News
CARICOM, Kenya Renew Diplomatic Ties with New Ambassador
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Kenya have renewed diplomatic ties with the appointment of Her Excellency Everlyne Mwenda Karis as the second ambassador of the East African country to CARICOM.
During an accreditation ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters, Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett welcomed the opportunity to deepen collaboration with Kenya.
Dr. Barnett expressed appreciation to the Kenyan government for leading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti and deploying over 800 personnel to foster an environment conducive to sustainable development and security.
She also commended Kenya’s role in the inaugural CARICOM-Africa Summit in 2021, which catalyzed strengthened relations between CARICOM and Africa.
The Secretary-General anticipates “enriched ties” through people-to-people contact, trade, and joint advocacy in multilateral fora on climate change and reparations.
She also looks forward to Kenya’s election as Chair of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent redounding to enhanced support for reparations.
Ambassador Karis proposed a focus on trade, tourism, the blue economy, culture, and transport connectivity to advance diplomatic, trade, and cultural cooperation between CARICOM and Africa.
The Second CARICOM-Africa Summit is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 7, 2025, CARICOM-Africa Day.
The ambassador noted that historical ties between Africa and the Caribbean act as an impetus for Kenya’s strong advocacy for South-South cooperation, particularly with its diaspora, to confront common challenges and speak with one voice in the international arena.
News
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
US House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, unless President Donald Trump removes her from office.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats could proceed “the easy way or the hard way,” describing the actions of Noem’s department as “disgusting.”
The crisis follows the fatal shooting of US citizen Alex Pretti by a federal agent, which has triggered backlash in Minneapolis and led to the planned departure of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Borvino and some agents from the city.
Trump has deployed his “border tsar,” Tom Homan, to take charge of on-the-ground operations, while a Minnesota judge has ordered acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in court over alleged violations of court orders.
Trump has distanced himself from claims by senior adviser Stephen Miller that Pretti was a “would-be assassin,” saying he did not believe the victim was acting as one.
Video footage shows Pretti holding a phone while filming agents, not a gun, although police say he was a legal firearm owner.
News
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
The United Nations has expressed concern after South Sudan’s Deputy Army Chief, Gen. Johnson Oluny, was heard urging troops to “spare no-one,” including children and the elderly, ahead of military operations in opposition-held areas of Jonglei State.
In a video posted on Facebook, Oluny, addressing members of his Agwelek militia, called for total destruction during the deployment.
The UN Mission in South Sudan condemned the remarks, describing them as “utterly abhorrent,” and warned that inflammatory rhetoric targeting civilians must stop immediately.
South Sudan’s government, however, said the statement did not amount to an official order, insisting it remains committed to protecting civilians.
Minister of Information Ateny Wek Ateny said civilians were being warned only to avoid being caught in crossfire.
The development comes amid escalating fighting in Jonglei, where forces loyal to suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have seized several areas.
The military has ordered civilians, UN personnel and aid workers to evacuate three counties—Nyirol, Uror and Akobo—ahead of an imminent operation.
The UN says more than 180,000 people have been displaced by the renewed violence.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as opposition forces threaten to advance towards the capital, Juba, a claim dismissed by the army.
South Sudan has been unstable since a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, but lingering political rivalry and ethnic tensions continue to threaten fragile peace.
Diplomacy
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
The Rwandan government has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking payments it says are owed under the now-abandoned asylum partnership agreement between both countries.
Rwanda has filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, arguing that the UK failed to honour financial commitments contained in the deal signed under the former Conservative government.
The agreement, designed to relocate some asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, was scrapped in 2024 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the Home Office saying about £220m in future payments would no longer be made.
UK authorities insist the policy was costly and ineffective, pledging to defend the case to protect taxpayers’ funds.
Rwanda, however, says the arbitration concerns unmet treaty obligations and is seeking a legal determination of both parties’ rights under international law.
The PCA lists the case as pending, with no timetable yet announced for hearings or a ruling.
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