The cash shortfall has disrupted operations within the regional body. A leaked internal memo from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) warned of “dire liquidity challenges", saying the Assembly was struggling to pay salaries and allowances. Some parliamentary activities have been slowed or suspended due to the funding gap.

Tanzania and Kenya have reportedly met their full contributions for the 2025/26 financial year, while Uganda has paid most of its dues. However, several member states, including Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have not made payments this year.

Under the EAC Treaty, partner states are required to finance the operations of the community. The treaty allows for sanctions against countries that fail to meet their obligations, including possible suspension of benefits. However, enforcement has historically been weak.

Regional leaders are expected to discuss the crisis at an upcoming summit, where analysts say tough decisions may be needed to prevent further strain on the bloc.

Iran and Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in Moscow on January 17, 2025, formalising deeper cooperation across political, security, and economic sectors. The agreement, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, commits both countries to long-term collaboration in regional security and international coordination. It also emphasises joint efforts within multilateral organisations and support for a multipolar world order.

Iran prepares plan to counter possible UN sanctions snapback

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration has finalised a plan to address the potential reimposition of United Nations sanctions. Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Mohajerani noted that Tehran had anticipated multiple scenarios regarding the snapback mechanism and developed measures accordingly. She added that the plan will be formally approved on Sunday.

Iran and Pakistan to deepen cooperation amid regional developments

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation on Thursday to review bilateral ties and regional issues. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation at the bilateral level and within multilateral platforms, while emphasising the need for continued diplomatic efforts to promote peace and security in the region.

Iran calls for sanctions on Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza

Ali Bahraini, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, urged the Human Rights Council on Thursday to impose immediate and comprehensive sanctions on Israel, citing what he described as an ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip. Speaking at the Council’s 60th session, which reviewed a report on corporate activity in Israeli settlements, Bahraini referred to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion and the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry, both of which point to violations of Palestinian rights. He accused Western governments of complicity in Israel’s actions and stressed that states party to the Genocide Convention are obliged to prevent and punish genocide.

Iran urges UN Security Council to grant Palestine full membership

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has called on the Security Council to approve Palestine’s full membership and recognise it as a sovereign state. Addressing a General Assembly session on the use of veto power, Iravani criticised repeated U.S. vetoes of ceasefire resolutions in Gaza, saying Washington’s actions have paralysed the Council and enabled Israel to continue violations of international law. He accused Israel of decades of unlawful policies, including indiscriminate bombings, forced displacement, settlement expansion, and attacks on religious sites, describing them as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

The meeting, held with ministers, permanent secretaries, and education leaders from all EAC member states, addressed regional priorities ranging from harmonising education standards to boosting innovation, cultural exchange, and youth engagement through sports.

“ Tanzania will continue working with partner states to ensure these sectors foster prosperity for all East Africans,” Londo said, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental bloc comprising seven countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, with its headquarters located in Arusha, Tanzania.

First established in 1967 and revived in 2000, the EAC is home to nearly 300 million people with a combined GDP of about $305 billion, according to the EAC Secretariat. The bloc is working toward deeper integration through a customs union, a common market, a planned monetary union, and an eventual political federation.

Seen as one of Africa’s fastest-growing regional organisations, the EAC plays a critical role in boosting intra-African trade, harmonising policies on infrastructure and security, and contributing to the African Union’s broader integration agenda.

The reaffirmation comes amid calls by the African Union and development partners such as UNESCO for regional bodies to scale up investment in education and innovation to meet the continent’s youth-driven demographic challenge.

Disclaimer: The image for the article was AI-generated

Foreign ministers from Commonwealth member states approved Gabon’s return during a meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York . The move restores Gabon to full participation in the organisation it first joined in June 2022.

Officials in Libreville say the country’s reinstatement is recognition of a successful political transition marked by a peaceful constitutional referendum and a presidential election widely described as free and transparent. Gabon’s military leaders had promised a swift return to civilian rule following the coup, which ended decades of one-party dominance.

The Commonwealth had suspended Gabon in 2023 in response to what it called a violation of democratic principles. The suspension froze the country’s participation in official meetings and restricted access to technical support and assistance programs.

Now, the country is looking to re-engage with the Commonwealth’s development agenda, trade opportunities, and diplomatic networks.

Vietnam and Australia have signed a three-year defence cooperation plan covering 2025–2027. The agreement was reached on August 12 during the 8th Vietnam-Australia Defence Policy Dialogue between Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Australia’s Deputy Secretary General of Defence, Hugh Jeffrey. General Chien said cooperation had expanded since March, with progress in training, peacekeeping, military medicine and the defence industry. Both sides also discussed regional security, with Vietnam reiterating its “Four Nos” defence policy and support for peaceful dispute resolution under UNCLOS 1982.

