Eye on Africa

In the heart of Nairobi, Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua spoke to lawmakers before they voted on his impeachment at the Parliament buildings on October 8, 2024. Photo by REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File. On Friday, Kenya's high court decided that the impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should go to the Chief Justice for further examination. The vote came in on Tuesday, with parliament deciding to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges. These included accusations of personal enrichment and inciting…

Haiti's Prime Minister Garry Conille has jetted off to Kenya, engaging in discussions with President William Ruto. Kenya has urgently sought global financial backing to keep their police forces active in Haiti, an operation extended by another year. Since its launch in June, this international security mission aims to curb the violent grip gangs have on Port-au-Prince and its outskirts. The UN reports over 3,600 fatalities in Haiti this year alone, with more than 100 being children, and half a million individuals have…

In Mogadishu, Saturday saw a noteworthy tête-à-tête at Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi welcomed Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu. They focused on nurturing the diplomatic bonds between their two nations. Ambassador Wang Yu launched into a round of applause for Minister Fiqi's stalwart defense of Somali sovereignty. He pledged China's unwavering backing for Somalia's independence and unity. The ambassador also spotlighted the decade-long presence of China's embassy in Somalia,…

 Mogadishu (AX) — In a startling revelation from the Habitable Project, it's been disclosed that the specter of climate change looms large over Somalia, posing a burgeoning threat of displacement through intensified flooding. Released in July 2024, this report spells out a worrying future where flood-induced displacements could swell, moving tens of thousands from their abodes yearly. Climate change, it says, will likely ramp up flood hazards, potentially multiplying the number of displaced Somalis ninefold under bleak…

Hargeisa (AX) — In a bold move towards fostering international relationships, Taiwan has pledged a whopping $22 million to revamp Hargeisa General Hospital. Additionally, they've thrown in $2 million to aid North Western State of Somalia’s imminent elections, weaving tighter bonds between these two diplomatically unrecognized territories as they ambitiously stride towards global acknowledgment.A landmark pact was inked on Friday, uniting North Western State of Somalia's Health Minister and a Taiwanese envoy in shared…

NAIROBI, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) — On Friday, Kenya Airways announced that starting Oct. 15, they will suspend their flights to and from Mogadishu, the heart of Somalia. This decision comes as the airline grapples with operational hurdles while tweaking its flight network. In a statement made public in Nairobi, Kenya's bustling capital, the airline explained that this action would help them concentrate on boosting their route management and enhancing the overall mojo of their operations. "Kenya Airways is firmly devoted to…

Nestled just beyond the bustling edges of Somalia's capital city, the Darus Salam Zoo provides locals with a rare opportunity to witness the wonders of the wild right in their backyard. "We began with a single croc, but now we've got over a century's worth of diverse critters," remarked Muhammad Abd Rahman, the zoo's custodian. "From majestic lions to cunning foxes, prickly porcupines to quick-footed hares—our zoo is a jungle in its own right, albeit sans leopards and cheetahs." Rahman, who nurtures many animals from birth,…

John Burugu, holding the ship’s wheel as Kenya’s Refugee Affairs Commissioner, recently faced the media. He laid down a fresh mandate for refugees, a summons demanding they relinquish their passports, pointing to jitters over travel document fiddling while spotlighting the need to toe the line on international laws.

Baidoa (AX) — In a burst of conflict, Ethiopian forces fire mortars across Somalia's Bakool region in Wajid district after an al-Shabaab raid on their military outpost Friday night, as locals recount.The clash escalated into a fierce battle involving both Ethiopian troops and al-Shabaab fighters, with heavy artillery being employed on both sides. Witnesses noted the significant shelling by Ethiopian forces responding to the initial onslaught.While specifics on casualties are scarce, local leaders have yet to share an…

NBA Icon Fisher Lands in Kenya for Basketball Coaching Event Amid NBA Africa Focus Derek Fisher, a titan in the basketball world and former NBA standout, touched down in Kenya to share his expertise with budding hoops stars. The NBA's broader mission to unearth and cultivate emerging talent in Africa underpins Fisher's visit. Reporting from the scene, our intrepid correspondent Olivia Bizot gives us the scoop.