June 24, 2021
Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, in his capacity as President-in-Office of the Summit of OACPS Heads of State and Government, met with Mr Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Secretary General of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the Committee of Ambassadors of the OACPS at the Headquarters of the organization in Brussels, Belgium on 22 June 2021. During the bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General, the President noted that like many other countries, Members of the OACPS are in the sixth year of implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development whose overarching theme is eradicating all forms of poverty everywhere.
Uganda Court Ruling Causes Foregin Company Confusion
A decision by Uganda’s Commercial Court has given foreign companies the right to operate without being incorporated or registered there, causing confusion over the legal precedent and raising concerns from some in the business community. A court ruling has opened the door for foreign companies to do business in Uganda without being incorporated or registered in the country. The May 21, 2021 ruling Mr Justice Boniface Wamala in the Commercial Division of the High Court of Uganda, was made on an application by local mine operator Krone Uganda seeking dismissal of litigation brought by United Kingdom metals company Kerilee Investments over an export permit.
Eversheds Sutherland Enters Lusophone Markets
Offices in Angola and Mozambique are among those to join international law firm Eversheds Sutherland, following a merger with FCB. International law firm Eversheds Sutherland has merged with Portuguese firm FCB Advogados, giving it three new offices in Portugal and two in Africa – Angola and Mozambique. FCB had an existing relationship with its Anglo-American counterpart, and the former FCB offices now practices as Eversheds Sutherland FCB, giving the international firm a full-service presence in Angola, one of Africa’s top 10 economies, and a mid-ranked one in Mozambique.
China to Restructure Congo’s Debt
Congolese Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso acknowledged on Monday, June 21, 2021 the financial difficulties his country is facing, and promised to reduce a debt that has recently increased. "Our financial difficulties, compounded by the health crisis, have increased our debt and reduced our ability to service it. We must therefore do everything possible to make the public debt sustainable. Our debt currently stands at nearly CFA Francs 6 trillion as of December 31, 2020, or 98% of GDP. Our objective is to bring it down to below the CEMAC community standard set at 70% of GDP.” This speech comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to restructure Congo's vast debts which prevents the Central African country from resuming negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Alliance for South African and Mozambican Law Firms
Webber Wentzel and ABCC have formalized their relationship with the aim of exchanging best practice and an enhanced client offering, as cross-border law firm relationships continue to grow across Africa. An alliance has been formed between South African law firm Webber Wentzel and Mozambican firm Avillez Bacar Centeio & Cambule (ABCC). Described in a statement as “a bilateral collaboration”, it has formalized the existing relationship between the firms and established a joint framework for best practice, thought leadership and training. '
Vaccines and Economic Recovery Dominate AfDB Annual Meetings
The 2021 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank kicked off on Wednesday, June 23. The meetings are being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a press release by the Bank, these meetings will provide a platform for the Bank’s governors to share their experience in addressing the pandemic and the policy measures they are employing to rebuild economies and livelihoods.
New Firm to Take on the Mauritian Market
The merger of a Mauritian barristers’ chambers and a law firm will create an expanded corporate and commercial set that hopes to compete with local and international law firm offices in Port Louis. Two Mauritian law offices, one an established firm, the other a newer barristers’ chambers, have announced plans to merge on July 1 of this year, with eventual plans to practice as a law firm. Both based in Port Louis, Legis Consult Law Chambers and 5 Fifteen Barristers will combine to form Orison Legal, which will initially operate as a chambers, but has applied for a licence to become a law firm.