European lawmakers are campaigning to prevent Burundi from benefiting from a free trade agreement between the EU and the EAC due to human rights violations in Burundi. The suspension of European aid to Burundi is already in place because President Pierre Nkurunziza's third term is seen as a violation of democratic principles. The EU is seeking alternatives to maintain trade with Kenya, as it faces higher export taxes without a deal. The EU Parliament's trade committee chair, Bernd Lange, and member Marie Arena have expressed concerns over including Burundi in the trade deal and are also wary of Tanzania's reluctance to sign post-Brexit. Audace Ndayizeye of Burundi's commerce chamber argues against exclusion. The impasse has put East African trade diplomacy in a difficult position, with Kenya's foreign minister Amina Mohamed optimistic about resolving the issue before the October deadline.

The article discusses the African Union's (AU) concerns regarding the lack of progress towards an independent Western Sahara state. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chair of the African Union Commission, expressed her distress over the situation of the Sahrawi people, who have been living in refugee camps for generations. The AU criticized the UN Secretary-General for delaying his visit to the region and called for action to protect Western Sahara's integrity. Morocco's attempts to rejoin the AU and block UN actions on Western Sahara have led to division within the AU. The article also mentions the lobbying efforts by Morocco and the diplomatic responses from various African leaders and analysts.

The article discusses the alleged involvement of Kenyan police in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly targeting terror suspects. It highlights the human rights concerns raised by these actions, especially in the wake of the Garissa University attack by al-Shabab, where 148 students were killed. The article includes admissions from a police officer involved in the killings and comments from human rights activists and officials. The recent murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client, and his driver, which sparked protests in Nairobi, is also covered. The National Police Service Commission denies knowledge of police death squads, while human rights advocates call for greater oversight and accountability of the police force.

The African Union, during a two-day summit in Egypt, has called for the formation of a government of national unity in Zimbabwe following President Robert Mugabe's controversial re-election, which was deemed illegitimate by many. The summit revealed divisions among African leaders, with Botswana suggesting Zimbabwe's suspension from African forums, while President Omar Bongo of Gabon supported Mugabe's presidency. The African Union emphasized the need for continued regional mediation, led by South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, despite criticism of his lenient approach towards Mugabe. The union appealed to both the opposition and Mugabe's government to foster a conducive environment for dialogue.

At the African Union meeting in Egypt, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, through spokesman George Charamba, dismissed Western demands for his resignation, while African leaders sought a consensus on resolving Zimbabwe's political crisis. Both Mugabe and his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai rejected the idea of a power-sharing government, with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change stating that the recent election eliminated prospects for a negotiated settlement.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe attended an African Union summit in Egypt following his inauguration to a sixth term, after a one-candidate election deemed not credible by southern African election monitors and falling short of the African Union's standards. African leaders refrained from public confrontation, while United Nations Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro called the situation a 'moment of truth' and emphasized the need for dialogue to restore peace and stability in Zimbabwe.

Jendayi Frazer, the top American diplomat for Africa, stated that the violence in Kenya, which has resulted in over 800 deaths and 300,000 displacements, constitutes ethnic cleansing but not genocide. The violence began after the announcement of President Mwai Kibaki's victory in a disputed election and has escalated with retaliatory attacks, particularly in the Rift Valley, exacerbating long-standing ethnic tensions.

Kofi Annan is set to become the mediator in the Kenyan political crisis, taking over from Ghana's President John Kufuor. Despite efforts, no progress has been made in resolving the conflict that followed last month's flawed elections, which both President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga claim to have won. The crisis has resulted in violence and hundreds of deaths. Annan will lead a panel of African dignitaries in attempts to reconcile the two sides. The World Bank's recommendation for a transitional government and an election investigation was rejected by Kibaki, further complicating the situation.

In Kenya, a mob set fire to a church sheltering people, killing dozens, amid ethnic violence following a disputed election. Witnesses and the Red Cross reported up to 50 deaths in the village of Kiambaa. The violence, which has claimed over 250 lives in two days, involves tribal militias and is linked to accusations of ballot rigging in President Mwai Kibaki's narrow re-election. The EU has called for an investigation, while opposition leader Raila Odinga plans a major protest. The unrest has displaced thousands and raised fears of escalating conflict.