East Africa

Strengthening Bonds: Uganda's Military Commitment to Somalia Mogadishu (AX) – On a Saturday filled with promise and potential, Lieutenant General Samuel Okiding, the Deputy Chief of the Uganda Defence Forces, stepped onto Somali soil for an official visit. This journey is not just a routine diplomatic mission; it is a vital endeavor aimed at fortifying military cooperation between Somalia and Uganda, two nations bound by shared concerns and aspirations. Upon his arrival at Aden Adde International Airport, Lt. Gen.…

The commitment of the Trump administration to bolster U.S. exports to Africa is not merely a political statement; it is a clarion call for transformation. “We aim to elevate U.S. exports and investments in Africa, eliminate trade deficits, and foster mutual prosperity,” shared Ambassador Troy Fitrell, currently leading the Africa Bureau at the State Department. His remarks were made during an American Chambers of Commerce gathering in the vibrant city of Abidjan, a place rich with opportunity yet often overlooked. This…

The Conviction of a Former Leader: A Landmark Case for Mauritania and Africa Recently, the Mauritanian appellate court delivered a verdict that has reverberated beyond its borders: the conviction of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on charges of corruption. After appeals from both state officials and Abdel Aziz’s defense team, the court increased his sentence from five years to a significant 15-year term. This ruling addresses not just a local scandal but also speaks volumes about accountability on the African…

Understanding GDP per capita growth isn't just about numbers; it's a window into the lived realities of a nation's populace. How many of us actually grasp what that growth means for an average citizen grappling with daily financial challenges? It serves as a vital indicator of whether economic advancements benefit all layers of society or if they remain ensnared by inflationary pressures, population surges, or stark inequalities. In the global landscape, some nations have seen their economic indicators trend…

Response to Unrest in Burao: A Call for Unity and Clarity In a significant turn of events following the recent protests in Burao, North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro announced the release of at least 150 individuals detained during the demonstrations. This decision comes on the heels of tragic unrest that left two individuals dead and over forty injured, prompting the president to initiate a formal investigation into the violent incidents. These protests, which erupted amid social…

As the political landscape shifts in the United States, two critical initiatives are at a crossroads, raising pressing concerns. Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has stepped forward with an earnest call to action, urging the administration of President Donald Trump to reconsider the potential cancellation of programs that have dramatically reshaped African lives and economies. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have both played pivotal roles in their…

After months of stalemate and escalating humanitarian crises, a glimmer of hope emerges in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet, our optimism must be tempered by the lessons of the past. How many times have we seen initiatives crumble, leaving communities in despair? As Paul-Simon Handy, East Africa Regional Director for the Institute of Security Studies, astutely observes, faltering African interventions have inadvertently paved the way for global actors to step into a role of greater influence. It was under the…

Reflections on Somalia's Chaotic History: A Fragile State in Perpetual Turmoil Among those endeavoring to understand Somalia's present challenges, a poignant question looms: What went wrong? This inquiry has haunted Somali intellectuals, writers, and activists for decades, many attributing the roots of today’s turmoil to the disintegration of the socialist military regime in the 1990s, a regime notably served by Sheikh, a once-prominent figure. The backdrop of this narrative traces back to 1969 when a military coup…

The EAC: A Beacon of Economic Growth in a Turbulent World In an era marked by numerous global challenges—from soaring inflation to supply chain disruptions—the East African Community (EAC) stands out as a remarkable example of resilience and growth. This regional bloc, encompassing seven partner nations—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—has achieved a substantial growth rate of 5.4%. This impressive figure is not merely a statistic; it is a reflection of…

Urgent Call for Information on Manda Bay Airfield Attack On January 5, 2020, a tragic event unfolded at Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu, Kenya. The scene was not just another day at what serves as a dual-purpose military base; it was the site of a brutal terrorist assault. The perpetrators, affiliated with the notorious al-Shabaab, took the lives of a U.S. service member and two contractors from the Department of Defense. In an instant, families were shattered, and the fragile fabric of peace in the region was further…