East Africa

Hargeisa (AX) — In a recent drama unfolding in North Western State of Somalia, the government has pulled the plug on the operating license of a pivotal livestock inspection facility in Berbera. The decision, fueled by allegations against its Arab proprietor, Abu Yaasir, claims he inked an unsanctioned pact with the Somali federal government. It’s a maneuver perceived as jeopardizing the lifeline of North Western State of Somalia's thriving livestock export sector. Does one ever pause to reflect on how a single decision can…

Northeastern State’s Expulsion Efforts: An Insightful Discourse Garowe (AX) — Amidst swirling controversies and brimming debates, Northeastern State's Minister of Interior, Abdi Farah Said Juha, took the stage this Saturday to elucidate the recent contentious deportations of undocumented foreigners. Lest misconceptions breed further discord, he sought to dispel any notion that these actions targeted the Oromo ethnic group—a claim echoing like a disgraced refrain through various channels. Addressing the…

In today's world, where the perils of waste management frequently make headlines, one would wonder: Can innovation really turn the tide of environmental degradation? Remarkably, a Kenyan tech company seems not only to believe in this possibility but is actively enacting it. And how, you might ask? By marrying the problem of plastic waste with the needs of college students. A strange union at first glance, but a brilliant one upon further reflection. Imagine a bustling college campus. Students, armed with laptops, race to…

TORONTO, Canada (AX) — The haunting visage of Nehima Jamal, a young Ethiopian woman of merely twenty summers, has lingered like an unsettling specter across digital platforms. Captured by traffickers in Libya, her image—tied, gagged, and battered—was used as a pawn to demand ransom. Now liberated, she opens up about the chilling odyssey that left her teetering on the brink of despair. Her testimony stands as a grave warning for others who may be contemplating a similar perilous path. Liberation came at a steep price—700,000…

Year 2024: a monumental chapter etched into Somalia’s modern tapestry—a year where sovereignty hung delicately by a thread. As fireworks painted the sky on New Year’s Day, Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia clandestinely inked a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement, granting Ethiopia access to a 19-kilometer stretch of North Western State of Somalia’s coast, bypassed Somalia’s federal heartbeat. Was this a simple diplomatic maneuver, or a disruptive gambit? Ethiopia, in a tantalizing exchange, hinted at…

In the dimly lit remnants of a world that seems to have long forgotten compassion, Libyan authorities have stepped forward as unexpected custodians of hope. They rescued 263 African migrants, ensnared in the sullied nets of human traffickers within the Ajkhara district—a name that whispers of anguish and survival. Among the rescued throng are individuals from nations such as Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, stripped of the most basic human dignities, their bodies marred by signs of severe malnutrition and abuse. The tales…

In the serene yet tumultuous landscape of Northeastern State, where the arid earth meets resilient communities, tensions have flared in Erigavo. It is here that Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni steps into a realm more fraught than most, calling for an earnest dialogue to quell recent conflicts. Erigavo, often restless, now stands upon a precipice, but who does not seek peace beneath this shared sky? Deni, a statesman in his own right, pleads with the opposing factions to seek a peaceful resolution, for in…

Kirubel Tesfaye, a fact-checker at HaqCheck, spearheads a workshop for journalists and university students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, in 2024. (Photo courtesy of HaqCheck) WASHINGTON — In the volatile dance of geopolitics, misinformation weaves a dangerously seductive tapestry across social media platforms. Consider last year's rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia: a video claimed to show Egyptian troops training on Somali soil. The clip rapidly garnered 34,000 views on the social media platform X, but alas, it was a…

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has strongly criticized Citizen TV for its portrayal of Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties as the “Somali region” during a news segment. When discussing the issue on Thursday, Duale did not mask his disapproval of the expression used by the media company, which falls under the Royal Media Services umbrella. The media report covered a High Court decision that invalidated the 2019 census results from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) for these counties, attributing the…

In an unexpected turn of events, the acclaimed Nigerian artist Tems, recognized globally for her Grammy-winning talents, has opted to cancel her highly anticipated “Born in the Wild” tour performance in Rwanda. This decision, grounded in complex geopolitical realities, spotlights the nuanced interplay between art and international conflict. Tems was set to grace the stage at the BK Arena in Kigali on March 22, 2025, a date that many fans had circled in red ink on their calendars. The excitement surrounding her performance…