Eye on Africa

This past weekend marked a significant shift in Botswana's political landscape as Duma Boko took the oath of office as the country's new president. This transition follows what many analysts are calling an unexpected defeat for the long-standing ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Yusuf Bangura from The Premium Times raises an intriguing question: Why did the once-dominant BDP, often regarded as a political powerhouse, falter in this election? The outcome has left political strategists and citizens alike…

In the bustling city of Riyadh, an urgent summit has convened under the auspices of Saudi Arabia, bringing together voices from across the Arab and Islamic sphere. Among the distinguished attendees is Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has traveled to Saudi Arabia to address the rising turmoil in Gaza and Lebanon. CREDIT/ Villa Somalia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AX) — With a backdrop of heightened tension, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from Somalia touched down in Riyadh this Monday. He joins an assembly of prominent…

In the heart of Mogadishu, a troubling situation unfolds in Somalia (AX) as the nation grapples with alarmingly low immunization and treatment rates for pneumonia and diarrhea. These two maladies are the leading killers of children under the age of five. A recent analysis by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights that Somalia is painfully lagging in delivering essential healthcare measures, putting countless young lives at stake. The study titled "Tracking Progress Toward Pneumonia and Diarrhea…

"I want to get the hell out of this country." This sentiment takes us directly into the heart of Abdiwali's predicament. After enduring a deeply traumatic event in 2014, Abdiwali contends his motivation for committing a significant crime was a desperate bid to be deported back to Somalia. A decision influenced by advice from his uncle suggested that such drastic measures might expedite his removal. "I'm not proud of it. I hurt someone," he reflects with regret. What remained unreported until now, thanks to a…

Amid growing global concerns, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently had a heart-to-heart over a phone call about pressing issues in Haiti, Somalia, and Yemen. Their conversation was primarily focused on the ongoing challenges in these volatile regions, but you could say it was much more than a simple exchange of pleasantries. "Antony Blinken and Antonio Guterres have been talking turkey about the current affairs," remarked an international relations observer. They delved…

FILE - Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama – Official X account There's a significant shake-up brewing with Somalia's stance on engagement in regional security. In a strategic twist reported by Hiiran, November 2024, the Somali government intends to shut the door on Ethiopian military participation in the upcoming African Union mission. This mission, slated to kick off in January 2025, is set to take over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Explaining this landmark decision on…

In the heart of Frankfurt, a sea of placards emerged, screaming messages in both German and English. A particularly poignant one pleaded, “Stop Amhara Genocide!” Meanwhile, similar scenes unfurled across the Atlantic, where protests percolated through the streets of North America. Calgary, ordinarily a bastion of calm, was overtaken by thousands rallying against the carnage in Ethiopia's Amhara region. A cacophony of voices pierced the air in Washington, D.C., while Seattle echoed with demands for peace. The sheer scale…

In a captivating video snapshot, we see Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, originally from Kenya and now a proud U.S. citizen, addressing the audience at the Minnesota State Capitol on November 8, 2024. She shares the remarkable news of being elected as the first Kenyan-born member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — On November 5, Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley shattered ceilings as the inaugural Kenyan-born individual elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her journey is one painted with hues of…

Mogadishu (AX) — Internet personality Ramsey Khalid Ismael, infamously recognized by his online moniker "Johnny Somali," finds himself the center of controversy in Japan and South Korea. His offensive antics have not only triggered public outcry and legal repercussions but have also riled up the Somali diaspora. They believe his actions have unjustly stained their community's name. Though Ismael sports the nickname "Johnny Somali," he lacks Somali roots—he has openly expressed that he is of Ethiopian descent. At just…

Kismayo, September 2023: Jubbaland State and Somalia's federal government have hit a rough patch. Why, you ask? Jubbaland's camaraderie with the central government is on hold. The reason? The tides have shifted due to claims of federal disregard for Somalia's constitution and an apparent lack of respect for Jubbaland's self-rule. "In short, we’re pulling our support until the federal folks start playing by the rules," announced Jubbaland’s Ministry of Internal Affairs on Sunday. They're throwing shade at the federal squad…