East Africa

Next week, Egypt is set for discussions with Somalia to explore the role Egyptian troops could play in a diverse force tackling Islamist extremists in the Horn of Africa. This is a notable development in a longstanding regional conflict, promising potential shifts in military alliances and strategies. According to Ali Balcad, the Somali state minister for foreign affairs, these crucial talks are slated for January 15-17 in bustling Cairo. Not too long ago, Egypt's foreign minister declared that Egypt would contribute…

FILE - On May 31, 2024, observers noted temporary shelters near Awlala Camp in Ethiopia's Amhara region. UNICEF announced on January 7, 2025, that a staggering 4.4 million children in Amhara are out of school, a consequence of disasters and unrest. (Photo by Alfatih Alsemari via Reuters) Across Ethiopia, an unsettling reality unfolds: over nine million young ones are absent from classrooms due to violence, conflicts, and the havoc wreaked by Mother Nature. The United Nations reveals that more than 6,000 institutions for…

Photos of the accident scene. Credit: Sikika Road Safety Two individuals lost their lives, while others were hurt, following a grisly road crash on the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway, a key transit route for travelers. The fateful event occurred on a seemingly ordinary Sunday, January 5. Involved in the collision were a Nissan minibus, also known as a matatu, and a larger bus, engaging in a catastrophic head-on crash near Naivasha's Prison Bridge. The Eldoret Shuttle Nissan matatu, after ramming into a Nairobi-bound bus, painted a…

In a tragic turn of events, Charles Owino, a 19-year-old, lost his life to a gunshot wound to the head during July's anti-government demonstrations near Nairobi, according to an autopsy reported by Reuters.However, his death, as recorded by the police, was classified as a road accident, Owino's brother revealed after he saw the morgue log entry upon identifying the body. Reuters hasn't been able to access the mentioned document. Similarly, in a separate instance, police claimed Shaquille Obienge, aged 21, succumbed to a road…

Mogadishu (AX) – So, here's the scoop: Somali Foreign Minister and International Cooperation guru, Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, just had a pow-wow with a crew from the Indian High Commission based out of Nairobi. What's the word on the street? They're putting the final touches on opening a swanky new visa facilitation center right in good ol' Mogadishu. On Monday, this was trumpeted by the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The session was also graced by the presence of Said Jama Mire, who runs the Asia and Australia…

In a bustling, often unpredictable world, fresh allegations have surfaced in the Horn of Africa, casting a shadow over the delicate peace between Somalia and Kenya. Lawmakers from the autonomous region of Jubbaland are pointing fingers at Somalia's federal government, accusing it of stirring up trouble along their shared border with Kenya. On Tuesday, a collective declaration emerged from Jubbaland's parliamentary representatives, both those in the Lower House and the Upper House. They claimed that federal forces, alongside…

**Mogadishu (AX) —** An exciting shift is happening amidst the arid landscapes of Somalia's Bari region, with local farmers finally reaping the rewards of patience and perseverance. After years of struggling against a harsh climate, they've tapped into success by cultivating and selling dates, sweetening both their prospects and their wallets. Take Mohamed Rage Ali, for instance. The father of 14 has turned a promising corner. After half a decade of toil, his farm has yielded a harvest with a $1,200 payout, providing his…

Lawmakers Challenge Exclusive Livestock Export Deal In a bold stand, about one hundred members from both chambers of Somalia's Federal Parliament openly criticized a recent government decision favoring Abu-Yasir, a foreign entrepreneur, with exclusive rights to export the country's livestock. In clear-cut words on Monday, the parliamentarians pointed fingers at President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of putting a foreigner's interest over those of local Somali traders. These traders have long been pillars in the…

Paris (AFP) - Despite his vivid orange beard and distinctive glasses, Abdul Qadir Mumin remains a shadowy figure, difficult to catch, and even harder to understand. This Somalian has likely climbed to the top tier within the Islamic State (IS) ensemble, potentially acting as the de facto big cheese without the official endorsement, according to experts. Some observers are puzzled about the mysterious figure Abou Hafs al-Hachimi al-Qourachi, IS's supposed caliph, speculating if he even exists. Meanwhile, it's plausible that…

Rwanda has proudly inaugurated Africa's pioneering laboratory dedicated to assessing the quality and safety of motorcycle helmets. This innovative facility is capable of testing between 30 to 40 helmets each day. Its primary objective is to ensure that both locally produced and imported helmets comply with the safety regulations set forth by the Rwanda Standards Board. "By establishing this lab, we are taking crucial strides towards lowering head injuries and fostering economic advancement," explains a representative from…