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Withdrawal of the terminated Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – to start on as yet unspecified date – will be by road.

This is a point from discussion of a revised withdrawal plan at a meeting last Friday (11 April) attended by chiefs of the three defence forces that contributed troops and equipment to the mission. They are generals Rudzani Maphwanya (SA National Defence Force), Jacob Mkunda (Tanzania People’s Defence Force- TPDF) and Paul Phiri (Malawi Defence Force). Also present at the Dar es Salaam headquarters of the TPDF for the meeting was Professor Kula Theletsane, Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs.

Initial deployment for the mission, under the acronym SAMIDRC, was in December 2023 to the eastern DRC under the command of South African Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu. Its termination, to be followed by a phased withdrawal, was made public by the regional bloc on 13 March. The announcement came two months after all three SAMIDRC troop contributing countries (TCCs) reported deaths in action against M23 (Mouvement du 23 Mars) with South Africa – 14 – bearing the brunt.

On 6 February, two weeks after the fatalities during combat around Sake and Goma in North Kivu province, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera ordered his soldiers to start preparing for withdrawal from Goma and surrounds in the eastern DRC.

A one-page SAMIDRC communique date 11 April advised of a delay in the re-opening of Goma airport, stating it “could cause further delays” in the SAMIDRC withdrawal. It also noted withdrawal will be by road from Goma through Rwanda to the designated general assembly area of Chato in Tanzania, adding the SADC Secretariat will “engage” Rwanda to facilitate safe passage for SAMIDRC troops.

The three TCCs were tasked with “beefing up” the withdrawal planning element with operations, intelligence and logistics experts. They will be tasked to “conduct reconnaissance and develop instructions for withdrawal”.

The SADC planning elements will lead and direct the SAMIDRC Force Commander on formulating a withdrawal plan adhering to guidelines permitted by the TCCs.

The M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) claims SAMIDRC forces are carrying out joint operations with DRC government forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militia and other elements around Goma which, according to a 12 April statement by the M23, “violate the existing SADC agreements and delay therefore the rehabilitation of Goma airport; compel the AFC/M23 to demand the immediate withdrawal of SAMIDRC forces; and constrain us to demand the immediate surrender of FARDC troops stationed within Monusco facilities to our organisation.”

“Despite our restraint in response to these persistent criminal acts, the AFC/M23 finds itself compelled to reconsider its position to prioritise the security of the Congolese population and that of the SAMIDRC elements present in the liberated areas,” the statement said.

Fighting has been taking place north of Goma since last Tuesday. It is believed that DRC government forces and Wazalendo militia forces that retreated into the Virunga national park are clashing with M23 rebels in the area. It is highly unlikely that SAMIDRC forces are involved.

“Why would SAMIDRC conduct ops now? They’ve got a deal with M23 and are withdrawing, once Goma Airport is opened. I suspect it’s just the FARDC and supporters on an offensive, putting SAMIDRC at risk,” defence expert Dean Wingrin stated.

“Demanding an immediate withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops means they cannot be airlifted out. Would they have to depart via Kigali? What about all the equipment? Plans for an orderly and phased SAMIDRC departure are rapidly falling apart,” he stated.

A withdrawal by land complicates things for the SAMIDRC troops, as a long logistic trail through Rwanda was not something they were wanting. It is slow, rough roads and reliant on Rwanda to agree to the plan, Wingrin pointed out.

“It also appears Rwanda/M23 have set up anti-aircraft systems to repel any potential air attack near Goma/Sake, scared of a SAMIDRC attack. Nothing is confirmed, apart from M23 making up an excuse to cancel the original withdrawal agreement.”

African Defence Review Director Darren Olivier said that he has not heard anything that would substantiate the M23’s claim of SAMIDRC involvement in fighting around Goma. “My sources say the SAMIDRC troops in Goma and Sake remain in their bases with only limited logistics traffic. M23 appears to be inventing a reason to renege on the agreement.”

“At a guess, I suspect that the ongoing FARDC counter-offensive toward Goma may have spooked M23 leadership enough that they’re looking to remove disarmed SAMIDRC troops from their bases. Either to remove a perceived risk or to put pressure on SADC to pressure Kinshasa. Whatever the reason, this just made a safe and orderly withdrawal of SAMIDRC a more tenuous and less likely outcome. I would hope that diplomacy and cooler heads prevail.”

Olivier added that the M23’s demand that Monusco hand over surrendered FARDC troops within their bases is unexpected given that they know Monusco can’t comply with it. “It might be setting the stage for future clashes of some sort with Monusco, but it’s not yet clear why they’d want to.”

