Eye on Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has bestowed Egypt with the distinguished title of malaria-free, a momentous achievement that signifies a remarkable triumph in public health. This accomplishment is the culmination of nearly a century-long commitment by this North African nation to eradicate a disease that has shadowed its history since the dawn of civilization. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Malaria has been intertwined with Egyptian civilization for millennia.…

Mogadishu (AX) – Pulling in like a breeze on a Sunday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud landed in Djibouti as he continued his whirl through nations backing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). As the jet touched down, President Mohamud received a warm welcome from Djibouti’s Prime Minister, Abdikadir Kamil Mohamed, alongside a crew of top officials. It was a moment brimming with diplomacy and friendship. On this pit stop, he’s slated to chinwag with Djibouti’s big cheese, President Ismael Omar…

Jigjiga (AX) - The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has withdrawn from Ethiopia's National Dialogue, accusing the ruling Somali regional party of breaking promises with political factions. In a Sunday statement, the ONLF alleged that the ruling party handpicked attendees for the dialogue, sidelining varied perspectives and undermining the exclusivity pact. "An exclusionary approach defies the essence of National Dialogue, designed to unite all parties to tackle conflict's core issues. Without key players from…

President Museveni spent time with his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In response to an invitation from Uganda's President Museveni, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud wrapped up a succinct visit to Uganda. The two leaders conversed about ways to enhance their countries' relationship, with an eye on bolstering regional security and boosting economic synergy. A key topic was Somalia's recent acceptance into the East African Community (EAC). While in Uganda, President Museveni expressed his…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Conservation enthusiasts are beseeching the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to bolster their efforts in safeguarding Somali giraffes and ostriches. These iconic creatures are teetering on the edge of extinction due to rampant poaching and ruthless droughts. The North-Eastern Wildlife Conservancies Association (Neca) has issued an urgent plea for action. This illicit hunting of precious wildlife is booming, with giraffe and ostrich meats making their way to marketplaces in northern Kenya and being smuggled…

In the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia, a police vehicle zipped through the bustling streets, heading toward a restaurant shaken by a recent explosion. On this particular date, October 17, 2024, the establishment is frequently visited by law enforcement personnel. On Saturday, the Ministry of Information in Somalia declared a significant military initiative aimed at quelling the al-Shabab militants entrenched in central Somalia's Galmudug region. The campaign is reportedly making headway in diminishing the group's operational…

Necdet Seyitoğlu spent nearly two decades in the UK before relocating to Kenya. In a recent chat with the BBC, a British resident revealed a startling account of being nabbed alongside several Turkish nationals by masked individuals in Nairobi. To date, four of those Turks remain unaccounted for. Necdet Seyitoğlu, who made the UK his home for 18 years prior to his move to Kenya two years back, shared that after being held for eight harrowing hours, he convinced his captors to release him by flashing his British passport.…

At the African Defense Ministers Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, military brass from across the continent gathered to chat about pivoting from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the fresh African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Mogadishu (AX) — On October 16, 2024, amidst explicit disapproval from Somalia, Ethiopia hosted a confab of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) involved in ATMIS. The hoopla took place during the African Defense Leaders Conference in Addis…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Saturday, Hanad Ahmed Muse, a distinguished officer in the elite Haramcad police unit, tragically lost his life at his residence in Moalim Noor, Dharkenley district, Mogadishu. Witnesses from the neighborhood claim that government soldiers were responsible for the shooting, yet the reason remains shrouded in mystery. As of now, no official word has emerged from the nation's security agencies about this unsettling event. Recently, Mogadishu has experienced a drop in violent episodes linked to government…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — Wrestling with the surge of teen violence and drug-related antics in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Uncle Sam has teamed up with Somali elders to revive time-honored conflict resolution techniques in local neighborhoods. At the heart of this initiative is "nabadoonimo," a Somali tradition of peace-pampering through communal chatter and mutual respect. The game plan? Diverting Somali youth from the clutches of gang life and narcotics.The core of this alliance is the Somali Youth Link, a grassroots squad…