East Africa

In the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, locals aid a woman through floodwaters post-heavy rains on April 24, 2024, captured by Joy Nabukewa/Xinhua photo. Addressing the flood crisis, Kenya has amped up its emergency response to tackle the aftermath of torrential downpours causing havoc across the nation. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua disclosed the establishment of a national multi-agency flood emergency squad and response hub to curb the casualties of the deluge, claiming more than 50 lives. Following a summit chaired by…

The European Union headquarters announced an extension in visa processing time for Ethiopian citizens, increasing from 15 to 45 days. EU member states are now prohibited from exempting specific paperwork requirements or granting multiple-entry visas. Ethiopian diplomats and officials are now obligated to pay for travel visas.The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, has pledged to leverage visa regulations to pressure countries into cooperating with deportation procedures. Merely one-third of individuals instructed…

A tragic incident unfolded in a Kenyan town near Somalia where a bomb hidden on a donkey cart exploded, claiming the lives of five individuals. The culprits responsible for this heinous act have not been identified as of yet, but the location of the blast indicates a likely connection to Al-Shabaab, a notorious Islamist militant group operating in the region. The explosion, triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED), resulted in the death of five individuals and left five others critically injured in Elwak, Mandera…

President Williams Ruto from Kenya greeted President Salva Kiir in Nairobi on August 19, 2023 (photo by SS presidency). Kenya is set to facilitate negotiations between the South Sudan government and rebel factions in the near future, according to an official statement. Retired army Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo, appointed by President William Ruto to oversee the talks with armed and unarmed dissident groups in South Sudan, expressed optimism about the peace process. "Our talks with President Salva Kiir were productive. Mediation is…

Somalia's Minister of Defense has admitted that officers from the US-trained Danab Special Forces were involved in the sale of food rations that were donated by the US government. The theft was confirmed two weeks ago, and some officers were caught in the act a week ago. Multiple officers have been arrested in connection to the theft. The Minister did not disclose the exact number of people detained but confirmed that the rations were sold in the market. The government made a statement regarding the incident and promised to…

Tanzania aims to support Somalia, the newest member of the East African Community. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is committed to boosting bilateral trade with Somalia, as part of her ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with East Africa. A report from The Citizen, a Tanzanian newspaper, reveals that President Samia Hassan pledged to aid Somalia in defense and security. She announced this during a press conference at the State House in Dar es Salaam on April 27, following a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,…

EL-WAK - A bomb attack orchestrated by Al-Shabaab militants using an improvised explosive device carried by a donkey rocked El-Wak town, resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 individuals near an Equity Bank branch, as eyewitnesses recounted. Among the casualties were confirmed to be 10 non-local Christians and 2 Muslims, reports from various sources suggested a deliberate targeting of non-locals by the assailants who were mainly teachers and healthcare workers. Information gathered points to the explosive device being…

In the heart of Mogadishu, the Somali authorities are poised to inoculate 1.5 million children, encompassing both undosed youngsters and those yet to finish their vaccine regimen, now including kids up to the age of five. At a recent gathering to mark World Immunization Week in the same city, Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Aden unveiled plans to introduce Pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines within the year. Pneumococcal vaccines fend off grave illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis, while rotavirus vaccines combat the…

An explosion in Somalia has tragically resulted in the death of six employees of Hormuud Telecom, the largest telecommunications company in the country. The incident occurred on the outskirts of Mogadishu, the capital city, when a remote-controlled landmine detonated near the workers' vehicle as they traveled from Garas-Balay to Elasha Biyaha. The identities of the deceased workers are as follows: 1. Hussein Maalim Abdi Weheliye 2. Mohamed Abdulle Wardhere 3. Mohamed Ahmed Wehliye (Gabashey) 4. Abdikarim Osman Abdi 5.…

In a groundbreaking move, Tanzania has pledged to support Somalia's security strategy to combat the ongoing threat of Al-Shabaab. President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised Somalia's efforts to restore peace and security within its borders and promised continued support in international forums to promote stability. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and President Hassan expressed their commitment to working together on issues of mutual interest during Hassan Sheikh's state visit to Tanzania, coinciding with the country's 60th…