Kenya

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Politics

Kenyan President William Ruto unveiled his new Cabinet, granting four high-ranking cadres of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, or ODM, key ministerial portfolios, Nation reported on July 24.

Kenya: Ruto Names Opposition Figures for Key Portfolios in New Cabinet

Nigeria

Uganda

Nigerian police chief Kayode Egbetokun warned that Nigeria was at risk of facing Kenya-style "Gen Z" protests amid calls by young Nigerians to protest on Aug. 1 on social media using #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, Reuters reported on July 23.

Africa: Kenya's 'Gen Z' Protests Risk Spreading Elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa 

United States

Principal Secretary of Kenya's National Treasury Chris Kiptoo stated that the Kenyan government had begun talks with the International Monetary Fund for a new support program, Bloomberg reported on July 22.

Kenya: Government in Talks With IMF on New Support Package 

Haiti

Haitian and Kenyan police officers on July 17 clashed with gang members and successfully regained control of the Autorite Portuaire Nationale port, or APN, Port-au-Prince's main port, which has been under the control of gang members since March 6, Nation reported on July 19.

Haiti: Haitian and Kenyan Officers Recapture Port-au-Prince's Main Port

Kenya deployed 200 more police officers to Haiti, bringing the total number of Kenyan police officers in the country to around 600, Radio France Internationale reported on July 16.

Kenya: Nairobi Deploys 200 More Police Officers to Haiti Despite Persisting 'Gen Z' Protests

Kenyan President William Ruto sacked almost all members of his Cabinet, although Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will retain their current positions, Nation reported on July 11.

Kenya: Ruto Sacks Cabinet Following Talks With Opposition Leader Raila Odinga 

Credit rating agency Moody's downgraded Kenya's credit rating from B3 to Caa1, Bloomberg reported on July 9. 

Kenya: Moody's Downgrades Kenyan Debt Deeper Into Junk

In a July 5 live address, Kenyan President William Ruto announced that the National Treasury would reduce public spending by approximately $1.4 billion and would borrow the remaining amount to cover a deficit equivalent to 4.6% of the country's GDP for the fiscal year ending in June 2025.

Kenya: President Announces Austerity Measures Following Deadly Nationwide Protests

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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Biden's exit from the U.S. presidential race will free him to pursue more aggressive action against Russia over Ukraine and increase pressure on Israel to end its war with Hamas. 

What To Expect from Biden's Foreign Policy Farewell Tour

Snapshots

Protesters participate in a nationwide rally against a controversial tax bill in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, on June 27, 2024. 

The Kenyan government axed its $2.3 billion tax plan amid mass deadly protests, but budget cuts to offset the revenue shortfall could reignite protests and potentially derail Nairobi's fiscal consolidation plans.

In Kenya, Scrapped Tax Hikes Put the Government in a Bind

Somalia

U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pose with Kenyan President William Ruto (center), alongside his wife and children, as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House on May 23, 2024. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

For Kenya, stronger ties with the U.S. could unlock new investment and diplomatic opportunities, but bilateral relations could weaken if Nairobi draws down its police deployment in Haiti, or if Trump reenters the White House.

What To Expect From Stronger U.S.-Kenya Ties

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Zambia

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South Korea

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (R) speaks as Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (L), chair of the African Union, listens during a joint press conference following the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit in Goyang, South Korea, on June 4, 2024.

Energy

A recent summit highlights South Korea's commitment to expanding its role in Africa as Yoon looks to strengthen his country's technological future and geopolitical influence.

In South Korea, Yoon's Desire for Supply Chains and Prestige Points to Africa

Taiwan

Spain

Ireland

Taiwanese President-elect William Lai (C) on Jan. 13 in Taipei, Taiwan. Lai will officially begin his four-year presidency May 20.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Kenya's President Visits Washington, Lai Inaugurated in Taiwan

A protester burns tires during a demonstration in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 12, 2024, after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his plans to resign. 

For Kenya, sending police officers to the gang-ridden Caribbean country will likely help it boost ties with the West if the mission is a success, but it risks triggering public backlash at home.

What a Planned Police Deployment to Haiti Means for Kenya

Haitian police officers deploy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 9, 2024. 

The government's political transition plan is unlikely to improve the gang-ridden country's deteriorating security crisis, while the potential deployment of U.N.-backed troops may temporarily make it worse.

