2021 in East Africa

Events that happened during 2021 in East Africa. The countries listed are those described in the United Nations geoscheme for East Africa.

Incumbents

Burundi

 Burundi

• Chief of state and Head of government: President: Évariste Ndayishimiye, (since 2020).[1]
• First Vice President Gaston Sindimwo (since 2015)
• Second Vice President Joseph Butore (since 2015)

Comoros

 Comoros

• Chief of state and Head of government: President Azali Assoumani (since 2016)[2]

Comoros also claims the island of Mayotte.[3]

Djibouti

 Djibouti

• Chief of state: President Ismail Omar Guelleh (since 1999)[4]
• Head of government: Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed (since 2013)[4]

Eritrea

 Eritrea

• Chief of state and Head of government: President Isaias Afwerki (since 1993)[5]

Ethiopia

 Ethiopia

• Chief of state: President Sahle-Work Zewde (since 2018)[6]
• Head of government:Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (since 2018)[6]
  • Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen (since 2012)[6]

Kenya

 Kenya

• Chief of state and Head of government: President Uhuru Kenyatta (since 2013)[7]
  • Deputy President: William Ruto (since 2013)[7]

Madagascar

 Madagascar

• Chief of state: President Andry Rajoelina (since 2019)[8]
• Head of government: Prime Minister Christian Ntsay (since 2018)[8]

Malawi

 Malawi

• Chief of state and Head of government: President Lazarus Chakwera (starting 2020)[9]
• Vice-President Saulos Chilima (since 2020)

Mauritius

 Mauritius

• Chief of state: President Prithvirajsing Roopun (since 2019)[10]
• Head of government: Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth (since 2017)[10]

Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago (including Diego Garcia), although this claim is disputed by the UK.[11]

Mayotte

• Chief of state: President of France Emmanuel Macron (since 2017)[12]
• Head of government: Prime Minister of France Édouard Philippe (since 2017)[12]
• President of the Departmental Council Soibahadine Ibrahim Ramadani (since 2015)

Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France also claimed by Comoros.[13][3]

Mozambique

 Mozambique

• Chief of state: President Filipe Nyusi (since 2015)[14]
• Head of government: Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário (since 2015)[14]

Réunion

Réunion is an overseas department and region of France.[15]

• Chief of state: President Emmanuel Macron (since 2017)[12]
• Head of government: Prime Minister of France: Édouard Philippe (since 2017)[12]
• President of the Regional Council: Didier Robert (since 2010)

Rwanda

 Rwanda

• Chief of state: President Paul Kagame (since 2000)[16]
• Head of government: Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente (since 2017)[16]

Seychelles

 Seychelles

• Chief of state and Head of government: President Wavel Ramkalawan (starting 2020).[17]
• Vice-President: Ahmed Afif (starting October 26, 2020)[17]

Somalia

 Somalia

• Chief of state: President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (since 2017)[18]
• Head of government: Prime Minister> Mohamed Hussein Roble (starting 2020)[19]

Somaliland

The Republic of Somaliland claims independence from Somalia.[20]

• President: Muse Bihi Abdi
• Vice President: Abdirahman Saylici
• Speaker of the House: Bashe Mohamed Farah
• Chairman of Elders: Suleiman Mohamoud Adan
• Chief Justice: Adan Haji Ali

South Sudan

 South Sudan [21]

• Chief of state and Head of government: President Salva Kiir Mayardit (since 2011)[22]
  • First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai (since 2016)[22]
  • Second Vice President James Wani Igga (since 2016)[22]

Tanzania

 Tanzania

• Chief of state and Head of government: President John Magufuli (since 2015)[23]
  • Vice-President Samia Suluhu (since 5 November 2015)[23]
• Head of government: Prime Minister: Kassim Majaliwa (since 2015)[23]

Uganda

 Uganda

• Chief of state: President, Yoweri Museveni (since 1988)[24]
  • Vice President: Edward Ssekandi (since 2011)[24]
• Head of government: Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda (since 2014)[24]
  • First Deputy Prime Minister: Moses Ali (since 2016)[24]
  • Second Deputy Prime Minister Kirunda Kivenjinja (since 2016)[24]

Zambia

 Zambia

• Chief of state and Head of government: President, Edgar Lungu (since 2015)[25]
  • Vice-President Inonge Wina (since 2015)[25]

