Author: Mwangi Maina

African Union suspends Guinea-Bissau over coup Nov 29, 2025

AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the continental body had decided to "suspend with immediate effect" Guinea-Bissau until constitu...

ECOWAS suspends Guinea-Bissau after post-election coup Nov 28, 2025

The bloc instructed its stabilisation mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) to continue protecting state institutions, and ordered the country's armed for...

EAC's Nairobi summit pushed to January amid regional tensions Nov 28, 2025

The meeting was to be held in Nairobi, with Kenya currently chairing the bloc, a rotating one-year position it assumed from South Sudan in late 2024.

Kenya criticises ‘over-judicialisation’ after East African Court of Justice blocks EU trade deal Nov 27, 2025

The suspension will remain in place as judges examine a petition alleging Kenya failed to adequately consult fellow EAC members before sealing the dea...

Ramaphosa hits back after Trump says South Africa won’t be invited to 2026 G20 summit Nov 27, 2025

Pretoria responded with unusual sharpness. President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a lengthy statement calling Trump's remarks "regrettable," stressing that...

Luanda Summit: Europe reinforces ties with Africa as competition intensifies Nov 26, 2025

Africa remains Europe's fourth-largest trading partner, and EU officials were keen to highlight the depth of commercial ties.

Prof Phoebe Okowa sworn in as first Kenyan judge at the ICJ Nov 26, 2025

Phoebe Okowa, a leading scholar of public international law, previously represented Namibia before the Court in the advisory proceedings on Israel's o...

Tanzania cancels Independence Day celebrations amid outrage over alleged killings Nov 25, 2025

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said the budget allocated for festivities would instead be redirected to repair public infrastructure damaged during th...

Malava by-election: Two UDA primary aspirants awarded diplomatic posts Nov 25, 2025

The appointments were unveiled before an enthusiastic crowd, with the new attachés reading out their letters on stage from Mudavadi's phone.

Africa’s first G20 Summit closes in South Africa amid US boycott Nov 24, 2025

South Africa has insisted that handing the gavel to a chargé d'affaires would be a breach of diplomatic protocol.

Kenya courts Malaysia’s economic lessons as PM Anwar makes first official visit Nov 24, 2025

Malaysia is regularly invoked by Kenyan politicians as a benchmark—once comparable to Kenya at independence, but now an upper-middle-income economy.

US bars Mandela Foundation Chair in latest diplomatic flashpoint with South Africa Nov 21, 2025

Pandor said she received an email from the US Consulate earlier this week informing her that her multiple-entry visitor visa had been cancelled.

South Africa rejects US plan to send Chargé d’Affaires for G20 handover Nov 21, 2025

This year's G20 summit is particularly sensitive. South Africa is handing over the presidency to the United States, which assumes the chair position f...

ONLF accuses Ethiopia of breaching 2018 peace deal as Somali Region tensions rise Nov 18, 2025

The plan seeks to ensure Somalis "are not passive victims of Ethiopia's unfolding political crisis but active participants in protecting their nationa...

Uganda’s ex-deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera elected to UN Appeals Tribunal Nov 18, 2025

Butera was elected on Monday after securing 110 votes in the General Assembly. He joins China's Lingling Zhang, who was also elected in the same round...

UN Security Council approves US-brokered Gaza peace plan Nov 18, 2025

Central to the document is the creation of a Board of Peace (BoP) - described as a "transitional administration" for Gaza - tasked with overseeing rec...

Kenyans to have their say on Bill granting controversial diplomatic protections Nov 18, 2025

By opening public participation on the new amendment, Kenya appears to be seeking to restore confidence in a process that has come under increasing sc...

Commonwealth taps ex-Malawi President Chakwera to mediate Tanzania’s political tensions Nov 17, 2025

During his visit, Chakwera is expected to meet government officials, opposition figures, civil society leaders, religious authorities, and internation...

Tanzania erupts as President Samia appoints daughter, son-in-law to powerful Cabinet posts Nov 17, 2025

Wanu and Mohammed, who are married, now enter the Cabinet together, a decision expected to intensify criticism from opponents who have long accused Pr...

Kenya vows action after viral video shows Chinese national assaulting Kenyan worker Nov 17, 2025

Kenya, which relies heavily on foreign investment and skilled expatriate labour, has stressed that while international partners remain welcome, they m...

DRC and M23 rebels sign Doha Peace Framework in bid to end conflict Nov 15, 2025

Qatar's chief negotiator, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, hailed the deal as "historic," while cautioning that lasting peace would require "confidence, mutual r...

South Sudan President ousts vice president in abrupt purge, deepening uncertainty in Juba Nov 13, 2025

Bol - a businessman-turned-politician long regarded as one of Kiir's closest allies - had risen rapidly through the ranks this year.

Kenya downplays Museveni’s Indian Ocean entitlement remarks Nov 12, 2025

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei said Nairobi trusts the Ugandan leader "understands matters of sovereignty and natural resources."

Shocking New York Times report exposes Kenyan mothers, children suffering in Saudi Arabia Nov 12, 2025

Thousands of Kenyan mothers and children remain trapped in Saudi Arabia, facing abuse, neglect, and a fight for legal recognition — as the government...

Kenya warns of “sophisticated menace” over citizens trafficked to Southeast Asia Nov 12, 2025

Mudavadi said about 400 Kenyans have been lured by unscrupulous recruitment agents with promises of lucrative jobs in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar,...

