North Africa

In the heart of Tunis, supporters of President Kais Saied erupted in jubilation following a televised exit poll indicating a resounding victory for their leader. The poll suggested that Saied secured a staggering 89.2% of the vote, leaving his challengers in the dust. His competition consisted of two distinct figures: Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former ally turned staunch critic, and Ayachi Zammel, a candidate who found himself behind bars just a month prior. With their expectations shattered, both Maghzaoui and Zammel quickly…

In the whirlwind of regional politics, the involvement of Egypt in Somalia's security landscape has sparked a fair amount of jitters among nations and international partners engaged in the African Union peacekeeping mission there. Egypt, flexing its military muscles, seems keen to play a pivotal role in Somalia as the African Union’s existing mandate wraps up. But oh, the plot thickens like a good mystery novel...Security wonks hint that this new player on the block—Egypt, wielding its influence by backing Somalia—has given…

In a recent address, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi underscored Egypt’s solidarity with Somalia, a nation grappling with instability for nearly thirty years. As he spoke to distinguished guests during a ceremony celebrating a new class of police officers, Al-Sisi emphasized that Egypt's support for Somalia was not intended to provoke Ethiopia. This announcement comes amidst rising tensions in the region, especially following the arrival of a cargo ship laden with a substantial cache of military equipment from the Egyptian…

FILE - Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Abshir Omar Jama, at a press briefing in Mogadishu, detailing diplomatic concerns. Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has slammed the attack on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador's home in Khartoum. Calling it a blatant breach of international law, they condemned it as a grave violation of diplomatic norms. This incident raises serious questions about safety in volatile regions. In an official communication, the ministry appealed…

Come October 1, Egypt will helm the African Peace and Security Council for a month, announced Mohamed Gad, Egypt’s ambassador to Ethiopia and its Permanent Representative to the African Union. Egypt aims to boost the Council's efforts in safeguarding peace, security, and stability, while tackling the multifaceted security and development issues plaguing the African continent, Gad stated Monday. Circumstances today are pretty gnarly—both regionally and globally—heightening security threats left and right. This scenario…

Mogadishu (AX) — At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie stood firm, defending Ethiopia's informal deal with North Western State of Somalia. This agreement, inked earlier in the year, has stirred up a storm of criticism from Somalia. Despite the backlash, Ethiopia insists the deal is all about promoting regional growth and development. During his speech, Taye underlined Ethiopia's unwavering support for multilateralism and regional collaboration, casting the…

At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, September 29, 2024, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stepped up to the podium to discuss critical issues facing his nation. In his address, Abdelatty vocalized Egypt’s deep concerns over the ongoing Nile River water crisis, condemning any unilateral actions that imperil Somalia’s sovereignty. Touching on the Nile River predicament, Abdelatty stressed Egypt's approach hinges on mutual benefits and equitable utilization while safeguarding…

On Saturday, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced that a medical convoy had provided examinations to 1,674 Somali citizens and performed 436 surgeries across various specialities at De Martino General Hospital in Mogadishu. Landing in the Somali capital on September 20, the Egyptian team offered diverse medical services covering fields such as general surgery, digestive systems, oncology, orthopaedics, cardiology, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, anaesthesia, and critical care,…

With a hold brimming with heavy weaponry and ammunition for Somalia amid the turbulent Horn of Africa, the voyage of the Al Hurreya 2 was fraught with hazards in the Red Sea's perilous southern waters. The stakes? Enormous.If the Al Hurreya 2's mission faltered or was interrupted, it would spell significant embarrassment for a nation with the region's largest military, which invested billions in modern arms over the past decade.Two days post-discharge in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Monday, insiders confided in The National about…

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…