Trump signs executive order terminating Syria sanctions - White House

WASHINGTON,  United States 

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order terminating sanctions on Syria, according to the White House website.

Trump "signed a historic Executive Order terminating the Syria sanctions program to support the country's path to stability and peace," the White House said in a fact sheet.

"The Order removes sanctions on Syria while maintaining sanctions on Bashar al-Assad ... The Order permits the relaxation of export controls on certain goods and waives restrictions on certain foreign assistance to Syria," said the White House.

Under the order, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is directed to "explore avenues for sanctions relief at the United Nations to support stability in Syria."

Syria has been designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the United States since December 1979.

Additional sanctions and restrictions were imposed in May 2004 with the issuance of Executive Order 13338, while further sanctions targeting key sectors of the Syrian economy were introduced in May 2011 by the U.S. government.

In remarks to an investment forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13, Trump announced that he planned to lift sanctions on Syria.

Kenya government waives hospital bills for protest victims

NAIROBI,  Kenya 

The Ministry of Health has announced a complete waiver of medical bills for those injured during the nationwide protests on June 17 and 25, 2025.

A protester jumps for safety as she emerges from a narrow alley while Kenya police officers strike her with whips and clubs during clashes in downtown Nairobi on June 25, 2025 during a planned day of protest marking the first anniversary of the storming of the parliament. 

The decision, made amid mounting public pressure on the state's response to the unrest, was confirmed in a statement issued Monday by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

According to the statement, the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has been directed to cover all treatment costs through its Disaster Emergency Fund.

“This includes the outstanding bill of the late Mr. Boniface Kariuki, which stood at KSh 815,805 at the time of his passing,” read the statement.

“We offer our deepest condolences to families who have lost loved ones and extend our support to all those still recovering.”

The Ministry's directive comes after the death of Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor who was critically injured during anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi.

He succumbed to his injuries on Monday, a day after doctors at KNH declared him brain dead.

Family spokesperson Emily Wanjira confirmed the news, stating that they received a call from the hospital at 3:15 p.m. informing them of Kariuki's death.

He had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head, reportedly inflicted by a police officer during the demonstrations.

Doctors at KNH had attempted two surgical procedures to remove bullet fragments lodged in his brain.

Despite their efforts, his condition deteriorated, and he never regained consciousness.

Kariuki's father, Jonah Kariuki, previously revealed that the family had been overwhelmed by a medical bill that had exceeded Ksh.1 million. 

The family is demanding justice, calling for swift legal action against those responsible for the shooting.

They have urged the judiciary to prosecute the officers involved, describing the incident as a senseless and criminal attack on a civilian.

Three days of protests leave seven dead in Togo, rights groups say

By Blamé Ekoué, LOMÈ Togo 

Civic rights groups say at least seven people have been killed during a crackdown on protesters who are calling for Togo's leader, Faure Gnassingbé, to step down and release political prisoners.

Seven bodies were recovered from rivers in the capital city Lomé, according to a coalition called Le Front Citoyen Togo Debout which accuses security forces and militias of committing abuses.

The Togolese government has denied these deaths were linked to last week's demonstrations.

It is now threatening legal action against the protest organisers, calling the protests a "campaign of disinformation and hatred" that was orchestrated from abroad.

There is growing anger in Togo due to a crackdown on critical voices, and changes to the constitution labelled by labelled by critics and opposition figures as an "institutional coup d'état".

These protests comes weeks after Gnassingbé - who was president for two decades and whose family has ruled the country for 58 years - was sworn into a new post of President of the Council of Ministers, which has no official term limits.

Demonstrations have been banned in the West African country since 2022, with the authorities citing "security reasons".

Three days of demonstrations by online activists and youth-led movements began in Lomé on Thursday, before taking a violent turn on Friday and Saturday.

Tear gas was fired by anti-riot police at protesters, who pelted them with stones and other missiles.

Some determined anti-government protesters engaged security forces in street battles in several areas considered to be opposition strongholds, including Bè, where police chased demonstrators into their hideouts.

A coalition of 23 Togolese civil rights groups - known as the National Platform for Civic Space and Development Effectiveness - has since asked the authorities to carry out investigations into the bloody police repression.

They condemned what they described as "the use of disproportionate force against peaceful demonstrators", adding that "peaceful protest is a fundamental right, recognized both by the Togolese Constitution and by international instruments ratified by our country".

By Sunday calm had returned to most of Lomé, with shops reopened at the main central market at Assigamé and businesses operating as usual.

The recent change of regime orchestrated by the Togolese leader continues to fuel resentment. In addition to the new post which he can keep for life, constitutional reform in Togo has ended presidential elections, and introduced a parliamentary system.

Last month's arrest and psychiatric detention of the Togolese rapper Narcisse Essowè Tchalla, also known as Aamron, acted as a catalyst for public outrage, culminating in over 50 arrests during protests earlier this month.

