Eye on Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — Underneath the bright Mogadishu skies, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warmly welcomed German Ambassador Sebastian Groth to the Presidential Palace on a Thursday that promised progress as they delved into dialogues on enhancing their bilateral ties.President Mohamud ardently called for amplifying Germany’s backing for Somalia’s quest to rebuild and progress, with a clear spotlight on revitalizing vocational training schemes. The President passionately expressed how these moves are crucial for fostering…

As the countdown to the election day in Botswana approaches its final stretch, political parties are intensifying their efforts to captivate voters with their manifestos. According to political commentator Kitso Morekisi, the presidential race is wide open. This sentiment resonates as international observers have landed to oversee the electoral proceedings leading up to the general election scheduled for October 30. Recently, VOA highlighted an issue that arose during the early voting process—ballot papers ran out due to…

In a significant political twist, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed intentions to create a commission tasked with reviewing the existing Constitution. This endeavor might lead to the scrapping of term limits, ultimately opening the door for a potential third presidential term. Tshisekedi, who assumed the presidency in January 2024 following a highly contentious re-election battle in December, is now advocating for alterations to a Constitution that first received the nod from voters…

According to Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Kamala Harris has shown a genuine dedication to African affairs. If she succeeds in the upcoming presidential election in the United States, "her administration could greatly enhance and build upon the positive momentum in U.S.-Africa relations.” Carson, a seasoned diplomat with an extensive legacy centered on African policy, advocates for a range of strategies aimed at elevating the partnership between the U.S. and Africa to new heights. He begins by emphasizing Nigeria's pivotal…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed grave concerns about the plight of everyday Zimbabweans, who bear the brunt of economic sanctions levied against the nation. Although these sanctions target specific individuals, the ripple effects reach far wider, impacting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Mnangagwa argues that these punitive measures hinder efforts toward regional cooperation and stifle sustainable development initiatives. In a significant turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to forge a new…

On October 24, 2024, the Somali Health Minister, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, took the stage during a gathering in Mogadishu to commemorate World Polio Day. This occasion underscored Somalia's fresh determination to stamp out polio and ramp up vaccination campaigns in alliance with WHO and UNICEF. CREDIT: Ministry of Health - Somalia/ X (Twitter) Mogadishu (AX) — On World Polio Day, Somalia, hand in hand with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, reaffirmed its pledge to eliminate polio, urging heightened actions to shield…

Mogadishu (AX) — Canada has revealed a substantial rollback in its immigration strategy, scaling down the influx of newcomers amid escalating challenges in housing and social services. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the revamped plan, adjusting Canada’s permanent residency target for 2025 from a half-million to 395,000. That’s slicing it down by a hefty 21%. Trudeau confessed that his team “misjudged the balance” between filling job vacancies and managing immigration levels.Public mood is swaying these days. Recent…

 Mogadishu (AX) — The Turkish research ship, Oruc Reis, has anchored off the coast of Somalia, kicking off a seven-month exploration to hunt for oil and gas possibilities within licensed Somali seas. "The ship's arrival signifies Türkiye's deepening energy alliances with East Africa," remarked Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on Friday.Enveloped in cutting-edge technology for complex three-dimensional seismic research, the vessel will sweep across three selected offshore zones, each stretching around 5,000 square…

President Bola Tinubu has undertaken a significant reshuffle of his 45-member cabinet, introducing seven fresh faces, dismissing five officials, and assigning new roles to another ten. This strategic move is intended to bolster the effectiveness of his administration as it strives to fulfill its commitments to the Nigerian populace. The shake-up saw the departure of key figures including the ministers of education, tourism, women's affairs, and youth development. Additionally, the junior minister responsible for housing was…

At a groundbreaking ceremony for a new liquid oxygen facility on the Coast, key figures including Hiroshi Ogihara from the Japanese embassy, Paras Pandya, MD of Synergy Gases, Governor Gideon Mung'aro, and Unitaid's Robert Matiru came together. Unitaid, backed by UK funds, declared a hefty Sh2.8 billion investment aimed at aiding three oxygen manufacturers in Kenya and Tanzania. This significant boost is set to usher in Africa's maiden regional production of liquid oxygen. Aiming to enhance the availability of medical…