East Africa

U.S. Embassy in Djibouti issues security alert amid regional threats, curbs routine services DJIBOUTI (AX) — The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti on Tuesday issued a security alert urging American citizens to exercise increased caution as regional tensions rise and public threats target U.S. interests. The mission said it continues to advise its personnel to avoid the area surrounding the U.S. Embassy and Camp Lemonnier, the U.S. military installation adjacent to the airport. “There is no higher priority than the safety and security…

NAIROBI, Kenya — The death toll from torrential rains and flash floods that ripped through Nairobi and other parts of Kenya has nearly doubled to 42, the government said late Sunday, as military-led teams combed submerged neighborhoods and riverbanks for the missing. Intense downpours on Friday swamped roads, swept away vehicles and inundated homes and workshops in low-lying districts, including the Grogan area of downtown Nairobi, a hub for auto garages and spare parts traders. Floodwaters also disrupted traffic at the…

Iran and Israel long fought in the shadows — through intelligence operations, cyberattacks, covert sabotage and proxy warfare — calibrating pressure without crossing into direct war. That balance is faltering. The shadow conflict is tilting toward open confrontation, reshaping the Middle East’s security architecture and rippling through energy markets, shipping lanes and fragile regional politics from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. For decades, Tehran relied on partners such as Hezbollah in…

Djibouti’s Red Sea dilemma: How the Middle East war could reroute trade and test a strategic hub PARIS — Tuesday, March 10, 2026 — The war in the Middle East is no longer just a battlefield story. It is a shock rippling through global trade routes and energy markets, with outsized consequences for small, strategic economies. At the mouth of the Red Sea, Djibouti’s position at Bab el-Mandeb has long been an asset. In a protracted crisis, it could become a vulnerability. This is a classic exposure problem. Djibouti has built a…

On the 11th anniversary of his disappearance, human rights groups renewed calls for truth and accountability in the case of pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara, who was abducted outside a barber shop in Glen View, Harare, on March 9, 2015, and has not been seen since. Dzamara’s disappearance remains unresolved a decade after the incident that shocked Zimbabwe and drew attention to the risks faced by vocal critics of the country’s former president, Robert Mugabe. Amnesty International Zimbabwe said Dzamara’s family has…

Devastating Rains and Flooding in Kenya: Death Toll Rises In a tragic turn of events, Kenya has been hit hard by relentless rains, resulting in fatal flooding across the nation. The death toll has increased significantly, pointing to the severe impact on communities. The government reports at least 42 fatalities, nearly doubling previous numbers. Flooding caused major disruptions, including drowning incidents and traffic chaos. Relief efforts are ongoing, with search and rescue operations prioritized. Extent…

AU commander tours recaptured Somali town of Mubarak after joint offensive against al-Shabab MOGADISHU — The commander of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on Friday visited the newly secured town of Mubarak in Lower Shabelle to assess troop readiness after a joint operation that pushed al-Shabab fighters from key positions south of Mogadishu. Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma toured security positions in and around Mubarak with senior Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) commanders, meeting soldiers…

Nigerian Government Urges Mozambique to Release Detained Citizens The Nigerian government has called for the immediate release of 42 Nigerians allegedly arrested in Mozambique without any charges. The appeal was made by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa. She condemned the arrests and described the reported targeting of Nigerians at a spare parts market as a possible xenophobic act. Dabiri-Erewa urged Mozambican authorities to either release these individuals or formally charge…

Malawi has banned "dual practice" for health workers at all public clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and diagnostic centers in a sweeping move intended to stamp out corruption and restore confidence in the state health system, the government announced Monday. The directive bars public-sector health employees from holding concurrent jobs in private medical facilities. It also requires any health worker who owns or has a stake in a private clinic, pharmacy or diagnostic center to divest within 30 days or face dismissal and…

Sunday March 8, 2026 Arusha (AX) — East African Community leaders on Sunday approved and swore in Somali jurist Abdiwahid Warsame Abdullahi as a judge of the First Instance Division of the East African Community Court of Justice, marking a milestone in Somalia’s integration into the regional bloc. The appointment was endorsed at the 25th Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, where Abdullahi took the oath of office. His elevation brings Somali legal expertise onto the bench of the EAC’s principal judicial institution at a…