May 17

• Somalia: Tensions Rise As Two Leaders Claim Jubbaland Presidency

  Ras Kamboni militia leader Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe was declared president of the nascent Jubbaland regional administration on Wednesday (May 15th), but shortly thereafter... Read more »

• Tanzania: Tanzanian Electoral Officials Address Biometric Voter Registration Concerns

  Tanzanian election officials reiterated intentions to use biometric voter registration for the 2015 elections and explained how the machines would be used, Tanzania's Daily News... Read more »

• Kenya: Mandera Residents Given Until Friday to Surrender Guns

  The deadline for Mandera residents to surrender illegal firearms has been extended to Friday (May 17th), Kenyan Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo announced Wednesday. Read more »

• Kenya: Kenya Addresses Human Rights Record, Torture in Report to United Nations

  In its second report to the United Nations Committee Against Torture, Kenya defended its human rights record and said legal protections against torture have improved the situation... Read more »

• Somalia: Somalia Gears Up to Resume Control of Airspace

  When the Somali federal government announced Monday that it was preparing to take control of its airspace by the end of the year, it was largely hailed as a positive move... Read more »

• Somalia: European Union to Train Somali Troops in Mogadishu

  The European Union Training Mission for Somalia (EUTM Somalia) opened its training operation in Mogadishu Wednesday (May 15th), in a move Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud... Read more »

• Somalia: Somali Parliamentarians Ask Shirdon, Cabinet Members to Seek Vote of Confidence

  At least 97 Somali lawmakers tabled a motion in parliament Wednesday (May 15th), asking Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon and his cabinet to seek a parliamentary vote of... Read more »

• Somalia: 13 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed in Ambush On Somali National Army

  The Somali National Army killed 13 al-Shabaab militants Tuesday (May 14th), rebuffing an al-Shabaab attack on the outskirts of Farwaley and Ara As in the Gedo region, UN-funded... Read more »

May 16

• Somalia: Somaliland Bans United Nations Flights From Its Airports

  The Somaliland administration has banned the United Nations from landing at or taking off from its airports, regional officials said Tuesday (May 14th). Read more »

• Kenya: Ruto Pledges to Co-Operate With International Criminal Court

  Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto on Tuesday (May 14th) promised his full co-operation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he faces charges of crimes against... Read more »

• Somalia: Shirdon Gives Go-Ahead for Somalia's 'New Deal'

  Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon gave the go-ahead on Tuesday (May 14th) to launch Somalia's "New Deal" agreement to help the government, donors and civil society groups... Read more »

• Somalia: Canada Restores Diplomatic Ties With Somalia

  Canada announced Tuesday (May 14th) it is restoring diplomatic relations with Somalia more than two decades after severing ties. Read more »

• Kenya: Kenyatta's Cabinet Approved, Sworn in

  All 16 cabinet members nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta were approved by parliament on Tuesday and sworn into office Wednesday (May 15th). Read more »

• Djibouti: Djibouti Workers Call for United Labour Front

  Djiboutian workers are calling on their country's two main labour unions to put their differences aside and unite to fight for their rights in the workplace. Read more »

• Kenya: Kenya Slow to Implement Police Reforms

  Nearly three years after Kenya began implementing police reforms, the country still has far to go to rid the force of corruption, favouritism in recruiting and other problems,... Read more »

• Tanzania: Tanzanian Civil Society Group Seeks to Halt Constitutional Review

  The Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF) will seek judicial intervention to stop the process of drafting a new constitution, Tanzania's The Citizen reported Tuesday (May 14th). Read more »

• Kenya: Kenyatta Orders New Equipment for Police Force

  Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered on Tuesday (May 14th) that 4 billion shillings ($47.8 million) be set aside annually for the purchase of new security equipment for police. Read more »

• Somalia: Saudi Paid U.S. $2.6 Million Ransom to Somali Pirates in 2011

  The Saudi owner of Algeria-flagged cargo ship MV Blida, which was captured and held by Somali pirates in 2011, has admitted to paying $2.6 million in ransom to secure the crew's... Read more »

• Kenya: Mandera Residents Surrender 10 Guns On Deadline

  Mandera residents surrendered 10 guns and more than 500 bullets following a police directive to surrender all illegal weapons by Wednesday (May 15th), Kenya's The Standard... Read more »

May 15

• Somalia: Somalia to Take Control of Airspace This Year

  The Somali government will take control of its own airspace by the end of 2013, Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications Abdullahi Ilmoge Hirsi said Monday (May 13th). Read more »

• Kenya: Demonstrators Release Pigs in Protest of Kenyan Lawmakers' Monetary Demands

  Kenyan demonstrators released two dozen piglets at the gates of parliament on Tuesday (May 14th), pouring blood on the pavement to protest wage hike demands by newly-elected... Read more »

• Kenya: Kenyan Police Crack Down On Mombasa Republican Council

  Kenyan police have launched a crackdown on the secessionist Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) and witchdoctors administering oaths to MRC youth, Kenya's Daily Nation reported Monday... Read more »

• Somalia: Somalia Taking Steps to Re-Open Embassies

  Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation is working to re-open embassies and diplomatic missions that have been closed since 1991, in an effort to align... Read more »

• Tanzania: Tanzania Works Ministry Requests Sh1.2 Trillion for Roads, Bridges

  Tanzania's Minister of Works John Magufuli on Monday (May 13th) requested more than 1.2 trillion shillings ($756 million) from parliament to support an ambitious agenda of road... Read more »

• Kenya: Kenyatta to Honour International Criminal Court Obligations

  Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Monday (May 13th) he had a "personal commitment" to clear his name by co-operating with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Read more »