Kenya’s deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached and removed from office following allegations of gross misconduct, irregular acquisition of wealth, undermining the president, and fostering ethnic division. This marks the first time in Kenya’s history that a deputy president has been impeached. Gachagua, who initially denied all charges, fell ill on the second day of the trial, causing a temporary suspension of the proceedings. However, the Senate ultimately approved five of the 11 charges against him, leading to his removal. His doctor has reported that Gachagua’s condition is stable, but he remains under observation in the hospital for 48 to 72 hours.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Cairo on Thursday, marking the first high-level Iranian visit to Egypt in nearly a decade, to discuss regional tensions with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The talks focused on de-escalating Israel’s conflicts with Gaza and Lebanon, with el-Sissi urging for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Araghchi’s visit is part of a regional tour aimed at reducing tensions following an Iranian missile attack on Israel. It follows recent discussions between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, where both countries called for a ceasefire and emphasized the need for a Palestinian state.
Zimbabwe this week announced compensation for local and foreign white farmers whose land was seized during the controversial land redistribution program over two decades ago. The government has approved $351.6 million in compensation for local farmers and $196.6 million for foreign farmers, with payments starting by the end of 2024. Local farmers will receive just 1% of the amount in cash, while the rest will be issued through treasury bonds, and foreign farmers, protected by international agreements, will receive compensation for both land and infrastructure. The land seizures, initiated by former president Robert Mugabe to address colonial-era land inequities, led to violence and severely impacted the agriculture sector, causing food shortages. Although farming has rebounded, recent droughts continue to challenge the sector. The compensation plan is part of efforts to restructure Zimbabwe’s $21 billion debt, but it has drawn criticism, particularly for benefiting politically connected individuals who gained multiple farms.
Daniel Chapo, Frelimo’s presidential candidate, is on track to become Mozambique’s next president, as preliminary election results show his party leading in all 11 provinces. However, election observers have raised concerns about the poll’s integrity, citing issues like disorganized counting, poorly sealed ballot boxes, vote buying, inflated voter rolls, and intimidation. Opposition parties have accused the ruling party of fraud, with one calling for a nationwide strike and another planning to challenge the results in court. Frelimo, in power since Mozambique’s independence in 1975, has faced repeated accusations of election rigging, which it denies. Final results are expected on October 24th.
Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, withdrew from their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya in protest after being stranded at Al Abraq International Airport, far from the match venue in Benghazi. The team was delayed for over 16 hours without food, Wi-Fi, or accommodations. Captain William Troost-Ekong announced their decision not to play the match, citing abandonment and poor logistics. The Nigeria Football Federation explained that their charter flight was diverted, with no alternative transportation provided. Libya’s Football Federation denied any foul play, attributing the situation to routine air traffic protocols. The issue will now be addressed by the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) disciplinary board, as it remains unclear what will happen to the match points. Nigeria had won the reverse fixture 1-0, and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the tournament.
Colonel Assimi Goita, the leader of Mali’s military junta that took power in 2020, promoted himself to the rank of army general, a prestigious title previously held by only two former heads of state in Mali’s history. Alongside Goita, five key members of the junta were also promoted to four-star generals. This move signals Goita’s intention to maintain control rather than transitioning to civilian rule. Analysts, such as Rida Lyammouri, suggest that these promotions indicate the junta’s continued grip on power, with no clear timeline for Mali’s long-promised presidential election.
U.N. envoy for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura, has suggested dividing the disputed territory between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front as a potential solution to the conflict, which has persisted since 1975. Morocco claims Western Sahara as its own and offers autonomy as the most it can concede, while the Polisario Front demands a referendum with independence as an option. In a closed-door briefing to the U.N. Security Council, de Mistura acknowledged that neither side accepted the partition proposal. He warned that if no progress is made in six months, the U.N. Secretary-General should reconsider the usefulness of his envoy role. While Morocco’s autonomy plan has gained international backing from countries like the U.S., France, and several Arab nations, the conflict remains unresolved, with Algeria and Morocco at odds. The Polisario Front withdrew from a U.N.-brokered truce in 2020, though the conflict has remained low-intensity.
The World Bank on Monday revised its 2023 economic growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa, lowering it to 3% from 3.4% due to Sudan’s civil war, which has severely damaged its economy. However, the region’s growth remains above last year’s 2.4%, driven by increased private consumption and investment. The World Bank’s *Africa’s Pulse* report projects 2024 growth at 3.9%, slightly higher than earlier predictions. Despite moderating inflation allowing for reduced interest rates, risks from conflicts and climate events like droughts and floods remain significant. The report notes that without Sudan’s conflict, regional growth would have been half a percentage point higher. South Africa’s economy is forecast to grow by 1.1% this year, while Nigeria is expected to expand by 3.3%, and Kenya by 5%.
The African Development Bank Group and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed a landmark 51.67 billion yen (US$421 million) concessional donor loan agreement to support Africa’s least developed and fragile nations through the African Development Fund. Japan, a top donor, pledged the loan at the ADF’s 16th replenishment in December 2022. The funds will address critical challenges such as climate change, infrastructure deficits, and private sector development. African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina commended Japan’s support, stating this to be a significant achievement in areas like electricity, water, transport, and health services.s
President Joe Biden’s visit to Angola has been rescheduled to December after being postponed due to Hurricane Milton and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This visit, a commitment from Biden during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, will focus on strengthening economic partnerships with Angolan President João Lourenço. Key discussions will include Africa’s first transcontinental rail network, the Lobito Corridor, which connects Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. This project is a crucial part of the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI). The White House emphasized that the visit signifies the evolving U.S.-Angola relationship and the United States’ broader commitment to African partners.