Eye on Africa

Egypt's Military Maneuvers Ignite Long-Standing Rivalries in Somalia and the Horn of Africa Egypt's military footprint in Somalia has surged dramatically in recent weeks. Between August 27 and 29, 1,000 Egyptian soldiers were deployed in Mogadishu. Furthermore, Egyptian authorities have unveiled intentions to transfer an array of armaments, including anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers, and drones—actions that prompt fears of escalating hostilities. Notably, Egyptian and Somali military forces are gearing up for joint…

The Mental Health Crisis in Somalia: Stigma and Conflict at Play Mogadishu (AX) — For the past several years, Hodan Ali has been robbed of restful nights. This 32-year-old mother of three is stirred from sleep by terrifying echoes of gunfire, remnants of Mogadishu's turbulent past. Like countless other Somalis, Hodan finds herself ensnared in a mental health quagmire, exacerbated by years of violence, societal stigma, and a glaring scarcity of professional support. A recent investigation uncovers a staggering truth: nearly…

Decoding the Post-HIPC Journey: Insights and Strategies for Somalia Somalia’s saga reflects a tumultuous thirty years marked by both governance attempts and enduring chaos. Strikingly, it stands among the few nations that achieved independence in the third quarter of the 20th century, a period profoundly shaped by the Cold War’s ideological divides. This era followed the monumental outcomes of World War II, leading to a global shift towards market-driven economic policies, heavily influenced by capitalist and communist…

Exploring Bonds: A Captivating Review of “Mother Mother” – A Somali Drama That Surprises and Engages Mother Mother takes viewers on an unexpected journey through the intricate landscape of familial relationships, all set against the stunning backdrops of Kenya and Northeastern State, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia. Directed by Warsame and shot by César Charlone, renowned for his work in City of God and The Constant Gardener, the cinematography ambitiously underscores the film's emotional depth, although at times, the…

North Western of SomaliaLawmakers Once Again Dismiss Charges Against MP Abiib In a remarkable turn of events, North Western of Somalialawmakers have once again rejected charges against MP Abiib, stirring up intense debate. The ongoing detention of Abiib has sparked significant outrage, with detractors arguing it’s an orchestrated attempt to silence opposing voices. Mohamud Hashi Abdi, the spirited Chairman of the Kaah Party, has been particularly emphatic in his denunciation of this situation. He asserts, “The absence…

China Commits $51 Billion to Africa: A Pledge for Jobs, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Energy In a significant address to representatives from over fifty African nations, Xi Jinping declared, "We have built roads, railways, schools, and hospitals together, transforming countless lives." This statement underscores China's determination to forge a "shared future" with Africa while advancing development across the Global South. Chinese state media reports that the colossal $51 billion commitment includes about $29.6 billion…

Analyst Sees Djibouti's Proposal for Ethiopian Port Access as Insufficient to Ease Tensions Listen up: An analyst suggests that Djibouti’s recent offer to grant Ethiopia access to its coastline likely won't put an end to the ongoing political strife. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian-hosted Teaching Africa Day has wrapped up in Washington, D.C. A prominent Zambian legislator from the Patriotic Front (PF), the leading opposition group, claims the latest remarks from UN experts about the diminishing freedoms of speech and assembly…

Northeastern State Authorities Detain Youths Linked to TikTok-Driven Clan Violence Garowe (AX) — Security personnel in Northeastern State have apprehended multiple young individuals believed to have instigated a sequence of violent confrontations targeting the Ogaden clan in Garowe. This turbulence appears to have been ignited by TikTok videos. The unrest follows a distressing episode in Nairobi, where a group of youths brutally attacked a man from Garowe while capturing the incident on film. It seems that the turmoil in…

Private Corporations Drawn Into the Dispute Between Somalia and Somaliland The ongoing conflict between Somalia and North Western of Somaliahas unexpectedly drawn in private firms, igniting serious consequences. Authorities have explicitly stated that any information released by these companies must indicate that North Western of Somaliais still a part of Somalia. Otherwise, they may face punitive measures. According to reports from the East African, Somalia's Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) invoked the nation’s…

Abiy Ahmed Issues Strong Warning on Ethiopia's Sovereignty Amid Escalating Regional Tensions In the midst of rising diplomatic chills, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has cautioned against any infringement on Ethiopia's territorial autonomy. This tension primarily springs from Ethiopia's recent pact with Somaliland, a self-proclaimed independent territory within Somalia. The Somali federal government, staunchly opposed to Somaliland's statehood, has threatened to evict Ethiopian forces unless this agreement is retracted. To…