North Africa

The Harrowing Toll of War: Sudan's Struggle in North Kordofan In the heart of Sudan, a devastating scene unfolds. Over the recent weekend, nearly 300 lives were extinguished in North Kordofan amidst violent clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the national army. With these tragic events, the world's gaze turns toward Sudan's escalating civil war, a conflict that has raged since April 2023, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. The Violent Surge in North Kordofan Sudanese…

Sudan's Old Guard Returns: The NCP's Bid for a Comeback Amid Conflict In the remote edges of northern Sudan, the embers of an old regime are being stoked back to life. The National Congress Party (NCP), once dethroned during the 2019 uprising after a 30-year rule under Omar al-Bashir, is re-emerging from the shadows. Their chosen path: through the military warfare that has gripped Sudan in a brutal civil conflict. The Sudanese civil war, entering its third relentless year, has left a tragic imprint—claiming tens of…

Strengthening Ties: Somalia and Sudan's Security Partnership in a Troubled Region In a region where instability and conflict often dominate headlines, a significant diplomatic step was taken this week as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud engaged in substantial discussions with Maj. Gen. Ahmed Ibrahim Ali Mufadal, Sudan's Director General of National Intelligence Service. The meeting underscores a potential pivot towards more strategic alliances in combating shared security threats in the Horn of Africa. A Crucial…

A New Chapter in Somalia’s Electoral Landscape: Progress or Peril? In a significant political shift, a faction of Somalia's opposition alliance has reached an electoral agreement with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This pact could alter the country’s democratic trajectory, signaling both hope and uncertainty. As the global audience absorbs this development, one must consider its ramifications within Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa. A Historic Breakaway The Sehmiye faction, composed of influential figures like…

Sudan's Turbulent Political Landscape: A Nation on the Brink Sudan stands at a critical juncture as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied factions declared a civilian prime minister and established a new presidential council, stoking the fires of division in an already fractured nation. This latest political maneuver came to light in a press conference broadcast from Nyala, a city firmly under RSF control in South Darfur. Against the backdrop of a prolonged conflict with the militaristic government, this move not only…

Sudan's Deepening Conflict: A Nation at a Crossroads As Sudan's civil war deepens, the African Union has taken a decisive stand against the formation of a rival government declared by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a statement issued Wednesday, the AU's Peace and Security Council implored all member states and the global community to reject the "parallel government" proposed by the RSF, warning of the severe implications it holds for both peace efforts and the nation's future. The Fragmentation of Sudan Once allies,…

Graves in the Path of Progress: A Tale of Loss and Resilience in Mogadishu On the outskirts of Mogadishu, the bulldozers of development are closing in on the past. This relentless push for progress has driven a Somali family to make a heart-wrenching decision—to exhume the remains of their parents from Moalim Nur cemetery and transport them to the distant soil of Guriel in the Galgaduud region. The memory of last year's destruction of the Policia (Bulusia) cemetery looms large, casting a shadow of anxiety over burial…

Somalia’s New Electoral Agreement: A Crucial Step Toward Unity NAIROBI—In a nation often marred by instability and political discord, the recent landmark electoral agreement between Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Salvation Forum marks a pivotal stride toward national unity and democratic governance. The Agreement: A Pathway to Stability After two months of contentious negotiations, the agreement outlines a distinctive approach to conducting the next elections. Under the new framework, the Federal Parliament…

Hope and Heartbreak at the African Nations Championship This past weekend, the energy in East Africa was palpable as the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championship unfolded, yet the local excitement soon transformed into poignant heartbreak. Despite fervent home support for the co-hosts—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—the tournament’s dramatic atmosphere didn’t culminate in the fairytale many had hoped for. Instead, it was the defending champions, Senegal, and the rising surprise team from Sudan that emerged victorious,…

Rwanda's Bold Move: A New Chapter in Migration Policy In a world where migration is often a contentious topic, Rwanda has taken a significant step that reflects both its historical context and its current ambitions. A recent agreement with the United States has paved the way for Kigali to accept up to 250 migrants deported from the U.S. This partnership, which was formalized in June, marks a deepening of relations between the two nations and underscores Rwanda's evolving role as a hub for humanitarian support. The…