Russia's Lavrov accuses Ukraine of destabilizing Sahel

MOSCOW, Russia

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Ukraine of trying to "destabilize" the Sahel region on Thursday.

Lavrov made the comments at a news briefing in Moscow following talks with three of his counterparts from the Confederation of Sahel States.

"Some players outside the sahel continue attempts to destabilize the region. Besides former colonizers, this also includes the recently Kyiv regime, which openly supports terrorist groups in this part of Africa while its Western sponsors turn a blind eye to it." Sergey Lavrov told reporters.

ALSO READ: Sahel ministers visit Moscow to strengthen ties with Russia

Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop echoed his comments, saying his country considered Ukraine a "terrorist state".

It comes after Mali’s government cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine last year over allegations that Kyiv aided an attack by armed groups in the West African country in which Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries suffered heavy losses.

Museveni visits South Sudan amid tension between Kiir, Machar

By Our Correspondent, JUBA South Sudan

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his South Sudanese counterpart, Salva Kiir, have held talks focusing on South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, security challenges, and bilateral relations, according to foreign ministers from both countries.

President Museveni arrived in Juba on Thursday morning for a high-level state visit, amid ongoing political and security tensions in South Sudan. The situation has drawn international criticism following the house arrest of First Vice President and opposition leader Riek Machar.

The detention came after a deadly attack in Upper Nile state that killed a senior military general and several soldiers. South Sudan’s government sought military support from Uganda, with Defence Minister Jacob Oboth confirming that President Kiir made an urgent request on 10 March to prevent a potential security crisis.

The visit follows a meeting last week between President Kiir and Kenya’s special envoy, Raila Odinga. Odinga said his request to meet Machar was denied, with Kiir reportedly referring him to Museveni—a claim dismissed by South Sudan’s presidential press secretary, David Amuor Majur.

Speaking reporters after the meeting this evening, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Malimba John, stressed the importance of the discussions:

“We have had a cordial meeting touching on issues of mutual benefit between our two governments. We discussed peace and security, not just in South Sudan but across the region. Stability in South Sudan is crucial for the entire East African region.”

He added that boosting economic ties and infrastructure development were also key topics.

South Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc, reiterated the government’s dedication to the 2018 peace deal and improving security:

“We briefed President Museveni and his delegation on the security situation in South Sudan and the implementation of the peace agreement. We assured them that the government is fully committed to fulfilling all security arrangements.”

The delegation updated President Museveni on progress in implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement, with Goc emphasizing Juba’s commitment to stabilizing the country.

Trade and investment were also discussed during the visit, which is set to continue with further meetings between President Museveni and South Sudanese officials on Friday.

Meanwhile, the African Union’s Panel of the Wise, which arrived in Juba on Wednesday to help ease tensions and encourage dialogue, is scheduled to meet with Dr. Machar on Friday.

According to a schedule seen by Radio Tamazuj, the panel is due to meet Machar on Friday morning, followed by talks with President Kiir in the afternoon.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 04/04/2025

 

Here’s The Full List Of Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs Announced Wednesday

WASHINGTON, United States

US President, Donald Trump announced what he said were “kind” reciprocal tariffs against more than 180 countries Wednesday, along with a baseline tariff against other countries, delivering the most sweeping tariff package the U.S. has implemented in decades.

Speaking from the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday afternoon, Trump called the tariffs he was announcing “discounted reciprocal” rates, noting that while they are steep they don’t match what countries charge the U.S.

Shortly after the announcement, journalist James Surowiecki suggested on X it appeared the tariff rate Trump said other countries were charging the U.S. was calculated by taking the U.S.’s trade deficit with a country and dividing it by the country's exports to the U.S. 

With the “reciprocal rate” calculated by then dividing that figure by two. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative later confirmed that was the basic formula it used.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox News Wednesday Russia wasn’t on the list because sanctions already imposed on the country prevent most U.S.-Russia trade so higher tariffs weren’t necessary. 

Similarly, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios that Cuba, Belarus and North Korea weren’t on the list because existing tariffs and sanctions are already so high.

The White House also said tariffs in place on Mexico and Canada were unaffected by the order because of previous tariffs, meaning products not subject to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement will still face a 25% tariff.

