UN Secretary General urges President Kiir and Riek Machar to meet next week

The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, has directed the leaders of the factions involved in the ongoing war in the world’s youngest nation to honour their agreement to meet this month. The UN press office, which announced this Read more ›

Top Rwandan opposition politician freed from jail

Bernard Ntaganda, the founder of opposition Social Party Imberakuri, has been released from the Mpanga International Prison in Nyanza district, Southern Province, after completing his four-year sentence. The outspoken lawyer and politician, who had reportedly intended to compete in the 2010 Read more ›

Ethiopia: Renowned local manager appointed assistant coach of Walya Antelopes

The Ethiopian Football Federation have, this week, announced the appointment of Webetu Abate as assistant coach of the national men’s football team; the Walya Antelopes. The president of the federation, Juneidin Basha, who confirmed the report to the press, noted Read more ›

South Sudan: Cholera infections drop

The number of people diagnosed daily with cholera in Juba has dropped significantly since the outbreak of this deadly communicable disease was officially announced in the middle of last month. According to the Minister of Health, Riek Gai Kuk, the Read more ›

Dozens of al Shabab militants killed in clashes near Ethiopia-Somalia border

Ethiopian and Somali forces have reportedly killed about 74 al Shabab militants during a raid on the group’s bases in the region connecting both countries on Sunday. Local reports indicate that this was one of the heaviest clashes involving the Read more ›

Uganda & South Sudan reject calls for review of Entebbe Nile agreement

Officials from Uganda and South Sudan have expressed opposition to the suggestions of Tanzania’s foreign minister for a re-negotiation of the 2010 Comprehensive Framework Agreement on the Nile river. Bernard Kamillius Membe told Tanzanian legislators last week that he plans Read more ›

Ethiopian authorities thwart terrorist attack in Addis Ababa

Ethiopian security officials have reportedly prevented a terrorist attack in the country’s capital Addis Ababa, after a suspected al Shabab suicide bomber was arrested on Tuesday. According to local reports, the terrorists had intended to detonate explosives at several locations Read more ›

World Bank approves funding for geothermal project in Ethiopia

The Executive Directors of the World Bank have approved a grant of over $200 million to support the Ethiopian government’s Geothermal Sector Development Project. Reports indicate that $178.5 million came from the bank’s International Development Association, while $24.5 million came Read more ›

Sudan: Journalists protest against repression

Numerous journalists gathered in front of the premises of the National Council for Press and Publications (NCPP) in Khartoum on Sunday to express their dissent against several limitations the state has imposed on the press. According to local sources, the Read more ›

Rwandan authorities deny claims of complicity in alleged disappearance of citizens

Rwanda Police have dismissed allegations by a human rights advocacy group that the state is guilty of involvement in several cases of enforced disappearances in the country since March. A report by the VOA last month quotes the Assistant Commissioner Read more ›

Uganda: Medical groups petition president not to approve HIV/AIDS bill

Three medical groups have delivered a petition to President Yoweri Musuveni in protest against the country’s recently approved HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill. The Global Network for People Living with HIV, Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS as well Read more ›

Uganda police warn of impending terrorist attack on Martyrs’ Day

Uganda Police Force have issued a public alert concerning a planned terrorist attack next month during the commemoration of an important milestone for the country’s Christian community. Deputy Police spokesperson, Polly Namaye, who briefed the press in Kampala on Friday, Read more ›

Head of UN mission in South Sudan to resign in July

Hilde Johnson, the Special Representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan and head of the United Nations Mission in the country, has announced that she will step down at the end of July. Ms. Johnson made this revelation during Read more ›

Security Council extends UN missions in Abyei, Somalia and Guinea Bissau

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously voted in three resolutions on Thursday to prolong the mandate of its peace-keeping missions in Abyei, Somalia and South Sudan. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which was created Read more ›

Ethiopia marks 23rd anniversary of the downfall of Dergue regime

The Government and people of Ethiopia have commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the country’s adoption of modern democratic principles and structures. On May 28th 1991, ‘Ginbot 20’ rebels from the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) marched into Addis Read more ›

South Sudan: Government allots UN land to create camps for displaced civilians

The Government of South Sudan has provided land space in four different states for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to build new camps for internally displaced persons. The new camp sites are located in Juba, Bor, Malakal Read more ›

Kenya launches her first cotton laboratory

Kenyan authorities have commissioned a Sh50 million laboratory exclusively dedicated to the cotton industry this week, according to local sources. The facility, located in Kabete, Nairobi, will enable farmers easily grade the quality of their cotton produce. The laboratory is Read more ›

Kenya: Mass deportation of Somali asylum seekers could empower terrorists

A Somali official has warned that Kenya’s latest nationwide anti-terrorism operation codenamed ‘Uslama Watch’, which has led to the apprehension and repatriation of his nationals in the neighbouring country, is likely to empower al Shabab and other terrorists operating in Read more ›

Somalia: Botched terrorist attack on federal parliament reveals security lapses

A failed attack by al Shabab terrorists on the Somali federal parliament this weekend has triggered the resignation of the security minister and may eventually lead to an overhaul of the country’s security organs, according to local sources. Reports indicate Read more ›

