East Africa

Police in Somalia confirmed that eight civilians were killed and 17 other wounded in a car bombing in the capital Mogadishu, state television has reported. An al-Shabab suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle targeted a convoy of a private security firm, Duguf, which is contracted to protect the UN. The …

Authorities in Ethiopia have expelled four Irish diplomats because of Ireland’s stance on the ongoing conflict in the nation and humanitarian crisis that has left millions in urgent need of food assistance A statement from the Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the four have been given a week to …

Ugandan Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has raised a red flag over the increasing cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) during the Covid-19 pandemic. The revelation comes two days ahead of the 16 days of activism campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) . Addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre …

The Ugandan Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Janet Museveni, yesterday abruptly called off her scheduled meeting with MPs on reopening of schools, Dailymonitor reported. The cancellation came hours amid protests by a section of MPs, especially from the Opposition who said Ms Museveni should meet them at Parliament on …

Sudan has launched investigations into violations against protesters since the 25 October military coup, reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok says. Mr Hamdok said this on Tuesday after meeting members of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), the former ruling civilian coalition that has been opposing military rule. State-owned Sudan …

The US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman has warned an escalation of the fighting in Ethiopia is threatening any progress towards negotiating a ceasefire. Following a visit to Ethiopia, Jeffrey Feltman said both Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) seemed to …

Malawi’s Agriculture Minister Lobin Lowe wrote a letter to former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson asking him to be the country’s cannabis cultivation ambassador. According to Mr. Lowe, the legalization of cannabis last year in Malawi had created opportunities locally and internationally. The ministry said the United States Cannabis …

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has declared a state of emergency as the country is experiencing a worsening drought. The declaration came after the prime minister chaired an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He called on the Somali people and the international community to help those affected by the …

Health officials in Kenya and Rwanda have announced that adolescents are now eligible to receive Pfizer’s anti-Covid vaccines as the two East African countries launch vaccination campaigns. Rwanda will be vaccinating children from the age of 12 and above from Tuesday while Kenya is allowing those from 15 years. The …

The European Investment Bank and the Rwandan Development Bank have launched an initiative to back new investments by companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The new targeted financing scheme will include support companies in sectors most impacted by the trade, economic and health challenges triggered by COVID-19 and unlock investment …