The following are the reciprocal tariffs Trump announced on Wednesday, listed in alphabetical order. 

Any countries not on the list will have a baseline 10% tariff on any products coming into the U.S., the administration said:

Afghanistan: 10% (charges U.S. 49%)

Albania: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Algeria: 30% (charges U.S. 59%)

Andorra: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Angola: 32% (charges U.S. 63%)

Anguilla: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Antigua and Barbuda: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Argentina: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Armenia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Aruba: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Australia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Azerbaijan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Bahamas: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Bahrain: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Bangladesh: 37% (charges U.S. 74%)

Barbados: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Belize: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Benin: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Bermuda: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Bhutan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Bolivia: 10% (charges U.S. 20%)

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 35% (charges U.S. 70%)

Botswana: 37% (charges U.S. 74%)

Brazil: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

British Indian Ocean Territory: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

British Virgin Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Brunei: 24% (charges U.S. 47%)

Burundi: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Cabo Verde: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Cambodia: 49% (charges U.S. 97%)

Cameroon: 11% (charges U.S. 22%)

Cayman Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Central African Republic: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Chad: 13% (charges U.S. 26%)

Chile: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

China: 34% (charges U.S. 67%)

Christmas Island: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Colombia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Comoros: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Cook Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Costa Rica: 10% (charges U.S. 17%)

Côte d’Ivoire: 21% (charges U.S. 41%)

Curaçao: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: 11% (charges U.S. 22%)

Djibouti: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Dominica: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Dominican Republic: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Ecuador: 10% (charges U.S. 12%)

Egypt: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

El Salvador: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Equatorial Guinea: 13% (charges U.S. 25%)

Eritrea: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Eswatini: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Ethiopia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

European Union: 20% (charges U.S. 39%)

Falkland Islands: 41% (charges U.S. 82%)

Fiji: 32% (charges U.S. 63%)

French Guiana: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

French Polynesia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Gabon: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Gambia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Georgia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Ghana: 10% (charges U.S. 17%)

Gibraltar: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Grenada: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Guadeloupe: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Guatemala: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Guinea-Bissau: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Guinea: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Guyana: 38% (charges U.S. 76%)

Haiti: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Heard and Mcdonald Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Honduras: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Iceland: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

India: 26% (charges U.S. 52%)

Indonesia: 32% (charges U.S. 64%)

Iran: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Iraq: 39% (charges U.S. 78%)

Israel: 17% (charges U.S. 33%)

Jamaica: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Japan: 24% (charges U.S. 46%)

Jordan: 20% (charges U.S. 40%)

Kazakhstan: 27% (charges U.S. 54%)

Kenya: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Kiribati: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Kosovo: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Kuwait: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Kyrgyzstan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Laos: 48% (charges U.S. 95%)

Lebanon: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Lesotho: 50% (charges U.S. 99%)

Liberia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Libya: 31% (charges U.S. 61%)

Liechtenstein: 37% (charges U.S. 73%)

Madagascar: 47% (charges U.S. 93%)

Malawi: 17% (charges U.S. 34%)

Malaysia: 24% (charges U.S. 47%)

Maldives: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Mali: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Marshall Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Martinique: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Mauritania: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Mauritius: 40% (charges U.S. 80%)

Mayotte: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Micronesia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Moldova: 31% (charges U.S. 61%)

Monaco: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Mongolia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Montenegro: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Monteserrat: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Morocco: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Mozambique: 16% (charges U.S. 31%)

Myanmar (Burma): 44% (charges U.S. 88%)

Namibia: 21% (charges U.S. 42%)

Nauru: 30% (charges U.S. 59%)

Nepal: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

New Zealand: 10% (charges U.S. 20%)

Nicaragua: 18% (charges U.S. 36%)

Niger: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Nigeria: 14% (charges U.S. 27%)

Norfolk Island: 29% (charges U.S. 58%)

North Macedonia: 33% (charges U.S. 65%)

Norway: 15% (charges U.S. 30%)

Oman: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Pakistan: 29% (charges U.S. 58%)

Panama: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Papua New Guinea: 10% (charges U.S. 15%)

Paraguay: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Peru: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Philippines: 17% (charges U.S. 34%)

Qatar: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Republic of the Congo: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Réunion: 37% (charges U.S. 73%)