Zimbabwe

 Zimbabwe

• Chief of state: President Emmerson Mnangagwa (since 2017)[26]
  • Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga (since 2017)[26]

Monthly events

January

• January 13 – Sudan claims an Ethiopian military plane crossed its border. Ethiopia denies it.[27]
• January 14
  • The World Food Programme (WFP) says that 1.35 million people in Madagascar are food insecure and need USD$35 million in emergency aid.[28]
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deports 100 asylum-seekers from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya to Nairobi days before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.[29]
• January 18 – Internet service is restored in 90% of Uganda after a five-day blackout; Bobi Wine remains under house arrest since 15 January.[30]
• January 19
  • Tensions rise along the border between Sudan and Ethiopia days after Sudan accused Ethiopia of violating its airspace.[31] South Sudan has offered to mediate.[32]
  • Cyclone Eloise makes landfall in Madagascar, killing one.
• January 23
  • Ugandan peace-keeprers in Sigaale, Adimole, and Kayitoy, Somalia, kill 189 Al-Shabaab fighters.[33]
  • Cyclone Eloise: 100,000 people are evacuated when the hurricane hits, but flooding and damage have been slight in Mozambique.[34] Four deaths have been confirmed.
• January 24
  • COVID-19 pandemic: Four members of the Cabinet of Zimbabwe die in the first two weeks of January.[35]
  • Reverien Ndikuriyo is chosen as the leader of the National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD–FDD) in Burundi.[36]
• January 25 – Tigray War: Members of the Eritrean Army are accused of widespread looting and weaponizing hunger. Eritrea denies it has soldiers in Ethiopia.[37]
• January 27 – The United States Department of State demands that Eritrea withdraw from Tigray.[38]

February

• February 4 – The ICC finds Dominic Ongwen, 45, of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.[39]

Scheduled events

Elections

• January 14 – 2021 Ugandan general election: Incumbent Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner with 5.85 million votes (58.64%); the main opposition candidate, Bobi Wine alleged fraud.[40]
• February 8 – 2021 Somali presidential election
• 2021 Somali parliamentary election
• May – 2021 Somaliland municipal elections.[41]
• May – 2021 Somaliland parliamentary election.[41]
• June 5 – 2021 Ethiopian general election

January and February

• January 1 – New Year's Day, (Gregorian calendar)
• January 7 – Orthodox Christmas, Public holidays in Eritrea and Public holidays in Ethiopia
• January 12 – Zanzibar Revolution Day, Public holidays in Tanzania.[42]
• January 15 – John Chilembwe Day, Public holidays in Malawi.[43]
• January 26 – National Resistance Movement Day, Public holidays in Uganda.[44]
• January 28 – Thaipusam, Public holidays and festivals in Mauritius (Tamil Hindu holiday).[45]
• February 1 – Heroes' Day, Public holidays in Rwanda.[46]
• February 3 – Heroes' Day, Public holidays in Mozambique.[47]
• February 16 – Janani Luwum Day, Uganda.[48]
• February 22 – Robert Mugabe National Youth Day, Public holidays in Zimbabwe.[49]

March and April

• March 2 – Victory at Adwa Day, Ethiopia.[50]
• March 3 – Martyrs' Day, Malawi.[51]
• March 8 – International Women's Day.[52]
• March 11 – Isra and Mi'raj, Public holidays in Djibouti, the Prophet′s Night Journey.[53]
• March 12
  • National Day, Mauritius.[54]
  • Youth Day, Public holidays in Zambia.[55]
• March 18 – Cheikh Al Maarouf Day, Public holidays in the Comoros[56]
• March 29 – Martyrs' Day, Public holidays in Madagascar.[57]
• April 1–3 — Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday
• April 5 – Easter Monday
• April 7 – Abeid Karume Day, Tanzania.[58]
• April 19 – Independence Day, Zimbabwe.[59]
• April 26 – Union Day, Tanzania.[60]

