# 2021 in East Africa

The following lists events that happened during 2021 in East Africa. The countries listed are those described in the United Nations geoscheme for East Africa: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

## Incumbents
### Burundi

Burundi
* Chief of state and Head of government: President: Évariste Ndayishimiye, (since 2020).
* 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)
Comoros also claims the island of Mayotte.

### Djibouti

Djibouti
* Chief of state: President Ismail Omar Guelleh (since 1999)
* Head of government: Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed (since 2013)

### Eritrea

Eritrea
* Chief of state and Head of government: President Isaias Afwerki (since 1993)

### Ethiopia

Ethiopia
* Chief of state: President Sahle-Work Zewde (since 2018)
* Head of government:Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (since 2018)
** Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen (since 2012)

### Kenya

Kenya
* Chief of state and Head of government: President Uhuru Kenyatta (since 2013)
** Deputy President: William Ruto (since 2013)

### Madagascar

Madagascar
* Chief of state: President Andry Rajoelina (since 2019)
* Head of government: Prime Minister Christian Ntsay (since 2018)

### Malawi

Malawi
* Chief of state and Head of government: President Lazarus Chakwera (starting 2020)
* Vice-President Saulos Chilima (since 2020)

### Mauritius

Mauritius
* Chief of state: President Prithvirajsing Roopun (since 2019)
* Head of government: Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth (since 2017)
Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago (including Diego Garcia), although this claim is disputed by the UK.

### Mayotte

* Chief of state: President of France Emmanuel Macron (since 2017)
* Head of government: Prime Minister of France Édouard Philippe (since 2017)
* President of the Departmental Council Soibahadine Ibrahim Ramadani (since 2015)
Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France also claimed by Comoros.

### Mozambique

Mozambique
* Chief of state: President Filipe Nyusi (since 2015)
* Head of government: Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário (since 2015)

### Réunion

Réunion is an overseas department and region of France.
* Chief of state: President Emmanuel Macron (since 2017)
* Head of government: Prime Minister of France: Édouard Philippe (since 2017)
* President of the Regional Council: Didier Robert (since 2010)

### Rwanda

Rwanda
* Chief of state: President Paul Kagame (since 2000)
* Head of government: Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente (since 2017)

### Seychelles

Seychelles
* Chief of state and Head of government: President Wavel Ramkalawan (starting 2020).
* Vice-President: Ahmed Afif (starting October 26, 2020)

### Somalia

Somalia
* Chief of state: President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (since 2017)
* Head of government: Prime Minister> Mohamed Hussein Roble (starting 2020)

#### Somaliland

The Republic of Somaliland claims independence from Somalia.
* 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
* Chief of state and Head of government: President Salva Kiir Mayardit (since 2011)
** First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai (since 2016)
** Second Vice President James Wani Igga (since 2016)

### Tanzania

Tanzania
* Chief of state and Head of government: President
** John Magufuli (died March 17)
** Samia Suluhu (starting March 17)
* Vice-President
** Samia Suluhu (until March 17)
* Head of government: Prime Minister: Kassim Majaliwa (since 2015)

### Uganda

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

### Zambia

Zambia
* Chief of state and Head of government: President, Edgar Lungu (since 2015)
** Vice-President Inonge Wina (since 2015)

### Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe
* Chief of state: President Emmerson Mnangagwa (since 2017)
* Vice-President
** Kembo Mohadi (until March 1)

## Monthly events
### January

* January 13 – Sudan claims an Ethiopian military plane crossed its border. Ethiopia denies it.
* January 14
** The World Food Programme (WFP) says that 1.35 million people in Madagascar are food insecure and need US$35 million in emergency aid.
** 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.
* January 18 – Internet service is restored in 90% of Uganda after a five-day blackout; Bobi Wine remains under house arrest since 15 January.
* January 19
** Tensions rise along the border between Sudan and Ethiopia days after Sudan accused Ethiopia of violating its airspace. South Sudan has offered to mediate.
** Cyclone Eloise makes landfall in Madagascar, killing one.
* January 23
** Ugandan peace-keeprers in Sigaale, Adimole, and Kayitoy, Somalia, kill 189 Al-Shabaab fighters.
** Cyclone Eloise: 100,000 people are evacuated when the hurricane hits, but flooding and damage have been slight in Mozambique. 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.
** 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.
* January 25 – Tigray War: Members of the Eritrean Army are accused of widespread looting and weaponizing hunger. Eritrea denies it has soldiers in Ethiopia.
* January 27 – The United States Department of State demands that Eritrea withdraw from Tigray.

