East Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly, rallying global leaders for a united front on the world's most urgent crises. In his stirring address, Barre tackled everything from ongoing conflicts to climate change, explicitly calling out Ethiopia for infringing on Somalia's borders, and appealed for swift international intervention.

Ethiopia’s fuel stream shifts focus from Djibouti to Berbera amidst an escalating Horn of Africa power maneuverFILE - A bird’s-eye view of Berbera Port's fuel terminal (upper left) and its freshly-expanded container terminal (foreground), a crucial lynchpin for regional commerce in the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia’s potential pivot of fuel imports from Djibouti. (Government of North Western State of Somalia)Mogadishu (AX) —  Ethiopia is mulling over rerouting its fuel imports from Djibouti to North Western State of…

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has set its sights on obtaining reparations from Rwanda, blaming its neighbor for actions that allegedly infringed upon DRC's sovereignty and national integrity. This dispute has escalated, prompting the DRC to bring the matter before the East African Court of Justice. Their claims include serious allegations of aggression in eastern DRC—specifically, incidences of looting, sexual violence, and mass killings. However, before engaging in substantive legal discourse, the…

Mogadishu (AX) — President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt has underscored Egypt's unwavering allegiance to Somalia, underlining the Arabic nation's critical function within the Arab League while affirming that no entity will be allowed to jeopardize its autonomy. El-Sisi's remarks arrive amid escalating military and political friction in the Horn of Africa, where Egypt's increased involvement is altering the regional landscape."We're not making hollow threats, but anyone endangering Somalia will face consequences," el-Sisi…

The Somali Embassy found itself embroiled in a sticky legal tango over unpaid renovation dues. A Kenyan court recently mandated the disbursement of $201,942 to Kingsly Construction Limited from the embassy's accounts after a contractual hiccup back in 2016. NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — A Kenyan court has directed Premier Bank to release KSh 26 million ($201,942) from the Somali Embassy's funds to Kingsly Construction Limited. This verdict marks the end of a three-year tussle over unpaid renovation bills for the embassy's Nairobi…

Mogadishu— Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi dismissed immediate negotiations with Ethiopia over their maritime squabble, blaming Ethiopia's steadfastness over its controversial deal with North Western State of Somalia. The heart of the conflict lies in an agreement struck in January 2024, where North Western State of Somalia granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease over 20 kilometers of coastline. This pact would provide landlocked Ethiopia with coveted sea access for commercial and naval use. In return, Ethiopia was…

On Tuesday, Ethiopia's foreign minister cautioned that the influx of arms into Somalia might not only ignite further conflict but could also end up in the hands of terrorists, according to Ethiopia's state news agency.

Kenya's telecom titan, Safaricom (SCOM.NR), shared on Tuesday that it secured 15 billion shillings (around $116.73 million) from the second round of a sustainability-oriented loan procured from a coalition of local banks. This telecom heavyweight, partially owned by South Africa's Vodacom (VODJ.J) and Britain's Vodafone (VOD.L), initiated this green loan project last year, netting a comparable sum in its initial phase. The fresh funding will be funneled into various eco-friendly initiatives, notably transforming its…

Kenya’s administration is on the cusp of securing a hefty $1.5 billion loan from the United Arab Emirates at an 8.2% interest rate, aiming to address the financial shortfall plaguing the East African nation, a source in the know told Reuters. "Kenya is broadening its budget support sources," noted the insider, hinting that "the deal is practically in the bag." The finance ministry and central bank of the UAE didn't immediately respond to requests for a statement. Kenya's Finance Minister John Mbadi and top ministry…

Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopian troops, who are part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have taken the lead in renovating Bardhere Airport located in Somalia's Gedo region. This development has further strained the already tense relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. The 46th Motorized Battalion of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is executing this airport overhaul as part of a Quick Impact Project (QIP). The project involves extending the runway by 400 meters to boost safety and accommodate…