Eye on Africa

The relentless pillage of yellowfin tuna in Somali waters is a troubling saga, unravelling as a grim tale affecting local livelihoods and looming ominously over global food security. The ripples of this exploitation stretch far and wide, touching ecosystems and economies in profoundly unsettling ways. But, how did this come to pass? One can't help but wonder about the brazen illegal activities by Chinese vessels, which have become a stark symbol of unchecked ambition and disregard for maritime laws. These vessels prowl…

In an unsettling turn of events, residents of Halfooley woke up to the grim news of a tragic killing that has sent shockwaves throughout the region. According to accounts from officials and eyewitnesses, armed assailants, reportedly hailing from the Middle Shabelle area, were behind the vicious act. The motive? A deep-seated clan dispute that has simmered for weeks, if not months. Why do age-old grievances persist as the ghosts that haunt the living? In this particular instance, those grudges targeted…

Mogadishu (AX) — In an unforeseen twist of events, Somalia's Ministry of Finance has decided to suspend the controversial health card fees that had left travelers bewildered and frustrated. Those fees, imposed on January 28, 2025, by the Ministry of Health, were meant to serve as a financial buffer for vaccinations and other health-related travel requisites. Yet, their introduction was anything but smooth. Chaos erupted as passengers found themselves unexpectedly asked for payments, with no prior announcement, leading to…

Garowe (AX) — In a development that's sending ripples through the ranks of the Islamic State (ISIS), a key figure has voluntarily laid down arms and surrendered to the Northeastern State security forces. This move represents a significant blow to ISIS as Somali authorities drum up efforts to eviscerate the insurgency's intricate web of operations. Abdirahman Shirwac, more infamously known by his clandestine alias "Laahoor," approached security operatives quietly in the remote Unuun area near the serene, yet strategically…

In a decisive and urgent response to a severe cholera outbreak, health authorities in Angola are gearing up to vaccinate one million individuals, encompassing both children and adults. This strategic initiative aims to thwart the spread of this potentially deadly disease, which has already claimed 59 lives and infected 1,710 people across several provinces. Since the onset of the outbreak in early January 2025, the numbers have been alarming, particularly in Luanda, where 37 cases have been reported. The provinces of Bengo,…

Mogadishu (AX) — A moment reminiscent of the intricate politics that ripple through Somalia played out on Monday, as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reinstated Colonel Ibrahim Moalim Abdullahi. Abdullahi, the erstwhile intelligence chief of Mogadishu within the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), found his military rank and privileges restored. But what does this signify in the grand scheme of Somalia's tumultuous political landscape? Does this mark the dawn of a new era of reconciliatory politics, or is it…

Recently, the militia group known as M23 made a surprising announcement, coinciding with a surge of violence that has tragically claimed over 700 lives within a mere few days. This escalation has not gone unnoticed; international aid organizations and human rights advocates have expressed serious concerns regarding the state of affairs in the region. In their statement, the M23 rebels cited humanitarian issues as the driving force behind their latest actions, particularly following their seizure of Goma. This city, a…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the hushed hours of Monday night, an air of uncertainty enveloped the Bardhere district within Somalia's Gedo region. Jubbaland regional forces quietly slipped back into the district headquarters, reclaiming control after federal government troops departed under the veil of night. It’s a development that leaves one pondering: What really happened to prompt this calculated withdrawal? The reasons for the federal forces' exit stay shrouded in mystery, hinting at complex underlying tensions.…

In a setting as tranquil as an early Kenyan morning, an unexpected tremor of terror rippled across the vast stretches of Mandera County. Just as the rising sun cut through the morning mist, five government officials vanished, taken by the elusive hands of Al-Shabaab militants. The clock had barely ticked past dawn on Monday when the rugged paths leading from the small outpost of Wargadud to Elwak town witnessed this chilling event. Could anyone there have foreseen such an alarming start to the day? Julius Njeru, Mandera…

In a poignant confrontation of South Africa's troubled past, families of victims who suffered during the apartheid era are taking a bold stand against the government. They have initiated a lawsuit, grounded in deep-seated anguish and a yearning for justice, claiming that the state has failed to prosecute the political crimes committed during this tumultuous period. The lawsuit, presented in the Pretoria High Court, demands around $9 million in damages. It also calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the political…