Eye on Africa

Baidoa (AX) – In a region often clouded by uncertainty and conflict, a significant gathering took place on Saturday within the heart of the Southwest state. Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the president of the Southwest regional state, orchestrated a security council meeting in Baidoa. The primary focus? Crafting strategies as intricate as a game of chess to bolster regional security and confront the ever-present menace of Al-Shabaab militants. Picture a room filled with anticipation and determination as the council…

In the picturesque yet turbulent city of Garowe, a swirling blend of tradition and modernity, a significant decree has been issued by Northeastern State's regional authorities. This directive, steeped in both strategy and caution, aims to sever all media communications with the notorious Islamic State (ISIS) faction. It's part of a meticulous military campaign focused on obliterating ISIS hideouts nestled in the rugged Al-Miskat mountains of the Bari region. But what does this mean for press freedom, and how should we…

In the sun-drenched streets of Khan Younis, a scene unfolded that many, perhaps even those present, had never truly believed they’d witness. The gritty resilience of humanity was evident as Hamas fighters stood steadfast, overseeing the handover that was shrouded in both tension and hope. Around them gathered a crowd poised on the brink of witnessing a poignant moment of human exchange—an exchange rare in a world often marked by division. The Palestinian group, Hamas, orchestrated the release of three Israeli captives in…

Beledweyne, a city marked by arid landscapes and relentless spirits, was recently the backdrop to a passionate proclamation by Ali Jeyte Osman. As the specially appointed Somali President’s Envoy for Community Defense Forces, Osman delivered a message filled with both resolve and urgency on a bright Saturday morning. Who would have imagined that this land, far removed from global power plays, would become ground zero for a microcosmic battle against a menacing force? Over the past week, amidst the rugged terrains of the…

In today's world, where the perils of waste management frequently make headlines, one would wonder: Can innovation really turn the tide of environmental degradation? Remarkably, a Kenyan tech company seems not only to believe in this possibility but is actively enacting it. And how, you might ask? By marrying the problem of plastic waste with the needs of college students. A strange union at first glance, but a brilliant one upon further reflection. Imagine a bustling college campus. Students, armed with laptops, race to…

TORONTO, Canada (AX) — The haunting visage of Nehima Jamal, a young Ethiopian woman of merely twenty summers, has lingered like an unsettling specter across digital platforms. Captured by traffickers in Libya, her image—tied, gagged, and battered—was used as a pawn to demand ransom. Now liberated, she opens up about the chilling odyssey that left her teetering on the brink of despair. Her testimony stands as a grave warning for others who may be contemplating a similar perilous path. Liberation came at a steep price—700,000…

Year 2024: a monumental chapter etched into Somalia’s modern tapestry—a year where sovereignty hung delicately by a thread. As fireworks painted the sky on New Year’s Day, Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia clandestinely inked a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement, granting Ethiopia access to a 19-kilometer stretch of North Western State of Somalia’s coast, bypassed Somalia’s federal heartbeat. Was this a simple diplomatic maneuver, or a disruptive gambit? Ethiopia, in a tantalizing exchange, hinted at…

In the dimly lit remnants of a world that seems to have long forgotten compassion, Libyan authorities have stepped forward as unexpected custodians of hope. They rescued 263 African migrants, ensnared in the sullied nets of human traffickers within the Ajkhara district—a name that whispers of anguish and survival. Among the rescued throng are individuals from nations such as Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, stripped of the most basic human dignities, their bodies marred by signs of severe malnutrition and abuse. The tales…

Somali President on U.S. Commitment in Fight Against al-Shabab Why should the United States maintain its involvement in the complex struggle against al-Shabab? To answer this question requires an understanding of Somalia's geopolitical realities, economic imperatives, and, perhaps, a dose of human empathy. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, a stalwart leader with unmistakable resolve, finds himself at the helm of a nation riddled with challenges. Al-Shabab, an insidious al-Qaeda affiliate, lurks…

In the serene yet tumultuous landscape of Northeastern State, where the arid earth meets resilient communities, tensions have flared in Erigavo. It is here that Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni steps into a realm more fraught than most, calling for an earnest dialogue to quell recent conflicts. Erigavo, often restless, now stands upon a precipice, but who does not seek peace beneath this shared sky? Deni, a statesman in his own right, pleads with the opposing factions to seek a peaceful resolution, for in…