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Eye on Africa

ONLF Re-evaluates 2018 Peace Agreement with Ethiopia, Highlighting Unfulfilled Commitments

FILE - During a media chat, Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) spokesperson Abdiqadir Hassan Hirmooge, also known as Adani, expressed frustration. He highlighted Ethiopia's shortcomings in honoring the 2018 peace pact, urging a reevaluation amidst escalating tensions. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (AX) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has declared their intention to revisit the 2018 peace deal made with the Ethiopian government. They've pointed out the stagnant progress on numerous critical promises. While the…

Nigeria Takes Significant Leap Forward in Battle Against Malaria with R21 Vaccine

Nigeria has taken a significant leap forward in the battle against malaria, receiving a remarkable shipment of one million doses of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, courtesy of the Gavi Alliance. This marks a pivotal moment in the nation's ongoing struggle against this deadly disease. The vaccination campaign is slated to kick off in November, focusing on the states of Kebbi and Bayelsa, both of which suffer from high rates of malaria. With this move, Nigeria finds itself among the pioneering countries globally to embrace…

Somali Woman Wins Re-election to Belgian Local Council, Champions Equality and Housing Rights

Mogadishu (AX) — Sarah Mohamed Khalif, a Belgian with Somali roots, has once again secured a spot on Leuven's city council. Her election marks a continued path-breaking journey in the European political scene. Notably, she remains the first Somali, Muslim, and immigrant woman to achieve this milestone, winning a second term after a tenacious campaign. During her inaugural term, Sarah allied with the Vooruit party, aiming to cultivate a more inclusive Leuven. Her focus centered on enhancing social services for the…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Names New Foreign Minister in Cabinet Overhaul

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (AX) — On the brisk morning of Friday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unveiled a revamped cabinet lineup, entrusting Dr. Gedion Timothewos with steering the Foreign Ministry. His task: healing Ethiopia's battered global relations post a storm of internal upheaval and regional skirmishes. Transitioning from his prior roles as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Timothewos was a pivotal mediator during the Tigray fracas. Analysts speculate that his blueprint revolves around mending bridges with Western…

Somali Troops Take Over Kuday Base from African Union Forces

Mogadishu (AX) — On a sunny Wednesday, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) passed the baton of the Kuday Forward Operating Base (FOB) to Somali forces. It's a significant leap in the third phase of ATMIS's troop drawdown, highlighting Somalia’s budding prowess in managing its security landscape all by itself. Since 2015, this base, which sits snugly near the strategic port town of Kismayo, has been helmed by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) under ATMIS's wing. As an essential defensive anchor, it has…

Somali Army Foils al-Shabaab Assault in Bakol, Neutralizes Car Bomb Threat

FILE PHOTO Mogadishu (AX) — On Wednesday evening, a fierce skirmish erupted between the Somali military and al-Shabab insurgents near Lukugoraw, roughly 20 kilometers from Hudur in the Bakol region. Local folks shared insights, highlighting the clash erupted when al-Shabab launched a daring assault with car bombs on a military outpost, triggering relentless combat for about an hour. In a government broadcast, it was shared that their forces repelled the attack and obliterated a car bomb attempted by the rebels. “The…

UN Agency Reports Decline in Humanitarian Access Challenges in Somalia

**MOGADISHU (Xinhua)** -- In an update shared Thursday, a UN relief group noted a drop in humanitarian access issues, falling by 18.6% from the second to the third quarter, landing at 57 compared to the previous count of 70. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) added that three aid workers lost their lives during this timeframe. Interestingly, while these unfortunate deaths coincided with their humanitarian roles, they were not directly tied to their work but were rather outcomes of broader…

Saudi Arabia and Egypt Strengthen Investment Connections, Call for Peace in Gaza

In a high-profile meeting in Cairo on Tuesday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cemented plans to bolster their countries' trade and investment ties. They also issued a collective plea for peace, urging a halt to hostilities in Gaza and Lebanon.The Egyptian presidency revealed that the duo inked a pact designed to boost and safeguard shared investments. They also witnessed the creation of a supreme coordination council, aiming to tighten bonds between Riyadh and…

Egypt and Saudi Arabia Pledge Commitment to Somalia’s Security and Stability

"The Egyptian Presidential Spokesman threw a post onto the official social media scene, sprinkling news hot off the press about the recent gabfest between Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and PM, Mohammed bin Salman, and Egypt's big cheese." President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi played the welcoming committee at Cairo's bustling airport for the Crown Prince, treating him like royalty as he stepped onto familiar soil in Egypt. Taking the princely guest by the arm, El-Sisi led him over to the Ittihadiya Palace, where they rolled out the…

Kenya’s Senate Initiates Proceedings to Impeach the Deputy President

Rigathi Gachagua might become the first deputy president to face impeachment since Kenya revamped its Constitution in 2010 . The Kenyan Senate has embarked on impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following a court's confirmation of their legality. The National Assembly, representing the lower house of Parliament, recently voted in favor of impeaching Gachagua on 11 charges, which include corruption, undermining governmental authority, and inciting ethnic conflicts. The 59-year-old leader has…