Cabinet approves Kenya’s diplomatic expansion to Vatican, Copenhagen, and Hanoi Nov 11, 2025

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the establishment of a resident embassy in the Vatican City, a move aimed at deepening engagement with the Holy See an...

President Kiir sacks Petroleum Undersecretary after a week in office Nov 11, 2025

Salva Kiir has become known for abrupt personnel changes, often issued on Monday or Wednesday evenings and rarely explained.

Col Esther Wanjiku ends tour as Kenya’s Defence Attaché to Japan, succeeded by Col Joan Kwambai Nov 11, 2025

A defence attaché's role blends diplomacy with intelligence. They represent their country's military interests abroad, advise the ambassador on securi...

US VP Vance cancels Kenya visit as Trump orders American officials to skip G20 summit Nov 10, 2025

JD Vance’s Kenya trip canceled after Trump blocks US officials from attending G20, but Nairobi stresses strong bilateral ties remain intact.

Uganda frees activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo after diplomatic talks Nov 08, 2025

The two activists were allegedly abducted by armed men in Uganda and held incommunicado amid a tense presidential campaign season.

Kenya moves to curb recruitment of its citizens in Russia-Ukraine war Nov 07, 2025

Ruto said that they "expressed concern over young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine, and agreed to raise awaren...

Mudavadi, Tanzanian counterpart discuss Kenyans’ safety amid crackdown on election protests Nov 06, 2025

Mudavadi said Nairobi had reported a number of cases where the rights of Kenyans had been infringed and that these incidents "have been formally submi...

AU mission declares Tanzania’s 2025 elections fell short of democratic standards Nov 06, 2025

Their 46-page preliminary statement paints a bleak picture of a process marred by opposition arrests, ballot-stuffing, violence, and a six-day interne...

Malawi faces fresh fuel shortage weeks after Mutharika’s return to power Nov 05, 2025

For citizens, déjà vu is an understatement; fuel shortages have plagued the country for more than two years.

Tanzania reassures world after unrest as police issue SMS warnings over election dissent Nov 04, 2025

In an unusual move, police have begun sending SMS warnings urging citizens not to circulate images or videos deemed "alarming" or "demeaning," a step...

Kenya opens Jeddah consulate, deepening Saudi ties Nov 04, 2025

The move, formally announced by Nairobi's Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, is part of President William Ruto's directive to expand Kenya's fo...

AU appoints Djibouti envoy Mohamed Idriss to lead mediation in Madagascar coup crisis Nov 04, 2025

The appointment signals the AU’s bid to restore stability in Madagascar amid global interest from Paris, Beijing, and Moscow.

Kenya assumes chairmanship of African Group at UN, pledges unity and reform Nov 03, 2025

Amb. Lokaale pledged to prioritise cohesion within the African Group and ensure Africa speaks with one voice at key global forums.

Done! Dennis Ombachi turns balcony into Kenya’s culinary embassy Nov 01, 2025

With more than 2.3 million TikTok followers and 1.4 million on Instagram, he's become Kenya's unlikely ambassador of gastrodiplomacy - using food as a...

UN warns of ‘darker hell’ in El-Fasher after RSF seizes city Oct 31, 2025

The Security Council previously sanctioned RSF commanders for violence and human-rights violations.

AUC Chair issues apology after spokesperson’s private jet photo triggers backlash Oct 30, 2025

The image, posted Tuesday on X by spokesperson Nuur Shekh following the AUC delegation's trip to Angola for an infrastructure summit in Luanda, drew s...

Kenya backs UN vote calling for end to US embargo on Cuba Oct 30, 2025

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted the resolution titled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the...

Tanzania orders civil servants to work from home amid post-election unrest Oct 30, 2025

The election, in which the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party is expected to retain power, has been widely criticised as uncompetitive.

US revokes visa for Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka after criticism of Trump Oct 29, 2025

Soyinka, who previously held US permanent residency but destroyed his green card following Donald Trump's election in 2016, suggested the decision may...

After controversial stints, Vincent Karega takes helm of Rwanda’s new embassy in Algeria Oct 29, 2025

His new assignment in Algiers represents Rwanda's first resident embassy in Algeria — a move that signals Kigali's growing interest in North Africa as...

Sudan expels two senior World Food Programme officials amid escalating tensions Oct 29, 2025

Laurent Bukera, head of the WFP office in Sudan, and Samantha Chattaraj, the agency's operations director, were summoned by the ministry and formally...

Tanzania heads to polls with President Samia expected to secure another term in one-sided election Oct 29, 2025

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country's first female head of state, is widely expected to retain power in what observers describe as a contest wi...

Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions flare as Abiy Ahmed declares sea access ‘non-negotiable’ Oct 28, 2025

Eritrea, a nation of about 3.5 million people, has in recent years drawn closer to Egypt — another of Ethiopia’s regional rivals — amid ongoing disput...

South Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Uganda seal deal on Horn of Africa transport corridor Oct 28, 2025

The project aims to open new trade routes, enhance mobility, and accelerate economic integration across the Horn and Eastern Africa.

Kenya launches training to prepare new ambassadors for 21st-century diplomacy Oct 27, 2025

The two-week programme at the Foreign Service Academy aims to equip President Ruto’s newly appointed ambassadors with modern diplomatic, economic, and...

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