East Africa

Colonel Yahya Mohamed, the Deputy Director of Kenya's National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), recently shed light on the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations, emphasizing their rapid adaptation to technological advancements. During the Fourth Dushanbe Conference in Kuwait, Mohamed noted that these groups are harnessing encrypted communications, drones, and digital currencies to avoid detection and fund their operations. Kenya's strategic geographical location, sharing borders with countries like Somalia, places it…

North Western State of Somalia is on the brink of a significant election, and President Muse Bihi Abdi is rallying the masses for support. In a televised chat with the populace, he trumpets the administration's plea for unity and backing in their quest for international acknowledgment, especially with the November elections looming. Interestingly, the official notice came from the Office of the North Western State of Somalia President. Hargeisa (AX) — As the voting days draw near, President Muse Bihi Abdi ramps up appeals…

Snapshot of a Mystery: On a brisk October day in 2024, security cameras caught glimpses of Hashim Dagane Muhumed, already notorious in Nairobi circles, carting away two hefty bags from a Lavington apartment. The authorities suspect these bags held grim secrets—the dismembered pieces of Deka Abdinoor Gorone, the woman he was growing ever more notorious for allegedly killing. This chilling footage has added gasoline to the investigation and sparked a fierce debate around safety and justice in Nairobi. Source: DCI Kenya "In…

"The camps along the Kenya-Somalia border were initially set up as hubs for assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs), targeted at creating chaos and disrupting transportation as well as commercial activities on main thoroughfares connecting Garissa and Lamu counties," a statement declared on Tuesday night.According to the statement, members of the al-Shabab militia fled these sites, leaving behind an assortment of IED components, bullets, communication devices, and various types of ammunition for portable rocket…

Sure, let's breathe some life into this piece with a more engaging tone and varied structure. Tensions Rise as Jubbaland and Federal Government Clash In a twist of political developments, a wave of federal lawmakers from Jubbaland made their way to Kismayo on Thursday. The reason? To dive into a pivotal consultation meeting orchestrated by none other than Ahmed Madobe, the head honcho of Jubbaland. The temperature is rising as anticipation builds for these discussions. Now, you might be wondering, what's the big deal…

**Mogadishu (AX) — An urgent situation unfolds in Saudi Arabia, where around 50 Somali citizens face capital punishment for alleged drug smuggling. Family members and Somali authorities are fervently seeking clemency, arguing for a reduction of sentences from the grim reality of execution to imprisonment. These individuals, mostly young, initially ventured to Saudi Arabia in search of employment opportunities. They were either coerced or misled into participating in drug trafficking across the Saudi border. Now, with the…

In a shift that has stirred some buzz, Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has revealed plans to shift the Ethiopian Embassy away from the presidential compound. This announcement marks a significant response to public disapproval over the embassy's notable location. Speaking to reporters on November 4, Fiqi stated, “The move comes as a reaction to the public’s dissatisfaction with having a foreign embassy within our presidential grounds.” Recognizing the legitimate unease, he further added, “The concerns…

In the bustling metropolis of New York City, a significant verdict unfolded that speaks volumes about global security threats. A 34-year-old Kenyan named Cholo Abdi Abdullah, tethered to the infamous Somali militant cadre Al Shabaab, was handed a conviction for orchestrating a catastrophic plot echoing the dark shadows of the September 11 attacks. Abdullah's journey entwined intrigue and menace. Captured in the Philippines back in July 2019, his next chapter unfolded in the U.S. by December 2020, facing justice in a foreign…

FILE - Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin (right) and Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi (left) proudly hoist the Ethiopian flag during the opening ceremony of the revamped Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu, dated May 27, 2007. Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia plans to shift the Ethiopian Embassy from its hallowed presidential precinct, signaling a widening chasm in diplomatic relations, primarily triggered by Ethiopia's contentious port arrangement with North Western State of Somalia—a deal Somalia perceives as an affront…

Understanding what's at play, let's take the core message of a Kenyan delegation trying to ease the political friction between Somali leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Jubbaland's head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, over the looming election. There's some backstory involving some heavy hitters like former bigwigs from IGAD—Mahbub Moalim and Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey. We've even got Wajir County's own Senator Abdirahman Ali Hassan Olow in the mix. Their mission? Play peacemaker and sort out this kerfuffle over inclusion or lack…