East Africa

In a Minneapolis federal courtroom, seven defendants in the Feeding Our Future trial, along with their lawyers, faced charges of financial fraud. Forensic accountant Pauline Roase revealed a scheme where $25 million in federal funds meant for child nutrition was diverted for personal use, including luxury vehicles and real estate. Roase's investigation uncovered how Empire Cuisine, a restaurant in Shakopee, spent only $3 million on food despite receiving millions in federal funds. The defendants, such as Abdiaziz Farah and…

The African Union Commission supports ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Gaza attacks. Moussa Faki Mahamat, African Union Commission Chairperson, believes warrants for those responsible for the Gaza conflict should have been issued "right from the start." The ICC's action against Netanyahu and other leaders of Hamas is seen as "absolutely logical" by Mahamat in a recent interview. Karim Khan has applied for arrest warrants for Netanyahu,…

The President of Kenya, William Ruto, is scheduled to meet with Joe Biden in Washington, DC, as part of his visit to the United States. This visit aims to strengthen economic and security ties and initiate a police mission to Haiti that had been delayed. President Ruto's visit comes at a time when the US administration is focused on enhancing relationships with African nations due to heightened competition from China and Russia on the continent. The deployment of a Kenya-led police force to Haiti, authorized by the UN…

President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed from the Southwest regional state paid a visit to the headquarters of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) in Mogadishu on Tuesday. This visit came after the agency issued a warning about the approaching Tropical Cyclone Ialy in the southwestern and southern areas. During his visit, the regional leader held discussions with the agency's Commissioner, Mohamud Moalim Abdulle, about the humanitarian efforts being made and the potential impact that Cyclone Laly could have on specific…

UNICEF Somalia/Mumin Educating mothers on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for six months is a key focus of the support group led by Nadihifo Ahmed, a mother of five in her community in Galkayo. Nadihifo, a 46-year-old community leader, hosts monthly meetings for the Mother-to-Mother (m2m) support group consisting of 12 women. She underwent training by the Northeastern State Minority Women Development Organization (PMWDO), a UNICEF partner, to coach mothers on healthcare and feeding practices for infants. The…

Ibrahim Adan Maadey, also known as Abdirahman, has been sentenced to death for the brutal murder of Khadijo Siyad Mohamed in Mogadishu. This horrifying crime took place in front of Mohamed's home in the Hodan district. Reportedly, Maadey requested water from Mohamed and, when her daughter brought it, he viciously shot her multiple times in the head. Maadey, who was paid $70 to $90 by Al-Shabaab, was swiftly apprehended by security forces. The verdict was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Ali Noor Shute, the presiding…

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing covers various activities that break laws on a national and international scale. These activities include fishing without the proper permits, not reporting catches, going over quotas, using gear that is prohibited, and fishing in restricted areas or during closed seasons. The issue is worsened in East Africa due to the region's long coastline and limited ability to monitor and enforce regulations. Numerous deficiencies create opportunities for illegal fishing to occur, such…

In the Feeding Our Future trial, a witness revealed that the names of children appeared at various sites far apart from each other, with only a few matching local school records. At the trial, evidence showed that children named “Unique Problem,” “Serious Problem,” “Friday Donations,” “Getsaname Hester,” and “Angel Albino” were supposedly fed during the pandemic by defendants involved with Feeding Our Future and Partners in Quality Care. IRS Special Agent Joshua Parks testified that many of these names were…

In Mogadishu, Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, the head of the Somali National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA), revealed new leadership adjustments within the Banadir region today. Sanbaloolshe decided to replace Muhidin Warbac as the head of the security agency in Banadir. Instead, he chose Abdifatah Ibrahim Shaweye, a former NISA deputy, for the position. Additionally, Warbac was reassigned to serve as NISA's security assistant while Abdulkadir Hayow was appointed as the new commander of Aden Adde…

In Mogadishu, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) is dedicated to enhancing the country's aviation industry. Aisa Kacyira Kirabo, Head of UNSOS and UN Assistant Secretary-General, commended the government's collaboration with UNSOS in improving aviation services for Somali security forces and aviation workers. "We aim to empower Somalia with dignity, and we will stand by you every step of the way," Kacyira stated in Mogadishu. The aviation capacity-building initiative, spearheaded by Ernest Manzano, chief…