“The situation is deteriorating rapidly with the renewed fighting and M23’s reneging on the earlier ceasefire and withdrawal agreement it signed with SADC. Odds of a good outcome for SAMIDRC are shrinking fast,” according to Olivier. DefenceWeb

 

For the first in over a decade, the government is deploying judges, prosecutors, and investigators to Leer County in Unity State to deliver formal justice through a mobile court from 15 April to 9 May 2025.

The joint initiative of the Judiciary of South Sudan, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Unity State government is supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS.)

The Leer mobile court aims to address serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and forced and early marriage. To underscore the importance of justice delivery, the Governor of Unity State and senior representatives from the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), and National Prisons Service of South Sudan (NPSSS) are expected to join the opening of the court on 15 April.

The deployment follows the training of 20 new investigators in southern Unity, with a focus on handling SGBV and CRSV-related offences. On 28 March, UNMISS facilitated the advance deployment of prosecutors and investigators to begin receiving and processing criminal complaints. More than 60 cases had already been reported prior to the arrival of the court, and additional cases are expected to follow. The court is expected to handle a combination of criminal and civil matters.

“Mobile courts, while not a substitute for formal justice structures, play a vital and innovative role in restoring public faith in South Sudan’s rule of law architecture,” said Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Political), UNMISS.

The Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience (RSRTF) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Juba have provided financial resources for the Leer mobile court. UNMISS

Crime scene. [File courtesy]
 

The recent surge in murders and violent assaults in Bomet County has raised alarm, with community leaders expressing concern. Bomet Woman Representative Linet Chepkorir highlighted that many cases stem from family disputes.

“Hardly a week passes without a murder being reported in the county. This is worrying and requires a collective effort from all stakeholders,” stated Chepkorir.

She pointed out that many incidents involve family members, with several individuals already arrested and charged. Chepkorir attributed the rising death toll to poor communication within families, lack of trust, infidelity, domestic violence, and financial stress. 

“Infidelity can cause psychological trauma, especially for men, who often internalise their emotions. This can lead to violent behaviour, including murder, as individuals lash out in revenge,” she explained.

Konoin MP Brighton Yegon echoed these concerns, linking the rise in cases to depression. 

“Many people carry untold stories and lack someone to confide in, leading them to take drastic actions when they are overwhelmed,” Yegon remarked.

He also noted that socio-economic injustices contribute, as feelings of inadequacy can fuel anger, which may be directed inward or outward.

“To address this, we must focus on improving conflict resolution in households and enhance counselling services,” he added. 

These comments followed a tragic incident in Tachasis village where a 35-year-old man beheaded his two children, aged two and seven.

Bomet County Police Commandant Edward Imbwaga confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect used a kitchen knife to kill the children.  

Police reports revealed that the children's lifeless bodies were found in the kitchen, and their mother was not home at the time. Upon her return, she followed a blood trail into the kitchen and discovered the horrific scene, then contacted the police. Authorities recovered the suspected murder weapon, and the bodies were taken to Kapkatet Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem.

The suspect has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.  Last month, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) apprehended the main suspect  behind the gruesome murder of a Bomet businesswoman, Eva Rachealine Ruto. 

In a statement, the DCI revealed that the suspect was a disgruntled former lover of the victim.

“Bomet Central detectives have arrested the prime suspect in the brutal murder of the businesswoman, whose lifeless body was discovered on March 25, 2025,” stated the DCI.

The woman was found by her daughter in a pool of blood, with deep neck wounds and multiple stab injuries on her arms, chest, and back.

The daughter had been unable to reach her mother before the discovery.

Over a week after the crime, the suspect was located and arrested at a hideout in Sailo village, Kipkelion East Sub-County. Detectives, using forensic evidence, launched an intensive investigation that led to his capture. By Kiprono Kurgat |The Standard

The recent announcement of a UAE-based investor, Rowad Capital Commercial (RCC), acquiring a 60% stake in Uganda's national telecom entity, Uganda Telecommunications Corporation (UTel), has sparked a series of questions regarding the potential impacts and strategic direction of this partnership. 

Under the new agreement, Rowad Capital will hold a 60% share in UTel, while the Ugandan government will retain a 40% share — specifically, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development will hold 25%, and the Ministry of ICT will hold 15%. The partnership is set to initiate with an initial investment of $25 million, followed by an anticipated $200 million infusion over the next three years. The primary objective appears to be capitalizing UTel to enhance the management and commercialization of Uganda’s ICT National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI).

