Eye on Africa

Djibouti (AX) — The rumors about Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh being gravely ill are just that, rumors. Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, swiftly shut down the gossip following the president's hospital visit on Saturday.Jumping on X (formerly Twitter), Dawaleh reassured the public by saying, "President Guelleh is in fine fettle. Yes, he’s got a bum right knee, but that's it." He didn't hold back, condemning the rumor mill, highlighting the absurdity of such fabrications."Sorry haters,…

At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, September 29, 2024, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stepped up to the podium to discuss critical issues facing his nation. In his address, Abdelatty vocalized Egypt’s deep concerns over the ongoing Nile River water crisis, condemning any unilateral actions that imperil Somalia’s sovereignty. Touching on the Nile River predicament, Abdelatty stressed Egypt's approach hinges on mutual benefits and equitable utilization while safeguarding…

At the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park (Gaoqiao Grand Market) in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, African exhibitors showcased their wares during a livestream event on June 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo) In a groundbreaking move, 300 kg of Kenyan dried sea cucumbers arrived at Changsha Huanghua International Airport in central China. This marks the first time China has received such a shipment from Kenya. Sea cucumbers, celebrated for their high protein content,…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somali forces launched a bold offensive in Lower Shabelle, tearing down several al-Shabab courts and dismantling their rogue checkpoints.The combined forces of military, police, and intelligence experts converged on Ali Mahdi Park, Balad Amin, and nearby zones, targeting illicit courts crafted by al-Shabab. Officials clarified that these makeshift judicial systems were tools for the militants to harass and fleece locals."We've obliterated their sham courts in these regions. They won't rise…

Nur lauded Azerbaijan's warm hospitality, emphasizing the deep camaraderie shared between Somalia and Azerbaijan. "We Somalis view the Azerbaijani people as our steadfast friends and brothers, standing by us in both joyous and challenging moments. The brother of my brother is also my brother," he remarked warmly.

Istanbul (AX) — The 10th Annual International Conference of the Global Somali Diaspora (GSD) kicked off in Istanbul on Saturday, honing in on the crucial part the Somali diaspora plays in the nation's rejuvenation and development. Fathudin Ospite, the Somali Ambassador to Turkey, spotlighted the significance of this gathering. The event has drawn several ministers from the Somali federal government and esteemed delegates worldwide. He stated, "A substantial Somali community, primarily students, lives in Turkey, cementing…

On Saturday, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced that a medical convoy had provided examinations to 1,674 Somali citizens and performed 436 surgeries across various specialities at De Martino General Hospital in Mogadishu. Landing in the Somali capital on September 20, the Egyptian team offered diverse medical services covering fields such as general surgery, digestive systems, oncology, orthopaedics, cardiology, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, anaesthesia, and critical care,…

"Ethiopia's bid to annex a segment of Somalia, ostensibly to secure sea access, is both illegal and unwarranted," he asserted. "Comparable pacts have been forged by other nations. Thus, Somalia's government stirring up antagonism to mask its internal political strife is uncalled for," he remarked to the General Assembly. Faced with Ethiopia's design, Somalia has vowed to expel Ethiopian troops integrated into an African Union mission fighting Al-Shabaab militants since 2007. Mogadishu has brokered a defense…

ANKARA (AX) — Somali Ambassador to Turkey, Fathudin Ospite, joined a gathering of East African envoys in Ankara on Friday. They convened to explore ways to boost economic and trade connections between Turkey and the East African region.Somalia, which recently became a member of the East African regional bloc, was officially welcomed into the fold during this meeting.The ambassadors emphasized the need to intensify their bonds with Turkey, especially focusing on trade and economic cooperation.In recent years, Turkey has been…

The United Nations Security Council has extended the mission of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) up to October 2, 2025, as sanctioned by resolution 2699 (2023).It also reminded Haiti and the MSS leadership to routinely update the Secretary-General and the Council on deployment progress.Working under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, this extension pushed the original end date from October 2, 2024.The Council announced its intent to consider a UN Peace Operation to assist the Haitian National Police (HNP) in maintaining…