Eye on Africa

President William Ruto recently expressed his admiration for the more than eight million Kenyans who diligently fulfilled their tax responsibilities by June 30. These citizens not only met but exceeded the set targets by an impressive 26%. He specifically recognized Lillian Nyawanda and Risper Muthoni Simiyu for their outstanding achievements in surpassing tax collection benchmarks. During the Taxpayers’ Day Awards ceremony held at State House in Nairobi on November 2, 2024, Ruto took a moment to celebrate these top…

Ethiopia: Unresolved Elements in Pretoria Agreement, TPLF Voices Concerns ADDIS ABABA - On the milestone marking two years since the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, better known as the Pretoria Agreement, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) expressed their dissatisfaction with numerous unresolved matters. Many issues are still dangling in limbo despite the deadlines set in Pretoria and later restated in Nairobi. The TPLF, entangled in its own internal disputes, recognized the agreement's significant…

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke to Parliament, highlighting the pressing need to implement essential election laws as Somalia gears up for its forthcoming elections. His comments coincide with lawmakers voting to extend their legislative session. CREDIT/ SONNA Mogadishu (AX) — This month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud successfully persuaded Somalia's parliament to remain in session, thus postponing their planned recess to address vital legislative issues, particularly those related to the upcoming elections. A…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi engaged in a pivotal conversation with James Swan, the Acting Special Representative of the United Nations, in Mogadishu. Their discussion revolved around the newly inaugurated United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which has taken over from UNSOM. This meeting came just a day after UNTMIS’s official debut on November 1. The dialogue centered on Somalia’s evolving role within the UN Security Council, along with critical security…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a remarkable display of military might, Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced the elimination of 27 al-Shabab insurgents during an extensive 12-hour operation in the Yaaqle region of Middle Shabelle. In a statement issued on Sunday, NISA detailed how this operation zeroed in on al-Shabab militants at a prominent assemblage point, successfully dismantling their vehicles and encampments. Encouragingly, the intelligence agency reported that its own forces suffered no…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a notable development, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced a significant victory in its battle against terrorism. A meticulously executed twelve-hour operation in the Yaaqle region of Middle Shabelle resulted in the eradication of 27 operatives from the notorious Al-Shabaab. Among those neutralized were senior leaders of the militant group.“This focused operation successfully removed militants from the Kharijite faction, who had gathered under the auspices of hostile…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somali law enforcement apprehended a dozen individuals following a well-orchestrated clan-driven assault on a police precinct close to the Ex-Control Afgoye crossroads in Mogadishu, as reported by Police Spokesperson Colonel Abdifatah Adan Hassan. This brazen attack saw armed factions and government forces from various military divisions engaging in conflict, seemingly influenced by clan affiliations. Colonel Abdifatah elaborated that the Somali Police Force was collaborating with the Hodan…

FILE - On January 1, 2024, North Western State of Somalia's President Muse Bihi Abdi and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came together in Addis Ababa to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) granting Ethiopia access to a North Western State of Somalia port. As tensions swirl around the maritime dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asserted on Thursday that his nation is pursuing access to the Red Sea "through peaceful avenues.” During a parliamentary session where lawmakers pressed him for…

On November 1, 2024, in a ceremonial event brimming with significance, President William Ruto entrusted the Kenyan constitution to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki following Kindiki's oath of office. Nairobi — Kithure Kindiki stepped into his role as Kenya’s deputy president on a Friday, mere hours after a judicial verdict lifted restrictions that had been preventing his nomination. He was chosen to succeed the impeached Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who is currently pursuing legal avenues to reclaim his former…

Pursuing enhanced security across the western Indian Ocean, a collaborative maritime exercise unfolded between the EU and Kenya. Image credit: Operation Atalanta.This week, the Kenya Navy and Coast Guard took significant strides in maritime safety through joint drills with the European Union's naval task force.During the final week of October, a simulated search and rescue (SAR) operation was conducted, featuring the ESPS Santa Maria (F81), currently serving as Operation Atalanta’s flagship. Alongside Kenyan naval assets and…