A significant aspect of this transition involves the termination of the existing contract with Soliton Telmec, a network planning and design firm contracted by the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) to oversee the NBI. The government's intent is to accelerate UTel's recapitalization without delaying the process, which suggests that Soliton Telmec will be compensated to conclude its involvement approximately three years ahead of schedule.

With UTel assuming control of the NBI, the government aims not only to provide services to public agencies but also to attract private sector clients, thereby hoping to enhance revenue generation for the organization.

A new UTel Board has been appointed, comprising representatives from both the government and RCC. This board will formalize the establishment of a bank account for the initial investment, marking the beginning of this partnership. African Wireless Communications

School Children in Uganda getting ready for a procession. Image by NSAMBA HERMAN on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed)

The educational landscape in Uganda is dominated by entrenched challenges that continue to hold the country back from its development goals. Problems such as substandard education, weak facilities, insufficiency of tutors, and financial challenges prevail. Despite these challenges, there are some models that have seen some success in the country of nearly 48 million people, and through these, Uganda has made tremendous progress in broadening access to education.

In this piece, we examine the specific context of Uganda's education system and consider how new models and institutions are making a way forward, creating resilience, and encouraging development.

The pervasive challenges

One of the educational barriers in Uganda is unequal access to education throughout society. Uganda has one of the highest rates of exclusion from education in the world. Around 20 percent of primary school children are not enrolled in school, and 12.5 percent of those who were enrolled in school are not attending classes. School charges, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities are some of the factors that contribute to these barriers. 

Another issue is that even for those in school, the quality of education is generally poor. Obsolete curricula, the absence of teaching materials, and untrained teachers are responsible for poor learning outcomes. In rural areas, it is more pronounced, further exacerbating the urban-rural divide. 

Finally, financial restraints and the cost of education are major barriers that prevent children from accessing education. Most households face rising and unpredictable school fees, which lead to students dropping out of school. 

Models for resilience and growth

Despite all these issues, several models have been created to promote resilience and growth that have proven successful in Uganda's educational landscape:

UniHouse's Holistic Approach: UniHouse is a global education, training, and career development solutions firm founded in 1999. It collaborates with governments and organizations to offer programs across diverse economic and cultural settings, empowering individuals and companies. 

BRAC Uganda: BRAC has developed education interventions among marginalized children, especially girls, through community schools and mentoring. The Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers and support among adolescent girls have shown measurable gains in learning outcomes.

Educate!: This social enterprise empowers Uganda's secondary school students with entrepreneurship and leadership skills through experiential education. By integrating practical business skills into the curriculum, Educate! closes the gap between education and employment.

School for Life Foundation: Emphasizing rural and poor communities, School for Life provides high-quality primary education with increased emphasis on community participation, teacher training, and infrastructural improvement.

War Child Holland: Based in conflict zones in Uganda, War Child runs fast-tracked learning programmes and psychosocial support for out-of-school or missed year children because of trauma or displacement.

STiR Education: Working with education ministries, STiR supports teacher motivation and innovation. In Uganda, it runs peer-led professional development networks that encourage reflective practice and continuous improvement among educators.

Strategic advisory services

Strategic advisory services are critical to solving Uganda's education problems and facilitating sustainable development. 

Officials must be strategic about policy formulation and implementation, as effective policy is key to enhancing Uganda's education system. This includes updating teacher recruitment and training policy, inclusive curricula that are sensitive to local contexts and languages, and eliminating the hidden school fees that discourage enrolment.

Another potential avenue for improving Uganda's educational sector is public-private partnerships. Governments and the private sector can work together to bridge gaps in resources, especially in school facilities, e-learning, and vocational training. Partnerships can also facilitate the creation of curricula that are aligned with the needs of the labour market, improving employability among young people and giving them skills that match market needs. 

Finally, Uganda should invest in capacity-building initiatives. In-service professional development for teachers and school administrators is essential. Programs that support instructional leadership, school governance, and classroom management can positively affect learning environments.

While there are considerable challenges to Uganda's education system, there are also clear ways forward. Companies and organizations like UniHouse and Shimizu Corporation and grassroots programs like BRAC Uganda, Educate!, and STiR Education provide scalable models for strengthening education systems. With strategic policy reforms, cross-sector coordination, and investment in capacity building, Uganda can create a more resilient and equitable education system. This, in turn, sets a solid foundation for broader socio-economic growth and long-term national development. By Mohamed Mohamud, Global Voices

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