Eye on Africa

File Photo In a daring operation that embraced the vast, rugged terrain of northern Somalia, over thirty militants from the infamous Daesh/ISIS faction met their demise under a barrage of airstrikes on Wednesday. Located in the Bari province of the semi-autonomous Northeastern State region, these strikes were a concerted effort to dismantle terror networks that have long cast a shadow over the area. The focal point of these airstrikes, the Sheebaab area nestled in the Almiskaad mountains, became an intense arena of…

Since the military coup in Niger in July 2023, former president Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have remained confined in a distressingly precarious situation. Their prolonged detention serves as a grim reminder of how swiftly political fortunes can shift and the consequent havoc it wreaks on lives. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent authority charged with scrutinizing cases of wrongful confinement, has labeled the incarceration of Bazoum and his spouse as arbitrary. Their conclusion…

The ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern regions such as Goma, is reaching critical levels. Civilians, especially children, are bearing the brunt of this turmoil. According to UNICEF, the situation grows increasingly dire with each passing day. The refugee agency estimates that hundreds of thousands have been uprooted by the relentless fighting. Imagine for a moment the sheer chaos—a family that once shared laughter and meals finds itself scrambling for safety, with little to no…

In the bustling corridors of Garissa, a heated debate unfolds—one that delves deep into the heart of identity and equality in Kenya. The contentious issue? The abolishment of the Identity Card vetting process in the northeastern region. A group of Garissa Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have found themselves in the eye of the storm, staunchly defending the president's recent proclamation. Is it time for a shift in how we perceive citizenship and security? Just last week, President William Ruto, during his tour of the…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a fervent appeal, the Northeastern State of Somalia of Somalia has reached out to international allies, urging them to lend critical logistical and technical assistance. Their goal? To fortify ongoing military operations against the entrenched ISIS insurgents within the rugged Bari region. Imagine the scene: General Abdirahman Mohamed Jama, commander of the Northeastern State Maritime Police Force (PMPF), standing stalwart yet weary, discusses the daunting task at hand. "We are devoting everything we…

The once impenetrable bastion of Dinsor, situated in Somalia's southwestern region and close to the frontier with Kenya and Ethiopia, crumbled under the combined efforts of African Union troops. Just days prior, they had seized Bardhere, another strategic location. These captures are significant as both towns represented the remaining strongholds of the Al-Shabaab insurgents. While these victories have offered a flicker of hope, a more complex issue looms over the horizon. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman,…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a significant milestone for diplomatic collaboration and strategic alliances, Somalia and Azerbaijan have inked a groundbreaking defense cooperation agreement. This accord represents a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between the two countries. At the heart of this agreement are Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov. Together, they formalized this partnership in the vibrant city of Baku on Wednesday. Highlighted by…

In the bustling city of Mogadishu, scenes of tension unfolded as security forces apprehended three individuals during a decisive operation in the Abdiaziz district on a recent Wednesday. This maneuver followed a brazen attack on the local police station chief, who had been diligently enforcing a court order. It was a scene charged with intensity and the unmistakable sting of defiance.The encounter, vividly chaotic, resulted in the confiscation of two AK-47 rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher from the…

In a momentous return, thirty years post-civil unrest, the Somali Studies International Association (SSIA) came back to its roots, convening in Mogadishu for its 15th triennial congress. This significant event marked the collaboration between the Somali National University (SNU) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education of Somalia's Federal Government. Conflict and volatility once hamstrung Mogadishu, reducing the assembly of such scholarly gatherings to a logistical impossibility. For three decades, SSIA…

Bosaso (AX) — Imagine the bleak horizon, a barren canvas where ambition and despair mingle. In such a landscape, one might think that dreams could flourish or wither silently, but not so in Northeastern State. Here, intelligence reports expose a story of exploitation, where ISIS employs a pernicious strategy to bolster its presence. It targets the vulnerable, preying upon those seeking hope across treacherous paths. What compels these militants to trap foreign migrants in their web of deceit and coercion? A senior…