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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.

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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.

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VIDEO: U.S. Ambassador from Djibouti, Doualeh, outlines strategies to ease tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia

Djibouti’s US Ambassador Doualeh outlines plans to defuse tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia Ethiopia's move sparked outrage in Mogadishu, which accused Addis Ababa of breaching its sovereignty, leading to a diplomatic fracas. In a chat with VOA's Peter Clottey, Ambassador Mohamed Siad Doualeh expressed optimism, stating that Djibouti's proposal could help mellow down the tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa.

Egyptian Surgeons Land in Mogadishu to Provide Operations for Somali Patients

An Egyptian medical team touched down in Somalia, ready to provide a range of critical surgeries and treatments for the local populace, as reported by DSEE NEWS on Friday. The Somali Minister of State for Health, Maryam Mohamed Hussein, greeted the visiting Egyptian team at Aden Abdullah International Airport with warm regards (Photo courtesy of DSEE NEWS). The visiting delegation comprises a skilled group of surgeons and medical consultants. They are set to perform orthopedic surgeries, remove tumors, and undertake heart…

Six Lives Lost in Mosque Attack within Somali Region

Toronto – In a tragic turn of events this week, six individuals lost their lives in an assault on a Mosque in the Somali region of Ethiopia. BBC Amharic chronicled that locals and community elders disclosed the grim details on Tuesday about the incident in Wardare town, Dollo Zone, specifically targeting the widely recognized Kujir Mosque. A witness, Alki Mohammed Mohamud, mentioned that the deceased were youthful individuals. These young victims were reportedly theology students engaged in preparations for Salat Prayer at…

Somali Immigrant Who Directed Public Housing in Minneapolis Confesses to Multi-Million Dollar Theft

Sharmarke Issa stands accused of orchestrating a staggering $7.6 million of the $50 million heist from the Feeding Our Future (FOF) nutrition program. Out of this, he pocketed a whopping $3.5 million, which he must repay as restitution.A former Somalian refugee and the chair of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA), Issa, 40, of Edina, admitted to federal wire fraud charges on Wednesday. Court records reveal he masterminded a complicated money-laundering scheme that siphoned funds meant for feeding children during…

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…