Eye on Africa

Friday April 3, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council on Thursday came out forcefully against the federal government’s decision to name an interim leader for Southwest State, describing the move as unconstitutional and a direct challenge to Somalia’s federal arrangement. In a statement, the opposition-aligned council said the appointment runs counter to constitutional rules that govern transitions in federal member states, including the procedures that must be followed when a presidency becomes vacant and when…

Friday April 3, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia has rolled out a new digital platform aimed at tracking and curbing carbon emissions, marking a notable move in its effort to confront climate change and strengthen environmental protection. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said Thursday that the system, called “Green-Gate,” will monitor and regulate emissions produced by industrial operations, transportation and development projects across the territory. According to the ministry, the…

A recent report by Human Rights Watch has uncovered a harrowing reality in Burkina Faso, revealing that over 1,800 civilians have lost their lives in the turmoil following Ibrahim Traoré's ascent to power three years ago. The document outlines incidents that constitute both war crimes and crimes against humanity, with 1,837 civilians—including many children—reported killed across 57 events from January 2023 to August 2025. The majority of these killings have been linked to the military and its allied militias, while a…

by Frankline OduorThursday April 2, 2026 Flood-hit streets in Nairobi’s CBD and waterlogged grounds in Parklands are a stark preview of what could lie ahead as Kenya’s long rains gather pace. Kenyans.co.ke Ma3Route Kenya’s ongoing long rains are forecast to persist across most parts of the country through April, with rainfall expected to start off slightly lighter before strengthening later in the month and raising the risk of flooding, the latest Kenya Met outlook shows. People living in Rift Valley counties, the Lake…

Thursday April 2, 2026A quiet morning at a Kampala preschool turned tragic on Thursday after a stabbing attack left four toddlers dead at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program School in Uganda’s capital, police said. Ugandan authorities said a suspect, identified as Okello Christopher Onyu, was arrested after allegedly entering the school and killing four children. Rachael Kawala, the spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, told reporters at the scene that the suspect had come to the school two days earlier to seek…

Concerns are rising regarding the appointment of Jonathan K. Weedor as the chairperson of the National Elections Commission, as opposition leaders and civil society organizations voice their objections. They argue that Weedor's previous endorsements of the ruling Unity Party raise significant doubts about his impartiality in this critical role. “He brings extensive expertise in electoral management to the table,” commented Anderson Miamen, director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia. “However, his…

Mozambique has wiped out its arrears to the International Monetary Fund, settling U.S. $630,1 million in full by month’s end after beginning the month owing the entire amount. Among 85 countries listed by the Fund, Mozambique is the only country in this situation. With the IMF arrears cleared, securing additional financing from the Fund could become easier. The country previously received about $468 million through a 2022 Extended Credit Facility programme, which was suspended in April 2025 after only partial disbursements.…

Troops are now on the streets as South Africa turns to its army to bolster overstretched police in a push against violent crime, from illicit mining syndicates to entrenched gang networks. Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to five of the country’s nine provinces hit hardest by criminal activity. Set to run for a year, the operation aims to stabilize communities battered by lawlessness, though critics argue the military is an imperfect tool for civilian policing.…

By: OMAR M ELMIWednesday April 1, 2026 Perched at the mouth of the Red Sea and astride one of the globe’s busiest shipping lanes, the Horn of Africa is again at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical contest. The shifting ties between Djibouti, North Western State of Somalia — the secessionist region of Somalia since 1991 — and Ethiopia reveal how trade, security and regional rivalries are becoming increasingly intertwined. At the heart of the matter is a simple but powerful issue: who controls access to the sea and the…

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has focused his government on rebuilding state capacity, tightening public management, and pushing major legal and economic reforms. The agenda—carried out through new appointments, governance reviews, and wider fiscal measures—aims to improve how the federal government runs ministries, collects revenue, and prepares for political milestones. This explainer outlines what Barre has pursued since taking office, what was announced publicly, and the main areas that observers track.…