East Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — The ball is in Somalia's court when it comes to deciding if Ethiopian forces will be part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, that's set to kick off at the start of 2025, said UK Ambassador Michael Nithavrianakis.During a chinwag with reporters, Ambassador Nithavrianakis shed some light on diplomatic dances being orchestrated by Kenya and Turkey to help chill out the frosty relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.“Ethiopia’s been a key player in the ATMIS mission as…

On a Monday rendezvous in Nairobi, Kenya's President William Ruto held discussions with William Burns, the CIA Director, while joined by Noordin Haji, Ruto's African counterpart. Fast-forward two years since the Ethiopian Tigray conflict reached a resolution on October 28, 2022. Although the peace pact supposedly ended hostilities, experts contend that thorny issues still linger unresolved. Tune into today's VOA 60 for more updates on developments across Africa.

In Mogadishu (AX), a minimum of six individuals met their demise, and a host of others sustained injuries due to a flare-up of inter-clan skirmishes within Luuq district, nestled in the Gedo region, as shared by folks on the ground.On Wednesday, rival clan factions, armed to the teeth with a variety of weapons, clashed fiercely on the eastern fringes of Luuq. These feuds have flared sporadically in recent months, rekindling age-old disputes.An attempt at reconciliation held earlier this month in Kismayo hit a wall, plunging…

Every four years, an eerie shadow looms over Somalia as elections, instead of heralding a new dawn, often lead to political turmoil and strife. The outcome of these elections should ideally reaffirm the federal government's authority through peaceful and legitimate processes, yet, more often than not, the opposite occurs. The last election cycle (2021-2022) put the very fabric of the Somali state at risk. Despite this, there was a palpable sense of relief among the populace when newly elected parliamentarians pledged to…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Monday, Somalia gave the boot to a top Ethiopian envoy, accusing the diplomat of actions that clash with his official duties and breach Somalia's sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs broke the news, spotlighting the incident's significance. Ali Mohamed Adan, who held the position of Counselor II at Ethiopia’s embassy in the Somali capital, faced the label of persona non grata. This term demands he exits Somali territory within 72 hours. The move raises the bar in the already bumpy relationship…

Mogadishu (AX) — A father and his son faced a heartrending fate in Wajir County, Kenya, attempting to save their family's goat from a treacherously narrow, air-starved well. This sorrowful event acts as a poignant reminder of the dangers hiding within the region's exposed water sources, igniting urgent appeals for enhanced safety measures. The grim scenario began when the family’s goat plummeted into a slender, deep well. In an act of heroic impulsivity, the young son descended to rescue the animal but was swiftly overcome…

LONDON, United Kingdom (AX) — Officials from Belarus announced on a somber Sunday that a group of 15 injured refugees, among them individuals from Somalia, were discovered close to the Belarus-Poland boundary. These refugees reported that Polish security forces had allegedly attacked them, pushing them back harshly. It appears they were subjected to violent acts, including beatings and pepper-spray assaults, and were pursued by dogs near a border fence. The State Border Committee of Belarus stated the visible marks, like…

Djibouti pulled off a stunning 1-0 upset against Rwanda in the CHAN 2025 qualifiers at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday. The decisive moment came from a late goal scored by Gabriel Dadzie. Djibouti was compelled to play their 'home' leg on Rwandan turf due to bans by CAF and FIFA but exhibited solid gameplay and seized a rare chance to leave the home crowd shocked.This match was supposed to be a fresh chapter for Rwanda at the newly spruced up Amahoro Stadium. Unfortunately, they failed to scorch the back of the net…

On Monday, it was revealed that Qatar Charity (QC) has rolled out a multitude of economic empowerment initiatives, targeting the 150 most impoverished families scattered across the diverse landscape of Somalia.These initiatives, all designed to boost income, encompass a range of resources. From livestock, including cows and sheep, to three-wheeled transport carts and convenient small retail outlets. Women have particularly benefited from sewing machines, while support for agriculture and handicrafts rounds out the array of…