East Africa

In a notable twist of events out of Kismayo, tensions have flared between the Jubbaland State cabinet and Somalia’s federal government over serious allegations involving international humanitarian aid. Jubbaland authorities are pointing fingers, saying that aid meant to support their vulnerable communities is being rerouted to bankroll regional conflicts. The unsettling claims were aired during a gathering in Kismayo last Thursday, where it was asserted that instead of reaching those in need, these crucial resources have…

The Kenyan Health Ministry has stepped forward to calm public nervousness about the buzz surrounding the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) flu outbreak over in China. Despite the chatter, they’re saying, “Stay cool, folks!” while giving the nod to those with gnarly respiratory symptoms—if it hits hard, go see a doc. To clear the air, they mentioned that HMPV is certainly not some brand-new bug. It’s a bug that’s been giving people snotty noses and buggy tubes for quite some time now, even in Kenya. “No spike in the number of…

On Thursday, the political landscape of the country saw a dramatic turn as opposition leader Venancio Mondlane made his homecoming. This return comes just before the much-anticipated inauguration of Danial Chapo, the candidate from the ruling party who was proclaimed the winner of the presidential elections held on October 9, 2024. The atmosphere, however, was anything but celebratory. Reports by allAfrica’s Boakai Fofana reveal that tensions flared as police clashed with Mondlane’s supporters. Their attempts to gather at…

This is the scoop, folks. Somalia's got a bit of a step up in the realm of global travel documents. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, the Somali passport is now sitting at 102nd place, granting free passage to 35 destinations all over the map. Let's take a quick jaunt back a few years — in 2015, Somalia's passport was limping at 108th spot. While a move to 102nd might seem like a crawl in progress, it feels like an anticlimax when you see how the United Arab Emirates leapfrogged 32 spots to touch the tenth with…

In an inspiring turn of events, three fishermen from North Western State of Somalia, missing at sea for almost a month, have finally been found safe near the coast of Djibouti, marking the end of a grueling 29-day survival saga that left their community in anguish and suspense. The unpredictable journey began on December 6, 2024, when these hardy souls set off from Berbera. Their small vessel, however, soon ran into mechanical woes, rendering them powerless and adrift on the uncertain seas. Khadar Ibrahim Abdillahi, one of…

On January 2, 2025, an impressive international collaboration took place at Tirunesh Beijing Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Local and Chinese doctors teamed up to perform cataract surgeries, showcasing a remarkable partnership between the two nations. (Photo Credit: Tianjin Eye Hospital/Handout via Xinhua) This initiative, dubbed "China-Ethiopia Brightness Journey," marks a significant step in medical diplomacy. It was officially set in motion by a dedicated team from Tianjin Eye Hospital, which launched a campaign to…

The Foiled Plans of Al-Shabaab's Financial Mastermind: A Close Look at Mire's Fall Mire, the mastermind behind financial operations for al-Shabaab, played a significant role in orchestrating attacks in Kenya and Somalia. This narrative unfolds the gripping tale of his involvement and ultimate demise at the hands of U.S. forces. Setting the Stage: Westgate Tragedy On the fateful day of September 21, 2013, terror struck Nairobi's Westgate Mall when four armed assailants, under Mire's orchestration, launched a brutal assault.…

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…