The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has endorsed Opposition Leader Raila Odinga's bid to be the next Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission as a show of patriotism. 

UDA's Secretary General Cleophas Malala in his endorsement refuted claims that the ruling party’s support for Raila’s bid is political.

The SG spoke during a press conference in Nairobi at a time President William Ruto was in Ethiopia attending the 37th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government. 

Lobbying for Raila’s candidature for the African Union top job is said to be one of the President’s main agendas at the summit that brings together Heads of State and governments from across the continent. 

In Nairobi, Malala who was flanked by city leaders and other party members officially expressed UDA's support for Raila’s latest endeavor terming the opposition leader a “true Pan-Africanist.”

He explained that the President Ruto-led UDA's resolve to throw its weight behind Raila’s bid was a patriotic decision and one made to bolster the country’s image at the continental stage.

“UDA welcomes Raila’s decision to take up the African Union position. He is a luminary and he deserves the position given his contribution to the continent. We are confident he will immensely contribute towards African unity,” said Malala. 

He added that Raila had over the years proved himself as a true Pan-Africanist; When Africa was going through dictatorship, Raila was there to condemn it. He also described Raila as one of Africa’s great sons who has played a big role in African democracy.

“UDA party is mindful of the need to come together as a country to support our own. Our party supporters are therefore asked to support Raila. This is not a political statement, it is a patriotic statement,” remarked Malala. By Josphat Thiong'o, The Standard

Statement from Refugees International’s senior advocate for women and girls Devon Cone and senior advocate for east and Southern Africa Abdullahi Boru Halakhe:

“Refugees International is alarmed by the rapid advancement of the M23, a militia group, towards the City of Goma, the capital of North Kivu in the east Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Last month, Refugees International visited camps for internally displaced people (IDP) in Goma and witnessed an already grave security and humanitarian situation.

Donor countries must urgently increase funding for a humanitarian response that was insufficient even before the latest conflict. Support is especially needed to prevent and treat gender-based violence.

During its recent visit, Refugees International saw the IDPs living in congested camps, with little food and significantly high levels of gender-based violence perpetrated by armed groups and government soldiers. Rape survivors who spoke with Refugees International said they received limited assistance, and they are still at risk of rape.

To avert further deterioration, the Eastern African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, should call for the cessation of hostilities by the M23, the Congolese Government allies, and other militias.

In the face of the deteriorating security situation, the United Nations Secretary-General – in consultation with France as the UN Security Council penholder on DRC – should call for an emergency UN Security Council session to explore putting diplomatic pressure on the M23 and the countries allegedly supporting them. In consultation with the DRC Government, the Council should consider slowing the planned draw down of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO).

In the last week, at least 135,000 people have arrived in the Goma IDP camps seeking safety and medical treatment for the injuries they have sustained because of the fighting. The latest round of fighting near Goma has triggered additional mass displacement and killing and sparked fear that the violence might soon reach the capital.

The situation in eastern DRC is already one of the worst protracted humanitarian and displacement crises in the world. The escalation of the conflict in recent days is exacerbating these dire circumstances, particularly in North Kivu, where at least 2.4 million people are displaced.”  By Devon Cone , Abdullahi Boru Halakhe, The Washington Times

DODOMA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania will starting in March scrap power rationing that began in December 2023, an official said on Friday in the national capital of Dodoma while reporting to the country's parliament.

Deputy Minister for Energy Judith Kapinga noted that as of Feb. 15, the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) has succeeded in undertaking trial runs for turbine number 9, adding that by March 2024 there will be two more turbines capable of generating 370 MW of electricity that will help reduce power rationing.

Tulia Ackson, the speaker of the parliament, directed the government to ensure that electricity rationing ends by June 2024.

The Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO), a government-owned company, announced in early December 2023 the start of the connection of electricity from the mega JNHPP to the national grid.

The connection of electricity to the national grid is one of the completion stages in the construction of the dam, which will help reduce and eventually eliminate power rationing, said TANESCO in a statement about ongoing power rationing caused by water decline in hydropower dams. - Xinhua