The protests, the first major test of Prabowo’s nearly year-old administration, erupted this week following reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) in addition to their salaries. Anger deepened after a police tactical vehicle struck and killed a motorcycle taxi rider during Thursday’s demonstration.

What began as demonstrations in Jakarta has now spread to other regions, where several parliament buildings were set ablaze. Protesters accuse lawmakers of enriching themselves while ordinary Indonesians struggle with rising living costs.

Prabowo had been scheduled to attend a "Victory Day" parade in China on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II following Japan’s surrender. However, presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi said in a video statement on Saturday that the president would remain in Indonesia to “monitor the situation directly and seek the best solutions.”

The Ministry of Justice has drafted sweeping amendments to Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Proclamation, sparking alarm among rights advocates. The proposal would grant the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organisations (ACSO) new powers to suspend organisations on mere suspicion of “a serious legal violation” or when it “believes irreparable harm will occur if the organisation is not suspended,” Addis Standard reports. Belayihun Yirga, State Minister for Government Legal and Justice Service Sector, said Proclamation No. 1113/2011 was among the laws “significantly reformed,” and the changes are based on “extensive studies.” Addis Getnet, Director General of Legal Research, Drafting, Revision, and Codification, stated, “The draft amendment has been prepared in a way that reduces challenges encountered during implementation in recent years and incorporates new rights to further strengthen the sector.”  

PM Abiy reaffirms peaceful pursuit of sea access with Eritrea

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to securing sea access “peacefully,” while rejecting the notion of imminent conflict with Eritrea. “Ethiopia does not have existence without its neighbours, and its neighbours do not have existence without Ethiopia,” he said, adding, “Our desire is to sow good seeds. We want access to the sea based on the principle of mutual benefit, not by force.” Addressing concerns over potential war, Abiy emphasised, “To those who raise the spectre of war with Eritrea, it should be known that we do not desire any conflict on our part; they should also do the same.” He stressed that “in the past seven years, we have not had a single conflict with neighbouring countries,” even as Eritrea accused Ethiopia of “provocative sabre-rattling,” Addis Standard reports.

Debt relief deal under G20 framework

Ethiopia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its Official Creditor Committee, unlocking over USD 3.5 billion in debt relief. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance, stated, “Ethiopia remains confident that the collaborative and pragmatic spirit that has prevailed so far will help expedite the process of finalising bilateral agreements.” He added, “We continue to engage in good faith with all other external creditors, including bondholders, to secure restructuring terms that align with our debt relief needs and the principle of comparability of treatment,” Capital Ethiopia quotes.

Ethiopia investing in nuclear science for peaceful purposes

Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh announced Ethiopia’s commitment to using nuclear science for peaceful purposes, especially in healthcare. “We are bringing life-saving technologies closer to our communities and strengthening regulatory systems to ensure the safe use of radiation,” he said at the Rays of Hope Forum 2025. “Through these efforts, we aim to save lives and promote public health,” he added. Temesgen also highlighted broader achievements: “Our Health Extension Program has trained tens of thousands of community health workers, extending healthcare access to every corner of the country.”

IMF approves Ethiopia review, unlocking $262m

The IMF executive board has approved the third review of Ethiopia’s $3.4 billion loan program, releasing $262 million to support economic reforms. “The authorities have made strong progress in implementing their economic reform agenda in the first year of their Fund-supported programme. Growth has been resilient, and inflation has fallen,” the IMF said . The review follows Ethiopia’s recent debt restructuring agreement, which aims to provide $2.5 billion in debt service relief during the program period through 2028.

Representative Zakaria Belkheir, a member of the drafting committee, confirmed that the draft is nearly complete. The final steps include a legal review with specialists and a historical verification process with expert historians to ensure both legal soundness and historical accuracy, Echorouk reports.

He again noted that particular care was taken to craft the law in a way that would not conflict with international treaties, particularly the 1962 Evian Accords, which marked the end of the Algerian War of Independence.

As part of its consultation process, the committee met with Mohamed Lahcen Zeghidi, head of the Algerian Committee for History and Memory. He provided a detailed overview of Algeria’s national memory and the historical crimes committed during the colonial period.

A former delegate for the draft law criminalising colonialism, Moussa Abdi, was also consulted during the drafting process. He noted that the earlier version of the law, which gained parliamentary approval in 2010, was ultimately rejected by the government due to concerns over its alignment with the Evian Accords. Abdi argued that the accords only cover a limited time frame, the years of the Algerian War, and do not encompass the full scope of colonial abuses, many of which occurred outside the framework of the agreement.

The draft law draws from a wide range of sources, including archival records, academic research, eyewitness video testimonies, and official declarations.

