Eye on Africa

Mogadishu (AX) – What does it mean to transform a grassroots movement into an integral arm of national defense? This intriguing process unfolds in Somalia as Macawisley militia forces are woven into the fabric of the Somali National Army (SNA). The state’s beacon of defense, Omar Ali Abdi, has cast light on this transitional phase, revealing that volunteer fighters have already embarked on their journey of integration. In a conversation with Somali National Television on a sun-drenched Thursday, State Minister Abdi shared,…

Stepping into the sunlit corridors of international diplomacy, a Joint Communiqué was inked on February 5th in New York, ushering in a new chapter between Uzbekistan and Somalia. One might ask, why does this matter? In a world persistently striving for unity, each diplomatic handshake carries the weight of countless possibilities. Ulugbek Lapasov and Abukar Dahir Osman—names perhaps foreign to many—served as the ambassadors of hope on that day. Representing their nations, Uzbekistan and Somalia…

Amid the craggy peaks of the Cal Miskaad mountain range, where terracotta landscapes meet the azure waters of the Gulf of Aden, sits a man—silent and solitary. He's beside the charred remains of military supply vehicles, a sombre testament to a recent skirmish that has left many counting their losses. This tableau of destruction unfolds in Bosaso, Northeastern State, in eastern Somalia, where the echoes of conflict have long resonated. WASHINGTON — Destruction, as old as time. But here, visceral and overwhelming;…

A delegation led by Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister, Yalchin Rafiyev, recently set foot in the vibrant land of Somalia. The mission? To unlock the doors to a deeper partnership, one that promises to intertwine political, economic, and humanitarian threads between the two nations. But when nations sit at the table, isn't it more than just policy and protocol? It defies mere diplomacy; it dances on the edge of genuine camaraderie, seeking to weave a tapestry of shared aspirations. During this diplomatic quest, the…

In the ever-shifting labyrinth of international diplomacy, whispers from Mogadishu have emerged, challenging the very notion of a potential U.S. nod towards North Western State of Somalia's independence. Can such a delicate balance endure, when even whispers have seismic potency? In a recent dialogue with VOA, Somalia’s voice in Washington, Ambassador Dahir Hassan Arab, made it emphatically clear. “The United States, universally known as a sentinel of global legal principles, harbors no intentions to…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a dramatic turn of events, Algeria’s Coast Guard rescued at least 16 Somali migrants on a fraught Wednesday, their fragile boat discovered adrift amidst the often unforgiving waves, some 40 nautical miles north of the coastal town of El-Aouana in Jijel province. Can you imagine the quiet terror that grips the heart when the sea shows its indifferent face, miles from any hope? Commanded with precision by Algeria’s Naval Command, the swift operation was sparked by desperate distress signals, a clarion…

Mogadishu (AX) — The hustle and bustle of Mogadishu's vibrant markets, where traders earn their living amid the daily chaos, can mask an insidious undercurrent. Al-Shabaab, notorious for their devastating attacks, draws substantial financial support from unsuspecting Somali entrepreneurs. Banadir Regional Police Commander Moalim Mahdi recently unveiled this chilling reality at a national prosecutors' conference. Mahdi unraveled the intricate nexus of power and fear that enables these militants to execute operations that…

<Mogadishu (AX) — In an assertive move to curb the tempest of extremism plaguing his nation, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently amplified calls for intensified military efforts against ISIS elements holed up in the craggy Al-Miskaat Mountains of the Bari region. A multitude of events crescendoed into this renewed appeal, primarily the resounding victory by Northeastern State's Daraawiish forces, whose relentless 24-hour siege claimed the lives of over 50 militants, among them were prominent foreign…

The Liberian Electricity Corporation (LEC) has recently announced a substantial reduction in electricity supply across the nation. This situation arises from a decision by its Ivorian energy supplier, Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Électricité (CIE), to slash its energy provision to Liberia by a staggering "85 percent." Under a power purchase agreement, CIE has historically supplied a vital share of Liberia's electricity demands, making this cut particularly consequential. According to the Liberian authorities, this latest…

As the dry winds swept across the vast desert landscape of Mandera on February 4, 2025, President William Ruto made a significant entrance, escorted by local dignitaries who eagerly awaited his arrival. The timbre of anticipation was palpable, especially with the burden of unresolved concerns hanging in the air. Would the five abducted Mandera chiefs see the light of freedom soon? President Ruto's resolute promise echoed a commitment that although rare in articulation, resounded with heartfelt urgency. Ruto, in a bid that…