May and June

• May 1 – Labour Day or International Workers' Day
• May 5 – Patriots' Victory Day, Ethiopia.[61]
• May 13 – Eid al-Fitr, Muslim feast of breaking of the Fast.[62]
• May 16 – Sudan People's Liberation Army Day, Public holidays in South Sudan.[63]
• May 24 – Independence Day (Eritrea)
• May 25 – Africa Day
• June 1 – Madaraka Day, Public holidays in Kenya.[64]
• June 18 – Constitution Day, Public holidays in Seychelles.[65]
• June 20 – Martyrs' Day (Eritrea)
• June 25 – Independence Day, Mozambique.[66]
• June 26
  • Independence Day, Madagascar.[67]
  • Independence Day, Public holidays in Somalia.[68]
• June 27 – Independence Day, Djibouti.[69]
• June 29 – Independence Day, Seychelles.[70]

July and August

• July 1
  • Independence Day, Public holiday in Burundi (since 1962)[71]
  • Independence Day, Rwanda (since 1962).[72]
  • Republic Day, Somalia.[73]
• July 4 – Liberation Day (Rwanda).[74]
• July 5 – Heroes' Day, Zambia.[75]
• July 6
  • National Day, Comoros.[76]
  • Independence Day, Malawi.[77]
• July 20 – Eid al-Adha, holiest Islamic feast of the year.[78]
• July 30 – Martyrs' Day, South Sudan.[79]

• August 8 – Nane Nane Day, Tanzania.[80]
• August 15 – Assumption of Mary, Roman Catholic feast celebrated in the Seychelles.

September and October

• September 7 – Victory Day, Mozambique.[81]
• October 9 – Independence Day, Uganda.[82]
• October 11 – Huduma Day, Kenya.[83]
• October 18 – Day of Prayer, Zambia.[84]
• October 25 – Independence Day, Zambia.[85]

November and December

• November 2 – Indian Arrival Day, Mauritius.[86]
• November 12 – Maore Day, Comoros[87]
• December 9 – Independence Day, Tanzania.[88]
• December 13 – Jamhuri Day, Kenya.[89]
• December 22 – Unity Day, Zimbabwe.[90]
• December 25 – Christmas Day, Western Christian holiday
• December 26 – Boxing Day (Utamaduni Day in Kenya)[91][92]

Culture

• February 4 – MTV Africa Music Awards, to be held in Kampala, are postponed due to disputes over the 2021 Ugandan general election.[93]

Sports

• January 16 – It was announced that Madagascar will organize the 2023 Indian Ocean Islands Games since the Seychelles has withdrawn.[94]

Deaths

• January 12 – Sidik Mia, 56, Malawi politician, MP (2004–2014), Minister of Defence (2009–2010), Minister of Transport and Public Works (since 2020); COVID-19.[95]
• January 18 – Joevana Charles, 66, Seychellois politician, member of the National Assembly (1993–2016).[96]
• January 20 – Sibusiso Moyo, 61, Zimbabwean politician (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); COVID-19.[97]

See also

• 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
• 2021–22 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
• 2021 in Middle Africa
• 2021 in North Africa
• 2021 in Southern Africa
• 2021 in West Africa
• 2020s
• 2020s in political history
• Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
• African Union
• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
• International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF)
• East African Community
• Southern African Development Community
• Community of Sahel–Saharan States
• War in Darfur
• Tigray War

