East Africa

Details: East Africa; 20 March 2023; 857

Richards Bay is one of the economic hubs targeted by the EFF in KwaZulu-Natal during their national shutdown.

This is how events are playing out there:

6am — 10am: There is a roadblock on the junction between John Ross Highway and Western Arterial Road. It’s a joint operation between SAPS, Umhlathuze metro police and private security.

Workers are arriving at Transnet’s port of Richards Bay via taxis and buses.

SANDF members and private security monitor the entrance at Newmark Road and there is a heavy police presence on Harbour Arterial.

10am — 12pm: EFF secretary of the King Cetshwayo region Sabelo Khubisa tells TimesLIVE: “I can’t move from home because the road in Umtunzini is blocked and the regional chair is saying the same thing. So for now we are trying to move to Esikhawini because most fighters are there. Once they open then, I will move to Esikhawini, then Richards Bay,” he said.

Umhlathuze municipality spokesperson Bongani Gina denies roads are closed.

“That’s nonsense, traffic is flowing from Umtunzini to Richards Bay and the whole region. It’s business as usual and everyone is welcome. There haven’t been any reports of protest action in Esikhawini either,” he said.

“We had a roadblock earlier but it’s moderate now. We have security personnel on standby ready to be deployed should there be a need, but it’s all clear for now.”

12pm — 1pm: A group of EFF members arrive at Boardwalk Mall but are dispersed by SAPS. There is a heavy police, private security and CPF presence.

Law enforcement says they are acting on information received about taxi-loads of EFF members coming to the town.

1pm — 2pm: A group of about 25 EFF members arrive at the mall in a taxi and at least four cars and engage in a peaceful demonstration at the back of the mall. Khubisa is among them.

A member tells the crowd: “We have no starting point and no end point. As long as we are fighting for the land of our forefathers.”

Members then walk to the police station under heavy police supervision.

2pm: EFF members are at the police station. They allege that their members were beaten by SAPS and private security on Sunday evening.

King Cetshwayo district EFF head Sibusiso Mthethwa says: “We are not here to play games, our members were assaulted by police and private security. Our comrades are injured and we cannot allow that. That’s why you’re seeing this march looking like it’s not successful, it’s because comrades are being dispersed.

“We will get inside (the police station) and address this nonsense. Ramaphosa must fall, if they don’t stop this nonsense of theirs (then) we will carry on until he falls. We will use any necessary means to ensure that Ramaphosa falls. From today, this police station must know that we are fighters.”

Another leader, ward 5 chairperson Sakhele Ngwane says: “Umfolozi ward 5 EFF treasurer was run over by a police car from Empangeni POP last night in Nzalabantu, Umfolozi. He was taken to Umbonambi Clinic, from there he was transferred to Ngwelezane Hospital. We don’t have the latest updates as yet.”

Police didn’t immediately respond to claims about EFF members allegedly being assaulted. BY LWAZI HLANGU, TimesLIVE

Details: East Africa; 20 March 2023; 748

He insisted that they will continue with protests until the cost of living comes down.

In Summary

• Speaking in Eastleigh, Raila said they had given the police notice of their intended peaceful protest.

• The ODM leader added that the government is already afraid and they should know this is just the beginning.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga now says the police have broken the law by teargassing Azimio protesters.

Speaking in Eastleigh, Raila said they had given the police notice of their intended peaceful protest.

"Today we had peaceful protests in town but they threw teargas. They brought the police to stop us from accessing CBD. They have broken the law because we had given them notice of the planned peaceful protest," he said.

The ODM leader added that the government is already afraid and they should know this is just the beginning.

He insisted that they will continue with protests until the cost of living comes down.

"Wameshikwa na uoga lakini mambo bado. Leo ni kionjo tutaendelea mpaka tufike kule tunaelekea. Mpaka bei ya unga, mafuta na chakula irudi chini alafu baadae tupate haki yetu ya uchaguzi," Raila said.

It loosely translates to, "They are afraid and we have just started. Today is just a taste of what is to come. We shall continue until we reach our destination. Until the price of Unga, fuel and food come down and then later for electoral right." Brian Oruta, The Star

Details: East Africa; 19 March 2023; 1081

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan speaking to Tanzanian and South African businesspeople at the Bilateral Business Forum Meeting in Pretoria, South Africa on March 16, 2023. PHOTO | COURTESY | IKULU

Summary

Last November, Ramaphosa, on invitation of President William Ruto, visited Nairobi.
During Museveni’s visit, hardly a sentence was uttered that did not include the phrase or directly allude to it.
With President Samia, the atmosphere was more sedate, but the frame of reference was the same for the two leaders.

Just two weeks after hosting Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni on a state visit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa this week met with Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, on an almost identical state visit, with both leaders promising growing mutual ties, increased trade, and other cooperation.

Last November, Ramaphosa, on invitation of President William Ruto, visited Nairobi for a follow-up to what was described as a “useful and productive” state visit to South Africa by former president Uhuru Kenyatta in late 2021.

In all three forums, diplomacy was paralleled by business talks, with mutual investment by private sector interests underpinned by bilateral moves towards more “investment-friendly” regulatory environments.

As with the other East African heads of state visits, statements of mutual support, designated arenas of cooperation, and intentions to work collaboratively across various fields, were issued by presidents Ramaphosa and Samia, before and after their face-to-face session in Pretoria.

