Eye on Africa

Tragedy struck in the northwestern region of Nigeria’s Jigawa state, where a catastrophic fuel tanker explosion has claimed the lives of over 90 individuals. Eyewitness accounts reveal that crowds had gathered around the tanker in the aftermath of the accident, driven by desperation to siphon off fuel when disaster struck. “It's concerning that, despite repeated warnings from law enforcement urging the public to maintain a safe distance from fuel tanker mishaps, people continue to jeopardize their safety,” expressed a…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant leap towards energy autonomy, Djibouti and Egypt have inked a pivotal agreement to establish a 276.5-kilowatt solar powerhouse in Djibouti. This pact, forged in a virtual meet-and-greet, is set to elevate Djibouti’s quest for energy independence while also mending the ties between these two nations.On a day abuzz with ceremony, the Egyptian honcho of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, along with Djibouti’s power maestro, Yonis Ali Guled, put pen to paper in Egypt on Wednesday,…

Baku (AX) — Anar Najafli, who leads the State Protocol Department at Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, met with Somalia's non-resident ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, earlier this week to officially receive his credentials.Ambassador Fathudin, doubling up as Somalia's representative to Turkey, engaged in discussions with Najafli to explore avenues for boosting ties between the two nations, focusing particularly on trade, education, and development partnerships. Interestingly, Fathudin's journey to Azerbaijan…

The government has announced an ambitious 25-year development strategy designed to enhance competitiveness, promote sustainable resource management, and uphold exemplary governance, establishing a foundation for economic autonomy. Dubbed "Senegal 2050," this initiative aspires to raise per capita income by an impressive 50% over the next five years. There’s also a goal to extend the average life expectancy by three years and to mitigate national debt and fiscal deficits. The overarching intention is to diminish reliance on…

In the wake of a catastrophic blaze at Mbare Musika, Zimbabwe’s largest informal retail hub, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has instituted a State of Emergency. This decision comes as a response to the widespread devastation that impacted roughly 4,000 vendors, leaving many grappling with the loss of merchandise valued in the thousands. The flames, which raged through the market, not only destroyed goods but also disrupted the livelihood of countless traders. “This unfortunate incident has turned many lives upside down,”…

Mogadishu (AX) — Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, and a posse of Egyptian business folks are gearing up for a jaunt to Somalia soon. Their mission? To suss out promising chances for investment. Mahmoud Abdirahman Farah Benebene, the big cheese over at Somalia’s Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, mentioned the crew’s visit is a springboard for yakking about and kicking off big infrastructure ventures. They’re especially keen on eyeing the nation’s ports for investments. Minister…

Yet again, Nigeria's national electricity grid has taken a nosedive, leaving citizens in the dark just a day after power was reinstated. Numerous distribution companies, such as the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, have alerted their customers about the latest outage. Although these power firms are reportedly scrambling to restore electricity, the exasperation among the populace and local businesses is palpable, stemming from a…

FARGO — First-time voters need to catch on to the basics, but picking up scoops on candidates seems daunting when English ain't your native lingo. It's like deciphering a secret code buried in the news or on the web. Tackling these language barriers, the League of Women Voters in Red River Valley joined forces with local champs, rolling out digital voting tools in English, Somali, and Arabic. These resources center on North Dakota's House and Senate hopefuls. "Folks will be stunned by our community's linguistic diversity,"…

Hargeisa (AX) — In a surprising twist, the North Western State of Somalia Electoral Commission has slapped a hefty penalty of 10 million North Western State of Somalia Shillings on both the Kulmiye and Waddani parties. Their crime? Jumping the gun on electioneering before the green light lit up. Tuesday brought forth revelations from the Commission's Ethics Committee, highlighting a breach of the sacred electoral code. The Ethics head honcho declared, “Both Wadani and Kulmiye felt the wrath of a 10 million fine each,…

Mogadishu, Somalia (AX) — With precision and grit, Somalia's elite forces stamped out a cadre of Al-Shabaab extremists near Qey'ad, nestled within southern Mudug. The Ministry of Defense trumpeted this success on Tuesday. Rallying from the front lines, military brass confirmed that at least 10 individuals suspected to be Al-Shabaab fighters met their end in this daring blitz. This mission isn't a standalone affair. It's a slice of a massive campaign to dismantle the militant web and forge a safer crease for Somali folks.…