Botswana's former president appointed to panel of facilitators to steer inclusive dialogue. 

LUSAKA, Zambia

African leaders have endorsed a peace process to resolve the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with Botswana’s former President Mokgweetsi Masisi appointed to a panel of facilitators mandated to steer the inclusive dialogue.

The developments were announced Thursday in a communique following a virtual extraordinary joint summit the previous day of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The summit, which was co-chaired by Kenyan President and EAC chairperson William Ruto and Zimbabwean President and SADC chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa, called for the immediate mobilization of resources, including for humanitarian support, to be centralized and coordinated by the African Union Commission (AUC).

"The AUC will work with all other ongoing initiatives and stakeholders and inform them on the alignment of the African-led process. The joint extraordinary summit endorsed the terms of reference for the African Union (AU) mediator and the EAC-SADC panel of facilitators' consolidated African-led process and called for the AUC to endorse and lead its implementation," the communique said in part.

It said the summit commended efforts by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame for embracing the route of dialogue to address the conflict between the Congolese army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels which intensified in early 2025.

Joining Masisi on the panel of facilitators are former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, former Central African Republic (CAR) President Catherine Samba-Panza and former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde. By James Kunda, Anadolu Agency

Traders at the port of Mombasa have been caught in the crossfire of escalating trade wars between the United States and China as costs rise. The Kenya Ships Agents Association (KSAA) says that the ripple effects of the tariff wars between the world’s two superpowers have not spared East Africa.

“The region, which relies heavily on both Western and Asian markets for exports and imports, is grappling with indirect consequences, including rising import costs, volatile foreign exchange rates, and diminishing global demand for goods,” KSAA said. 

The association noted that while the spotlight remains on the economic superpowers, the East African Community has found itself unexpectedly caught in the crossfire.

The US administration under President Donald Trump imposed steep import tariffs on major trade partners, including China, Canada and the European Union, while the other countries, including China, swiftly raised their tariffs on US imports from 84 per cent to 125 per cent in retaliation. 

A KSAA newsletter, released by the chief executive officer, Elijah Mbaru, warns that the tit-for-tat trade measures have triggered widespread supply chain adjustments and left financial markets on edge with each new policy announcement. 

Mbaru said the Kenya Association of Manufacturers has raised concerns about the sector’s ability to maintain its export volumes in the face of rising production costs and diminishing competitiveness in the US market.

The lobby, which represents ship agents and shipping lines operating in the country, noted that Kenya’s textile and apparel industry, a flagship beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, is now bracing for a severe downturn.

“As a result, US buyers may increasingly turn to alternative suppliers in Asia or Latin America, potentially leading to a decline in order volumes and the closure of factories in Kenya,” KSAA warned.

KSAA also observed that Kenya’s horticultural exports, especially flowers and fresh produce to Europe, are facing growing challenges due to disrupted logistics, shifting demand, and stricter EU regulations. Increased compliance costs from tighter non-tariff barriers, such as stricter pest control and pesticide rules, have put pressure on exporters. By Patrick Beja, The Standard

Toronto – Ethiopia and Uganda held talks in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa as President Museveni visits Cairo where he attended “Egypt-Uganda Business Forum.” 

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday disclosed Mulimba John, Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs who is in charge of regional cooperation, held talks with  his counterpart Ambassador Hadera Abera.  

“The discussions focused on further deepening the longstanding bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on economic cooperation and regional peace and security,” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. 

On the part of Ethiopia, strengthening joint Ministerial Commission meetings  is emphasized as a mechanism to enhance partnership between the two countries.  The two counties have been having the ministerial commission for several decades now.  

Strengthening regional blocks like the Intergovernmental Authority on  Development (IGAD) as a means in the quest for the realization of the African Union Agenda 2023 was also highlighted on the part of Ethiopia. 

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was raised in the discussion as well. Ethiopia sees the importance of intensifying cooperation in the areas of business and investment. 

Mulimba John has reportedly expressed “Uganda’s commitment to reinforce previously signed agreements with the aim of advancing bilateral relations.”

Strengthening cooperation in the area of regional peace and security is another area where Uganda attaches great importance.  

Combatting terrorism and cooperation to “ensure the fair and equitable utilization of transboundary water resources, and advocate for African solutions to African problems,” are also areas Mulimba discussed.

Ethiopia and Uganda have many many years of diplomatic relations. Both countries are signatories of the Nile Basin Agreement – something that Egypt was angry about. 

Egypt has reportedly been undertaking diplomatic and political campaigns to foil the agreement which was not a success. 

During a meeting with Museveni in Cario this week, President El Sisi has reportedly said that he will not allow the Nile Water to be  touched, as reported by Ahram.  

 Ethiopia has been rejecting Egypt’s monopoly of the Nile water and advocating for equitable use of the longest river on earth. Uganda and Ethiopia seem to be on the same page when it comes to the use of Nile Water Resource – perhaps the reason why El-Sisi had to tell Museveni that it will not “allow the water to be touched.”  Borkena