Eye on Africa

On a sunny day in Nairobi, Kenya, the Central Bank Governor, Patrick Njoroge, exhibited crisp Kenyan shilling bills during a vibrant news conference at the Central Bank on June 3, 2019. The financial air was palpable with speculation as these colorful slips of currency held center stage. Photo credits to REUTERS/Baz Ratner. Recently, the Kenyan shilling took a bit of a nosedive when pitted against the dollar. A local trader spilled the beans, saying that this wasn't just a Kenyan phenomenon – the dollar was flexing its…

Mogadishu (AX) — In Tuesday's bustling corridors of Mogadishu, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre sat down with a notable Kenyan delegation, opening the gateway to diplomatic interventions aimed at untangling the political snafu between Somalia's federal government and Jubbaland's head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, regarding the looming electoral festivities.The Kenyan synergy was spearheaded by heavyweights like former IGAD Secretary General Mahbub Moalim, the erstwhile IGAD Special Envoy for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed Abdi…

Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, gathered with Germany's Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin from November 5-6, 2024. The photo credits: Hannes P. Albert / picture alliance. Recently, Germany and Somalia unveiled a new agreement, sparking varied reactions and opinions. Historically, similar attempts to repatriate migrants have often faced challenges and shown limited success, as noted by several experts. On November 6, after their meeting in Berlin, Scholz and Mohamud declared their intention to return more…

Back in January 2012, German-American journalist Michael Scott Moore found himself in dire straits when he was kidnapped in Galkayo, Somalia. That's quite a ways, roughly 400 miles, northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, huh? It's a wild world we live in. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Fast forward to today, two Somali fellows—prosecutor lingo for pirates—got slapped with 30-year prison sentences. Who are these dudes, you ask? Well, they played starring roles in the dramatic 2012 abduction of Moore, and he…

"As a voter gaze at a ballot in hand, poised to make a mark, he gets ready to participate in a pivotal moment for North Western State of Somalia," reports Luis Tato from AFP.The presidential election is afoot in Somalia's aspirant state of North Western State of Somalia, attracting a wave of civic energy and political ambition.Anticipating a turnout of over a million, voters will flock to upwards of 2,000 polling stations on this significant Wednesday.Candidates carry hopes of navigating North Western State of Somalia to…

North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared state seeking to carve its own niche in the African political landscape, recently headed to the polls under a cloud of intrigue stemming from a contentious Ethiopia-Somalia port agreement. This developing situation has quickly garnered attention, not just within the region but also on the international stage. The stakes are high, adding a thick layer of tension to what would otherwise be a straightforward exercise in democracy. "Elections are a pivotal moment for any…

Hargeisa (AX) — On a bright Tuesday morning, the buzz in North Western State of Somalia was palpable as voters gathered for an election that has the potential to fundamentally transform their political landscape. Incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi from the leading Kulmiye Party is seeking another term, facing off against Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of Waddani and Faisal Ali Warabe from UCID. This election isn't just about picking a leader; it's a critical moment that will define which three parties gain official status…

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Following Donald Trump's election, African leaders expressed enthusiasm about forging stronger partnerships with the United States. However, many remain skeptical that his presidency will significantly impact the continent's 1.4 billion-strong population. After Trump clinched victory, Kenya's William Ruto affirmed readiness to enhance relations with Washington, while Nigeria's Bola Tinubu looked forward to "earnest and mutually rewarding" collaborations. Despite these greetings, whispers abound that…

Sure, here's a revised version of your text with varied sentence lengths, conversational tone, and additional background and context where applicable: --- On a bustling Monday, the stage was set for some serious talks. Badr Abdel Aty, Egypt's bigwig in foreign affairs and immigration, had a pow-wow with Ahmed Moalem Feki, Somalia’s Foreign Minister. They were hashing out the progress on agreements from two crucial summits— one bilateral, another bringing Eritrea into the mix— held back in the scenic Asmara on October 10.…

Doctors Without Borders, an esteemed international medical charity, is urgently appealing to major pharmaceutical companies and every manufacturer of insulin to dramatically improve access to diabetes treatments in low- and middle-income nations. They’re advocating for the availability of insulin pen injection devices at a price point of just $1. In their recent announcement, they underscored a staggering fact: approximately 80% of individuals living with diabetes are found in low- and middle-income countries. These regions…