East Africa

In a recent announcement, Sabin Nsanzimana, the Minister of Health, disclosed that the current Marburg virus outbreak originated with a 27-year-old individual who had come into contact with fruit bats while working in a cave linked to mining activities. This patient sought care at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali. Initially misdiagnosed with malaria, further testing eventually confirmed he was infected with the Marburg virus, leading to a rapid spread of the disease among close contacts and several healthcare workers.…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Ethiopian Dialogue Commission is urging the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) to reevaluate its choice to withdraw from Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference. This decision, according to the Commission, could potentially destabilize the delicate peace deal between the two parties, established back in 2018.ONLF, which champions the cause for self-determination in Ethiopia’s Somali region, blames the government for reneging on crucial commitments, prompting them to abandon the conference mere days…

In Istanbul on October 19, 2024, Hakan Fidan, Turkey's Foreign Minister, delivered remarks at a press conference. (REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo. Purchase Licensing Rights) Next week, the Turkish foreign minister is jetting off to Djibouti. The agenda? A pivotal Turkey-Africa ministerial shindig, aiming to bolster ties between Ankara and the African continent, according to ministry insiders. Over recent stretches, Turkey, a NATO ally, has ratcheted up its footprint and sway in Africa. It's been boosting trade nearly…

The African School of Governance (ASG), a visionary initiative spearheaded by H.E. Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, alongside H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, has officially opened its doors in the vibrant city of Kigali. This remarkable undertaking is bolstered by a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which aligns with its Young Africa Works Strategy. At the helm of ASG is Professor Kingsley Moghalu, who serves as its inaugural president. He is supported by a diverse and…

The menace of climate change, civil strife, and growing resistance to conventional insecticides is paving the way for a concerning rise in disease cases. An entomologist is on the job, gathering mosquitoes along Butuji River in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, thanks to Tiksa Negeri from The New York Times for the visuals. Ethiopia is witnessing a dramatic spike in malaria infections, escalated by armed conflicts, climate change, and mosquitoes developing resistance to medications and insecticides — a setback for a nation that was…

This week, leaders from the Commonwealth, a global organization primarily comprised of former British colonies, have convened in the picturesque Pacific island nation of Samoa. After two decades of waiting, it’s Africa’s turn to fill the Secretary-General role. However, the agenda is igniting debate, particularly regarding the contentious topic of reparations. In the spotlight are three contenders fiercely competing for the esteemed position: Ghana's Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; the erstwhile trade and…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed grave concerns about the plight of everyday Zimbabweans, who bear the brunt of economic sanctions levied against the nation. Although these sanctions target specific individuals, the ripple effects reach far wider, impacting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Mnangagwa argues that these punitive measures hinder efforts toward regional cooperation and stifle sustainable development initiatives. In a significant turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to forge a new…

At a groundbreaking ceremony for a new liquid oxygen facility on the Coast, key figures including Hiroshi Ogihara from the Japanese embassy, Paras Pandya, MD of Synergy Gases, Governor Gideon Mung'aro, and Unitaid's Robert Matiru came together. Unitaid, backed by UK funds, declared a hefty Sh2.8 billion investment aimed at aiding three oxygen manufacturers in Kenya and Tanzania. This significant boost is set to usher in Africa's maiden regional production of liquid oxygen. Aiming to enhance the availability of medical…

FILE - On the date of April 8, 2023, Ethiopian Minister Abiy Ahmed was present at the graduation event for recruits at the Ethiopian military school. Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopia's hustle for a grip on the Red Sea is heating things up in the Horn of Africa. This tug-of-war among Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Somalia might just change the political scene there. At the heart of it all is the fierce scramble for control over the vital Red Sea route. A big piece of the puzzle is Ethiopia’s port deal with North Western State of…

About 13,000 Ethiopian and allied troops will exit Somalia by year's end, making way for a revamped mission anticipated to commence the following year. “Ethiopia’s recent solo actions, like signing an illegitimate pact with Somalia's northern area, breach our sovereign rights and damage the trust needed for peacekeeping,” declared Somalia’s Foreign Ministry in a Wednesday pronouncement. Regional diplomats fret over escalating tensions related to troop involvement in the upcoming peacekeeping force, fearing it might…