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The Republic of Zimbabwe will host the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 34th Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Trade (CMT) and 24th Meeting of the Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Regional Economic Integration in Harare on 5th June 2025.

The meetings will be opened and chaired by Honourable Prof. Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of SADC Council of Ministers in his capacity as the Chairperson of the 34th CMT and 24th MTF.

The Committee of Ministers of Trade will, amongst other trade matters, discuss the analysis of Top 10 SADC Imports and Exports and the Geopolitical developments related to the imposition of new tariffs on imported products and their implications on the SADC region. They will also discuss progress in the implementation of the decisions of the 33rd meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Trade; implementation and consolidation of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA), accession of Member States to the SADC Protocol on Trade and elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers; Additionally, the Meeting will discuss the implementation of various trade-related frameworks and instruments that are aimed at facilitating intra-regional trade in the region such as the SADC Regional Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Framework, SADC Regional Customs to Business Framework and SADC e-Certificate of Origin (eCoO).

The Ministerial Task Force will, among other regional issues, discuss the progress made in the implementation of the decisions of the 23rd Ministerial Task Force meeting which was held in July 2023; receive an update on the implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063), a regional strategy whose primary orientation is technological and economic transformation of the SADC region through industrialization, modernization, skills development, science and technology, financial strengthening and deeper regional integration.

Specifically, the Ministerial Task Force will review and discuss progress on the pillars of the Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063 namely, Industrialisation, Competitiveness, Regional Integration and Cross-Cutting issues with the overall objective of driving the SADC Industrialisation Agenda to spur economic growth and poverty eradication in the region. 

The 34th Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Trade and 24th Meeting of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration will be preceded by the meeting of Senior Officials on 2-3 June 2025.

SADC is an organisation of 16 Member States established in 1980 as the Southern African Development Coordinating Conference (SADCC) and later, in August1992, transformed into the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The mission of SADC is to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through efficient, productive systems, deeper cooperation and integration, good governance and durable peace and security; so that the region emerges as a competitive and effective player in international relations and the world economy.

The 16 Member States are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. South African Development Community

 

The National Assembly will conduct approval hearings for the nominees for Chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) this Saturday, 31st May 2025.

This is after the National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula directed the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) to proceed with the exercise, which had been temporarily stopped following a petition challenging the legality of the selection process.

The High Court had earlier issued conservatory orders stopping the gazettement of the nominees and their swearing-in.

“IT IS NOTIFIED to the general public that, pursuant to Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), and further to the Notification made on 12th May, 2025, the Departmental Committee on Justice and Constitutional Affairs shall conduct Approval Hearings (Vetting) of the nominees on Saturday 315′ May 2025 in the Mini Chamber, First Floor, County Hall, Parliament Buildings from 9:30 am”, reads a notification from the Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge,

The Committee will then be required to submit its report supporting or opposing the nominations to the House.

During a National Assembly session Thursday, Wetang’ula stated that no one has the power to contest or stop its proceedings, but only the outcome. 

“For avoidance of doubt, nobody has the power under any law or our Constitution to injunct Parliament from doing its work,” he said.

He added, “I direct the JLAC Committee to proceed without hesitation and vet the nominees for chairman and members of IEBC and bring the report to this House. Any aggrieved party, whether in the Judiciary, the Executive or the general public, can then go to court and challenge.”

On May 8th, President Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the next IEBC chairperson. He also named Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla as commissioners.

Below is the schedule:

  By Margaret Kalekye, KBC

African Chiefs of defence Conference held at State House in Nairobi, Kenya on May 28, 2025.[PCS]
 

President William Ruto has called on militaries in Africa to forge closer cooperation and partnerships to deal with security risks facing the continent.

The President stated that stronger ties between African defence institutions would support peace operations and better prepare the continent for the emerging threats of the 21st Century.

Delivering the keynote speech at the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Conference in Nairobi on Wednesday, President Ruto said: "When one country or region falters, the impact ripples across borders, affecting livelihoods, economies and the promise of development."

 

He went on: "True security in Africa, therefore, must be continental in ambition and collaborative in execution."

This year's conference is co-sponsored by the governments of Kenya and the United States. 

The event, which brings together 38 chiefs of defence from across the continent, marks the second time the conference is being held in Africa.

Present were Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, US Embassy in Kenya Charge d'Affaires Mark Dillard, US Africa Command Commander General Michael Langley, and Senegal's Minister of Armed Forces General Birame Diop.

President Ruto said this year's theme, 'Strengthening African Security, Sustaining Unity of Effort,' reflects the reality that the continent's security is interlinked. 

"For Africa to thrive, we must deepen our investment in unity, not just as a diplomatic ideal, but as a practical strategy for resilience," he said.

The President reaffirmed that Kenya remains fully committed to regional peace and stability. By PCS |

 

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Kenya Sultan Hajiyev met with Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula.

Ambassador Hajiyev highlighted the friendly relations that have developed between the two countries over the past 20 years. He noted that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to interparliamentary cooperation with Kenya and emphasized the ongoing collaboration between the two countries on international platforms.

Speaker Moses Wetang’ula stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation at the legislative level and welcomed initiatives aimed at expanding bilateral ties.

Ambassador Hajiyev also underlined Kenya's active participation in COP29, held in Azerbaijan, and praised the growing engagement between the two nations in addressing global issues.

Speaker Wetang’ula hailed Azerbaijan's experience in organizing international events.

The ambassador also informed the Speaker about humanitarian projects carried out in Kenya by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA). He noted that scholarships awarded to Kenyan students through the International Education Grant Program—launched in memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev—are contributing to the strengthening of people-to-people ties. AZERTAC State News

The sixth edition of the Inclusive Africa Conference, meant to tackle the urgent need for digital accessibility and inclusive innovation across Africa, is set to take place from June 3 to 5, 2025, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

The conference that is hosted by inABLE, will focus on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing assistive technologies.

According to a statement, the conference will convene global tech leaders including Google, Microsoft, Uber, Intuit, Meta alongside government agencies, innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, educators, organizations of persons with disabilities, and the Mastercard Foundation to explore bold, scalable solutions for advancing digital accessibility across Africa.

With this years theme being, “Scaling Digital Accessibility through Innovation & Entrepreneurship,” the conference will focus on how artificial intelligence is being incorporated as a catalyst for assistive technology solutions across sectors, including financial, education, travel, and public transport.

A selected cohort of 15 innovators will pitch their assistive technology solutions to possible funders and venture capitalists.

In a statement, Irene Mbari-Kirika, Founder and Executive Director of inABLE, said, “In today’s increasingly digital world, accessibility is not a luxury or an afterthought but a fundamental human right and a critical foundation for full economic participation. We will also observe the World Day for Assistive Technology during the conference.”

The conference will further highlight the ongoing harmonization of ICT Accessibility policies for people with disabilities in Africa, focusing on the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, signed by the Kenyan President, Dr. William Ruto, in May 2025.

This progressive bill provides a comprehensive legal framework for the rights and protection of persons with disabilities,
aligning with the Kenyan Constitution and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Inclusive Africa Conference is a continental platforms for advancing digital accessibility and inclusive innovation.

The annual conference launched in 2020 by inABLE, brings together diverse stakeholders, including persons with disabilities, global tech companies, policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and civil society, to explore scalable solutions that promote equal access to the digital world.

The conference fosters collaboration, showcases assistive technologies, and influences policy change through high level discussions, live demonstrations, pitch sessions, and networking forums. By Christine Muchira , KBC

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