East Africa in March 2026: the most important developments in politics
East Africa in March 2026 was shaped by the war involving Iran. Iran's envoy said on March 2 that Kenya was not a target despite hosting a US base and that Iranian missiles could not reach it, and Kenya explained its stance on the Iran-US conflict. On March 18 the foreign ministers of Egypt and Comoros condemned attacks on Gulf states. On March 26 Uganda's military chief warned that Uganda would join the Iran war on the side of Israel.
In Uganda, opposition leader Bobi Wine said on March 15 that he had left the country after the disputed vote. On March 7 President Yoweri Museveni took over the chairmanship of the East African Community from Kenya's William Ruto.
Kenya's domestic politics centered on the contest for the Mount Kenya region. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki told Rigathi Gachagua to keep off the region, and Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka targeted Kindiki as the United Opposition's Meru tour began. Ruto toured Western Kenya, where local leaders committed to his re-election, and the ruling coalition was to review its 10-point plan. A rise in the State House budget was contested. The World Bank banned PwC Kenya for 21 months, and China pledged to deepen trade ties with Kenya.
Elsewhere, Mauritius considered suing Britain over the delay to the Chagos Islands deal, and Britain and Rwanda were in a court dispute over a migrant deal worth 116 million euros. EU funding for Rwanda's deployment in Mozambique was due to end in May.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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