets of Bukavu last week after Chinese men arrested on suspicion of illegal mining in a separate case were released.

    “Our minerals are being plundered by companies that are mostly Chinese-owned and our people remain in extreme poverty, the roads are very dilapidated, we have difficulty accessing drinking water, health care, education, electricity, employment,” civil society leader Nene Bintu said at the demonstration.

    “This situation has gone on for too long and must end now.”

    In 2021, the authorities banned six small Chinese-owned mining companies, who it accused of operating illegally.
    (Reuters)
  • Suspected Outbreak Of Marburg Virus Kills Eight In Tanzania, WHO Says

    Suspected Outbreak Of Marburg Virus Kills Eight In Tanzania, WHO Says

    A suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in northwest Tanzania has infected nine people, killing eight of them, the World Health Organization has said, weeks after an outbreak of the disease was declared over in neighbouring Rwanda.

    The viral hemorrhagic fever has a fatality rate as high as 88%, and is from the same virus family as the one responsible for Ebola, which is transmitted to people from fruit bats which are endemic to that part of East Africa.

    The WHO said it received reliable reports of suspected cases in the Kagera region of Tanzania on Jan. 10, with symptoms of headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, vomiting blood, muscle weakness and finally external bleeding.

    Samples from two patients were awaiting testing at Tanzania’s national laboratory for confirmation of the outbreak, WHO said in a statement on Tuesday.

    The patients’ contacts, including healthcare workers, have been identified and were being followed up, WHO reported.

    The outbreak in Rwanda, which shares a border with Tanzania’s Kagera region, infected 66 people and killed 15 before it was declared over on December 20.

    Marburg virus can spread between people through direct contact or via blood and other bodily fluids of infected people, including contaminated bedding or clothing.

    An outbreak in the Kagera region in March 2023 killed six people and lasted for nearly two months.

  • Kiiza Besigye Hit With Extra Charge Carrying Death Penalty

    Kiiza Besigye Hit With Extra Charge Carrying Death Penalty

    Ugandan military prosecutors on Monday added a charge of “treachery” – which carries the death penalty – to the list of violations of military law they say were committed by a prominent opposition figure.

    Kiiza Besigye, a veteran political foe of President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for almost 40 years, was detained in neighbouring Kenya in November.

    He was brought back home and charged with illegal possession of firearms and with undermining the East African country’s security in a military court, despite being a civilian.

    He has been kept in prison in the capital Kampala since then, together with an aide, Obeid Lutale, with whom he was detained and charged.

    Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of U.N. agency UNAIDS, has said the charges against him are politically motivated. His lawyers have rejected the charges as baseless.

    During a court hearing on Monday, a military prosecutor read Besigye and his co-accused the new charge of treachery.

    According to a charge sheet seen by Reuters, Besigye and his co-accused possessed intelligence about a plot to undermine national security but “consciously withheld the said vital information from the proper authorities”.

    Besigye’s lawyers protested at the extra charge, saying they violated criminal trial procedures.

    They also protested at the detention of prominent human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza, who is part of Besigye’s defence team.

    At Besigye’s last court appearance on Jan. 7, Kiiza was sentenced to nine months in prison for alleged contempt of court over an altercation with court orderlies.

    London-based human rights group Amnesty International has described Kiiza’s detention and jail sentence as outrageous, demanding his release.

    Besigye was once an ally and personal physician of Museveni, but the two later fell out. Besigye ran against and lost to Museveni in four presidential elections. He rejected the results of all those votes over alleged irregularities.

    Human rights activists have accused Museveni’s government of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and arbitrary detention. The government has repeatedly denied allegations of election fraud and rights abuses.

  • Ghana: President John Mahama Reduces Number of Ministries From 30 To 23

    Ghana: President John Mahama Reduces Number of Ministries From 30 To 23

    Ghana’s President John Mahama has reduced the number of government ministries from 30 to 23 as part of efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) austerity program, according to a government gazette.
    The retained ministries include key sectors such as finance, health, interior, defense, education, energy and green transition, roads and highways, and transport. The restructuring is part of broader reforms tied to the $3 billion IMF bailout Ghana secured in 2022 to address its inability to service debt.

    Last week, Bloomberg reported that Ghana’s stock market, which outperformed all other African markets last year, is expected to maintain its strong growth into 2025. Investors are hopeful that Mahama’s newly elected administration will stabilize the economy and foster a business-friendly environment.

    Ghana’s economy demonstrated substantial recovery throughout 2024, with an average growth rate of 6.3% over the first nine months, a notable improvement from the previous year’s 2.6%.