East Africa

Rwanda is on the verge of officially declaring its Marburg outbreak as resolved after successfully discharging the very last patient who had fully recovered. Over the course of this health crisis, the nation witnessed more than 60 cases of infection, leading to 15 tragic fatalities, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). With a significant number of individuals having emerged victorious against the virus, the mortality rate now sits at a concerning 23%. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that there haven’t been any…

On a bustling November day in 2024, citizens lined up at polling stations throughout Hargeisa and across North Western State of Somalia. Each of them was eager to participate in this pivotal moment—the presidential elections of this self-governing, albeit unrecognized, region. As the day waned, the clang of the ballot boxes ceased and doors of polling stations across North Western State of Somalia closed at precisely 6 pm, with the North Western State of Somalia National Electoral Commission (NEC) confirming the smooth…

Just a few days after Donald Trump clinched the presidential election in the United States, Meg Whitman, the Ambassador to Kenya, decided to step down from her position. In a candid chat with her team at the US embassy, Whitman said, "I informed them today that I submitted my resignation to President Joe Biden. It has been an honor to work for the American people, especially in strengthening our bond with Kenya." Reflecting on the time she spent in her role, starting from 2022, Whitman shared her experiences in enhancing…

Tragic news has emerged from Mozambique, where police reportedly opened fire, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals during a demonstration in Namicopo—a densely populated area in Nampula province. This grim incident has pushed the total number of fatalities attributed to police actions to nearly 50, following a series of protests that ignited on October 21, 2024. The turmoil in Mozambique shows no signs of abating, especially in the wake of recent electoral disputes. Venancio Mondlane, the leader of the opposition…

On a sunny day in Nairobi, Kenya, the Central Bank Governor, Patrick Njoroge, exhibited crisp Kenyan shilling bills during a vibrant news conference at the Central Bank on June 3, 2019. The financial air was palpable with speculation as these colorful slips of currency held center stage. Photo credits to REUTERS/Baz Ratner. Recently, the Kenyan shilling took a bit of a nosedive when pitted against the dollar. A local trader spilled the beans, saying that this wasn't just a Kenyan phenomenon – the dollar was flexing its…

Mogadishu (AX) — In Tuesday's bustling corridors of Mogadishu, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre sat down with a notable Kenyan delegation, opening the gateway to diplomatic interventions aimed at untangling the political snafu between Somalia's federal government and Jubbaland's head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, regarding the looming electoral festivities.The Kenyan synergy was spearheaded by heavyweights like former IGAD Secretary General Mahbub Moalim, the erstwhile IGAD Special Envoy for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed Abdi…

Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, gathered with Germany's Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin from November 5-6, 2024. The photo credits: Hannes P. Albert / picture alliance. Recently, Germany and Somalia unveiled a new agreement, sparking varied reactions and opinions. Historically, similar attempts to repatriate migrants have often faced challenges and shown limited success, as noted by several experts. On November 6, after their meeting in Berlin, Scholz and Mohamud declared their intention to return more…

"As a voter gaze at a ballot in hand, poised to make a mark, he gets ready to participate in a pivotal moment for North Western State of Somalia," reports Luis Tato from AFP.The presidential election is afoot in Somalia's aspirant state of North Western State of Somalia, attracting a wave of civic energy and political ambition.Anticipating a turnout of over a million, voters will flock to upwards of 2,000 polling stations on this significant Wednesday.Candidates carry hopes of navigating North Western State of Somalia to…

North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared state seeking to carve its own niche in the African political landscape, recently headed to the polls under a cloud of intrigue stemming from a contentious Ethiopia-Somalia port agreement. This developing situation has quickly garnered attention, not just within the region but also on the international stage. The stakes are high, adding a thick layer of tension to what would otherwise be a straightforward exercise in democracy. "Elections are a pivotal moment for any…

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Following Donald Trump's election, African leaders expressed enthusiasm about forging stronger partnerships with the United States. However, many remain skeptical that his presidency will significantly impact the continent's 1.4 billion-strong population. After Trump clinched victory, Kenya's William Ruto affirmed readiness to enhance relations with Washington, while Nigeria's Bola Tinubu looked forward to "earnest and mutually rewarding" collaborations. Despite these greetings, whispers abound that…