Eye on Africa

Galgaduud court hands down death sentence in Guricel businessman killing A regional military court in central Somalia sentenced a 20-year-old man to death on Wednesday for the fatal shooting of a well-known businessman in the town of Guricel two days earlier, court officials said. The Galgaduud regional military court found Abdifitaah Ali Hassan Diiriye guilty in the killing of 37-year-old entrepreneur Deeq Abdi Jama. The verdict was announced by the court’s chairman, Lawyer Hassan Abdullahi Ali. The case centers on…

CAF Awards 2025: Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir Artan named Best Male Referee Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was named CAF Best Male Referee for 2025 on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, underscoring a landmark year for officiating in the Horn of Africa. The honor was announced at the CAF Awards ceremony hosted at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Uganda’s Nabadda was also recognized, taking the CAF Best Female Referee award. The awards spotlight the continent’s top football officiating talent. Artan’s win highlights…

Kenya presses Tanzania over slain teacher; body still missing Kenya has escalated diplomatic pressure on Tanzania to account for the killing of Kenyan teacher John Ogutu in Dar es Salaam and to help locate his body. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi told MPs the government has sought urgent action through formal channels and is providing consular support to the family. The case is the only reported Kenyan fatality linked to unrest that followed Tanzania’s October 29 presidential…

UN Warns of Growing Terrorism Threat in the Sahel In a stark warning to the international community, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has highlighted the urgent need for a consolidated global response to the rising tide of terrorism in the Sahel region of Africa. With terrorism accounting for nearly 19% of global attacks and over half of related casualties occurring in this area, Guterres emphasized that the proliferation of terrorist groups is not merely a regional issue but a pressing global concern. A Call for…

Sovereign debt crisis imperils developing economies as G20 gathers in Johannesburg Global economic experts are raising the alarm: sovereign debt in many developing countries, especially across Africa, has reached a critical stage and risks triggering wider instability if left unaddressed. With G20 leaders preparing to meet in Johannesburg this month, analysts say the summit is an urgent opportunity for coordinated action on debt sustainability and finance for development. The warning follows reporting that many low- and…

Somalia’s Upper House approves national human rights commissioners Somalia’s Upper House has approved the appointment of nine commissioners to the National Independent Human Rights Commission, a key step in formalizing the country’s human rights oversight architecture. The commissioners were sworn in immediately after the vote, completing the parliamentary endorsement process. Twenty-eight senators voted in favor during Wednesday’s session; one abstained. The House of the People approved the creation of the Commission on…

Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Denies Genocide Claims Amid UN Controversy Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has firmly rejected ongoing international claims alleging the Nigerian government’s complicity in the genocide of Christians. This statement comes in the wake of accusations regarding the government's inability to safeguard its citizens, particularly those of the Christian faith, amidst escalating violence in parts of the country. Tuggar's remarks were made following a gathering at the United…

North Western State of Somalia declares coordinated internet price hike illegal North Western State of Somalia’s government has ruled that a recent, simultaneous internet price increase by telecommunications companies was unlawful and incompatible with the region’s free‑market system. A ministerial committee said the coordinated move lacked legal basis and was reversed within days after public backlash across major towns and online. Officials said prices must reflect competition and market forces, not joint action by service…

Libya’s New Agreement to Align Financial Policies Libya's central bank announced an important agreement between the country's two legislative bodies, aimed at creating a unified development program. This move seeks to align the financial strategies of the rival administrations in a framework they both accept. Libya is a major oil producer with divided governance between west and east. The country has lacked a unified budget for over a decade. The new agreement focuses on unifying spending channels for development…

Somalia’s space ambitions meet environmental realities Somalia’s coastline and equatorial latitude have thrust Bashaqle, in Middle Shabelle, into conversations about an African launch site. The prospect promises strategic access to orbit and a pathway into the global space economy. It also brings complex environmental, health, and governance questions that must be addressed before ignition. Equatorial launches reduce fuel needs and enable heavier payloads to orbit, making Bashaqle geographically attractive. Turkey’s…