As of 1 January 2025, the African nation of Zambia has expanded its’ visa-exempt list to include 53 more countries.
This brings the total number of countries that no longer require a visa to enter Zambia for tourism or trade to 167.
According to Tourism Update, the waiver is a continuation of the Zambian government’s efforts to make the nation a key player in the global economy, following a similar visa waiver for 43 countries in 2022.
“The visa waiver is a direct response to President Hichilema’s call for Zambia to diversify its economy and attract international visitors. By lowering barriers to entry, the Government is not only aiming to increase the number of tourists but also to create new opportunities for trade and investment.” the Zambian government said in a statement.
Which are the additional countries?
The 53 countries added to visa waiver list includes:
China on Thursday confirmed an mpox outbreak traced to an individual with a travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The center said the outbreak was caused by a source “traced to a foreign individual with a travel history in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
“Four related cases were identified among close contacts, all of whom were infected after intimate contact,” it added, noting that there were no such infections among the general population.
The infected individuals are receiving medical treatment and remain under observation. “The outbreak has been effectively controlled,” said the center, advising people to avoid contact with wild or unidentified rodents as well as primates, such as monkeys and apes.
Mpox cases have been rising in Africa since early 2024, prompting urgent measures at the continental level.
Congo remains the worst-hit country, with the World Health Organization declaring mpox a public health emergency of global concern last August. More than 1,300 suspected mpox-related deaths have been reported in Africa. By Riyaz ul Khaliq, Anadolu Agency
Families of missing Mlolongo friends overwhelmed during court proceedings on Jan 8, 2025.[David Gichuru, Standard]
The families of four men who went missing from Mlolongo, Machakos County, are in anguish after their loved ones were forcibly taken on December 16 and 17 last year. The men have not been seen or heard from since.
Among the missing is 29-year-old Kalani Muema, a second-hand bag seller in Mlolongo. He was reportedly abducted along with his friends Martin Nziuku, Justus Mutumwa, and Steve Mbisi, who was taken the following day.
Yesterday, the High Court issued fresh orders requiring Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed Amin to personally appear in court next week and account for the whereabouts of the four men.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued, directing the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Criminal Investigations, in their official and personal capacities, to immediately and unconditionally release Mutumwa, Mwau, Muema, and Kavingo,” Justice Mwita ordered.
Should the authorities fail to comply, the judge instructed that a writ of habeas corpus be issued, compelling IG Kanja and DCI Director Amin to personally produce the individuals before the court.
Speaking to The Standard, Monica Mwende, Muema’s sister, recounted the harrowing discovery of her brother’s disappearance. She first realised something was wrong when she was unable to reach him on the phone for several days.
“When I couldn’t get through to him, we decided to check on his whereabouts. Neighbours, where he had set up his business, told us that my brother and two others were forcibly taken by armed, masked men, who bundled them into two Toyota Harrier vehicles,” said Mwende.
Mwende described her brother as hardworking and disciplined, with no history of criminal activity. She said the four missing men were close friends, and their sudden disappearance had devastated the entire family.
Her mother, she said, had fallen ill and is unable to speak due to the shock and distress.
“At the time of his abduction, we were planning to visit our parents. The last time I spoke to my brother was on December 15, 2024. When his phone went off the next day, I became worried. None of my relatives had heard from him either. When I visited his business premises, I was told he had been arrested and never returned,” she added.
The family reported the incident to Mlolongo Police Station, but were told the men were not in police custody. Mwende said they have since visited various hospitals and morgues in search of their loved ones, but have found no trace of them.
The abduction of Mbisi on December 17 was equally traumatic. According to his wife, armed men stormed their home while Mbisi was taking a shower.
“I was in the bedroom when I heard footsteps in the house. When I came out, I saw a man who ordered me to return to the bedroom. They forced Mbisi to dress hurriedly before taking him away. There were four men, all armed and wearing face masks and caps to cover their faces,” she said.
Stacy Mutua, Mbisi’s sister, said the family is pleading with whoever is holding him to release him.
“We hoped they would bring him to court today, but it didn’t happen. We are devastated because we don’t know where he is, who has him, or whether he is safe. We’re just hoping and praying he will be released,” she said.
The disappearances come amid a wave of abductions by people suspected to be government operatives. These incidents have raised concerns about efforts to silence those critical of the administration of President William Ruto.
On Monday, five men who had been abducted in December were released in different parts of the country, sparking hope among the Mlolongo families that their loved ones would also be found alive. However, days later, there has been no word on the whereabouts of the four.
Mwende urged the government to intervene, emphasising that if the men are in police custody, their families have the right to be informed.
“If they committed any offence, let them be taken to court and face the law. But at least let us know where they are,” said Mwende. By Emmanuel Kipchumba, The Standard
Amnesty International on Wednesday urged Ugandan authorities to overturn a military tribunal’s decision and release lawyer Eron Kiiza, who has been convicted of contempt of court without trial.
Kiiza was arrested after reportedly shouting at a court martial after being denied entry to the reserved space for lawyers when attempting to represent opposition leader Kizza Basigye at a court hearing. Activists and human rights groups have condemned the arrest and continue to advocate for Kiiza’s release. Following the military tribunal’s decision, he has been sentenced to nine months in prison.
The lack of a fair trial in Kiiza’s case amounts to breaches of Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), of which Uganda is a party. Amnesty International noted that several lawyers representing Besigye, including Kiiza, have frequently reported harassment by military personnel, including being denied the ability to provide sufficient legal representation.
Kiiza is widely recognized for his human rights and environmental advocacy, including his representation of human rights activist Nicholas Opiyo and his involvement in campaigns and cases promoting environmental conservation in Uganda. These efforts earned him a nomination for the European Union Human Rights Defender of the Year Award in 2022, as well as an award for Central Uganda Human Rights Defender of the year.
In November 2024, Besigye was forcibly taken from Kenya and charged by a Ugandan military tribunal, alongside fellow opposition politician Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, with unlawful possession of firearms. This is not the first time Besigye has been subject to criminal charges, related to his involvement in anti-government protests within the state. Besigye denied his charges and his legal team challenged the tribunal’s jurisdiction to prosecute him on these grounds.
Although Uganda holds regular elections, their legitimacy has been widely questioned. The ruling party and its leader, Yoweri Museveni, have maintained power since 1986. During this period, opposition candidates, including Besigye, have frequently faced intimidation, harassment, and arrests on what have been described as “spurious” criminal charges. By Zara Thomas, Jurists News
The Local Government in Warrap State has rejected the recent quarterly report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) that documented significant levels of communal violence across the country.
The UNMISS report, released on Monday, informed that hundreds of incidents affecting civilians, including conflict-related sexual violence, occurred between July and September 2024.
According to the report, Warrap State accounted for 60 percent of the total civilian casualties during the period, marking the highest number of victims killed and injured. However, the report also highlighted that the majority of abductions, constituting 69 percent, took place in Central Equatoria State.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Warrap State Information Minister William Wol acknowledged that parts of the state have experienced communal conflicts in recent years but argued that the UNMISS figures were inflated. He emphasized that in recent months, violence has decreased due to the flooding in the region and the deployment of security forces.
“We have deployed forces from SSPDF’s Division 11, and as a result, there is now relative peace in the Greater Tonj East area,” he stated. “So, the UN or UNMISS has exaggerated the figures, placing Warrap State at 60 percent of communal violence across the nation.”
The UNMISS report also noted ongoing tensions between government security forces and splinter groups of the National Salvation Front, which continue to pose a threat to security and the protection of civilians across the Greater Equatoria region. Radio Tamazuj
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