KIGALI, Rwanda 

The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights declared itself competent Thursday to hear a case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo against Rwanda, dismissing preliminary objections raised by Kigali.

The ruling by the continental Tanzania-based court paves the way for a full hearing into alleged human rights abuses linked to the conflict in eastern Congo.

Eleven judges of the court unanimously declared that the court has full jurisdiction to hear the case, rejecting a submission by Rwanda which had said it lacked the competence.

Citing provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the court declared the case Democratic Republic of Congo vs Republic of Rwanda admissible and required Rwanda to submit its responses on the merits within 90 days.

Rwanda during the initial hearing also argued that the Congo’s request is largely based on information relayed by the press, hence weakening its credibility.

The case came amid a raging conflict sparked by the M23 rebel group’s offensive in eastern Congo.

Congo filed the case in 2023, alleging serious human rights violations and aggression by Rwanda in eastern Congo since 2022.

Congo has asked the court to mandate Rwanda to remove its forces, stop supporting the M23 as well as violating human rights, provide reparations, and let the court decide on compensation and cover all costs.

The violence in eastern Congo has left more than 7,000 people dead so far this year, according to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, while the number of displaced people has climbed to over 7.8 million according to UN figures. By  James Tasamba Anadolu Agency

IEA News

Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), a leading Pan-African multilateral development bank committed to financing and advancing housing, urban, and related infrastructure development, has signed a USD 15 million loan agreement with Banque Mauritanienne de l'Investissement (BMI) to finance affordable housing in Mauritania.

This transaction, signed Monday in Nouakchott, Mauritania, is part of the ShafDB's strategy to promote access to decent housing for low- and middle-income populations in Africa, and will strengthen Mauritania's housing finance ecosystem, particularly for under-served populations.

The loan will be used to co-finance the construction of 1,000 homes in the town of ZOUÉRATT and the servicing of 1,000 plots in the commune of TEVRAGH ZEINA for the diaspora and residents.

Commenting on the agreement, Shelter Afrique Development Bank Managing Director Mr Thierno-Habib Hann noted that ShafDB and the BMI shared a similar vision: to help the diaspora and residents of the town of ZOUÉRATT to build their own homes.

"This partnership with BMI will make it possible to offer affordable and decent housing to low-income households, filling part of the 50,000 housing deficit in Mauritania in a context where urbanisation is growing at a rate of 4%," said Mr Hann," said Mr. Hann.

BMI Managing Director Mohamed Yahya Sidi welcomed the agreement, saying his institution was honoured to work with Shelter Afrique Development Bank to finance affordable housing projects in Mauritania.  

"This partnership strengthens our commitment to Mauritania's socio-economic development, broadens our inclusive housing finance solutions, and confirms our support for the country's ambitious urban development programme," said Mr. Sidi.

Through this partnership, it is estimated that around 5,000 jobs will be created, 12,400 people will benefit from the project and 2,000 households will gain access to housing.

Established in 1981 in Lusaka, Zambia, Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) is a Pan-African Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) dedicated to promoting and financing sustainable green housing, urban development and related infrastructure. It operates through a shareholding of 44 African governments and two institutional shareholders: African Development Bank (AfDB) and African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re).

The institution is involved in financing housing and related infrastructure across the value chain, both on the demand and supply sides, through its four (4) business lines: Financial Institutions Group (FIG), the Project Finance Group (PFG), the Sovereign and Public-Private partnerships (PPP) Group, and the Fund Management Group (FMG).  

By Charles Kyalo

Kenya continues to face significant unemployment challenges, with the unemployment rate estimated at 12.7 percent in 2024. Kenyan youth feel the greatest impact of this unemployment, with youth unemployment soaring to 67 percent. The unemployment crisis in Kenya calls for urgent action, particularly for youth between 15 and 24, whose unemployment rate is 13.4 percent. 

In 2025, projections show a modest rise in general unemployment to 7.23 percent, translating to nearly 1.95 million unemployed people. The social and economic impacts of unemployment in Kenya include poverty, crime, and religious extremism, such as the Shakahola tragedy. To address unemployment, the government should redefine and fully implement the competency-based curriculum (CBC), aligning the CBC with industry needs, fostering entrepreneurship through tax incentives and deregulation, and encouraging public-private partnerships in the manufacturing industry.     