Rwanda: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Saint Helena: 10% (charges U.S. 15%)

Saint Kitts and Nevis: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Saint Lucia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Saint Pierre and Miequelon: 50% (charges U.S. 99%)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Samoa: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

San Marino: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

São Tomé and Príncipe: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Saudi Arabia: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Senegal: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Serbia: 37% (charges U.S. 74%)

Sierra Leone: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Singapore: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Sint Maarten: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Solomon Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

South Africa: 30% (charges U.S. 60%)

South Korea: 25% (charges U.S. 50%)

South Sudan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Sri Lanka: 44% (charges U.S. 88%)

Sudan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Suriname: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Svalbard and Jan Mayen: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Switzerland: 31% (charges U.S. 61%)

Syria: 41% (charges U.S. 81%)

Taiwan: 32% (charges U.S. 64%)

Tajikistan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Tanzania: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Thailand: 36% (charges U.S. 72%)

Timor-Leste: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Togo: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Tokelau: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Tonga: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Trinidad and Tobago: 10% (charges U.S. 12%)

Tunisia: 28% (charges U.S. 55%)

Turkey: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Turkmenistan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Turks and Caicos Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Tuyalu: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Uganda: 10% (charges U.S. 20%)

Ukraine: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

United Arab Emirates: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

United Kingdom: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Uruguay: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Uzbekistan: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Vanuatu: 22% (charges U.S. 44%)

Venezuela: 15% (charges U.S. 29%)

Vietnam: 46% (charges U.S 90%)

Yemen: 10% (charges U.S. 10%)

Zambia: 17% (charges U.S. 33%)

Zimbabwe: 18% (charges U.S. 35%)

Sahel ministers visit Moscow to strengthen ties with Russia

BAMAKO, Mali

In a significant shift in the region's diplomatic and security landscape, the foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic ties with Russia.

Scheduled for April 3-4, this marks the first AES-Russia consultations since the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) in 2024.

The visit underscores a growing pivot away from former colonial power France and the regional organization ECOWAS, with these West African nations, governed by military juntas following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, seeking political and military support from Moscow.

This realignment comes as the Sahel region grapples with ongoing jihadist insurgencies that have devastated local populations, claiming thousands of lives.

As part of the AES's Year 1 Roadmap, chaired by Mali, the ministers will engage with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss enhanced cooperation in defense, security, and economic development.

The AES sees the visit as a "crucial step" toward advancing its shared goals.

Russia has already contributed military support via its Wagner Group, and the three nations have signed defense agreements with Moscow. Collaboration is also underway in the energy and mining sectors.

The visit follows the AES’s decision to withdraw from multiple international organizations and establish a joint 5,000-strong military force aimed at tackling regional terrorism.

By strengthening ties with Russia, the Sahel states aim to bolster their security efforts and assert greater autonomy from Western influence.

Guinea's Junta sets referendum for September 2025

CONAKRY, Guinea

Guinea’s military Junta has announced it will hold a constitutional referendum on the 21st September 2025.   

It’s hoped the vote will put the country back on the path to civilian rule following several broken promises by the military pledging to organise the referendum.

General Mamadi Doumbouya, head of the junta, had promised in his New Year's address that 2025 would be a “crucial electoral year to complete the return to constitutional order”, without indicating a timetable.

The new date set for the referendum comes after the military missed a December 31st deadline..to launch the democratic transition.

The delay triggered anger from opposition figures, many took to the streets bring the capital, Conakry to a standstill.

The proposed constitutional changes on the ballot include setting presidential term limits, voters will also decide on whether current junta members are allowed to contest in elections  

The referendum's results could mark a departure from the “transition charter” drawn up by the military shortly after the coup that blocks members of the junta from running.   

Guinea's military leaders have long been accused of trying to stifle the opposition by arresting critics, including journalists, on false charges.

Yanga extends lead in Tanzania Mainland Premier League with a Bang!

TABORA, Tanzania

The defending champions of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, Yanga under the head coach, Miloud Hamdi, have collected three points away in the match against Tabora United in the second round of the 2024/25 season.

Yanga’s goals were scored by Israel Mwenda, Clement Mzize, and Prince Dube in a thrilling encounter that also saw the Jangwani Street giants avenge their 3-1 defeat to the “Bees” on November 7 last year at the Azam Complex.

