East Africa

The U.S. government is gearing up to embark on a significant railway initiative that extends from Angola to the Indian Ocean, passing through Tanzania. This ambitious venture, known as the Lobito Corridor, aims to create vital connections among various African nations, facilitating access to global markets while “bolstering regional trade and stimulating economic advancement.” On her latest visit to the area, Helaina Matza, the U.S. acting Special Coordinator for Partnership on Global Infrastructure and Investment, focused…

But for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing both the local and international audience, has led him to firmly articulate Ethiopia’s aspirations for sea access, insist on cultivating regional peace, and navigate the tricky waters of having an adversary-turned-friend in Somalia. This week, Ethiopia celebrated its New Year and National Sovereignty Day. In a televised speech, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that any nation contemplating an invasion should think not once, but ten times. Although he refrained from naming…

Ethiopia has officially replied to the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s correspondence, characterizing the contents as a "series of unfounded claims." Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie of Ethiopia addressed the Council on September 6, 2024, regarding Egypt's correspondence, which firmly rejected Ethiopia's fifth and latest effort to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia's rebuttal stems from Egypt's allegations of breaching international regulations by proceeding with the dam's filling without the…

Last weekend, a meeting took place in Asmara between Egypt's chief spy and Foreign Minister, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. They carried a direct message from President Al Sisi, emphasizing "enhancing and expanding bilateral ties across all sectors." Egypt's active diplomatic endeavors in the Horn of Africa are ongoing. Following a recently inked military pact with Somalia, which included sending 10 Egyptian soldiers to Mogadishu, irking neighboring Ethiopia, Cairo is now eyeing a similar deal with Eritrea. This…

Farai Maguwu, the Director at the Center for Natural Resource Governance, has voiced strong apprehensions over such a proposal to cull elephants. He fears it would meet with intense backlash, reminiscent of the uproar following Namibia's similar decision. In Zimbabwe, approximately 100,000 elephants roam the land; however, the ecosystem can realistically support around 45,000. Complicating matters further, Zimbabwe faces restrictions on the sale of these majestic creatures due to the regulations set forth by the Convention…

Nigerian pride was evident as the Super Eagles displayed a stellar performance, yet couldn't clutch an away victory against Rwanda. The home squad owes much to their goalkeeper for maintaining a stalemate. Despite the game concluding in a nil-nil deadlock, Nigeria comfortably remains perched atop Group D. Over in South Africa, the football drama peaked as Bafana Bafana clinched a narrow 3-2 victory over South Sudan. The match's tense finale saw substitute Mbatha net the winning goal in the dying moments of added time.…

Military bigwigs running the show reported that they tore down fortified spots and obliterated prime hideouts in the village, effectively throwing a wrench into Al-Shabaab's plans to launch attacks nearby. They said this capture is a turning point in the two-year mission to kick Al-Shabaab out of Mudug. Somali forces have been in the thick of action, constantly working to free areas from Al-Shabaab’s grip. Snagging Baraag Ali-Gaduud marks not just a tactical victory but also a strategic leap in the grand scheme of securing…

(Mogadishu AX) — An escalating water crisis in Ethiopia's Somali Region now threatens over 350,000 people, according to a recent CGIAR report. Both refugee and local communities are battling crumbling water infrastructure, relentless climate change, and depleting resources. The urgency for immediate intervention is clearer than ever to safeguard livelihoods and lives. Originally built to serve about 100,000 individuals, local water systems are now overwhelmed, catering to more than triple that number. Refugee camps, set…

Jigjiga (AX) – In a horrific incident on Tuesday night, armed assailants gunned down six men, including five from the same family, within a mosque in Ethiopia's Somali Regional State. Residents believe the tragedy was a result of a vendetta between competing clans. The slain men—Bishar Baalul, Omar Aw Ahmed, Mahad Mohamud Abdullahi Waanis, Mahdi Sheikh Adan Wali, and Mohamed Dheere—were all devout Muslims, deeply committed to their faith and community. So far, no faction has stepped forward to claim responsibility for this…

Baidoa (AX) – Military officials reported a deadly skirmish in Somalia's Qansah Dhere district, resulting in the deaths of at least a dozen al-Shabab militants, including some foreign fighters. Southwest Darwish authorities confirmed the presence of foreign combatants among the dead but kept the specifics under wraps. Regional and federal troops, joined by local militias, have ramped up their efforts to reclaim territories still held by al-Shabab in the Bay and Bakol regions. In a similar operation back in April, Somali…