Eye on Africa

A youngster is spotted in Kidemu, Kilifi County, Kenya, on March 23, 2022. (Photo by Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) As of Monday, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in Kenya reported that over a million citizens are facing severe food shortages and desperately need aid. The report released in Nairobi explained that 23 of Kenya's 47 regions, particularly the ones identified as arid and semi-arid, have been hit hardest. A significant decrease in children, aged six months to five years, receiving treatment for severe…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pinpointed Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), and Burundi as the hardest-hit nations in Africa amid the ongoing mpox outbreak. The latest multi-country situation report from the WHO paints a sobering picture: DR Congo has logged 30,766 suspected cases, 5,610 confirmed cases, and regrettably, 25 fatalities. Meanwhile, Burundi has reported 2,188 suspected cases, with 853 confirmed, yet it has fortunately not endured any deaths. A glance at the data, spanning from…

Polling stations across Mozambique have swung wide open for a gripping general election. Citizens are stepping up to the ballot box to choose a new president, provincial governors, and representatives for parliament. At the forefront of the race is the ruling party, Frelimo, putting forth the candidacy of Daniel Chapo. Chapo aims to take the helm from Filipe Nyusi, the sitting president who has served a full two-term limit. Frelimo has exerted control over Mozambique since it gained independence from Portuguese colonial…

The food crisis in Somalia is grim, with around 4.4 million people expected to face severe hunger between October and December, according to the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "Currently, about 3.6 million Somalis are grappling with extreme hunger. This figure is projected to swell to 4.4 million as we move into the latter months of the year, when anticipated rainfall is below average," reported OCHA. From October through December, a time notorious for rising disease outbreaks…

On a recent day, the quietude of the Ethiopian Rift Valley was shattered by a 4.9-magnitude earthquake. This seismic event originated west of Lake Awash, particularly near the Mount Fentale district, rattling the town of Metehara and prompting some locals to scramble for safety. In the aftermath of the quake, reports indicated that numerous buildings suffered structural damage, while cracks emerged in the ground nearby. Fortunately, as of now, no injuries or significant destruction have been documented, which is a relief…

In Mogadishu, Somali leaders are staunchly defending a new security agreement they’ve forged with Egypt. To them, this deal nestles comfortably alongside Somalia’s collaborations with the U.S., Turkey, the EU, and several Gulf nations.Hussein Sheikh Ali, who advises Somalia on national security matters, clarified that Egyptian forces might soon participate in the awaited African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This mission is destined to succeed the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia…

 Qatar has urged the global community to ramp up support in humanitarian and developmental aid, along with technical help, to bolster the efforts aimed at enhancing human rights capabilities in Somalia. The call emphasizes fulfilling both domestic and international commitments aligned with Somali priorities.These sentiments were shared by Turki Mohammed Abdullah al-Khalifa, the Third Secretary from the African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He spoke during an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert…

Kenya's Deputy Head Honcho, Rigathi Gachagua, chats with the press in Nairobi, Monday, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku) NAIROBI, Kenya -- Facing a stormy impeachment brew, the deputy chief of Kenya stands accused of backing rebellious protests in June and dabbling in murky dealings. Gachagua stepped up to bat today, vowing to show up in parliament on Tuesday for a verbal showdown. In a broadcast on Monday, Gachagua took aim at the lawmaker behind the impeachment push, branding the accusations as "ridiculous and…

Mogadishu (AX) - Somali troops, backed by global allies and local militia, have dispatched at least 59 al-Shabab fighters in a couple of assaults across Galgadud and Middle Shabelle over the past 48 hours.A dispatch from the Ministry of Information on Tuesday revealed that near Garilay in the Galgadud region, 32 militants, among them top brass, were taken out. Meanwhile, in Yaaqle village, close to Hawadlay in Middle Shabelle, 27 more met their demise.The announcement also sadly acknowledged that four soldiers from the…

Taye Atske Selassie, elevated to the presidency, had been foreign minister since February. In a recent session, the Ethiopian parliament sanctioned a new leader to succeed Sahle-Work Zewde, the country’s pioneering female president. Since February, Taye Atske Selassie has held the position of foreign minister and is now stepping into the largely symbolic presidential role. True governing clout, however, resides with the prime minister, Abiy Ahmed. Rumors suggest discord between Sahle-Work and Abiy had been brewing over…