East Africa

"Irro has clinched the election with a massive victory," announced Muse Hassan Yusuf, the helmsman of North Western State of Somalia's National Electoral Commission during the results event in Hargeisa. In 1991, North Western State of Somalia broke away from Somalia, declaring its independence. Despite this bold move, many global powers have yet to acknowledge it formally as a nation. An intriguing accord was unveiled on January 1. Under its terms, North Western State of Somalia allowed Addis Ababa to set up a military…

Jubaland's Minister of Information, Abdifatah Mohamed Mukhtar, didn't mince words when responding to recent allegations. Speaking to the BBC, Mukhtar stood his ground, "Our constitution grants us the freedom to hold our own elections," he asserted. "The Prime Minister's accusations stray from his past endorsements of Jubaland's electoral independence." The heart of this conflict highlights the persistent friction between Somalia's central government and its regional administrations. The federal government places a premium…

Today, an intriguing diplomatic exchange unfolded as Ethiopia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, sat down for a chat with Vincent D. Spera, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Africa, Sudan, and South Sudan. From the onset, Ambassador Mesganu didn't mince words. He drove home the point that Ethiopia and the U.S. need to crank up their relationship, especially where peace and security are concerned. For Mesganu, the magic word is "economic." He passionately delved into Ethiopia’s…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the realm of uplifting news, the United States tipped its hat to Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro for snagging the coveted presidential seat in North Western State of Somalia. They threw kudos at the region for its tip-top democratic practices, something many can look up to.The US Embassy in Mogadishu gave a shoutout, via X (the platform yesteryear folks knew as Twitter). "Big ups to North Western State of Somalia's citizens for showing up to the polls and a hearty congratulations to President-elect…

The opposition leader in the self-declared independent region of North Western State of Somalia triumphed in the recent election, according to the electoral commission's announcement on Tuesday. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, representing the primary opposition faction known as the Waddani Party, secured over half of the votes, stepping out as the clear victor. At 69 years old, Abdullahi has previously held the prestigious position of North Western State of Somalia's parliament speaker back in 2005. This opposition group…

In the bustling heart of Mogadishu, there’s been a splash of political excitement. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud offered hearty congratulations to Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi – widely known as Irro – for clinching the top spot as North Western State of Somalia’s new President. Alongside him is the freshly minted Vice President Mohamed Aw-Ali Abdi. Their triumph in the November elections was not just political but a reflection of the vibrant democratic spirit alive in the region. In an official statement shared on…

North Western State of Somalia Elects New Leader: A New Chapter Unfolds In a surprising political shake-up, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro is set to take the reins as North Western State of Somalia's new president, as proclaimed by early results from the electoral commission on Tuesday. His leadership spells a fresh start for the disputed region. Irro, the figurehead of the Waddani party, secured a whopping 64% of the votes, prevailing over his opponent, Bihi, who garnered just 35% according to the figures released by…

On Monday, Ethiopia’s Defense Ministry firmly refuted rumors swirling around about a military helicopter accident near the northern city of Bahir Dar. They made it clear in a statement that there wasn't any mishap involving Ethiopian choppers, putting the kibosh on any flying mishaps tales out there. According to Borkena News, an online news source operating outside the country, Saturday brought forth claims accusing an Ethiopian Air Force helicopter of crashing in Bahir Dar. However, these articles were loose on details,…

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has extended its heartfelt condolences to the folks over in North Western State of Somalia following the demise of Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, affectionately known as Siilaanyo, their former president. Siilaanyo was more than just a leader; he was a true ally to Ethiopia, having played an instrumental role in fortifying the deep ties shared by our nations. The Ministry remarked on his enduring friendship with Ethiopia and acknowledged his pivotal…

World Toilet Day serves as a critical reminder of the pressing need for clean and safe toilets, particularly within Africa. The United Nations highlights a concerning reality— progress is lagging significantly behind in the race to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of providing "safe toilets for all by 2030." Currently, around 3.5 billion individuals across the globe are without access to basic sanitation. In various African nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and…