References

1. "Burundi's new president Ndayishimiye to be sworn in Thursday". bangkokpost.com. Bangkok Post Public Company. June 15, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
2. The CIA World Factbook: Comoros Retrieved 11 February 2020
3. Martin Ottenheimer; Harriet Joseph Ottenheimer. "Comoros". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
4. The CIA World Factbook: Djibouti Retrieved 11 February 2020
5. The CIA World Factbook: Eritrea Retrieved 11 February 2020
6. The CIA World Factbook: Ethiopia Retrieved 11 February 2020
7. The CIA World Factbook: Kenya Retrieved 11 February 2020
8. The CIA World Factbook: Madagascar Retrieved 11 February 2020
9. "Malawi's new president urges all to root out corruption". ABC News. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
10. The CIA World Factbook: Mauritius Retrieved 12 February 2020
11. Larry Wells Bowman (3 April 2020). "Mauritius". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
12. The CIA World Factbook: Reunion Retrieved 12 February 2020
13. "Mayotte". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
14. The CIA World Factbook: Mozambique Retrieved 12 February 2020
15. "Réunion". Encyclopaedia Britannica. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
16. The CIA World Factbook: Rwanda Retrieved 11 February 2020
17. "Seychelles opposition wins presidency for first time in 43 years". Reuters. 25 October 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
18. The CIA World Factbook: Somalia Retrieved 12 February 2020
19. "Somalia names new prime minister, unveils plan for elections". aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera. September 18, 2020. Retrieved Sep 23, 2020.
20. "Somaliland". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 13 Apr 2020.
21. "South Sudan". Encyclopaedia Britannica.
22. The CIA World Factbook: South Sudan Retrieved 12 February 2020
23. The CIA World Factbook: Tanzania Retrieved 12 February 2020
24. CIA Factbook: Uganda Retrieved 13 February 2020
25. CIA Factbook: Zambia Retrieved 13 February 2020
26. CIA Factbook: Zimbabwe Retrieved 13 February 2020
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29. "Ice flies African asylum seekers to Nairobi in last-minute deportation push". news.yahoo.com. The Guardian. January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
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38. "US says Eritrean forces should leave Tigray immediately". AP NEWS. 27 January 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
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41. "Somaliland political parties strike deal with Electoral Commission over elections". garoweonline.com. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
42. "Zanzibar Revolution Day in Tanzania in 2022". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
43. "John Chilembwe Day in Malawi in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
44. "NRM Liberation Day 2021, 2022 and 2023 in Uganda". PublicHolidays.africa. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
45. "Thaipoosam Cavadee in Mauritius in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
46. "Heroes' Day in Rwanda in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
47. "Heroes' Day Holiday in Mozambique in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
48. "Archbishop Janani Luwum Day in Uganda in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
49. "Robert Mugabe National Youth Day in Zimbabwe in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
50. "Victory of Adwa in Ethiopia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
51. "Martyrs Day in Malawi in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
52. "Women's Day in Eritrea in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
53. "Al Isra et Al Mirague in Djibouti in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
54. "Independence and Republic Day in Mauritius in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
55. "Youth Day in Zambia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
56. "Cheikh Al Maarouf Day in Comoros in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
57. "Martyrs Day in Madagascar in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
58. "Karume Day in Tanzania in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
59. "Independence Day in Zimbabwe in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
60. "Union Day in Tanzania in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
61. "Patriots' Victory Day in Ethiopia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
62. "Eid Ul Fitr in Rwanda in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
63. [Public holidays in South Sudan "SPLA Day in South Sudan in 2021"] Check |url= value (help). Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
64. "Madaraka Day in Kenya in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
65. "Constitutional Day in Seychelles in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
66. "Independence Day in Mozambique in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
67. "Independence Day in Madagascar in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
68. "Independence Day in Somalia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
69. "Independence Day in Djibouti in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
70. "Independence Day in Seychelles in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
71. "Independence Day in Burundi in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
72. "Independence Day in Rwanda in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
73. "Republic Day in Somalia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
74. "Liberation Day in Rwanda in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
75. "Heroes' Day in Zambia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
76. "National Day in Comoros in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
77. "Independence Day in Malawi in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
78. "Eid El Haj in Rwanda in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
79. "Martyrs' Day in South Sudan in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
80. "Nane Nane (Farmer's) Day in Tanzania in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
81. "Victory Day in Mozambique in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
82. "Independence Day in Uganda in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
83. "Huduma Day in Kenya in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
84. "National Prayer Day in Zambia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
85. "Independence Day in Zambia in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
86. "Arrival of Indentured Labourers in Mauritius in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
87. "Journée Nationale Maoré in the Comoros / November 12, 2021". AnydayGuide. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
88. "Independence Day in Tanzania in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
89. "Jamhuri Day in Kenya in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
90. "Unity Day in Zimbabwe in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
91. https://www.officeholidays.com/countries/kenya/2020
92. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/kenya/article/2001353839/cabinet-renames-moi-boxing-days
93. McSweeney, Eoin (February 4, 2021). "MTV postpones its Africa Music Awards as Bobi Wine's team releases report documenting alleged abuses". msn.com. CNN. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
94. "East Africa: Madagascar to Host 2023 Indian Ocean Games After Maldives Withdraws". allAfrica.com. 16 January 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
95. Another Cabinet Minister Sidik Mia Dies Of Covid-19
96. Seychelles’ longest-serving woman parliamentarian dies; remembered as an adventurous patriot
97. "Zimbabwe's foreign minister dies of COVID-19". aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera English. January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.

External links

• allAfrica news site