Djibouti: Suicide attack on popular restaurant kills 3

An explosion at a highly patronized restaurant in the capital of Djibouti on Saturday evening has killed 3 people and injured up to 15 others, according to local sources. The Interior Ministry has revealed that the attack was carried out Read more ›

Ethiopia and Egypt ready to resume talks over renaissance dam

Officials from Ethiopia and Egypt have voiced willingness to re-engage in negotiations to resolve their dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Tripartite talks between the water ministries of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan broke down earlier in the year Read more ›

Kenya: Authorities deny increasing fees of public universities

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Jacob Kaimenyi, has refuted allegations that the tuition of public universities have been hiked. In a statement to the press, Mr. Kaimenyi explained that such an increment cannot be effected without due consultations with university Read more ›

al Shabab kills 12 in ambush at Kenya-Somalia border

Members of the Islamic militant group, al Shabab, have murdered about 12 people, including 5 police officers, in an attack on an army convoy early on Monday in north-eastern Kenya. The attack, which occurred about 5 kilometres from the volatile Read more ›

4G LTE high speed internet to be installed across Rwanda by August

Rwandans will be able to access the internet on 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology by August this year. The Minister for Youth and Information Technology, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, who announced the news to the local media, has noted that Read more ›

Ethiopia’s textile industry booms

Ethiopia’s clothing sector is experiencing a spate of rapid growth which is set to transform it into one of the most important industries in the country. Driven by a conducive regulatory climate, cheap labour and the availability of high quality Read more ›

Sudan: Arrest of former prime minister jeopardizes national dialogue

The incarceration of the leader of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) and former Prime Minister of Sudan, Sadiq al-Mahdi, this weekend, has attracted widespread criticisms and is threatening to derail the much applauded efforts to bridge the divide between Read more ›

South Sudan marks SPLA Day

The government and people of South Sudan have commemorated the formation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) on Friday, May 16th. Local sources indicate that a large crowd have convened at the Dr. John Garang Memorial Park to mark Read more ›

Kenya condemns foreign travel alert

Kenyan authorities have criticized a recent travel advisory from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia and France this week; which warns against visiting parts of the east African nation over concerns of impending terror attacks. The move Read more ›

Egypt accuses Ethiopia of delaying resumption of renaissance dam discussions

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, has accused Ethiopian authorities of stalling the resolution of the renaissance dam dispute after they have failed to respond to several requests from Egypt to restart the talks. However, he has insisted that the Egyptian government Read more ›

Kenya: High court issues warrant for Barasa’s arrest

A Kenyan High Court has issued an order for the arrest and extradition of a journalist wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday. Walter Barasa, 41, has been charged by the ICC under article 25(3)(a) and article 25(3)(f) Read more ›

Ethiopia to host global food security conference

More than 800 experts in food and other related disciplines are set to convene in Addis Ababa on Thursday, May 15th, to discuss how to integrate resilient strategies in the fight against hunger and poverty globally. The meeting, themed ‘Building Read more ›

Kenyan banks implement U.S. foreign account law

Kenyan banks involved in money transfers from the U.S. have officially began enforcing an international tax compliance law this week. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA), created by the U.S. Congress in the beginning of last year, is reportedly Read more ›

Kenya: Human Right Watch demands an end to operation ‘Uslama Watch’

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Kenyan government to immediately cease a security operation aimed at eliminating illegal migrants that has attracted widespread criticisms for alleged human rights violations. In a statement released on Tuesday, May Read more ›

South Sudan: Government and rebels trade accusations over violations of ceasefire agreement

Representatives of the government and rebels in South Sudan have accused each other of instigating several brief clashes this weekend despite the new agreement to end all hostilities. On Friday, President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar agreed to enforce a Read more ›

Uganda: security tightened after warnings over terrorist plot

Ugandan police have drastically increased their surveillance in the country after reports emerged last week of impending terrorist attacks. Police spokesman, Fred Enanga, has announced that all public places without adequate security provisions will be shut down. He has also Read more ›

Kenya and China sign trade, development and cooperative agreements

Representatives of different branches of the governments of Kenya and China have penned up to 17 deals this weekend during a rare visit of the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Nairobi. Reports indicate that the agreements cover several areas Read more ›

Kenya: 81 die after consuming toxic alcohol

More than 80 people have been reported dead and about 175 hospitalised after imbibing alcohol laced with unhealthily high levels of methanol this week. Although reports of negative side effects to highly patronized home-made alcohol brands are allegedly common in Read more ›

UN releases report on human rights violations in South Sudan

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have published a report on the human rights situation in the country since violence erupted on December 15th last year. The 62-page report, prepared by the UNMISS Human Rights Division, reportedly draws Read more ›

Ethiopia to establish railway training center

The Government of Ethiopia is set to open a center to train railway professionals in the country. According to the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopia Railway Corporation, Dr. Getachew Betru, who disclosed the news to the media, the institution will Read more ›

UN: Kony is hiding in South Sudan

The United Nations (UN) has revealed that the wanted leader of the Lord Resistance Army (LRA), Joseph Kony, is currently hiding in a small community in Western Bahr al-Ghazal State, South Sudan. According to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Read more ›

Somali lawmakers alloted bodyguards

The Federal Parliament of Somalia has announced on Tuesday that members of the house would be provided two guards each. The Second Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mahad Abdalla Awad, who disclosed the news to the media, insisted on Read more ›