Eye on Africa

Beledweyne (AX) – There are days in Beledweyne when the air hums with the kind of tension you cannot quite articulate. This Thursday was such a day. Muse Salad Wehliye, the esteemed Governor of Hiiraan, took a momentous step forward, as he examined the newly marshalled ranks of the Ma'awisleey local forces. These troops gathered under the morning sun, preparing for an impending campaign aimed at dislodging the entrenched al-Shabaab sanctuaries in western Hiiraan. These Ma'awisleey fighters, hailing proudly from the…

Somalia, a nation defined by resilience and transformation, has successfully navigated through the complexities of three distinct republics. Have you ever wondered how a country so profoundly shaped by history finds its footing amid winds of change? The current federal system, birthed from the Djibouti settlement in 2000, stands as a testament to Somalia’s enduring spirit. It is crafted upon the pillars of a parliamentary model, democratic processes, clan power-sharing, and regional autonomy. Yet, the political landscape in…

Amid growing discontent, activists have stepped forward, prominently featuring King Okabi from the Ogale community, urging an end to Shell's reckless pollution practices in the Niger Delta. As the legal battle commences between the Ogale and Bille communities and the oil giant, the call for accountability has never been louder. For over six decades, the Niger Delta has suffered under the weight of Shell's negligence. The company’s aging and poorly maintained pipelines have unleashed a torrent of environmental degradation,…

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the government has officially categorized the recent tragic collision on the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway as a national disaster. This devastating incident, which has left a profound mark on the community, resulted in the loss of 24 lives. The accident unfolded near the Lutumba tollgate, a junction typically bustling with activity. In a catastrophic moment, a bus operated by Urban Connect, en route to Beitbridge, collided with a truck laden with magnesium headed for Chirundu. The…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the latest Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, Somalia finds itself entrenched in a deeply troubling narrative: near the very bottom of the world’s ranks in 2024. This index, which scrutinizes 180 nations for perceived public sector corruption, paints Somalia in stark tones—positioning it at 179th with a dismal score of 9 out of 100, following a concerning decline of two points since the previous year. Such rankings have almost become an unfortunate…

Mogadishu (AX) — In an exhilarating stride toward bolstering the nation's football prowess, Somalia has unveiled its inaugural Youth Football Development Center in Baidoa this week. This initiative underscores a momentous chapter in the country's grassroots infrastructure, a dream long nurtured by the Somali Football Federation (SFF). Can this be the dawn of a new era for Somali football, one wonders? Baidoa, nestled 246 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, has become the canvas for this ambitious football project. Here,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a decisive military sweep, Somali government forces recently launched an operation in the sprawling Lower Shabelle region, targeting the shadowy network of Al-Shabab's checkpoints. The region, long under the thumb of militant influence, witnessed a strategic dismantling of these barriers, liberating both civilians and their impounded vehicles, according to military officials. The operation wasn't merely a troop deployment; it was a concerted offensive journey. The 175th Battalion of the renowned 17th…

Mogadishu (AX) — As the sun lazily dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Mogadishu, a gathering unlike any other took place. Survivors, heartened activists, and earnest government officials came together to honor the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Their voices joined in an impassioned plea urging the swift establishment of a national ban in Somalia. Orchestrated by the Ifrah Foundation, this pivotal event was held in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Family,…

What happens when political ambition meets international boundaries? A spectacle unfolds as President Donald Trump, with his characteristic fervor, once more underscored his determination for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip. This meeting, occurring at the White House on a crisp Tuesday, seated him across from Jordan's King Abdullah and set a stage teeming with tension and expectation. This interaction unfolded against a backdrop of contentious discussion. Not long ago, Trump had unveiled a staggering…

In a candid discussion on February 10, 2025, Owino's words laid bare an unsettling truth: the vetting procedure imposed on Somalis had inadvertently fostered corruption. "We just created an opportunity for people to eat," he remarked, encapsulating the sentiment that this process was more a bureaucratic charade than a necessity. Isn't it ironic how measures intended to strengthen can instead unravel at the seams? Kenya's existing ID registration process, according to Owino, is robust enough, encompassing thorough…