East Africa

A major coalition of NGOs signs a joint letter to the UN Human Rights Council requesting that the mandate of the Burundi Commission of Inquiry set up in 2017 be continued. Next September, the Human Rights Council will meet in Geneva to decide on the future of this Commission, "The only independent mechanism documenting human…

Abiy Ahmed visited Ankara on Wednesday, August 19, where he met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A visit organized on the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The program of the meeting included military relations around the Tigrayan conflict but also obstacles to rebirth, economic…

Salaam Somali Bank Provides Micro Credit to Small Businesses in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Salaam Somali Bank, which is a leading private bank in Somalia, continues to contribute to the country's economic growth by providing free microfinance funds to develop small businesses. On Thursday August 19, 2021, the Bank's branch in the Bakaro market provided microfinance funds called “Qardu…

Turkey calls for peaceful settlement of Tigray conflict ANKARA, Turkey - The Turkish government has called for a peaceful resolution of the Tigray conflict, which is now spreading to other parts of Ethiopia, a big setback for ongoing efforts to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation. During the past nine months, the Tigray Defense Forces and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces , fought for…

Northeastern State - In what may be the first major attack on the Somali authorities, ISSomalia extremists captured a strategicallyimportantcity inthe north-eastof the state on Wednesday, a move that could spark bitter fighting with security forces in the region known for peace and stability. Somali extremists have captured the city of Balidhidin in the Bari region, making it the first city to fall into the hands of militants whose presence in the north-east of the state has increased according to analysts. Most of the…

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday that Turkey is willing to mediate between Ethiopia and Sudan to resolve a border dispute and to find a peaceful solution to the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, which has displaced tens of thousands and left millions hungry. Erdoğan spoke at a joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The visit comes amid a widening of the Tigray conflict, which began in November following a political fallout between Abiy and the leaders of the Tigray…

Ugandan parliamentarians on Wednesday (August 17) called for clarification on the government's proposal to welcome people fleeing Kabul after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan over the weekend. While negotiations are still ongoing to complete the terms of this reception in the Ugandan Parliament, some have expressed reservations.…

The day after the draw for the African Cup of Nations 2021 (postponed to 2022), RFI offers a selection of six matches to follow during the group game that begins on Sunday, January 9 in Yaoundé. Lovers of beautiful posters, revenge and surprises: there is something for everyone. From 9 to 20 January, 2022 will take place in five cities in Cameroon,the group game in…

NAIROBI, Kenya - With the Ethiopian conflict now spreading from Tigray to other neighboring states such as Afar and Amhara, it has been reported that the Ethiopian national defense forces have used sophisticated drones from Iran in their operations. The Tigray Defense Forces who particularly disagreed with the Federal Army, has often claimed that the military uses armed drones from an air base in neighboring Eritrea. For a time, the only firm, open source evidence of the Ethiopian government's use of drones were…

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Ethiopian federal government announced the arrest of at least 32 people believed to be agents of the Tigray Defense Forces , a faction in the Tigray region thatconflicts with the authorities in Addis Ababa. The commission said Tuesday it had arrested 32 TDF officers trying to cross the border into the region into Ethiopia inorder to carry out the group's destructive activities in the country. The 32 people are currently in police custody awaiting trial. State media alleged the suspects were TDF…