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Eye on Africa

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

Somalia Blames Ethiopia for Smuggling Weapons into Northeastern State

 FILE - A collection of weapons showcased in Mogadishu after a security raid. Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Federal Government has come down hard on Ethiopia, accusing it of illicitly slipping weapons into Northeastern State—a move they believe jeopardizes national security and tramples over Somalia's sovereignty.Friday saw the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation release a statement claiming two trucks brimming with weaponry crossed into Northeastern State from Ethiopia sans any diplomatic heads-up or…

Ethiopia in 2024: Learning from History and the Implications of Abiy’s Memorandum of Understanding

Back in 2006, Ethiopia was the big player in the Horn of Africa. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's leadership brought about a time of unprecedented political stability. The EPRDF held the reins tightly, and the economy was on fire with an average growth rate of 8% annually, thanks in no small part to Western aid. Ethiopia's robust military and economic boom made it a linchpin for the U.S. in the War on Terror, which gave it the green light to meddle in Somalia. Using its formidable military, Ethiopia thrust itself into Somalia…

President Hassan Sheikh Pledges to Intensify Fight Against Somalia’s Unlawful Arms Trade

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia addressed his nation with a Friday sermon, cautioning the populace about the dangers posed by foreign entities aiming to splinter the country and reaffirming the government's stern opposition to illicit arms trafficking. (Photo: Villa Somalia) Mogadishu (AX) — Delivering a message of urgency, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphatically warned against the possession and trade of illegal arms, underscoring the government's unwavering intent to clamp down on such activities. During…

UN Report: 1,500 Somalis Casualties from Explosive Devices in 2023

Over the past year, more than 1,500 civilians in Somalia were either killed or injured by 600 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as revealed in a recent UN report.In a statement late Thursday, James Swan, UN Secretary-General's Acting Special Representative for Somalia, underscored the severe threat IEDs pose to Somalia as it strides toward self-reliance and sustainable national security."The gravity of this threat isn't lost on any of us. Our primary goal is to safeguard your comrades in the Somali National Army (SNA).…

World Bank Greenlights $90 Million to Enhance Djibouti-Ethiopia Trade Route

D'you hear the news? Djibouti City (AX) — The World Bank is coughing up another $90 million to beef up the Djibouti Regional Economic Corridor, a massive infrastructure project intended to improve regional connectivity and trade throughout the Horn of Africa.This fresh capital injection totals the project's financing to a hefty $160 million, building on an initial $70 million greenlighted back in December 2021.The coin will go toward revamping and maintaining three segments of the Djibouti-Addis Southern Corridor, a vital…

LISTEN: Somalia Navigating Through Regional Strains

    This week's episode of The Horn features an intriguing discussion as Alan sits down with Omar Mahmood, the senior analyst for Eastern Africa at Crisis Group, to delve into the growing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, the new Egypt-Somalia defense agreement, and the outlook for peacekeeping missions in Somalia. Kicking off the fresh season of The Horn, Alan converses with Omar Mahmood about the complex web of regional frictions involving Somalia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. They're set to examine the uncertain future of…

Somali and Jubbaland Forces Decimate al-Shabaab Havens in Lower Jubba

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali National Army (SNA), along with Jubbaland State's Darawish troops, has ramped up its offensive against Al-Shabaab insurgents in Lower Jubba. This week's mission aims to uproot key militant strongholds around Bulo Haji. The effort zeroes in on the thick scrublands of Lagta Anole, where military leaders report that numerous Al-Shabaab hideouts have been obliterated. Jubbaland Darawish Commander Ismail Sahardid announced that Somali and Jubbaland forces have significantly pushed back the militants.…

Somalia Denounces Illicit Weapon Shipment from Ethiopia to Northeastern State

The Somali government has issued a vehement denunciation concerning the unapproved importation of arms and ammunition from Ethiopia into the Northeastern State region of Somalia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation labeled this act as a “grave infringement” on Somalia’s sovereignty and a notable danger to both national and regional security. “We have irrefutable proof of two trucks delivering weapons from Ethiopia to Northeastern State without any official diplomatic protocol or authorization,” the…

Kenyans Emerge from Darkness Amid Rights Groups’ Accusations

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Thousands of Lives Lost to Hepatitis in Ghana

Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, recently unveiled a staggering statistic: in 2022, hepatitis, a severe liver infection, claimed the lives of 15,000 individuals in Ghana. This grim figure breaks down to approximately 42 lives lost each day, with young adults bearing the brunt of this health crisis. “Many cases remain hidden,” Dr. Aboagye emphasized, pointing out that a considerable segment of the population doesn’t even realize their infection status, which complicates efforts to…