Though most have been released, at least three people remain in custody.

World leaders confront gap between rich and poor at Financing for Development meeting

SEVILLA,  Spain 

Many of the world’s nations are gathering starting Monday in Spain for a high-level conference to tackle the growing gap between rich and poor nations and try to drum up the trillions of dollars needed to close it.

The United States, previously a major contributor, pulled its participation, so finding funding will be tough.

The U.N. and Spain, the conference co-hosts, believe the meeting is an opportunity to reverse the downward spiral, close the staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap to promote development, bring millions of people out of poverty and help achieve the U.N.’s wide-ranging and badly lagging Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

"Seville offers us a great opportunity in this very difficult, uncertain, and complex time," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said. "There aren't many opportunities, which is why we must seize it to work together, so that when we look back, we are certain that we did what we had to do."

The four-day Financing for Development meeting in the southern city of Seville is taking place as many countries face escalating debt burdens, declining investments, decreasing international aid and increasing trade barriers.

"Countries need and deserve a system that lowers borrowing costs, enables fair and timely debt restructuring, and prevents debt crisis in the first place," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 01/07/2025

 

Kenyan hawker shot by police confirmed brain dead, family says

By Ben Kirui, NAIROBI Kenya 

The family of Boniface Kariuki, the Kenyan hawker who was shot in the head by a rogue police officer during anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi, has confirmed that he is brain dead.

Boniface Kariuki (left), a mask hawker who was shot at point-blank range by police during protests in Nairobi on June 17, 2025. He has been declared brain dead.

Speaking to the press on Sunday, family spokesperson Emily Wanjira said that medics at the Kenyatta National Hospital confirmed that Mwangi's organs are still functioning but his brain is dead.

"Mwangi is confirmed brain dead. We know what it means. We are just waiting for the doctor to tell us he is no more," she said.

The family added that there are more bullet fragments in his brain that have not yet been extracted.

Kariuki has undergone two surgeries at Kenyatta National Hospital to remove the bullet lodged in his head and has been recuperating at the Intensive Care Unit where he is receiving round-the-clock supervision. 

Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, father of Boniface Kariuki who was shot in Nairobi, speaks to the press at the Kenyatta National Hospital on June 18, 2025 after visiting his son who was left in critical condition.

During a past briefing, Kariuki's father Jonah Kariuki revealed that the hospital bill had hit Ksh.1 million and was continuing to rise daily.

The aggrieved family also called for the judicial system to dispense justice by convicting and sentencing the police officers responsible for the crime. 

Yanga beat Singida BS to clinch 5th trophy 2024/25 season

ZANZIBAR,  Tanzania 

Young Africans completed a dominant 2024-25 season in Tanzanian football on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Singida Black Stars in the final of the CRDB Federation Cup at New Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar.

Sunday's victory ended a season for Yanga that saw them win the Toyota Cup (South Africa), NBC Premier League, the Federation Cup as well as the Community Shield at the beginning of the campaign to complete a domestic treble.

Clement Mzize's goal early in the second half signaled the start of celebrations for supporters of Yanga.

The rising Tanzania national team forward produced a composed finish after receiving Maxi Nzengeli's pass to deal Singida Black Stars a blow from which they would not recover.

Kenya national team midfielder Duke Abuya opened the scoring in the 40th minute for the legendary Dar es Salaam club, who secured the NBC Premier League title four days earlier with a victory over rivals Simba SC.

Abuya followed up to fire in from sixteen yards after Singida goalkeeper Amas Obasogie pushed Israel Mwenda's cross out to the edge of the penalty area.

The only blight on Yanga's successful season was their disappointing performance in continental competition when the club were eliminated from the CAF Champions League at the group stage.

However, they will return to Africa's top club competition with higher ambitions.

Now it remains to be seen whether stars like Mzize as well as coach Miloud Hamdi stay with the club for next season.

For now, Yanga and their supporters will relish another season of dominance in Tanzanian football after winning their fourth consecutive domestic cup title to go with a fourth consecutive league crown.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 30/06/2025

 

Pope Leo XIV receives the President of Equatorial Guinea

By Deborah Lubov, VATICAN CITY Italy 

PThe head of Roman Catholic, Pope Leo XIV, received the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, with his wife and entourage, in the Vatican on Saturday morning.

According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the President subsequently met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

"During the cordial discussions at the Secretariat of State," the statement read, "the good relations between the Holy See and Equatorial Guinea were noted."

Particular attention, it wrote, was "given to the Catholic Church’s contribution in the fields of education and healthcare, and to the human, social, and cultural development of the population."

According to the statement, "there was also an exchange of views on current international issues, with particular reference to the effects of conflicts and the challenges to public security in the countries of Central and Western Africa."

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 29/06/2025