East Africa

The city has seen flood occurrences spike in frequency and intensity, spotlighting climate change issues.Climate change has become a massive worldwide worry, especially in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, covering Somalia, with weather patterns turning more erratic.The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that global warming has drastically upped the occurrence of extreme weather like droughts and floods in these parts.These weather shifts, combined with current hurdles like political chaos and poverty,…

At least 3,000 Ethiopian troops are stationed in Somalia through ATMIS, with another 5,000-7,000 Ethiopian soldiers deployed via a bilateral pact. Despite escalating tensions, ATMIS is steadfast in its plan to pull out by December 31, transitioning to a leaner force. As this withdrawal proceeds, the Somali government exudes optimism about handling al-Shabaab, aiming for a new squadron of no more than 10,000 troops focused on securing key urban hubs. However, Ethiopia asserts it has not received any formal notification from…

<Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia grapples with severe humanitarian and security challenges worsened by climate change and Al-Shabaab militants, underscored during a recent UN Security Council discussion. Key UN and US representatives stressed the dire necessity for global backing to tackle these crises. "Climate change is outstripping our capacity for adaptation and humanitarian response," cautioned James Swan, leader of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). With over 3.8 million displaced individuals, and the…

EL WAK, Somalia - A batch of Kenyan soldiers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) vacated the El-wak Forward Operating Base at the Kenya-Somalia border. Responsibility for safeguarding this area now shifts to the Somali National Army (SNA). KDF's exit aligns with the Somali Transition Plan (STP), a broader initiative which foresees all African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) personnel withdrawing by late December 2024. ATMIS recently revealed that 5,000 soldiers have already departed, marking the beginning…

Floods in Mogadishu Claim Two Lives MOGADISHU, Somalia - Torrential rains have hit Mogadishu, morphing the city into a waterlogged labyrinth, wrecking properties and infrastructure. This happens often because there's no drainage system. These abrupt torrents, which climbed up to people's knees, spark worries over safety and the changing climate in this area. Mogadishu's local officials reported that the floods tragically took the lives of two kids who drowned. Furthermore, 11 homes crumbled, two main roads were…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Insiders privy to the talks have disclosed that North Western of Somalia and Ethiopia are close to converting their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) into a formal pact. The MoU inked on January 1 in Addis Ababa by North Western of Somalia President Muse Bihi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed marks a milestone in Ethiopia’s quest to secure sea access. As per the MoU, North Western of Somalia has consented to leasing a 20-kilometer stretch of its shoreline to Ethiopia for five decades. This…

Galgacyo (AX) - On Sunday, a fierce skirmish in Labi Maygaag, east of Mudug, north-central Somalia, left at least 10 dead and 15 others maimed. The clash pitted tribal militias from Northeastern State and Galmudug against each other, rooted in a contentious land dispute and simmering clan feud. The regional governors of Mudug from both factions vowed to deploy military force to quell the hostilities. Meanwhile, initiatives are afoot to broker a peaceful settlement. The fray endured for several hours on Sunday. Anxiety…

Florian Wirtz (L) of Germany clashes with Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland during their UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match in Frankfurt, Germany on June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)Niclas Fullkrug netted a late goal, enabling Germany to level with Switzerland at 1-1 on Sunday and advance as Group A champions to the Euro 2024 round of 16.Having already secured qualification with two earlier victories, they needed just a draw to top the group.The hosts came out swinging, with Kai Havertz forcing a sharp save from Switzerland's…

Ruto's administration has been blindsided by weeklong uproar, sparked by grievances about his economic strategies. Kenya's President William Ruto expressed he was 'chuffed' with the youth showcasing their dissent 'calmly' President Ruto announced he’s open for a “chat” with the thousands of “calm” young souls who staged nationwide protests this week against looming tax hikes. The demonstrators kicked things off Tuesday, accusing Ruto of backpedaling on his promise to curb taxes and ease living expenses. Drummed up on…

Earlier this week, geologist Abbas Sharaky predicted that the middle section of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) would be raised from 625 meters to 640 meters. Consequently, the fifth filling could stockpile 23 billion cubic meters of water, increasing the reservoir’s total from 41 billion cubic meters to 64 billion. Sharaky reflected on the four previous fillings, which commenced every early July starting in 2020, coinciding with the rain season. Initially, the dam's wall stood at 565 meters, holding around five…