What's Happening in Haiti?

United Arab Emirates

OPEC headquarters on June 3, 2023, in Vienna. OPEC+ will meet Nov. 26 to decide whether to deepen production cuts.

Social Issues

The Weekly Rundown: Climate Negotiations at COP28, OPEC+ Meets Following an Oil Sell-off

Turkey

Indonesia

India

Vehicles drive past the logo of the G-20 Summit on Aug. 10, 2023, in New Delhi.

The Weekly Rundown: The Africa Climate Summit, the G-20 Summit in New Delhi

Columns

On Geopolitics

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Sudan

Burundi

Central African Republic

Cote d'Ivoire

Mali

Mozambique

Sudan

Women sit under U.N.-branded cardboard boxes in Semera, Ethiopia, on Feb. 14, 2022, as they wait to be registered by the authorities at a hotel compound hosting civilians fleeing violence. 

GBV is often primarily seen as a women’s and human rights issue. But in sub-Saharan Africa, it is also a key constraint to stable (and democratic) governance, economic growth, and lasting peace.

The Geopolitics of Gender-Based Violence in Africa

Incoming Kenyan President William Ruto lifts a sword at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya, during his inauguration ceremony on Sept. 13, 2022.

Ruto is unlikely to mitigate the East African country's cost of living crisis in his first 100 days as promised, which will impede his government's ability to carry out fiscal consolidation measures to ensure debt sustainability.

Kenya's New President Will Struggle to Fulfill His Pledge of Quick Economic Relief

Chile

United Kingdom

A moving van at No. 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the prime minister of the United Kingdom, on Sept. 2, 2022, in central London. The governing Conservative Party will announce the winner of its leadership contest Sept. 5, and Queen Elizabeth II will appoint the new Conservative leader as British prime minister Sept. 6.

The Weekly Rundown: A New British Prime Minister, a New Chilean Charter

Kenya hugs the Indian Ocean coast just to the southwest of the Horn of Africa. Its neighbors South Sudan and Ethiopia border it to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south and Uganda to the west. Kenya’s position in East Africa has long drawn interest from outsiders. The territory of modern-day Kenya and its neighbors has been home to robust Indian Ocean trading networks that date to antiquity. This geographic proximity to global trade combined with the broader Lake Victoria region’s strengths &mdash; which include relative cultural homogeneity and advantageous terrain for agricultural development &mdash; helped to yield stable population and economic growth.    Since it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963, Kenya has struggled at times to manage its diverse ethnic populations. This has resulted in intermittent riots and other forms of unrest related to grievances of various ethnic groups that believed that they were disenfranchised from the country’s political system. Post-electoral violence in 2007-08 and again in 2017 stemmed largely from Nairobi’s mismanagement of its ethnic divisions.    Nevertheless, Kenya occupies the center of gravity in East Africa. Despite Ethiopia’s massive population advantage and economic growth, it remains relatively isolated when compared with Kenya. That allows Kenya to serve as a center for East Africa’s trade, business, security and diplomatic efforts. It also remains a robust supporter of the East African Community, which is fostering closer economic and political ties among Kenya’s neighbors.    Somalia's collapse and its struggles with state-building and militancy, especially the al Shabaab group, has spawned effects that spill over its border with Kenya. Ethnic Somalis &mdash; both refugees and Kenyan citizens &mdash; have pursued an uneasy existence on Kenya's northern coast and in various camps around Nairobi. This has posed a significant challenge for Nairobi to manage, especially as the security situation in Somalia shows no signs of dramatically improving in the years ahead.

SITUATION REPORTS

Kenya: Ruto Names Opposition Figures for Key Portfolios in New Cabinet

Africa: Kenya's 'Gen Z' Protests Risk Spreading Elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kenya: Government in Talks With IMF on New Support Package

Haiti: Haitian and Kenyan Officers Recapture Port-au-Prince's Main Port

Kenya: Nairobi Deploys 200 More Police Officers to Haiti Despite Persisting 'Gen Z' Protests

Kenya: Ruto Sacks Cabinet Following Talks With Opposition Leader Raila Odinga

Kenya: Moody's Downgrades Kenyan Debt Deeper Into Junk

Kenya: President Announces Austerity Measures Following Deadly Nationwide Protests

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