Eye on Africa

In a chilling demonstration of control, the militant group Al-Shabab executed two young men in a remote village not far from Janale—roughly a stone's throw, or, to put it more precisely, about 90 kilometers, southwest of Mogadishu. On a rather somber Friday, eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene, which took place in Busley Daoud. This locale, firmly in the grip of Al-Shabab, witnessed this grim spectacle, the group’s message delivered with the brute force of gunfire. Busley Daoud's central square became the stage for…

FILE PHOTO Mogadishu (AX) — On a sunny Saturday, word got out that the Somali federal government had ramped up its military presence in the El-Wak district, nestled in the Gedo region. The tension with Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe has simmered without resolution, leading to this decisive move, insiders confirmed. Swooping in like a determined flock, troops from the Somali National Army’s 43rd Division have dug in, readying themselves for upcoming clashes against the ever-persistent al-Shabab insurgents spread across…

In the homely setting of Rebecca Cheptegei's family in Kenya, the memories of her love for chickens linger on the walls, alongside a darker tale of violence and loss. Cheptegei, a celebrated athlete who once charmed her family with her laughter, tragically fell victim to femicide—an atrocious act deeply etched in the lives of Kenyan female athletes today. Rebecca's mother, Agnes, recalls her daughter's vibrant presence, "You always knew when she was home." However, beneath her joy lay a grim reality. In 2022, after…

A handful of nations have officially punched their tickets to the 35th edition of the renowned African Cup of Nations, all set to unfold in Morocco. Countries like Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda, and Equatorial Guinea stood tall during the intense fifth round of qualifying matches. In a dramatic turn of events, Nigeria's ace striker Victor Osimhen salvaged a point for the Super Eagles against Benin, leveling the score at 1-1 with a late equalizer. Remarkably, the three-time champions had already cemented their…

Let's dive into the latest from the Kenya Medical Research Institute, affectionately known as KEMRI, who is cooking up a storm with a fresh partnership. They're joining forces with Tonix Pharmaceuticals, an innovative biopharma outfit from across the pond in the U.S., to dish out a clinical trial for a brand-new mpox vaccine. Talk about global collaborations shaking things up! On a rather somber note, picture this: a beleaguered patient battling mpox is tended to in a hospital nestled on the periphery of Goma, North Kivu…

A collaborative effort among various firms has welcomed the arrival of the initial set of 275 container wagons, designed to boost the transport capabilities of the Lobito Corridor project. This ambitious railway initiative stretches from Angola's Lobito port, reaching into the Democratic Republic of Congo and extending to Zambia. Unveiled in 2023 as part of the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, this corridor is backed by both the United States and the European Union. Once fully operational, it…

The task force known as Operation Vala Umgodi, part of the South African Police Service operating in the North West province, has reiterated its plea for illegal miners who remain underground to resurface. Currently, law enforcement is engaged in a tense standoff with a significant number of illegal miners who find themselves stuck in an abandoned mining shaft. In response to the situation, police have effectively sealed off the entry points that these miners use to bring in supplies. As a result, these individuals are now…

"Al-Shabaab will meet its match and lose," says Ethiopia, pledging ongoing efforts to neutralize the group's influence. The country remains unswerving in its mission to protect its borders and preserve the progress made so far. In a weekly press gathering on November 14, 2024, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, who speaks on behalf of Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored Ethiopia's significant role in weakening al-Shabaab’s impact across the region. “We won't take our foot off the pedal,” Getachew declared,…

Hargeisa (AX) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ethiopia has showered North Western State of Somalia with accolades for pulling off a peaceful and democratic presidential election. Such a move, they say, underscores the region's evolving political finesse.Dropping a Friday announcement, the Ministry tipped its hat to North Western State of Somalia's National Electoral Commission (NEC) for orchestrating an election that was both free and fair. "This electoral process showcases the sophistication of North Western State of…

This weekend, a significant face-off is set to take place in Senegal’s parliamentary elections, pitting former President Macky Sall against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Both leaders are at the helm of separate coalitions, each vying for control of the parliamentary majority. Expecting a turnout of over seven million voters, Senegalese citizens will cast their ballots for new members of Parliament. This election comes on the heels of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's decision to dissolve the previous Parliament, which he…