East Africa

The political chessboard of Africa recently witnessed a riveting scene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There, beleaguered yet unyielding, stood Raila Odinga—Kenya's former Prime Minister—eyeing the coveted African Union Commission (AUC) seat. Could this campaign, riddled with global intrigue and political posturing, alter the course for Odinga or simply add weight to the rich tapestry of his illustrious career? Raila's quiet return to Kenya marks the culmination of a journey both long and intricate. His campaign took him to no…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the bustling streets of Somalia's capital, a significant initiative quietly unfolds, marked by the colorful presence of health workers armed with life-saving vials. With palpable determination, the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, bolstered by global allies like WHO, UNICEF, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, has embarked on a crucial four-day polio vaccination campaign. Their mission? To immunize 2.5 million children under the tender age of five against a persistent adversary:…

The M23 rebel group has recently made headlines by calling for direct peace negotiations with the Congolese government, following their seizure of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province. This development has ignited yet another chapter in an enduring saga of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In their statement, M23 asserted that their entry into Bukavu aimed to "restore security" and "aid the local population." This declaration raises an eyebrow, considering the group’s controversial history. They…

In recent years, the landscape of global funding has been tumultuous, prompting African nations to grapple with the consequences of dwindling foreign aid. The ripple effects of changes in American policy, particularly under the Trump administration, pose a grave threat to essential health, education, and economic stability initiatives crucial for various countries on the continent. A notable example is President Donald Trump's executive order, which quelled new government spending on foreign assistance for a staggering 90…

The bustling streets of Mogadishu had barely settled down from the recent diplomatic fanfare when officials from Somalia and Ethiopia quietly jetted off to Ankara. Here, beneath the expansive Turkish skies, a new chapter in East African diplomacy was set to unfold. Could an age-old quest for maritime access merge with modern realpolitik to reshape the Horn of Africa? In a world where global alliances shift as easily as the dunes in the Somali desert, hopes and anxieties collide. It's interesting how, in the realm of…

FILE - Aslam Longton (bottom right) and Jamil Longton (bottom left) are seen at the Kenya National Human Rights Commission in Nairobi, Feb. 2, 2025. (Credit: Kenya National Human Rights Commission) The specter of forced disappearances looms ominously over Kenya, a nation that has recently been rocked by political unrest and social discord. Since the summer of 2024, when sweeping protests engulfed the country, a staggering 82 instances of alleged abductions have been documented by the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission.…

Tragedy Strikes in Orebro: Unanswered Questions and Immigrant Concerns Stockholm (AFP) - When tragedy strikes without a clear motive, the air is thick with uncertainty and unspoken fears. The mass shooting at Campus Risbergska in Orebro is Sweden's deadliest to date, leaving a community—and a nation—grappling with questions that may remain unanswered. Is it possible to explain the unexplainable? The haunting reality is that most of the victims came from foreign backgrounds, stirring ongoing debates and…

Amidst a seemingly endless undercurrent of geopolitical tension, a group of Somali special forces captains stood stoically against the backdrop of 2022. They were part of a specialized commando unit, their faces stern as they engaged with their U.S. Army trainers. The photograph, captured by Luis Tato for The Washington Post, is a vivid reminder of the complex tapestry of military alliances woven across Africa and the Middle East. In Nairobi, recent developments have thrown a wrench into these delicate dynamics. An…

In the heart of Addis Ababa, the bustling capital of Ethiopia, the African Union convened its annual summit. This gathering, straddled between the echoes of prior conflicts and the anticipations of future peace, witnessed a pivotal leadership transition. Among the dappled sunlight that filtered through the grand assembly hall, an air of quiet anticipation settled in—a new chief was to be chosen for the African Union Commission, a role vital for steering the organization through its intricate daily operations. The merits of…

On an ordinary Saturday, right amidst the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of the Heads of State and Government, an unassuming revolutionary shift occurred. Selma Haddadi was appointed as the next deputy chairperson of the AU Commission—an appointment that resonates across the continent like an unexpected melody echoing through familiar chords, signaling a fresh symphony for Africa. Hailing from Algeria, Haddadi holds the esteemed position of ambassador to Ethiopia. Her election marks the beginning…