East Africa

In a captivating video snapshot, we see Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, originally from Kenya and now a proud U.S. citizen, addressing the audience at the Minnesota State Capitol on November 8, 2024. She shares the remarkable news of being elected as the first Kenyan-born member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — On November 5, Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley shattered ceilings as the inaugural Kenyan-born individual elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her journey is one painted with hues of…

Mogadishu (AX) — Internet personality Ramsey Khalid Ismael, infamously recognized by his online moniker "Johnny Somali," finds himself the center of controversy in Japan and South Korea. His offensive antics have not only triggered public outcry and legal repercussions but have also riled up the Somali diaspora. They believe his actions have unjustly stained their community's name. Though Ismael sports the nickname "Johnny Somali," he lacks Somali roots—he has openly expressed that he is of Ethiopian descent. At just…

The targeted area hit by the drone strike lies within the bounds of Arge in the Durbete district (image courtesy of BBC Amharic). Toronto - A devastating drone assault has shaken the Amhara region of Ethiopia, leaving a grim toll of over 50 civilian lives. The incident, another in a troubling series, claimed elders, children, and women among its victims. Alarmingly, one expectant mother was among those killed. The attack did not stop at fatalities; around 21 individuals sustained injuries, many serious and some critically…

“Catch a glimpse of the gathering in Nairobi as Eric Rutto, President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presided over a crucial meeting at Ecobank’s CEOs Forum on November 8.”In the hustle and bustle of Kenya's capital, top executives gathered to brainstorm fresh strategies for taking Kenyan businesses to new heights. Imagine expanding not just within the region, but globally! This conversation aligns closely with the ambitious African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With the AfCFTA on the…

The "Joint Border Administrators and Commissioners Meeting," marking the 28th round of collaboration between Ethiopia and Djibouti, unfolded in the town of Debre Zeit (also known as Bishoftu), just 44 kilometers southeast of bustling Addis Ababa. This significant gathering was highlighted in a recent announcement by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, putting a spotlight on a partnership crucial to both nations.In the leading roles of this diplomatic assembly were Selamawit Dawit, Director General of Ethiopia’s…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant move, the Somali government recently declared that Ethiopian forces would be sidelined from the forthcoming African Union mission, which is set to replace the existing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, ATIMS, by January 2025.Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama shared this pivotal decision during a chat with Somali National Television, highlighting Ethiopia's purported breach of Somalia’s sovereignty as a key reason for their exclusion."Ethiopian forces have been…

The surge in monkeypox cases across Africa has led to a significant response involving the distribution of vaccine doses, with Kenya standing amongst the nine nations in the continent receiving these crucial supplies. The Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) has earmarked an initial batch of 899,000 vaccine doses for these nine African countries, aimed at tackling the monkeypox outbreak. This decision, articulated through a press release from the World Health Organization (WHO), underscores collaboration with the countries…

The bustling city of Mogadishu recently witnessed a significant diplomatic rendezvous at its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On Thursday, Somali Foreign Minister Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi sat down with his Egyptian counterpart, Ambassador Mohamed El-Baz, to explore opportunities to enhance the bonds between their nations. This gathering wasn't just a run-of-the-mill diplomatic meeting, but rather, a crucial dialogue to fortify the ties that have such rich, historical roots. Within the hushed conference room, shaded by the…

This past Sunday, a mortar attack rocked a military base in central Mogadishu, frequented by officials from the African Union (AU), United Nations, and various international entities, tragically ending the lives of at least two individuals and injuring several others. The terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, highlighting their unyielding aggression in destabilizing Somalia’s government and infrastructure. Despite some headway in the federal government’s offensive to subdue…

The diplomatic climate between Somalia and Ethiopia has turned icy since early 2024. This fracas, largely driven by each nation’s jostling for power in the turbulent Horn of Africa, has created quite a stir across the political landscape. Tensions soared back in January when Ethiopia signed an eyebrow-raising agreement—famously known as a memorandum of understanding (MoU)—with North Western State of Somalia. For those out of the loop, North Western State of Somalia is a self-declared, breakaway region in northern Somalia,…