East Africa

Kenya's Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua teamed up with the US Undersecretary for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Thea Mei Lee, to seal a labour cooperation deal. The pact, formalized on October 28, 2024, promises to introduce top-notch labour practices to Kenya courtesy of the US. In a bid to bolster workers' rights and uplift labour conditions, Kenya inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Department of Labour. This document aims to refine labour standards…

Human Rights Watch has strongly called on the Burkinabe authorities to carry out a "swift and comprehensive" inquiry into the tragic massacre of civilians in Barsalogho, a town that recently endured a catastrophic event on August 24, 2024. This horrific attack was perpetrated by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM), leading to the loss of over 130 lives, with countless others left injured. Carine Kaneza Nantulya, the Deputy Director for Africa at Human Rights Watch, articulated the…

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has greenlit a whopping $134 million to kickstart two landmark initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable farming communities in Somalia and Iraq toughen up against climate change.Steered by the good folks over at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, these game-changing projects will arm millions of farmers and herders with the skills to tackle climate chaos like droughts and floods head-on.Kaveh Zahedi, chief honcho of FAO’s Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre unveiled the country's most extensive Emergency and Trauma Center at Madiina Hospital in Mogadishu on Tuesday. This marks a significant leap forward in the national healthcare scene. This cutting-edge medical hub can serve 200 patients at once and features specialized zones for patient care, urgent treatment, and childbirth. The center is anticipated to serve as a vital resource, particularly for Somali troops and civilians embroiled in ongoing conflicts with insurgent…

SFF president Ali Abdi Mohamed (sporting a blue shirt)The Somalia Football Federation (SFF) has firmly rejected any allegations of bias among its referees.The federation emphasized its dedication to elevating the country's football to meet global standards. In a statement, the SFF highlighted the role of football as more than just a pastime; it's a source of jobs for young people, a deterrent from negative influences, and a glue holding the nation together despite its ongoing security troubles. "Some naysayers have been…

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took to the podium recently, emphasizing to the electorate that the upcoming election on November 17 is set to be conducted with utmost transparency and fairness. He urged everyone involved to practice "restraint" as a critical component of the electoral process. In his address, Faye called upon all political factions to behave with "responsibility, restraint, and moderation." He reiterated his unwavering dedication to conducting "free, democratic, and transparent" elections, an essential…

Hargeisa (AX) — An investigation has been kicked off by North Western State of Somalia's intelligence folks into some hot-headed fans of the Kulmiye party. These lads reportedly strutted around a Monday night rally in Hargeisa armed to the teeth with pistols and rifles, raising eyebrows and heart rates.The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) let the cat out of the bag, mentioning that live rounds were popped off in a Hargeisa neighborhood, sending the crowd into a tizzy."Those hooligans toting shotguns and causing mayhem…

Leaders from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are being called upon to engage in crucial conversations aimed at halting the violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, while also exploring strategies to safeguard civilians caught in the turmoil in Sudan. These discussions are set to unfold at the forthcoming summit in Burundi. "This summit presents a vital platform for African leaders to confront the ongoing crises in Congo and Sudan, among others. They must create tangible,…

In the bustling streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, an African Union peacekeeper strolls by a line of armored vehicles. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, better known as ATMIS, is grappling with the possibility of stumbling blocks in its concluding phase. Why? The culprits are inadequate funding and heightened regional unease, particularly with neighbor Ethiopia in the mix. Mogadishu (AX) — The African Union's mission in Somalia is hitting snags as it edges nearer to its finale. The root of the hiccups?…

Election day in Mozambique commenced on a tranquil note. Yet, when poll results surfaced, a remarkable shift occurred. Reports from Mozambique News Reports and Clippings indicate that thousands of citizens, predominantly the youth, took to the streets, vehemently contesting the declaration that Frelimo had secured a staggering 70% of the vote. This outpouring of discontent has stirred the fabric of Mozambican society. Many critics, fueled by the perception of electoral manipulation, expressed their frustration. As one young…