Donation Amount. Min £2

East Africa

Besides boosting maritime cooperation, New Delhi is looking at defence equipment sales, particularly in armoured vehicles. (Image: Pixabay) 

New Delhi: India is planning to deepen its defence cooperation with Tanzania to enhance its strategic presence in the western part of Indian Ocean, according to persons aware of the matter. 

Besides boosting maritime cooperation, New Delhi is looking at defence equipment sales, particularly in armoured vehicles. The initiatives align with India's broader strategy to augment its presence in the western Indian Ocean, a region vital for its maritime trade routes.

India’s army chief general Manoj Pande had met Tanzania's defence minister and senior members of its military during his October visit to the east African nation.  

“Considering the successful hosting of the Defence Expos twice in Dar es Salaam on 31st May 2022 and 2nd October 2023 which saw participation of several Indian defence companies; both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the area of defence industry. The two leaders also expressed pleasure at the progress of cooperation between the two sides towards the capacity building of the Tanzanian forces as well as industry," said a joint statement during Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to India in October. 

India's concerted efforts to engage with nations in this region, such as Tanzania and Kenya, underscore shared security concerns like piracy and illegal fishing. 

The maritime collaboration with Tanzania, including joint surveillance exercises and hydrographic surveys, reflects India's broader geopolitical strategy. The two sides held their joint exclusive economic zone surveillance exercise in July this year. 

The persons cited above stated that the number of Tanzanian defence personnel trained in India is likely to increase in the coming years as New Delhi looks to build up the country’s defence capabilities.

Queries mailed to the external affairs ministry and the Tanzanian High Commission in New Delhi remained unanswered till press time.

China is also an additional factor in India’s outreach to Tanzania as Beijing has traditionally been the African country’s top defence partner.  

India's ambitious plan to ramp up defence exports to $5 billion by 2025 makes it a top choice for Tanzania as it looks to diversify its defence partnerships and sources of military equipment. By Shashank Mattoo, Mint

 

KHRC Executive Director Davies Malombe.[Samson Wire, Standard]

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has accused the government of deepening the culture of impunity and disregarding the rule of law and principles of good governance enshrined in the Constitution. 

KHRC says the debts have been a pipeline for oppressive policies by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other lenders.

On the appointment of persons with questionable integrity to state and public offices, the report traces the origin of this problem to the elections of August 2022, where politicians with questionable integrity were cleared to contest for the General Election.

“This regime deepened this further by having more culprits appointed into state and public offices, contrary to Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity,” reads the report. 

It says the oppressive atmosphere extended to threats by the Executive against the media for their coverage of the administration’s misgovernance, severely undermining freedom of expression.

The commission notes that attempts to organize demonstrations against the government and the private sector in Kenya became virtually impossible in 2023, with severe consequences for those who dared to try.

“Between April and August 2023, we witnessed egregious violations, including arbitrary arrests, violent disruptions, illegal detentions, injuries, and even fatalities during protests against the Finance Bill, 2023, and the escalating cost of living.”

“The oppressive atmosphere extended to threats by the Executive against the media for their coverage of the administration's misgovernance, severely undermining freedom of expression,” reads the report.

The report also found that President William Ruto's regime did not honour its pledge of ending state capture but "doubled down" on it leading to the unfortunate control of Parliament and county assemblies.

The report also states that the Kenya Kwanza regime has denied constitutional commissions and independent offices the resources they need to function optimally and appointed compliant state officers like judges and commissioners to those critical positions.

"As a result, it has become untenable to oversee the Executive," reads the report.

The report says Kenya’s health system is in crisis, with the government's promised “universal health care” falling far short of expectations. It adds that the transformation of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) into the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) was merely a cosmetic change that did not translate into tangible improvements in service delivery.

"As 2023 draws to a close, the NHIF still owes private hospitals significant sums of money, running into billions of shillings," reads the report.

The commission says these hospitals, relied upon by millions of Kenyans and covered by government insurance, refuse to provide treatment until the outstanding bills are settled.

“There is no indication that the government intends to address this substantial debt promptly, resulting in the continued denial of critical healthcare to millions of Kenyans.”

Other indicators of the country’s deterioration include State capture and weakening of independent institutions, the violation of human rights and freedoms, the interference with devolution, the failure to implement the Constitution, and the lack of accountability and transparency. By Judah Ben-Hur, The Standard

 

 Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has encouraged Kenyans to maintain hope in the approaching New Year and unite against corruption and greed.

In his New Year’s message on Sunday, Kalonzo conveyed optimism, expressing his belief that Kenyans would diligently strive to rectify misguided policies in the country.

“As we welcome 2024, I wish my fellow Kenyans God’s blessings whether we are Christians, Muslims, or Hindus. All Kenyans, wherever you are here or abroad, please keep Hope Alive. We have only One Nation – our Motherland Kenya,” said Kalonzo.

The ex-Vice President noted that the upcoming year will mark a pivotal moment for Kenyans who endured both challenging and hard economic times, prompting the Opposition coalition to organize protests.

“Fellow Kenyans, as we bid farewell to 2023 a year that has been both challenging and at times overwhelming. Kenyans have lost their lives because of the Kenya Kwanza regime’s arrogant reaction to peaceful protests. They were overwhelmed to their graves. 2024, I believe, will be a crucial year, indeed, a watershed moment for all of us,” he said.

He criticized the Kenya Kwanza government for not swiftly implementing established measures to address the disaster caused by the El Nino rains in different regions of the country.

Kalonzo asserted that the allocation of funds from the National government to counties, aimed at protecting Kenyans from the El Nino threat, appeared to be unsuccessful, despite prior warnings from the Meteorological Department.

