East Africa

This week, leaders from the Commonwealth, a global organization primarily comprised of former British colonies, have convened in the picturesque Pacific island nation of Samoa. After two decades of waiting, it’s Africa’s turn to fill the Secretary-General role. However, the agenda is igniting debate, particularly regarding the contentious topic of reparations. In the spotlight are three contenders fiercely competing for the esteemed position: Ghana's Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; the erstwhile trade and…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed grave concerns about the plight of everyday Zimbabweans, who bear the brunt of economic sanctions levied against the nation. Although these sanctions target specific individuals, the ripple effects reach far wider, impacting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Mnangagwa argues that these punitive measures hinder efforts toward regional cooperation and stifle sustainable development initiatives. In a significant turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to forge a new…

At a groundbreaking ceremony for a new liquid oxygen facility on the Coast, key figures including Hiroshi Ogihara from the Japanese embassy, Paras Pandya, MD of Synergy Gases, Governor Gideon Mung'aro, and Unitaid's Robert Matiru came together. Unitaid, backed by UK funds, declared a hefty Sh2.8 billion investment aimed at aiding three oxygen manufacturers in Kenya and Tanzania. This significant boost is set to usher in Africa's maiden regional production of liquid oxygen. Aiming to enhance the availability of medical…

FILE - On the date of April 8, 2023, Ethiopian Minister Abiy Ahmed was present at the graduation event for recruits at the Ethiopian military school. Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopia's hustle for a grip on the Red Sea is heating things up in the Horn of Africa. This tug-of-war among Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Somalia might just change the political scene there. At the heart of it all is the fierce scramble for control over the vital Red Sea route. A big piece of the puzzle is Ethiopia’s port deal with North Western State of…

About 13,000 Ethiopian and allied troops will exit Somalia by year's end, making way for a revamped mission anticipated to commence the following year. “Ethiopia’s recent solo actions, like signing an illegitimate pact with Somalia's northern area, breach our sovereign rights and damage the trust needed for peacekeeping,” declared Somalia’s Foreign Ministry in a Wednesday pronouncement. Regional diplomats fret over escalating tensions related to troop involvement in the upcoming peacekeeping force, fearing it might…

Renamo has seen a dramatic reduction in its parliamentary representation, losing two-thirds of its seats and stepping down from its status as Mozambique's second-largest political party. That title now belongs to the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), which has made significant strides with independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane at the helm, securing a total of 31 seats. As the election results awaited confirmation, there were appeals for tranquility. This came shortly after the chair of the…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Wednesday night, the Somali Council of Ministers gave the green light to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for defense collaboration with Tanzania.Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre chaired the gathering, emphasizing the significance of this accord even though the nitty-gritty wasn't revealed. In recent times, Somalia has inked comparable deals with nations like Egypt, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to boost defense ties with regional and international allies.This fresh defense alliance surfaces amid rocky…

In Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, there’s been a whirlwind of pushback against the prospect of President Emmerson Mnangagwa extending his tenure past 2028. Despite his firm assertions that he wishes to serve only two terms, the internal dynamics within his party are growing increasingly fractious. Some factions are fervently calling for a change in the Constitution, seeking to abolish term limits altogether. Dubbed the ED2030 campaign, this slogan has not only kept the populace of Zimbabwe brimming with apprehension, but…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — An enormous wave of sadness has swept through Eastleigh, Nairobi, as the Somali community grapples with the tragic murders of three females from one family, found in separate parts of Kenya. Discovered on a Monday, the lifeless bodies of Waris Daud, her 22-year-old daughter Amina Abdirashid, and her 12-year-old niece Nuseiba Dahir, have left a trail of grief and unanswered questions. The trio vanished from their Eastleigh abode late Sunday night, never to return. The grim event has captured nationwide…

Kenya and Somalia: Building Bridges on Security and Cooperation In a recent pow-wow at Nairobi's State House, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Kenyan President William Ruto rolled up their sleeves to hash out a seamless handover for regional security. This pivotal transfer, set to launch in January 2025, will see the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) morph into the newly minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Monday saw President Mohamud touchdown…