East Africa

East Africa's economy faces external shocks: US sanctions on Rwanda's gold refinery over DR Congo smuggling, a nationwide Tanzanian blackout, and a report showing half of Kenya's treated water lost. Positive signals include Mercuria's uranium financing deal with Malawi and Vodacom's takeover of Safaricom.

• 3US sanctions Rwanda gold refinery accused of smuggling DR Congo's minerals
• 2Mercuria Signs First Uranium Financing Deal With Malawi Miner
• 2Tanzania has nationwide blackout after power grid failure, Bloomberg News reports
• 2Victoria’s Secret Boosts Outlook as Brand’s Momentum Continues
• 2Victoria's Secret soars 50% as turnaround powers upbeat annual forecasts

Regional politics are marked by diplomatic friction: DR Congo filed an ICJ case against Rwanda, while India's PM Modi visited Seychelles, and Kenya's parliament seeks control over the sovereign wealth fund. Rwanda's €115m claim over the scrapped UK migrant deal was rejected by a court.

• 5India news: PM Modi embarks on two-day Seychelles visit
• 3East versus West: Fresh Mt Kenya headache for Ruto
• 3All you need to know about Trump's nominee for US ambassador to Kenya
• 3Court rejects Rwanda's €115m claim over scrapped UK migrant deal
• 2India Has Been a Steadfast Friend to Seychelles: President Patrick Herminie

Security threats escalate: UN experts report Rwanda-backed rebels built a 30,000-strong force, Uganda's military besieges media outlets, and Kenya faces protests over a US Ebola centre. Cybercrime costs Kenya Sh29bn, and South Sudan sees UN condemnation of humanitarian worker killings.

• 4Kenya police fire tear gas at protest over US Ebola centre
• 3Two dead in Kenya after protests against US planned Ebola quarantine zone - as court blocks construction
• 2Vietnamese man deported to South Sudan by US leaves for home
• 1Rwanda-Backed Rebels Build 30,000-Strong Force, UN Experts Say
• 1UN condemns killing of humanitarian workers in South Sudan - Africa - World

The dominant societal tension is the violent opposition to the US Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya, which has killed two and led to arrests and court blocks. Uganda's military shutdown of NTV and Daily Monitor adds a second flashpoint, with regional condemnation from figures like Gachagua.

• 10Protests over US Ebola site in Kenya kill two, court keeps block
• 8Uganda's military chief orders shutdown of two major media outlets
• 8Kenyan residents protest US deal for Ebola quarantine centre
• 5Families lay flowers on barbed wire barricade on anniversary of deadly Kenya protests
• 4Kenya becomes first African country to receive crucial climate funding