Frame of reference

Behind the diplomatic language and the fanfare of state visits, there is a serious plan, one in which the appeal of pan-Africanism as an ideal and a method of action is being used to the utmost.

During President Museveni’s visit a fortnight ago, hardly a sentence was uttered that did not include the phrase or directly allude to it.

With President Samia, the atmosphere was more sedate, but the frame of reference was the same for the two leaders, their diplomatic and technical teams, and the business meetings on the “side-lines” — arguably, the latter being one of the most important elements.

Pushing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool ready to be used, Ramaphosa returned to his now-familiar refrain of “Africans supporting and working with Africans, for African solutions.”

“South Africa counts the United Republic of Tanzania as among our dearest and most cherished friends. The support that Tanzania gave us in our struggle for freedom was unparalleled,” said Ramaphosa, an echo of comments made to both the Ugandan and Kenyan leaders.

“In 2019, I visited the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College in Morogoro. This institution bears witness to the shelter, comfort and support extended by Tanzania to our freedom fighters for nearly three decades.

“I was recently reminded of the extraordinary story of a group of nurses from South Africa that were smuggled out in the early 1960s to work in Tanzania and to train nursing staff. Known as the 20 Nightingales, they were received by President Julius Nyerere and African National Congress President Oliver Tambo, and were then placed in hospitals around the country to treat patients and to supervise local nurses. Earlier this month, one of these revolutionary nurses, Sister Kholeka Tunyiswa passed away in Dar es Salaam. We pay tribute to Mama Kholeka and to her fellow nurses for their sacrifice and their contribution.

Bilateral relations

It was on this firm basis that he intended extending and consolidating the two countries’ bilateral relations.

President Samia reflected similar sentiments of historic friendship and intention to work collaboratively in numerous fields, with various memoranda signed.

Total trade between South Africa and Tanzania increased from $375 million in 2021 to $475 million in 2022. By CHRIS ERASMUS, The East African

Details: East Africa; 20 March 2023; 780

A police officer fires teargas at protesters in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 20, 2023. NMG PHOTO

Business operators in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and other major towns in the country kept off from their enterprises for the better part of the day Monday as police officers engaged Azimio La Umoja protestors who had taken to the streets.

In Nairobi, the transport system was paralysed with operators fearing being caught in the clash between the armed anti-riot officers and the demonstrators.

Minutes to 3 PM, the battle intensified as ODM leader Raila Odinga emerged from his home to lead his lieutenants in what was intended as a mass march to State House, efforts that were thwarted by heavily armed police officers who remained adamant that the route path could not be let open.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking from Mombasa claimed that the day-long protests have cost the country up to Sh2 billion.

He urged Mr Odinga to call off the protests saying they were rolling back the gains that the country had made in terms of economic recovery.

”Kenyans should ignore being incited into violence and destruction of properties. As it is, a number of businesspeople did not open shops due to fear of looters threatening businesses. So far, the country has lost two billion today from these protests across the country,” stated Gachagua.

“We are happy that President William Ruto is in charge and has ensured that no life has been lost and no property has been destroyed.”

Mr Odinga has vowed not to relent in the fight against the rising cost of living, electoral justice and ongoing reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., NMG

Details: East Africa; 19 March 2023; 860

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a past function. PHOTO/@rigathi/Twitter

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pleaded with former President Uhuru Kenyatta to reach out to opposition leader Raila Odinga and stop planned mass action.

Speaking during a church service at Kapsabet Showground in Nandi county on Sunday, March 19, the country's second in command said the opposition's demonstrations scheduled for Monday could plunge the country into violence.

Gachagua urged the former Head of State to talk to his "handshake brother" to abandon the protests and save the country from unnecessary destruction of property.

"Please Uhuru Kenyatta I'm appealing to you within the few remaining hours look for your brother, and tell him to stop that nonsense of getting people to Nairobi to come and destroy property because it's immoral and unacceptable," the DP said, further alleging that the protests were sponsored by Uhuru's Kenyatta family, who he accused of being "ungrateful".

Gachagua claimed Raila is using demonstrations to force a truce with President Ruto akin to the ODM leader’s handshake with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018. He said he won't allow the "handshake to happen".

The former Mathira Member of Parliament faulted Raila over his failure to condemn a recent incident where Azimio supporters disrupted a meeting presided over by Communications Authority (CA) Director General Ezra Chiloba in Kisumu last Wednesday.

The demonstrators, who were part of a group staging anti-government protests in the county, stormed Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground during the World Consumers Rights Day celebrations to seek an audience with ICT and Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo.

The group brought the meeting to a standstill as delegates scampered for safety, leaving the protesters feasting on the meal that had been set aside for guests.

Earlier, Raila insisted that the protests were aimed at reclaiming his victory in the 2022 August polls, which he claims were rigged in favour of Ruto.

"Let us all converge in the CBD and begin our grand March to State House to reclaim our stolen victory,” Raila said.

The former prime minister has listed six reasons for the opposition's calls for peaceful demonstrations, including President Ruto's refusal to allow the audit of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers and the high cost of living.

Other grounds include nepotism in the current administration, lack of consultations in the reconstitution of IEBC, broken promises and the legitimacy of Ruto's government.

By Wycliffe Nyamasege, PD