Ghana's first female Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, was admitted to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in the capital city, Accra, on Friday, March 28, after falling ill. According to a statement from the Office of the President, she received treatment on Saturday and, based on expert medical advice, will seek further care abroad. . "The Vice President, Her Excellency Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, received treatment at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on Saturday due to a sudden illness that occurred after work on Friday, March 28, 2025,” the statement said. It remains unclear when she will travel for additional treatment.

Cocaine haul

The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has intercepted a staggering 3,319.66 kilograms (3.3 tonnes) of suspected cocaine, valued at approximately $350 million. The massive haul was concealed in sacks and bags hidden under heaps of sand in a tipper truck in an attempt to evade detection. The truck was intercepted at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in the Central Region while en route to Accra. Upon offloading the sand, authorities retrieved 143 distinctly marked sacks weighing 2,974kg. Preliminary field testing by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirmed the substance as cocaine. Further intelligence-led investigations led NIB operatives to the residence of a suspect, where an additional 13 sacks and one bag of suspected cocaine, weighing 345.07kg, were discovered on March 8, 2025. In a report by Graphic Online , two suspects, 39-year-old Isaac Quaicoo, the driver of the tipper truck, and his mate, 25-year-old tertiary student Kenneth Cobbinah, are currently in custody, assisting with investigations.

Parliament repeals controversial E-levy

Ghana’s Parliament has officially abolished the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), which taxed electronic financial transactions. The levy, initially set at 1.75% and later reduced to 1%, was widely criticised for discouraging digital transactions. Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated that the repeal will return GH¢2 billion to citizens, easing financial pressures.

Sale of diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia

The government has revoked controversial deals initiated by the previous administration to sell Ghana’s diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasised that no diplomatic properties would be sold under President Mahama’s administration. "Yesterday I informed Parliament that with the full backing of President Mahama, we have cancelled two transactions initiated by the previous Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to sell Ghanaian diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia. Determined efforts are underway to retrieve an illegal part payment in one of the transactions. The masterminds, who are currently on the run, will surely be found and sanctioned," Ablakwa shared on his Facebook page . The government is also working to recover illegal payments made in connection with the transactions.

Over 1,300 ECG containers missing at Tema Port

A report has revealed that 1,347 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have mysteriously disappeared from Tema Port. Ghanaweb reported that, initially, ECG indicated that there were 2,491 uncleared containers, but an audit found only 1,134 at the port. The missing containers, containing vital electrical equipment, have raised concerns over procurement violations and financial mismanagement. Minister of Energy John Abdulai Jinapor has pledged a thorough investigation, involving the Attorney General and the Ghana Police Service, to locate the containers and hold those responsible accountable.

His decision follows recent events involving four members of parliament (MPs) who have declared their intentions to contest in the country’s upcoming elections as independent candidates.

Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the four seats vacant after receiving a petition from the former minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu.

Haruna Iddrisu, citing Article 97 (1) (g) of the Constitution argued that the MPs, by their declaration had forfeited their positions.

The Speaker’s ruling briefly shifted the balance of power in Parliament, making the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) which was on the minority side of parliament the Majority.

Before declaring the seats vacant, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side of the House had 138 seats, while the NDC had 137. With the order, however, NPP got short of 4 seats.

However, the ruling was challenged by Majority Leader and member of the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) Alexander Afenyo-Markin through a suit at the Supreme Court.

He filed an injunction seeking an order to stay the execution of the Speaker's order, leading to a temporary order from the court on October 18. The Supreme Court ordered the four MPs to continue serving until the case is fully resolved.

Meanwhile, NDC MPs maintain that they will uphold Bagbin’s initial decision, which they argue effectively makes them the Majority in Parliament.

This stance, however, remains in opposition to the Supreme Court’s directive that prevents the enforcement of Bagbin’s ruling until the legal dispute is settled.

Despite the 'good intentions' behind the lawmakers' actions, there are many Kenyans who still feel disappointed.

Kelvin Muriuki, an artist who shared his views with AFP said "If my opinion will count, I will say they would have gone both of them; both the president and the vice president because they failed this country in a big way. Ever since they got into office, there is nothing that we are seeing that is going on. All what is happening is looting of public resources. And we are we are very much angry with this government."

Elphas Otieno, a citizen on the other hand said "It is now Gachagua for himself, but at the end of the day, the MPs, they did a good thing. I wish they could do this to other matters as well. Gachagua is an individual. We have matters in this country which need more or less the same debate. The cost of living, the airport (Adani deal), NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund), all these matters also need attention.

On Tuesday evening, Speaker Moses Wetangula announced that 281 MPs had approved an 11-charge impeachment motion , with 44 MPs opposing and one abstaining.

This unprecedented vote makes Gachagua the first Kenyan deputy president to be impeached by the National Assembly. The final decision on his removal now rests with the Senate.

Accused of practising ethnically divisive politics, Rigathi Gachagua has denied any form of wrongdoing.