Browsing Category

Eye on Africa

Regional reporting and analysis from across Africa, covering diplomacy, security, politics, business, and major developments shaping the continent.

Several Migrants Remain Unaccounted for Near Djibouti’s Shore After Smugglers Eject Them from Boats

It remains unclear why the migrants were ejected from the boats in open water. Initially, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that two vessels carrying migrants had overturned. Later, they omitted this detail, stating instead that the people were forced off by smugglers and ordered to swim. The coast guard in Djibouti revealed that the unfortunate event occurred approximately 150 meters, about 500 feet, from a beach in the northwestern region of Khor Angar in the East African nation. They confirmed…

Sources reveal that Kenya requests IMF to reassess corruption concerns following Western pressure.

In a move egged on by Western allies, Kenya's leadership has nudged the International Monetary Fund to dive deep into examining its murky corridors of power riddled with graft, as revealed by a couple of folks in the know to Reuters. This kind of probe, tagged officially as a "governance diagnostic," can only kick off with the asking of the respective country. It's the IMF's way of sniffing out how corruption and shaky governance might be sapping a nation’s coffers dry or wreaking havoc on the financial commonwealth. "In…

Rwanda Faces Challenges in Containing the Marburg Virus Outbreak

Rwandan health officials are deeply engaged in a massive contact tracing initiative, tracking down countless individuals to curtail the spread of a particularly alarming disease across the nation and beyond. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana remarked, “We’re confronting the challenge of viral hemorrhagic fever while simultaneously addressing mpox.” This dual health scare gives rise to a pressing need for swift action. During a recent online briefing, Nsanzimana reiterated their commitment to halting the virus's advance. “We…

Turkish President Erdogan to Participate in Send-off Ceremony for Vessel Commencing Oil and Gas Exploration Near Somalia

Here's a snapshot of Türkiye's seismic research vessel, Oruç Reis, cruising through Türkiye on October 3, 2024. (AA Photo) Mogadishu (AX) – A grand send-off awaits Turkey’s cutting-edge Oruc Reis research ship this Saturday in Istanbul. Alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, key officials from Somalia will grace the farewell event. The Oruc Reis is embarking on a mission to explore seabeds off Somalia's shores, searching for hidden oil and gas. Somalia's Petroleum Minister, Abdirisak Omar Mohamed, Somali…

Rivalry Escalates Between Nigeria’s Music Legends Wizkid and Davido

Renowned musician Ayodeji Balogun, more famously known as Wizkid, has recently set his sights on fellow artist David Adeleke, or as many call him, Davido, igniting yet another round of verbal sparring across social media platforms. There's been talk that Wizkid intended to drop the inaugural track from his eagerly awaited album, "Morayo," on the same day Davido teased his first single for the upcoming 2024 calendar. In a bold move, Wizkid took to his X account, unleashing a stinging critique against Davido. He described…

Kenya Welcomes Global Travel Expo to Boost Tourist Arrivals

On a bustling Wednesday, Kenyan President William Ruto presided over the launch of a global travel exposition in Nairobi. His goal? To amplify tourist numbers by spreading marketing wings into untapped, fresh markets.Amidst this splendid event, visitors admired the breathtaking views from a vantage point overlooking Kenya’s legendary Great Rift Valley in Kiambu County, captured in a photo on September 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu)During this vibrant gathering, President Ruto reiterated his vision for diversifying Kenya's allure…

Tragedy Strikes: Fatalities Reported After Boat Capsizes in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Tragically, at least 78 individuals have lost their lives, with many more unaccounted for, following a boat capsizing incident on Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This calamity unfolded as a heavily overloaded vessel, packed with over 300 passengers, approached the shoreline of Goma after departing from the town of Minova in South Kivu. Unfortunately, this incident is just one of many that have occurred on Lake Kivu. Earlier this year, specifically in February 2024, another boat tragedy struck near Bahimba,…

Chimamanda Adichie of Nigeria Makes a Comeback with Her First Novel in Ten Years

The celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has announced her forthcoming novel, titled *Dream Count*. This captivating tale follows Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer grappling with the complexities of life in the United States. Readers can mark their calendars for the official release on March 4, 2025. Adichie is not a stranger to literary acclaim. Her debut novel, *Purple Hibiscus*, earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Following that success, *Half of a Yellow Sun* garnered the Orange Prize…

Somalia’s Foreign Minister Accuses Ethiopia of Exploiting Counterterrorism Efforts to Seize Somali Land

Mogadishu (AX) – Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, sounded a sharp critique, pointing fingers at the Ethiopian government. He claimed they are masking a land grab under the guise of fighting terrorism. At a United Nations Security Council gathering on Friday, Fiqi revealed that Somali authorities had thwarted attempts of Ethiopian-origin arms sneaking into Somalia. They believed these weapons were meant to stir the local pot, which he labeled as a "shameless breach" of…

Somalia’s NCC Convene to Tackle Election Reforms Amidst Northeastern State’s Boycott

Mogadishu (AX) — Friction over Somalia's governance and upcoming electoral strategies dominated the discussions at the National Consultative Council (NCC) assembly in Mogadishu, marked by notable tensions and absentees influencing the discourse.A confidential insider from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) whispered to AX that Khatumo State wasn't even on the docket. Further, this source remarked that at least one Federal Member State (FMS) fancies sticking with the moniker "President" for their leaders, despite earlier…