Eye on Africa

Hargeisa (AX) — Streaming into living rooms like a whispered secret on a chilly February 10, Netflix unveils "Surviving Black Hawk Down," a riveting three-chapter docuseries that dusts off the old tales of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. This saga isn't just a flashback in time—it's immortal. Directed with the raw bravado of Jack MacInnes and birthed from the creative wells of RSA Films, the series decomposes one of the most intense urban skirmishes of our era, peeling back layers with a raw honesty that isn’t found in mere…

With the dawn of 2025, I found myself embarking on a nostalgic weeklong journey back to my roots – the small town of Buuloburte. The last time I set foot in this quaint dot on the map was back in August 2023, when a break from the daily grind led me here for a refreshing week. This time, however, I was playing the role of dutiful son, escorting my mother back home after a delightful, yet languorous, stay in the hustle and bustle of Mogadishu. Imagine our arrival at Buuloburte airport on January 2nd—an airstrip bustling with…

Political Dissonance and Repression in North Western State of Somalia Hargeisa (AX) — In the dusty echoes of North Western State of Somalia’s political landscape, a storm is brewing. The newly-minted administration of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, perhaps not as squeaky clean as a new pin, has already directed its gaze upon activists and journalists who dare to question or challenge the status quo. This recent crackdown has reignited worries about political oppression, even with new faces steering the…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a surprising twist of diplomatic fate, Tibor Nagy, the outspoken former US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa and one-time Ambassador to the colorful landscapes of Guinea and Ethiopia, has decided to temporarily hang his global affairs hat back at the US State Department. But here's the twist—his new role will sidestep his usual beat, expanding his diplomatic horizons beyond the African continent.Within the cacophony of social media, specifically on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), Nagy…

Picture this: a weary South Sudanese delegation is once again preparing to set foot on Nairobi's buzzing soil. Their mission? A quest for peace that has been as elusive as a shadow at dusk. This Saturday marks another step in the tortuous journey towards stability for the world’s fledgling nation, South Sudan, still wobbling on its new legs. The diplomatic endeavor, colorfully christened "Tumaini" — the Kiswahili word for 'hope' — has brought together South Sudan's transitional government and a bouquet of holdout opposition…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a spirited push towards financial transparency and accountability, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro of North Western State of Somalia has laid down the gauntlet, urging all government ministries and agencies to channel accrued revenues directly to the Ministry of Finance. It's a move designed to tighten the screws on financial operations and sniff out any fiscal hide-and-seek played in dark corners. At a cabinet gathering this Thursday, against the backdrop of Hargeisa's bustling…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a heartfelt plea echoing through the bustling lanes of Mogadishu, Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamse Abdi Barre, called for a united front in the face of ominous threats. With a tone as grave as storm clouds over the savannah, he addressed the peril that Al-Shabaab and ISIS pose to the heartbeat of the nation: its people, its cherished land, and the hopes of tomorrow. Under the sweltering sun of a Mogadishu Thursday, Barre took center stage to spotlight terrorism as a beast needing taming. He painted a…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a bustling corner of Hargeisa, amid whispered conversations and warm cups of Somali tea, pivotal talks unfurled on an otherwise ordinary Thursday. The rooms were full of gravity, as representatives from both North Western State of Somalia and Ethiopia gathered to hash out ways to bolster their military and security collaboration. Gathering under the auspices of a shared goal, the dynamic North Western State of Somalia Minister of Defense, Mohamed Yusuf Ali, flanked by Ethiopian Ambassador to North…

The ink was barely dry on the freshly signed agreement when a wave of optimism swept through the room, coloring the atmosphere with a renewed sense of hope. This came after Director of Qatar Charity's office in Somalia, Mr. Abdul Fattah Adam Maalim, and Galmudug's Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Abdulwali Abdullah Jama, joined hands to announce a groundbreaking collaboration. This was no ordinary handshake; it marked a partnership set to breathe life into Somalia's health sector. A fitting testament to altruism…

Picture this: a sun-drenched morning in Somalia, a land of resplendent landscapes and cultural riches, where the air buzzes with a spirit of renewal and hope. Against this vibrant backdrop, a meeting unfolded that could very well shape the country’s future like the brushstrokes on a canvas. On Wednesday, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre sat down with Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the dynamic Chief Executive of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). Their rendezvous was not just a gathering of formal belts and ties but…