Eye on Africa

Kenya’s administration is on the cusp of securing a hefty $1.5 billion loan from the United Arab Emirates at an 8.2% interest rate, aiming to address the financial shortfall plaguing the East African nation, a source in the know told Reuters. "Kenya is broadening its budget support sources," noted the insider, hinting that "the deal is practically in the bag." The finance ministry and central bank of the UAE didn't immediately respond to requests for a statement. Kenya's Finance Minister John Mbadi and top ministry…

Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopian troops, who are part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have taken the lead in renovating Bardhere Airport located in Somalia's Gedo region. This development has further strained the already tense relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. The 46th Motorized Battalion of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is executing this airport overhaul as part of a Quick Impact Project (QIP). The project involves extending the runway by 400 meters to boost safety and accommodate…

  Somali and Turkish officials have inked a bilateral pact to bolster cooperation in the realm of financial intelligence. Captured at the signing event in Ankara, we have Amina Mohamed Ali, at the helm of Somalia’s Financial Reporting Center (center), alongside Hassan Keymak, who steers Turkey’s Financial Intelligence Unit (MASAK) (right).  Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia and Turkey have cemented an accord to elevate collaboration on financial intelligence sharing. This landmark agreement, signed in Ankara, unites Somalia's…

Born in 2008 amidst the nomadic life of the Sanaag region, Arafat Mahamud Jama's journey to an elite scholarship in the United States is a saga of grit and endurance. His family's exodus from pastoral life to village settlement due to climate change marked the beginning of his remarkable odyssey.

MOGADISHU (Xinhua) — The heart of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, bustled with activity on Tuesday as the Chinese Embassy rolled out the red carpet to celebrate 75 years since the birth of the People's Republic of China.

At Galkayo Hospital's stabilization center in Somalia, a kid battling malnutrition receives care from an International Medical Corps doctor and nurse. Ever since the civil war, Somalia’s been chasing progress in many sectors, yet its healthcare system lags critically. For a nation teeming with over 15 million souls, providing decent medical services is a Herculean task, rife with obstacles but peppered with potential for a brighter future. Challenges in the Healthcare System Much of Somalia stumbles with a severe lack of…

The White House has recently disclosed that President Joe Biden is set to embark on a journey to Angola this October, fulfilling a commitment he made to African leaders during the U.S.-Africa summit in 2022. This highly anticipated visit, slated for October 13th to 15th, will provide a platform for dialogue between the U.S. President and Angolan President João Lourenço, focusing on mutual interests and objectives. "We'll be aiming to strengthen our economic partnerships," stated White House Press Secretary Karine…

He declared that the nation is set on establishing a resilient telecom infrastructure to enable the same goals. "Telecom is essential for emergency response and disaster management. Today's assembly shows our collective resolve to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the Somali populace," he articulated. “We are determined to build a strong and durable telecom infrastructure capable of efficiently handling emergencies. This infrastructure will bolster our national capabilities in disaster management, early warning…

Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Taye Atske Selassie, voiced apprehension over the meddling of "external forces" potentially destabilizing an already tenuous security scenario, and feared that weapons could land in the hands of terrorists. Ali Omar, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, took to X to express surprise at Ethiopia's reservations regarding Somalia's procurement of arms for defending sovereignty and combatting terror. Amid a protracted clash with Ethiopia over a significant dam project on the Blue…

Nairobi (AX) – The Italian government has urgently put a halt to processing Schengen visas for applications made through its embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia. The news broke on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday, through a statement from the Italian Embassy in Nairobi. The embassy revealed, "We wish to inform you that the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi has immediately ceased the issuance of entry Schengen visas for all applications processed by the Embassy of Italy in Mogadishu. For more details, please get…