East Africa

Mogadishu (AX) – Imagine a flight that stirs up more buzz than a beehive in springtime. The Somali government recently found itself swatting away reports faster than a short-order cook during breakfast rush. It quashed rumors that its ambassador to Kenya, Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle, had been called back home posthaste because of a kerfuffle involving a plane. This wasn’t just any old plane but a Kenya-registered one, which apparently waltzed into Somali airspace on January 18 without giving so much as a courtesy nod. The alleged…

In the hustle and bustle of Hargeisa, under the golden rays of a Sunday morning sun, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro took to the stage, radiating optimism and determination. With a fervor that could light up a room, he announced his ambitious blueprint to revitalize diplomatic and economic bridges with Ethiopia and Djibouti, envisioning a future of prosperity and collaboration—and perhaps, a little bit of brotherly love. In his florid proclamation, President Irro hailed Ethiopia not just as a neighbor, but as a…

As dawn broke on a chilly morning in Port-au-Prince, the sleepy Toussaint Louverture International Airport hummed with activity uncommon for its usual routine. Stepping off a plane, with an air of determined anticipation, came a fresh wave of Kenyan police officers, on a mission as vital as it is daunting. It's not every day you see a contingent of officers journeying halfway across the globe, but then again, this was no ordinary task. They were here for a cause that everyone hoped would become a beacon of hope for a…

An expansive view of the bustling cityscape of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 24, 2024. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights In a world where financial stability often dances on the edge of chaos, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given Ethiopia reason for cheer. The IMF's executive board, like the proverbial knight in shining armor, signed off on the second review of Ethiopia's economic aid initiative on Friday. This momentous nod of approval unlocks a substantial disbursement of nearly $250…

With the addition of two newly confirmed cases, Kenya's mpox tally now stands at a concerning 33. It's a number that keeps health officials on their toes, perhaps reaching for the antacid more often these days. But where do these cases come from? As of this Friday, they hail from the counties of Kericho and Taita Taveta, marking the virus's unwelcome trek across 12 counties. Mary Muriuki, the unflappable principal secretary from the Health Ministry, delivered this sobering reality check during a recent press…

Kismayo (AX) – Jubaland's spirited leader, Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, boarded a private jet on Saturday morning, setting his sights on Kenya. It's his first cross-border jaunt since he snagged the presidency of Jubaland once again—a victory that the Somali federal government has dished out cold shoulders and a tight-lipped refusal to acknowledge. A swathe of diplomats awaits him in Kenya, where whispers in government corridors suggest that talks will orbit around the thorny political landscape of Somalia. High on the…

In the spirited heart of Nairobi, amidst celebrations at Uhuru Park on January 1, 2025, the air buzzed with more than just fireworks and selfie snaps. People eagerly embracing the New Year couldn't help but feel a tinge of optimism about Kenya's economic prospects. As folks captured memories with friends and family, somewhere in the background, a pivotal announcement also caught the attention. (Photo by Joy Nabukewa/Xinhua) With the economic crystal ball laid bare by the National Treasury, Kenya stands on the cusp…

In an unexpected turn of events that reads like a Hollywood script, the family of Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim, who had been believed to have vanished from this mortal coil during an Al-Shabaab incursion nine years ago, is now elated beyond words. It's the kind of news you don't expect. Photo: Citizen TV/Cornelius Ronoh. Source: Twitter. Hidden away in the serene locality of Maili Nne, Eldoret, a family that had long mourned is now celebrating the miraculous news that their beloved relative, Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim—a Kenya Defence…

Mogadishu (AX) — an ominous September of 2024, where a helicopter's brief and eventful airborne jaunt in Somalia lands three senior Ugandan military officers in hot water. Much to the chagrin of those involved, what was supposed to be a routine sortie ended in a crash and a legal tailspin. The aircraft, nestled under the watchful gaze of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), met with adversity almost immediately after takeoff from Mogadishu. Miraculously, all four peacekeepers aboard, though shaken,…

With the dawn of 2025, I found myself embarking on a nostalgic weeklong journey back to my roots – the small town of Buuloburte. The last time I set foot in this quaint dot on the map was back in August 2023, when a break from the daily grind led me here for a refreshing week. This time, however, I was playing the role of dutiful son, escorting my mother back home after a delightful, yet languorous, stay in the hustle and bustle of Mogadishu. Imagine our arrival at Buuloburte airport on January 2nd—an airstrip bustling with…