Eye on Africa

Severe Flooding in Nigeria's Northeast: Tragic Losses and Widespread Displacement

Championing Human Rights in Somalia's Linguistic Landscape “Every individual is born free and equal in dignity and rights.” This legendary opening line from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) now resonates in seven additional languages and dialects spoken throughout Somalia's diverse populace. This multilingual initiative aims to enhance awareness and comprehension of fundamental human rights within this Horn of Africa nation. This initiative has garnered support from the United Nations Assistance Mission in…

NCIC Denounces Ongoing Hostilities Between Akamba and Somali Communities in Mandongoi The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has publicly criticized the escalating violence between the Akamba and Somali populations in Mandongoi, located in Kyuso Sub-County. NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia expressed deep concern over the turmoil that has wreaked havoc on the local communities. “This conflict threatens the fragile stability we have worked so hard to build,” Kobia stated. The unrest has tragically resulted in…

U.S. Special Operations Commander Visits Frontlines in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States continues to affirm its commitment to Somalia in the battle against Al-Shabaab. This extremist group has plagued the region for nearly twenty years, subjecting innocent civilians and military personnel to relentless attacks. For the past two decades, the U.S. Africa Command has diligently collaborated with the Somali National Army (SNA), facilitating operations that have successfully reclaimed numerous critical areas from…

Southwest Region's Leader Applauds Federal MPs for Their Backing of Pro-Ethiopian Troop Demonstrations Baidoa (AX) — Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the leader of the Southwest region, expressed his approval on Monday for the federal lawmakers from the area who stood firm in their support for demonstrations advocating for Ethiopian military presence in the Bay and Bakool regions. During his remarks in Baidoa, Laftagareen likened the backing of these 25 parliamentarians to the spirit of the 13-SYL youth initiative.…

Kenya Seeks Public Input for Economic Reform Legislation Post-Protests A sweeping view captures Nairobi's bustling central business district on February 18, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya Purchase Licensing Rights In a bid to rejuvenate its economy, Kenya's finance ministry is calling upon the citizens for their insights on new laws aimed at increasing revenue and addressing various challenges. Finance Minister John Mbadi made this announcement on Monday, following a wave of protests that compelled the government to retract…

Ethiopia Asserts Its Sovereignty Amid Regional Tensions ADDIS ABABA - Facing mounting pressure, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed firmly declares that his nation has never engaged in aggression against another state. He emphasizes that Ethiopia will staunchly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity should it face any threats. The situation in the Horn of Africa is becoming increasingly fraught. Somalia claims that Ethiopia is violating its territorial rights, while Egypt alleges that Ethiopia is siphoning water…

K'naan Takes a Step Back: A Cinematic Journey Begins K'naan, the renowned artist, has decided to step away from the limelight. He has chosen to shift his focus behind the lens for his debut film. Following the release of his 2012 album “Country, God or the Girl,” K'naan felt the weight of the music industry's demands. "Honestly, I’ve likely created enough material for two albums since then. However, I’ve refrained from sharing it, as I lost my drive to produce music," the 46-year-old admits during a video call from his…

Ottawa Police Accused of Illegal Surveillance and Racial Discrimination Against Somali Officers A $2.5 million lawsuit claims that the Ottawa Police Service engaged in unlawful wiretapping and surveillance of five Somali officers, including their families. It alleges systemic racism and discriminatory practices against its own personnel. Filed in September 2023, the lawsuit asserts that the OPS obtained wiretap orders and overarching warrants based on "racist and stereotypical beliefs about Black individuals of Somali…

Somalia's Deputy PM Advocates for Synergy in Climate Resilience and Security Initiatives Mogadishu (AX) — During the recent Conference on Security and Climate Change in the Somali capital, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama emphasized the pivotal connection between climate issues and national security. The discussions centered on how environmental alterations, such as droughts and torrential floods, aggravate displacement and fuel conflicts particularly in Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa. In his address, Deputy…