Initiatives that address skills development, job creation, and economic diversification are critical. Unemployment in Kenya and across Africa remains an economic burden on young people and families facing high costs of living. Systemic hurdles, rapid population increases, and inadequate job generation mechanisms are contributing to youth unemployment.

The CBC focuses on developing learners' skills, knowledge, and attitude rather than just academic performance. The CBC emphasizes practical learning, creativity, and problem-solving to prepare students for real-world applications. The government should equip schools with adequate modern infrastructure, and recruit teachers to cover the existing student-to-teacher gap. 

At the tertiary level, the Ministry of Education should work on creating sustainable industry linkages for internships and mentorship programs. These programs offer hands-on experience and contribute to developing curricula aligned with both employers' needs and practical skills for successful self-employment.

Additionally, the government can foster entrepreneurship through tax incentives and deregulation by simplifying business registration, lowering taxes, and establishing accessible funding schemes for young entrepreneurs and startups. Jua Kali, for example, can be boosted by simplifying licensing processes and access to affordable microfinance. 

Financial institutions need to develop startup-specific lending products. Young graduates from vocational centres and tertiary institutions can achieve self-employment by leveraging entrepreneurship incubator programs. Programs targeting university and technical institution students offer business development training and provide minimal viable tools to set up shop. 

Furthermore, regulatory bodies like the Central Bank of Kenya, Business Registration Service of Kenya, and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) should remove bureaucratic processes and actions limiting small business. As of 2024, KRA has accrued up to 16 billion Kenyan Shillings in unpaid tax refunds. This action undermines Kenya's business-friendly environment, turning away potential investors and costing the country jobs.

The government can apply public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the manufacturing industry. PPPs have great potential to create jobs, support vocational training, and boost local production through export processing zones and industrial parks. The Kenyan government can accelerate growth in infrastructure, industrial development, energy, and healthcare. Leveraging the private sector's expertise, efficiency, and financial resources is key to achieving this growth.

To maximize PPPs, the Kenyan government should ensure transparency, clear accountability frameworks, and promote public involvement in decision-making. Strengthening governance around PPPs can restore public trust and make them a key driver of job creation and economic growth. 

By fully adopting a tailored CBC, Kenya can equip youth for opportunities in manufacturing, production, and self-employment. Policy reviews and investing in people through PPPs will create jobs and promote inclusive economic growth. Charles Kyalo is a writing fellow at African Liberty. 

In the wake of violence that marred the June 25 protests, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen sparked a storm with his directive to police: shoot anyone attempting to storm a station.

He made the remarks on Thursday, June 26, 2025, during a tour of several damaged police facilities. The reaction was swift, jeers, boos, immediate questions. 

But the real issue isn’t his choice of words; it’s the blurred boundary between legal force and lethal overreach.

Legal thresholds, not emotions

To be clear, the chaos was real. Police stations were set ablaze, firearms looted, and officers overwhelmed by organised attacks disguised as protest.

These weren’t symbolic demonstrations, they were targeted strikes on the state’s security nerve centers. But even in the face of such aggression, is a blanket shoot-to-kill order justifiable?

Kenya’s legal framework offers a measured view. The Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service Act (2011) outlines how and when an officer can use lethal force. 

The instruction is deliberate: attempt non-violent means first. Firearms are a last resort, only when necessary to protect life or in defense against imminent danger.

Even then, the response must be proportional and preceded by a clear warning, unless doing so risks greater harm.

Between law and overreach

The Constitution reinforces these boundaries. Article 26(2) guarantees every individual’s right to life, while Article 238(2) mandates that national security must uphold the rule of law and human rights.

These aren’t theoretical ideals, they are binding standards. When a public official instructs police to bypass those protections without due process, it invites a dangerous culture of impunity.

Murkomen’s statement “Anyone who approaches a police station should be shot” wasn’t simply a lapse in rhetoric.

It risked collapsing the nuance between law enforcement and state violence, especially when issued amid heightened tension and emotional grief. 

Public on edge

These directives also endanger the very officers they intend to protect. Police who follow such orders without verifying their legality can be held personally liable.

They risk disciplinary action, lawsuits, or even criminal prosecution for unlawful use of force, regardless of rank or instruction.

Moreover, blanket orders breed fear, mistrust, and retaliation. They erode community cooperation, embolden rogue responses, and shift the security lens from service to suppression.

Kenya must tread carefully. Upholding order should never mean discarding the Constitution. The fight for national stability must include an equally fierce defence of human rights. By William Muthoka, People Daily