Trump-branded resort in Vietnam raises farmer eviction concerns

Thousands of farmers in Quang Ninh province fear eviction as a 990-hectare resort and golf course project, licensed to the Trump Organisation, moves forward. Developed by the Vietnamese firm Kinhbac City, the project will replace farmland with luxury facilities. Farmers report compensation offers of US$12-30 per square metre, which many deem inadequate. “This land has supported my family for decades,” said Nguyen Thi Huong, who was offered about US$3,200 and rice support. Vietnam’s state land ownership allows reclamation for development, a practice that has often displaced rural communities with limited recourse.

Angola, Vietnam sign 7 deals on energy, defence, media

Angola and Vietnam signed seven agreements on August 7 to expand cooperation in sectors including energy, defence, justice, agriculture, and media. The deals were concluded during Vietnamese President Luong Cuong’s official visit. Key agreements cover oil and gas cooperation, mutual legal assistance, prisoner transfers, and an agricultural action plan. Defence ministries agreed to enhance military collaboration, particularly for veterans, while national broadcasters pledged media exchanges. Angola-Vietnam trade reached US$260 million in 2024, with Angola exporting US$240 million worth of goods and importing US$20.4 million from Vietnam.

No more bank credit growth quotas in 2026

Vietnam will remove credit growth quotas for banks in 2026, replacing them with a market-based mechanism. The State Bank of Vietnam will classify institutions by governance, operational health, and safety indicators, with strict supervision to control inflation and prevent systemic risks. The phased rollout will start with 15–20 top-performing banks. Credit will be prioritised for investment, exports, the digital economy, and green projects. Bad debt resolution, cost reduction, and digital transformation remain key goals. The 2025 credit growth target will be adjusted based on inflation and GDP growth before the full removal of quotas.

Indonesia, Vietnam eye stronger food industry partnership

Vietnam and Indonesia have agreed to deepen cooperation in food production and supply following the “Indonesia–Vietnam Food Security Cooperation Forum” on August 11. The event, organised by the Indonesian Consulate General, VCCI, and partners, aims to promote sustainable development and stable food security. Officials noted bilateral trade reached US$16.7 billion in 2024, up 21.2% year-on-year. Both sides discussed boosting logistics links, including connections between Cai Mep–Thi Vai port and Indonesian ports, to strengthen regional food supply chains.

Kazakhstan’s service sector continued its expansion in July, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth with a Services PMI of 54.0, still well above the 50.0 growth threshold, despite rising input costs, according to. Although inflationary pressures intensified, driven by increases in raw materials, utilities, taxes, and currency fluctuations, firms reported easing cost burdens compared to earlier months. Domestic demand remains steady, but businesses are cautious about exchange rate risks and potential fiscal tightening.

'Clean Kazakhstan' campaign reshapes environmental thinking

President Tokayev’s nationwide Taza Kazakhstan campaign is transforming how citizens view environmental responsibility. Since its launch, over 9 million people have joined, taking part in 900+ clean-up events and planting nearly 2.5 million trees. The initiative blends grassroots action with advanced tools like satellite monitoring to unify communities in the green transition. These efforts aim not just to reduce waste but also to foster a shift in public attitudes toward conservation.

Iran and Kazakhstan accelerate North–South Corridor development

Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, and Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister agreed to fast-track development of the International North–South Transport Corridor (eastern branch). They endorsed a five-year roadmap to strengthen multimodal links, including maritime, rail, and flight connections, and study a prospective “Caspian Bridge” transit project via the Caspian Sea. This builds on earlier agreements to quadruple transit volumes between the two nations.

Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan deepen transport engagement

Kazakhstan’s Advisor to the President, Asel Janasova, and the head of Kazakhstan Railways met with Azerbaijan’s Digital Development and Transport Minister, Rashad Nabiyev, to discuss transport cooperation. The talks signal intent to enhance railway linkages and boost regional connectivity.

Kazakhstan’s Bank CenterCredit to repay final $56m in state aid

Kazakhstan’s Bank CenterCredit will repurchase 30 billion tenge ($55.8M) in bonds to clear the last of its 2023 government support, originally due in 2032. The bank has already prepaid 30 billion tenge since late 2024 and aims to complete repayment by 2026. Authorities have restricted dividend payments for aid recipients to encourage early repayment.