Mwenda opened the scoring with a free kick in the 21st minute following a foul committed by Banele Junior on Yanga’s striker Prince Dube.

His shot went to the far post, leaving Tabora United goalkeeper Jean Noel hapless.

Tabora United increased the tempo after conceding, with Heritier Makambo missing a clear chance at the end of the first half. Yanga led 1-0 at the break.

The Jangwani Street giants came back stronger in the second half, adding two more goals.

Clement Mzize scored in the 56th minute following a precise pass from Pacome Zouzoua, and Dube sealed the victory in the 67th minute with another assist from Zouzoua.

The victory means Yanga now lead the league with 61 points from 23 matches, four points ahead of their bitter rivals, Simba, who are second with 57 points from 22 matches.

The starting Yanga squad: Djigui Diarra, Israel Mwenda, Boka, Dickson Job, Ibrahim Bacca, Duke Abuya, Maxi Nzengeli, Mudathir Yahya, Prince Dube, Pacome and Clement Mzize.

The reserve players are Aweso who is the goalkeeper, Nickson Kibabage, Bakari Nondo, Kibwana Shomari, Dennis Nkane, Sure Boy, Farid Mussa and Ikanga Lombo Jonathan.

Trump advisers coming to Uganda over DRC

WASHINGTON, United States

The US President’s top advisers for Africa are set to visit Uganda and meet President Museveni and his counterparts in the region over the escalating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr. Massad Boulos, the US senior advisor for Africa, and Corina Sanders, the US deputy assistant secretary of State for African Affairs, are to arrive in the region today, according to the US Department of State. “Senior adviser Boulos and deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs Corina Sanders will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda starting April 3.

During the trip, senior advisor Boulos and the team will meet with heads of state and business leaders to advance efforts for durable peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and to promote US private sector investment in the region,” a statement by the US Department of State reads.

Mr Boulos has had a rich experience in African issues since he worked in West Africa as a top manager for years. The situation in eastern DRC has continued to deteriorate following advances by the M23 rebels, a group the international community says is backed by Rwanda.

In the last two months, the rebels have seized two provincial capitals in eastern DRC and they are threatening to march to Kisangani and later to Kinshasa, the DR Congo capital, to topple Mr Felix Tshisekedi’s government.

The Daily Monitor was unable to confirm from Mr Museveni’s press secretaries whether he would meet the US envoys. There have been several initiatives at the regional, continental, and international levels to bring peace back to the DRC but in vain.

The latest initiative will see the Congolese government meet the rebel leaders in Doha, Qatar, in search of a peace settlement. The US accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels and has since sanctioned top Rwandan generals, rebel leaders, and Rwandan gold companies.

They also accuse Rwanda of deploying its soldiers in eastern DRC, which violates the territorial integrity of the sovereign country.

US allies in Europe have also sanctioned Rwanda’s gold companies and M23 rebels. Rwanda’s State Minister for Regional Integration, Gen James Kabarebe, and the spokesman of the M23 rebel group, Lawrence Kanyuka, were sanctioned by the US government in February.

Kanyuka’s companies: Kingston Fresh and Kingston Holding were also sanctioned. As the US embarks on the peace mission, the joint East Africa Community -Southern Africa Development Community is also bent on kick-starting the merged Luanda-Nairobi process to bring warring parties to the table.

Kenya President William Ruto, the chairperson of the EAC, yesterday had a virtual meeting with the panel of facilitators as instructed by the joint EAC-SADC summit of heads of state.

The panel of facilitators includes the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Kenya president Uhuru Kenyatta; former South Africa president Kgalema Motlanthe; former president of Central African Republic Catherine Samba Panza; and former president of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde.

Despite the ongoing peace initiatives, the fighting in eastern DRC has continued. The M23 rebels said they aren’t part of the ceasefire agreements negotiated by Rwanda and the DRC presidents. The EAC-SADC members want a ceasefire between the warring parties.

Senior Adviser Boulos and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Corina Sanders will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda starting April 3.

During the trip, Senior Adviser Boulos and the team will meet with heads of state and business leaders to advance efforts for durable peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and to promote US private sector investment in the region, – The US department of state