Eye on Africa

In France, a scheduled auction on April 16, 2024, for over 300 books from the library of Senegal's first independent president was halted. The Senegalese government sought direct negotiations with the heirs to purchase this heritage. They plan to showcase it in a museum dedicated to Léopold Sédar Senghor.

The culprit or culprits ran from the scene, leaving authorities with no leads. Law enforcement is unsure of how the shooting unfolded and is investigating further. The recent murder of Duale is part of a series of violent incidents involving young Somali men in Canada. Another recent shooting resulted in the death of Ibrahim Abdikarim, causing immense grief within the community. Both incidents highlight a concerning trend of violence among young Somali men in Canadian cities. Local leaders are working on proactive measures…

Scheduled for April 29, 2024, legislative and regional elections are scheduled to take place in Togo. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had initially planned to send an exploratory mission on April 15, but now, on April 16, the regional organization will only send an information-gathering team due to the tense political situation in the country following the adoption of a new Constitution at the end of March.

In Godey, part of Ethiopia's Somali Region, over 350 chickens perished due to a severe heatwave on Tuesday. The manager of Godey Poultry Farming Association, Salahdin Abdalla, pointed out that the weather has been shifting in the region for the past two years, causing unprecedented incidents like this one due to the absence of proper climate control and cooling systems. Abdalla mentioned that around 2500 chickens are crammed into limited airflow spaces, leading to tragic outcomes like this. He expressed the urgency of the…

The Ghanaian government revealed that a debt restructuring agreement has failed on Monday, April 15. This is a blow to the country, once an economic powerhouse in Africa, now in default since 2022.

In March, an incident outside Mogadishu led to the deaths of over 20 people, including children. Reports suggest that a Turkish drone was responsible, though the United States denies involvement, highlighting the challenge of attributing drone strikes in Somalia accurately. This issue complicates tracking the U.S. drone campaign in the region and underscores the risks of misattributing strikes to the United States when multiple actors are capable of conducting such operations. Airwars' data on Somalia has been instrumental…

Jigjiga (AX) — The dry Somali region in Ethiopia suffered a prolonged drought from 2020 to 2023, leading to severe ecological and economic crises that continue to harm local livelihoods. The situation is made worse by conflict and El Niño-induced floods, putting pastoral and agropastoral communities at risk of increased food insecurity and decreased resilience.The Somali region is divided into various zones, including pastoral areas like Afder and Fik, as well as agropastoral and sedentary farming zones like Jijiga. These…

Abdirahman Mohamed reports from Mogadishu that the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) faces escalating threats. Secretary-General Abdalle Mumin stands firm against extortion, declaring, "We will not give in to fear." Civil society in Somalia battles threats from militant groups like Al-Shabaab and corrupt officials. Extortion demands endanger operations alongside censorship and security risks. Mumin urges civil organizations to reject extortion, setting an anti-corruption example. He believes fighting corruption will lead…

Bihi Iman Cige, Somalia's Finance Minister, is in Washington D.C. to discuss financial reforms and post-debt relief strategies with global leaders. The talks are part of a conference hosted by the IMF and the World Bank. This biannual event is a platform for discussing debt relief, financial processes, and the global economic outlook, attracting leaders and financial experts worldwide. Minister Cige's initial discussions with Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the IMF's Senior Vice President, focused on enhancing Somalia's financial…

A year ago, Sudan was ravaged by brutal conflict, leaving many dead, displaced, and in dire need of help. The U.S. is stepping up with an additional $100 million in aid to address the crisis, which has pushed millions to the brink of famine and forced millions more from their homes. The situation is dire, with widespread shortages of essential supplies and services, as well as reports of heinous atrocities committed by both sides. The U.S. remains committed to supporting the people of Sudan, providing crucial assistance and…