KENYA: Kenyatta sworn in as Kenya's new President
Kenya’s new President, Uhuru Kenyatta, was sworn in to office as Kenya’s fourth President on Tuesday April 9, 2013 in Nairobi in an event that was graced by at least 15 African heads of state and government and several foreign dignitaries, notably South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma, Nigerai’s Jonathan Goodluck, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete among others. Mr. Kenyatta who is facing trial at the International Criminal Court after he was indicted for allegedly funding a local militia that conducted reprisal attacks during the 2007 post-election violence became the first president to take office under the new constitutional dispensation. It remains to be seen how the new administration will deal with The Hague process and its foreign policy especially towards the West.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR): CAR 'president' vows to respect council vote
Michel Djotodia, Central African Republic's self-appointed president, has said he will step down if not selected by a council created to choose an interim president to lead the transitional government until elections are held within 18 months. However, it was not immediately clear how quickly the participants would choose a transitional leader, though the establishment of a selection process appeared aimed at solidifying Djotodia's credentials as president. Djotodia led the overthrow of President Francois Bozize in a coup on March 24 that was condemned by United States, and came at the cost of sanctions.
The CAR has been wracked by a series of coups and rebellions since its independence from France in 1960. The recent coup comes barely three months after a formal ceasefire on 11th January 2013 following three days of fruitful talks in Gabon's capital Libreville mediated by neighbouring countries that ended up in a deal that led to the incorporation of the opposition to form a Government of National Unity.
MALI: France urges Mali to stick to election date
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has urged Mali to stick to its July 7 date for presidential elections and complete the democratic transition. However, many remain deeply sceptical about the July poll date because it's unclear how the country could hold the ballot in the rural areas where al-Qaeda linked militants are still active.
The once-democratic nation of Mali fell into turmoil last year following a military coup that created a power vacuum which allowed fighters with ties to al-Qaeda to invade the north of Mali. France launched a military intervention three months ago and has liberated the three main towns in the north. French troops have started withdrawing from the country and handing over the responsibility of security back to Malian troops. According the French government, the number of French troops in Mali will be halved to 2,000 by the time of a presidential election in July.
DR CONGO: M23 rejects UN intervention brigade
The leader of the M23 rebel group, Bertrand Bisimwa, said the group will fight back against a new UN "intervention brigade" if it entered the M23 controlled areas. Welcoming the resumption of peace talks in Kampala, he said the country's problems could only be solved through domestic approaches.
The UN brigade last month approved and authorised to use force to end the rebellion. The Intervention Brigade is to be made up of 2,000-3,000 troops from South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania, and is mandated to operate "in a robust, highly mobile and versatile manner" to ensure that armed groups cannot seriously threaten government authority or the security of civilians.
ZIMBABWE: Mugabe Drops the 29 June Election Date
President Robert Mugabe has dropped plans to proclaim the dates for harmonized elections on or before 29th June. This development favours Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who has rejected attempts by Mugabe to call elections by the end of June without first putting fundamental reforms in place. Following transitional changes to the constitution, in order to clarify the next process regarding the election date, the Constitutional Select Committee (COPAC) agreed that the date of the forthcoming elections be made by consensus and not by Mugabe alone.
The general elections will be the first to be held under the new constitution which was approved by 94.5% of voters in a referendum in March 2013. The new constitution limits the President to two five-year terms in office and prevents him from vetoing legislation passed by Parliament. It establishes an independent prosecuting authority, a peace and reconciliation commission and an anti-corruption commission. The constitution also allows for dual citizenship, but prevents any legal challenges to the land reform programme.