East Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (AX) — On the brisk morning of Friday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unveiled a revamped cabinet lineup, entrusting Dr. Gedion Timothewos with steering the Foreign Ministry. His task: healing Ethiopia's battered global relations post a storm of internal upheaval and regional skirmishes. Transitioning from his prior roles as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Timothewos was a pivotal mediator during the Tigray fracas. Analysts speculate that his blueprint revolves around mending bridges with Western…

Rigathi Gachagua might become the first deputy president to face impeachment since Kenya revamped its Constitution in 2010 . The Kenyan Senate has embarked on impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following a court's confirmation of their legality. The National Assembly, representing the lower house of Parliament, recently voted in favor of impeaching Gachagua on 11 charges, which include corruption, undermining governmental authority, and inciting ethnic conflicts. The 59-year-old leader has…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — A fresh initiative is underway with Kenya inaugurating a revamped pricing panel to tackle the plummeting cost of miraa, known as khat in Somalia. This vital cash crop supports thousands of farmers, with the strategy centered around boosting exports to Somalia, the predominant purchaser of Kenyan miraa. The panel's mission is clear: to stabilize miraa and muguka prices and enhance farmer revenues. The nine-strong committee, a brainchild of the Agricultural and Food Authority (AFA), boasts members from…

In the vibrant neighborhoods of Epworth and Mbare in Harare, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has embarked on a crucial mission: empowering the youth to confront mental health issues through a unique peer-led initiative. Equipped with specialized training, educators affiliated with MSF deliver essential psychological first aid. They bridge young individuals with critical mental health resources, encompassing a range of services such as medical care, HIV testing, STI management, contraceptive options, health education,…

In a groundbreaking development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially reported that Rwanda is spearheading the world's inaugural clinical trial aimed at treating the Marburg virus disease. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the collaborative effort with the organization, which involves testing a medication currently employed for COVID-19 management—Remdesivir—alongside an antibody specifically engineered to combat the Marburg virus. “This initiative showcases our collective…

The latest provincial election results strongly suggest that Daniel Chapo, representing the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), is on track to clinch victory. According to initial tallies, Frelimo is in front across all eleven provinces. Nevertheless, election monitors are expressing skepticism about the fairness of the process, claiming it fell short of international standards. Reports are filtering in about chaotic ballot counting, ballot boxes that weren’t secured properly, allegations of vote…

In a striking announcement, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s chief diplomat, articulated that the Ethiopian Embassy, nestled within the Somali Presidential Palace since 2007, would remain put for the moment, despite simmering discontent from the Somali authorities. Ethiopia set up its embassy in Villa Somalia after its military marched into Mogadishu in December 2006. This intervention was intended to bolster the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) against rebel factions, notably the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).Although…

Mogadishu (AX) — Marking its initiation into hosting major defense discussions, Ethiopia is holding its inaugural African Defense Ministers' Conference in Addis Ababa, a crucial gathering during a tumultuous period for the continent. Kicking off on Tuesday, the event unfolds at the historic Adwa Victory Memorial Museum under the theme "Africa: United in Peace, Strong in Security." Orchestrated by Ethiopia's Ministry of Defense, the conference draws military heads from the length and breadth of Africa to deliberate on…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant leap towards energy autonomy, Djibouti and Egypt have inked a pivotal agreement to establish a 276.5-kilowatt solar powerhouse in Djibouti. This pact, forged in a virtual meet-and-greet, is set to elevate Djibouti’s quest for energy independence while also mending the ties between these two nations.On a day abuzz with ceremony, the Egyptian honcho of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, along with Djibouti’s power maestro, Yonis Ali Guled, put pen to paper in Egypt on Wednesday,…