North Africa

In the sun-drenched streets of Khan Younis, a scene unfolded that many, perhaps even those present, had never truly believed they’d witness. The gritty resilience of humanity was evident as Hamas fighters stood steadfast, overseeing the handover that was shrouded in both tension and hope. Around them gathered a crowd poised on the brink of witnessing a poignant moment of human exchange—an exchange rare in a world often marked by division. The Palestinian group, Hamas, orchestrated the release of three Israeli captives in…

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…

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…

US President Donald Trump stirred the international community on Thursday with his resolute insistence on a provocative proposal: relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan. Despite Cairo and Amman's repeated refusals, Trump unwaveringly contended that compliance is inevitable.

In a world often divided by strife and uncertainty, the rare moments of harmony and shared purpose become all the more significant. Such was the atmosphere at the press briefing on Wednesday, as President William Ruto of Kenya stood side by side with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. A simple encounter, yet layered with much deeper resonances. It is said that real leaders are defined not just by their vision but by their ability to foster peace in turbulent seas. Is there a more turbulent region than the Middle…

An intriguing development is taking shape in the diplomatic relationships that intertwine Turkey with Ethiopia and Somalia. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkey, a dominant political force known for its astute strategies over the past two decades, is embarking on an ambitious diplomatic endeavor. But what does this mean for the Eastern African countries involved? Zafer Sirakaya, the AKP's deputy chairman, recently met with Somalia's Abdurahman Mohamed Hussein, the secretary-general of the ruling Union…

For nearly a month now, the semi-autonomous region of Northeastern State in Somalia has become a theater of military operations as security forces advance against Islamic State militants entrenched in its rugged mountains. It’s a tense standoff, a test of endurance and strategy. What makes these events profoundly compelling? It could be the frenetic chess game unfolding between the regional forces and a disciplined insurgent group. The crescendo of this operation seemed to reach new heights late last week. The regional…