Central Africa

Analysis: Somalia bets on Swahili to anchor its East African future In Mogadishu this week, amid tight security and a self-assured regional mood, Somalia’s president reached for a tool as old as nation-building itself: language. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government will speed up the introduction of Swahili into Somalia’s schools and universities, a decision aimed squarely at deepening the country’s new place inside the East African Community (EAC). “The Somali National University, along with all Somali…

Chad's Constitutional Shift: A Step Toward Authoritarianism? In a move many are interpreting as a step away from democracy, lawmakers in Chad have swiftly approved a proposal enabling the president to serve indefinitely. The recent vote, which alters the country's constitution, extends the presidential term from five to seven years, with the possibility of unlimited renewals. Critics view this as a serious threat, echoing fears of increasing authoritarianism in a region already grappling with governance challenges. A…

AU condemns Mogadishu prison assault as Somali forces end six-hour siege NAIROBI — The African Union on Sunday condemned a deadly assault on a high-security detention facility in Mogadishu, as Somali authorities said they had killed all seven attackers after a six-hour siege that rattled a capital trying to return to normal life. The attack targeted Godka Jilacow — a notorious detention site long linked to Somalia’s intelligence service and used to hold al-Shabaab suspects — on a morning when Mogadishu’s streets had been…

Al‑Shabaab’s War Chest: How a Militant Tax System Fuels a Comeback in Somalia A militant economy hiding in plain sight The hardest thing to see in Somalia’s long war is often the most obvious: the receipts. A new assessment by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point says al‑Shabaab, al‑Qaida’s Somali affiliate, is now the network’s financial powerhouse—pulling in an estimated $100 million to $200 million a year. That money isn’t just paying for bullets. It’s rebuilding a parallel state. The report, The Global State…

Somali, Ugandan forces take Awdheegle in fresh push against al‑Shabaab Somali troops backed by Ugandan peacekeepers say they have seized control of Awdheegle, a strategic farming town on the Shabelle River about 80 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, in the latest phase of a stepped-up offensive against al‑Shabaab. The Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that the capture is a milestone in “Silent Storm,” a multi‑stage campaign to dismantle the militant group’s foothold across southern Somalia. In the hours after the…

The Elusive Quest for Peace in the Congo In the heart of Africa, as the world turns its gaze elsewhere, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains locked in a cycle of violence and despair. As Bintou Keita, head of the UN mission in the DRC, poignantly stated, peace is still "a promise." Despite attempts at diplomacy and international agreements, the reality for many Congolese citizens has not significantly improved. Promises of Peace vs. Harsh Realities In June, an agreement between Rwanda and the DRC was heralded as…

Five Years of Silence: The Unfolding Legacy of Cameroon’s Protest Crackdown As Cameroon approaches the presidential elections scheduled for October 12, the shadows of repression linger longer than ever. This month marks five years since the violent crackdown on protests led by the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) in September 2020—an event that has left a lasting scar on the nation’s collective conscience. A Dark Chapter in Cameroon’s History The protests, which erupted in response to long-standing grievances regarding…

The Dimensions of Power: Chad’s Constitutional Shifts and the Future of Democracy In an echo of a familiar refrain across many African nations, Chad’s National Assembly has recently voted with overwhelming support for constitutional amendments that extend the presidential term from five to seven years, with the possibility of renewals indefinitely. The decision is part of a broader narrative of governance in the Sahel, raising crucial questions about democracy, power, and the persistence of authoritarianism in regions…

Ebola Outbreak in DRC: Challenges, Responses, and Global Implications The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) finds itself grappling with its first Ebola outbreak in three years. With 48 confirmed and probable cases and 31 reported deaths, the outbreak declared on September 4th in Kasai Province near the Angolan border has put the world on alert. The Ground Zero: Kasai Province In the remote corners of Kasai Province, the Ebola outbreak has sparked a race against time. The World Health Organization (WHO), aware of the…

Responding to Ebola's Echo: An Ongoing Battle in the Heart of Africa The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is no stranger to the ominous specter of Ebola. Its history with the virus has been marked by terrifying outbreaks and miraculous recoveries, and the latest resurgence underscores a vital truth: public health is an ongoing battle, deeply woven into the fabric of DRC's communities. Just as the Congo River winds through the nation’s landscape, so too do the somber realities of infectious diseases intertwine with the…