### February

* February 4 – The ICC finds Dominic Ongwen, 45, of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
* February 7 – DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, new chair of the African Union, says he intends to make settlement of the dispute over Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam a priority.
* February 9 – The single hospital in Mayotte is overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.
* February 22 – Fifteen Tigrayans among Ethiopian peacekeepers who were due to return home on Monday ask to remain in South Sudan, citing fears of going back to Ethiopia.
* February 24 – Egypt endorses Sudan's proposal to internationalize the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam controversy, calling for the participation of the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States.

### March

* March 1 – Zimbabwe vice president Kembo Mohadi resigns after allegations of sexual misconduct.
* March 9 – Workers in Mauritius begin pumping 130 tons of fuel from the Chinese fishing boat Lu Rong Yuan Yu that ran aground on a coral reef.

## 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.
* February 8 – 2021 Somali presidential election: postponed indefinitely; international groups insist a new date be established to prevent violence.
* 2021 Somali parliamentary election
* May – 2021 Somaliland municipal elections.
* May – 2021 Somaliland parliamentary election.
* June 5 – 2021 Ethiopian general election

### Holidays
#### 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.
* January 15 – John Chilembwe Day, Public holidays in Malawi.
* January 26 – National Resistance Movement Day, Public holidays in Uganda.
* January 28 – Thaipusam, Public holidays and festivals in Mauritius (Tamil Hindu holiday).
* February 1 – Heroes' Day, Public holidays in Rwanda.
* February 3 – Heroes' Day, Public holidays in Mozambique.
* February 16 – Janani Luwum Day, Uganda.
* February 22 – Robert Mugabe National Youth Day, Public holidays in Zimbabwe.

#### March and April

* March 2 – Victory at Adwa Day, Ethiopia.
* March 3 – Martyrs' Day, Malawi.
* March 8 – International Women's Day.
* March 11 – Isra and Mi'raj, Public holidays in Djibouti, the Prophet's Night Journey.
* March 12
** National Day, Mauritius.
** Youth Day, Public holidays in Zambia.
* March 18 – Cheikh Al Maarouf Day, Public holidays in the Comoros
* March 29 – Martyrs' Day, Public holidays in Madagascar.
* April 1–3 – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday
* April 5 – Easter Monday
* April 7 – Abeid Karume Day, Tanzania.
* April 19 – Independence Day, Zimbabwe.
* April 26 – Union Day, Tanzania.

#### May and June

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

#### July and August

* July 1
** Independence Day, Public holiday in Burundi (since 1962)
** Independence Day, Rwanda (since 1962).
** Republic Day, Somalia.
* July 4 – Liberation Day (Rwanda).
* July 5 – Heroes' Day, Zambia.
* July 6
** National Day, Comoros.
** Independence Day, Malawi.
* July 20 – Eid al-Adha, holiest Islamic feast of the year.
* July 30 – Martyrs' Day, South Sudan.
* August 8 – Nane Nane Day, Tanzania.
* August 15 – Assumption of Mary, Roman Catholic feast celebrated in the Seychelles.

#### September and October

* September 7 – Victory Day, Mozambique.
* October 9 – Independence Day, Uganda.
* October 11 – Huduma Day, Kenya.
* October 18 – Day of Prayer, Zambia.
* October 25 – Independence Day, Zambia.

#### November and December

* November 2 – Indian Arrival Day, Mauritius.
* November 12 – Maore Day, Comoros
* December 9 – Independence Day, Tanzania.
* December 13 – Jamhuri Day, Kenya.
* December 22 – Unity Day, Zimbabwe.
* December 25 – Christmas Day, Western Christian holiday
* December 26 – Boxing Day (Utamaduni Day in Kenya)

## Culture

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

## Sports

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

## Deaths
### January to March

* 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.
* January 18 – Joevana Charles, 66, Seychellois politician, member of the National Assembly (1993–2016).
* January 20 – Sibusiso Moyo, 61, Zimbabwean politician (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); COVID-19.
* February 17 – Seif Sharif Hamad, 77, Vice President of Zanzibar (December 7, 2020 – February 17, 2021), Tanzania; acute pneumonia related to COVID-19.
* March 6 – Nicolas Bwakira, 79, Burundian diplomat. (death announced on this date)
* March 10 – Ali Mahdi Muhammad, 82, Somali politician, president (1991–1997); COVID-19.
* March 17 – John Magufuli, 61, Tanzanian politician, president (since 2015), minister of works, transports and communications (2000–2005, 2010–2015) and MP (1995–2015); heart failure.
* March 29 – Sarah Onyango Obama, 99, Kenyan educator and philanthropist, grandmother of former U.S. President Barack Obama; complications from diabetes and a stroke.

### April to June

* 11 May - Zemi Yenus, 61, Ethiopian businesswoman and autism activist, complications from COVID-19.