Vol 65 No 5 | TANZANIA Nation mourns the 'nearly man' Lowassa 27th February 2024 Despite his burning ambition the late Edward Lowassa was ever the bridesmaid and never the bride, but his career exemplified national politics Edward Lowassa, who has died aged 70, was a close friend, confidant and ally of ex-President Jakaya Kikwete who spent a fortune advancing his prospects and embracing any...
Vol 65 No 5 | ETHIOPIA Taking Amhara to Washington 26th February 2024 Loyalists to Abiy Ahmed turned dissidents take their case to the US capital to lobby Congress and the Biden administration The ultra-nationalist Amhara Fano Unity Council (AFUC) led by Fano militia leader Mihret Wodajo is stepping up its political advocacy in the United States after registering lobbyists...
Vol 65 No 4 | KENYA Ruto gambles on Eurobonds 15th February 2024 Nairobi's Treasury joins borrowers paying over 10% interest to meet escalating debt service demands At the heart of the government's plan to issue US$1.5 billion of debt at 10.375% for a buy-back deal is President William Ruto's determination to avoid protracted debt...
Vol 65 No 4 | KENYA In search of visa-free travel 15th February 2024 Last October, President William Ruto vowed that by the end of 2023, travellers would no longer have to 'carry the burden of applying for a visa to come...
Vol 65 No 4 | ETHIOPIA Demeke's exit points to deepening rifts 5th February 2024 Whether the foreign minister jumped or was pushed, the lesson is clear – zero tolerance for debate in government The fall-out that triggered the exit of long-serving Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen is another sign of the widening gap between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed...
Vol 65 No 3 | SUDAN Why Tagadum could be a turning point 1st February 2024 A civilian initiative to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table may be the last defence against a war that would shatter the country Two opportunities to broker a ceasefire in Sudan's ruinous civil war have been arbitrarily waived aside in the new year by the warring generals' cohorts, raising concerns of...
Vol 65 No 3 | KENYA 14-year-old case reaches court 1st February 2024 After fleeing Kenya in late 2008 and resisting extradition from the United Kingdom since 2011, the former CEO of Triton Oil, one of Kenya's biggest oil importers, Yagnesh...
Vol 65 No 3 | TANZANIA The return of the hard men 19th January 2024 President Samia won praise for mitigating her predecessor's authoritarianism, but his loyalists are on the march again and she is accommodating them The outspoken Paul Makonda, who has just been appointed to a key ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) post, is fast emerging as the leader of a new dawn...
Vol 65 No 2 | KENYA Judges stand up as Ruto takes them on 18th January 2024 Chief Justice Martha Koome has pushed back hard after the President accused the judiciary of chronic corruption The presidency could lose badly if the sniping between it and the judiciary escalates. In his New Year's address, President William Ruto accused opposition leaders of using the...
Vol 65 No 2 | ETHIOPIASOMALIASOMALILAND Why Abiy and Muse signed a 'memorandum of misunderstanding' 15th January 2024 A hasty deal offering recognition of Somaliland's sovereignty and a port for Ethiopia has angered the region By announcing a trade-off on New Year's Day – putative recognition of Somaliland's 'independence' in exchange for access to the Gulf of Aden – Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy...