Eye on Africa

Come October 1, Egypt will helm the African Peace and Security Council for a month, announced Mohamed Gad, Egypt’s ambassador to Ethiopia and its Permanent Representative to the African Union. Egypt aims to boost the Council's efforts in safeguarding peace, security, and stability, while tackling the multifaceted security and development issues plaguing the African continent, Gad stated Monday. Circumstances today are pretty gnarly—both regionally and globally—heightening security threats left and right. This scenario…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Tuesday, the Somali government inked a landmark $68.5 million Development Assistance Grant Agreement with the United States. This move is a big leap forward in pushing socio-economic progress throughout the nation.In a solemn ceremony held in Mogadishu, the deal was signed by Somali Minister of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, Mohamud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah (Beene-Beene), Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh, and USAID Somalia Mission Director Catie Lott.Focused on bolstering economic growth,…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Monday, Somali Minister of Education, Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir, and his Turkmenistan counterpart, J. Gurbandeldiyev, connected via video call, discussing ways to bolster ties in education, culture, and tech sectors. Fathudin Ali Muhammad, the Somali Ambassador to Turkmenistan residing in Ankara, took part in the session. The main focus was on fostering collaboration and promoting university-level education between the two countries. Turkmenistan's Minister of Education applauded Somalia's enthusiasm…

Mogadishu (AX) — A weary Al-Shabaab leader, turned off by endless infighting within the faction, surrendered to Somali authorities. This surrender aligns with an uptick in militants abandoning the group lately. Qaasim Ahmed Duhul, known in the group as Suulal Ceyn, cited the government's pardon and reintegration efforts as his motivation. For eight arduous years, Duhul was embedded in Al-Shabaab's ranks. With the help of clan elders in Masagawaa, he gave himself up to the 28th battalion of the 21st division. Speaking to…

The High Court of Botswana has officially ruled that four out of five presidential hopefuls possess the necessary backing to vie for the nation's highest office, as stipulated by law. Among these contenders is Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is eyeing a second term in the presidency. Joining Masisi in this political contest are Duma Boko, the head of the opposition coalition known as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC); Dumelang Saleshando, representing the Botswana Congress Party (BCP); and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana…

Mogadishu (AX) – Djibouti's intriguing suggestion as a potential remedy for the ongoing diplomatic rift between Somalia and Ethiopia remains unanswered by Ethiopia, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf disclosed. In a tête-à-tête with VOA, Youssouf shared that the ball is still in Ethiopia’s court regarding the management and use of the Tojorah port, nestled in Djibouti's northern expanse. This port has been proposed by Djibouti as an alternate maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia, heavily dependent on…

The initiatory step in this journey is the submission of a formal motion by a coalition of MPs, igniting spirited debate in Somalia's Parliament. Take the case of Foreign Minister Ahmed Macalin Fiqi—over 46 MPs have rallied, accusing him of neglecting Somalia's sovereignty amid a tense diplomatic tussle with Ethiopia. They're also up in arms about a Somali company's exclusion from the 2025 Japan trade expo, where an Italian-owned business snagged a spot instead. MP Jeesoow, among the most ardent advocates for the motion,…

The World Health Organization (WHO) is ramping up efforts to provide medical assistance to Rwanda in its fight against the Marburg virus disease (MVD), a lethal hemorrhagic fever that has tragically resulted in nine fatalities to date. According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, authorities have pinpointed around 300 individuals who were in close contact with confirmed cases and are currently under vigilant observation. MVD, a severe virus primarily spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of…

At a heartfelt farewell ceremony, AFAD's chief Okay Memis shared that since 2016, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s guidance, over 60,000 tons of aid have been sent to East Africa from Türkiye, a region often battered by natural calamities like drought, famine, floods, and cyclones. Memis underscored Türkiye’s unwavering dedication to assisting those in need, both domestically and internationally, shining a light on the invaluable efforts of non-profits and generous individuals. Post-speeches, a vessel brimming with…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has voiced strong objections to a recent decree from the Nigerien government, which greenlights the formation of a database targeting individuals suspected of terrorist activities. The organization argues that this legislation seriously infringes upon essential human rights by utilizing "overly vague criteria" for determining who gets placed on the list, consequently "denying due process" to those affected. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a Senior Researcher specializing in the Sahel region, expressed concern…