East Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — Kenya Airways is poised to hit the brakes on all its flights ferrying passengers to Mogadishu, Somalia, starting on October 14, 2024. The decision, attributed to some gnarly operational hiccups, was splashed across a letter by the airline’s honcho, Allan Kilavuka. This communiqué, dated October 9, 2024, was penned to Mohamed Daghar, the Principal Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport."We've run into some operational snags," explained Kilavuka in the letter, "so we've chosen to halt our…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Egyptian leader, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is gearing up for a visit to Asmara, Eritrea, come Thursday, where he's scheduled for a three-party pow-wow with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This top-tier sit-down aims to bolster security partnerships and tackle mutual hurdles in the Horn of Africa and the bustling Red Sea zone. A big-ticket item on the agenda is the creation of a tri-nation coalition to navigate common challenges, with a spotlight on Ethiopia's…

In Asmara, Eritrea, on October 9, 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held bilateral meetings to discuss enhancing military cooperation and strengthening their relationship amidst regional shifts. Credit: Villa Somalia Somalia's leader, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, touched down in Asmara, Eritrea, this past Wednesday for a formal visit. Since taking the helm in 2022, this marks his fourth voyage. It's likely geared toward boosting a developing alliance among Somalia,…

In a grand setting, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stepped up to address the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on a bustling Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (AP Photo by Richard Drew) - AP Photo/Richard DrewWith considerable spotlight, President Erdogan participated in the send-off ceremony for Turkey’s energy research vessel, Oruc Reis. This month, the ship departed towards the Somali waters, bolstered by two Turkish naval ships.Somali Energy AccordThe Oruc Reis deployment emerges from an energy…

On Tuesday, Kenyan legislators cast their votes on a proposal to kick the deputy president out of office. This followed an intense day of discussions, featuring a personal appearance by Rigathi Gachagua in parliament. He came to argue against accusations, including claims that he backed anti-government demonstrations in June. The resolution to impeach sailed through with a commanding 281 votes in favor, against only 44 dissenting votes—far surpassing the 117-vote threshold set by the constitution. The proposal now heads to…

Mogadishu (AX) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud jetted off to Asmara, Eritrea, on Wednesday to connect with Eritrea's leader, Isaias Afwerki.This journey is all about bolstering ties and cooperation between Somalia and Eritrea, especially concerning crucial matters influencing the Horn of Africa, according to a report from the Somali National News Agency.President Mohamud's entourage includes Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with various cabinet members.His visit to Eritrea occurs against…

A youngster is spotted in Kidemu, Kilifi County, Kenya, on March 23, 2022. (Photo by Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) As of Monday, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in Kenya reported that over a million citizens are facing severe food shortages and desperately need aid. The report released in Nairobi explained that 23 of Kenya's 47 regions, particularly the ones identified as arid and semi-arid, have been hit hardest. A significant decrease in children, aged six months to five years, receiving treatment for severe…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pinpointed Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), and Burundi as the hardest-hit nations in Africa amid the ongoing mpox outbreak. The latest multi-country situation report from the WHO paints a sobering picture: DR Congo has logged 30,766 suspected cases, 5,610 confirmed cases, and regrettably, 25 fatalities. Meanwhile, Burundi has reported 2,188 suspected cases, with 853 confirmed, yet it has fortunately not endured any deaths. A glance at the data, spanning from…

Polling stations across Mozambique have swung wide open for a gripping general election. Citizens are stepping up to the ballot box to choose a new president, provincial governors, and representatives for parliament. At the forefront of the race is the ruling party, Frelimo, putting forth the candidacy of Daniel Chapo. Chapo aims to take the helm from Filipe Nyusi, the sitting president who has served a full two-term limit. Frelimo has exerted control over Mozambique since it gained independence from Portuguese colonial…

On a recent day, the quietude of the Ethiopian Rift Valley was shattered by a 4.9-magnitude earthquake. This seismic event originated west of Lake Awash, particularly near the Mount Fentale district, rattling the town of Metehara and prompting some locals to scramble for safety. In the aftermath of the quake, reports indicated that numerous buildings suffered structural damage, while cracks emerged in the ground nearby. Fortunately, as of now, no injuries or significant destruction have been documented, which is a relief…