East Africa

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga launches his fifth bid for the presidency on Friday, this time with the support of his former foe President Uhuru Kenyatta, Reuters agency reported. Kenyans are due to go to the polls in August but Kenyatta will not be on the ballot due to a …

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Tigrayan rebels of summarily killing dozens of civilians in “apparent war crimes” in two towns they controlled in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. “Tigrayan forces showed brutal disregard for human life and the laws of war by executing people in their custody,” said Lama Fakih, …

A member of the Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol, Chimano, has come out as gay as he explained the idea behind his new song, Friday Feeling, in which he featured members of the LGBT community. Chimano told local media that he was now living his truth and would use his …

Two soldiers in Uganda have been condemned by the country’s military court after they were accused of killing three people during protests last year. The two soldiers killed three in protests following the arrest of then-presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, at a campaign rally. The first …

The US President, Joe Biden has appointed businesswoman and politician, Meg Whitman as the the country’s new ambassador to Kenya. The new ambassador says that she looks forward to working with the Kenyan government if confirmed by the senate. Read also: Sudan: more than 100 killed in West Darfur clashes …

More than 100 people have been killed following days of ethnic clashes between Arab tribesmen and fighters from the African Masalit community in West Darfur state in Sudan. The fighting in the Kreinik area has displaced thousands, including across the border into neighbouring Chad, the United Nations says. “Armed men …

Former Malawian Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka and former central bank boss Dalitso Kabambe have been arrested by police on charges of abuse of office and fraudulent accounting. A police spokesman said the two, while serving in their respective positions, allegedly procured and masterminded the falsification of financial records with intent …

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has returned to his usual work in the capital, Addis Ababa, after spending days leading federal troops to fight rebels in the north, his office said. “I am returning to the office as I have completed the first phase [of the conflict],” he was quoted …

The authorities in Tanzania say they are planning to lift bans and suspensions on media organisations which had been barred from operating, BBC News reports. Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Amon Mpanju, said the government has been holding talks with media owners and the …

The fire in the main prison in Gitega, the Burundian capital, left at least 38 dead and dozens injured, the country’s vice-president said. Twelve died of asphyxia as they tried to flee the burning buildings and 26 died of severe injuries, Vice President Prosper Bazombanza told Reuters. The causes of …