Eye on Africa

TikTok, the app that's got everyone from teenagers living for viral dance trends to grandparents trying out the latest viral challenges, may soon vanish from the screens of over 170 million Americans. Come Sunday, it faces the tech world's equivalent of being sent to the guillotine, all due to the ongoing legal kerfuffling with Uncle Sam. Apparently, unless the Biden administration can whip up a last-minute assurance that they won’t be cracking the app with penalties for violating its looming ban, TikTok might just zip…

An expansive view of the bustling cityscape of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 24, 2024. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights In a world where financial stability often dances on the edge of chaos, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given Ethiopia reason for cheer. The IMF's executive board, like the proverbial knight in shining armor, signed off on the second review of Ethiopia's economic aid initiative on Friday. This momentous nod of approval unlocks a substantial disbursement of nearly $250…

With the addition of two newly confirmed cases, Kenya's mpox tally now stands at a concerning 33. It's a number that keeps health officials on their toes, perhaps reaching for the antacid more often these days. But where do these cases come from? As of this Friday, they hail from the counties of Kericho and Taita Taveta, marking the virus's unwelcome trek across 12 counties. Mary Muriuki, the unflappable principal secretary from the Health Ministry, delivered this sobering reality check during a recent press…

Mogadishu (AX) - At the hustling heart of Mogadishu, Somalia steps gleefully towards a new dawn of progress, rolling out its long-anticipated National ID Card. Imagine unlocking not just doors, but possibilities - that’s the power of this little rectangle of promise. The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has fired the starting gun on this venture, aiming to equip citizens with a key to both essential services and their due rights. The ribbon at the launching event was snipped by none other than the…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the heart of Hirshabelle State, an unfortunate chapter unfolded as hostilities broke out between two storied clans, the Hawadle and Abgaal. The air around Calabria, a serene yet secluded borderland bridging the Hiiran and Middle Shabelle regions, was shattered Saturday morning by the echoes of a timeworn struggle over the lush pastures both clans hold dear. You might wonder, what stokes such enduring conflicts? Picture this: fertile lands, a scarcity of resources, and age-old rivalries simmering beneath…

Mogadishu (AX) – With a voice as commanding as a ship's captain braving a storm, former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed issued a stern warning to the federal government this past Friday. At the heart of his concern? A looming political quagmire: unilateral elections. Picture this: a nation split at the seams, fraying edges evident unless sanity prevails through dialogue, something sorely lacking in today's discourse. Once upon a headline, Sheikh Sharif, now helming the Himilo Qaran Party, stepped into the fray…

Kismayo (AX) – Jubaland's spirited leader, Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, boarded a private jet on Saturday morning, setting his sights on Kenya. It's his first cross-border jaunt since he snagged the presidency of Jubaland once again—a victory that the Somali federal government has dished out cold shoulders and a tight-lipped refusal to acknowledge. A swathe of diplomats awaits him in Kenya, where whispers in government corridors suggest that talks will orbit around the thorny political landscape of Somalia. High on the…

Somalia's Legal Evolution: A Mosaic in the Making The essence of a thriving society often beats in rhythm with the heart of its governing laws. For Somalia, these laws are whispering transformations, evolving in tandem with its vibrant culture and tumultuous history. The Provisional Constitution that emerged in 2012 attempted to create stability but left many areas ripe for further exploration and consensus. The Constitution, a dynamic tapestry of governance, sets the stage for legal structures, political interplay, and…

In the spirited heart of Nairobi, amidst celebrations at Uhuru Park on January 1, 2025, the air buzzed with more than just fireworks and selfie snaps. People eagerly embracing the New Year couldn't help but feel a tinge of optimism about Kenya's economic prospects. As folks captured memories with friends and family, somewhere in the background, a pivotal announcement also caught the attention. (Photo by Joy Nabukewa/Xinhua) With the economic crystal ball laid bare by the National Treasury, Kenya stands on the cusp…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a whirl of political drama that's brighter than a winter carnival, the Somali Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hassan Moalim, took a bold stand against opposition groups, accusing them of monkey-wrenching the efforts to pass pivotal laws—the kind that would redefine the nation's electoral process. He’s made it clear: they are playing with fire! On a breezy Thursday in Mogadishu, with the hibiscus flowers trying to outshine the sun, Minister Moalim didn’t mince words in his address.…