“The year has also seen the El Niño phenomenon visit us again. The elements of nature could not take orders from those in authority who denied its pending existence. The disbursement of funds to the counties seemed to be prevaricated. Those in control seemed confused, disorganized, and ultimately overwhelmed,” he said.

“Happy New Year and God’s Blessings I wish for all of you!” By Wangechi Purity, Capital News

Migrants© Getty

Gangsters are telling those wishing to make it to Britain to "hurry", and claim the controversial plan will make it "impossible". They also warn that anyone who makes the trip after the deal takes effect will be sent to the African country.

A Border Force source said: "It is a scare tactic. But it is clearly working because even in bitterly cold and dangerous conditions they are trying their best to come here." 

"It's shocking. There will be more deaths soon."

"The migrants have no idea - they risk their lives to come to Britain, not Rwanda."

The source added: "This shows the gangsters will use every trick in the book to keep this lucrative business model going.

"They can easily adapt, just like drug dealers."

"It is a criminal enterprise on a global scale."

Earlier this month, one person died and 66 people had to be rescued when a crowded boat ran into difficulties.

The tragedy underlines the importance of Rishi Sunak's efforts to "stop the boats", Downing Street said.

At least eight other asylum seekers died while attempting to make the perilous trip this year.

The Prime Minister saw off a Tory rebellion over the Rwanda bill but still faces a battle to get it through Parliament.

The legislation passed its first Commons hurdle with a majority of 44 but there will be further votes in the new year.  By Jonathan Walker, Matthew Davis, Daily Express

FILE - South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, right, with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit at Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa, Aug. 22, 2023.
 

NAIROBI, KENYA — Africa worked in 2023 to become a focus of global power and draw the attention of influential nations seeking to build political and economic relations with the 54 countries on the continent.

In the past 12 months, African leaders visited European Union headquarters in Brussels, as well as India, Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. They also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Africa to discuss China’s Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure program, climate change financing, business and trade deals, global peace and security.

Professor Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha, chairman of the Kenyan Commission for University Education and an expert in diplomacy and international relations, said that Africa is an important player in global affairs and that other countries want to engage with the continent.

“They want to create strategies on how they can continue assuring the African states that they are friends of the Africans and, consequently, expecting that African countries will be able to continue relating with them amicably,” Nyaigotti-Chacha said. “They expect a lot of economic gains and political goodwill."

With conflicts such Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, political experts say international gatherings provide a means for some countries to seek Africa’s support.

Paul Melly, a consulting fellow with the Africa Program at research organization Chatham House in London, said Africa can be an influential voice in venues where countries vote on political and security issues, including the United Nations.

"There is a simple numerical fact in Africa,” he said. “Depending on how you count them, you are looking at 50 votes at the U.N. That's quite an arguing power.”

Some other continents have many countries in them, he said, but “one of the things that stands out for Africa is it's a continent where there is ... a culture of collective action.”

“That's quite a lot of votes, and quite a lot of political leverage," Melly said.

The tone other nations take is important when connecting with African leaders, he said.

You can have as many summits as you like, you can mobilize as many resources as you like, but ... if the tone is seen as not sufficiently respectful or [if they seem] unwilling to sit and listen to what African leaders have to say, you can sometimes find it doesn't work,” Melly said.

Even as African nations reach out to the rest of the world, they will need to engage more among themselves to present a stronger image, Nyaigotti-Chacha said.

"They will remember the year 2023 as the year they have made so many interactions with other international and foreign countries,” he said. "They will remember that and learn very fast to network within themselves in order ... to have one voice." VOA

About IEA Media Ltd

Informer East Africa is a UK based diaspora Newspaper. It is a unique platform connecting East Africans at home and abroad through news dissemination. It is a forum to learn together, grow together and get entertained at the same time.

To advertise events or products, get in touch by info [at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447957636854.
If you have an issue or a story, get in touch with the editor through editor[at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447886544135.

We also accept donations from our supporters. Please click on "donate". Your donations will go along way in supporting the newspaper.

Get in touch

Our Offices

London, UK
+44 7886 544135
editor (@) informereastafrica.com
Slough, UK
+44 7957 636854
info (@) informereastafrica.com

Latest News

India and Pakistan troops exchange fire in Kashmir for third night

India and Pakistan t...

Tensions surge as India blames Pakistan for a deadly Kashmir attack; both nations escalate militaril...

Rwanda and DR Congo sign joint pledge toward peace deal by May 2

Rwanda and DR Congo...

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a joint statement Friday pledging to respec...

Kenyans must learn to ask the hard questions to grow in justice, truth

Kenyans must learn t...

The youth are no longer content with status or swayed by staged appearances. They are informed. The...

Faith Kipyegon Sets World Leading Time in 1000m Xiamen Diamond League

Faith Kipyegon Sets...

Faith Kipyegon wins the Diamond League in Xiamen. She clocked 2:29.21, April 26, 2025. Abie Wafula...

For Advertisement

Big Reach

Informer East Africa is one platform for all people. It is a platform where you find so many professionals under one umbrella serving the African communities together.

Very Flexible

We exist to inform you, hear from you and connect you with what is happening around you. We do this professionally and timely as we endeavour to capture all that you should never miss. Informer East Africa is simply news for right now and the future.

Quality News

We only bring to you news that is verified, checked and follows strict journalistic guidelines and standards. We believe in 1. Objective coverage, 2. Impartiality and 3. Fair play.

Banner & Video Ads

A banner & video advertisement from our sponsors will show up every once in a while. It keeps us and our writers coffee replenished.