Eye on Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — Imagine the kaleidoscope of creativity that could unfold when the diverse, colorful palette of East African arts meets the dynamic rhythms of Australia's cultural scene. That's not just a far-off dream but an emerging reality, as the Australian High Commission in Kenya throws open the doors to an innovative partnership program. Targeting regions as eclectic and vibrant as Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, this initiative promises to spin a rich tapestry of creative collaboration from…

In the bustling heart of Mogadishu, where the whispers of the Indian Ocean intermingle with the echoes of a city reborn, a significant call was made this past Wednesday. From behind the fortified walls of Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, came the resonant voice of Ambassador Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia’s dedicated Foreign Minister. He reached across the miles, into the embattled heart of Eastern Europe, to speak with Ukraine's committed diplomat, Andrii Sybiha. The topic of the day?…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a world where turmoil often grips the headlines, a welcome breeze of relief has swept through the international community this Thursday. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud threw his weight behind the widely-covered Gaza ceasefire agreement. His warm accolades are aimed at Qatar, Egypt, and the United States for their pivotal shuttle diplomacy, which finally saw the ink dry on this beleaguered accord. He hailed their roles in scripting what could be a significant chapter for peace. But will it be…

Amid the tumultuous backdrop of Nairobi's bustling streets, the air tinged with the acrid scent of tear gas, emotions run high as demonstrators voice their discontent with Kenya's proposed finance bill for 2024/2025. This scene, captured vividly by REUTERS photographer Monicah Mwangi on June 25, 2024, reveals a city caught in the throes of unrest. At the center of a swirling political storm, Minister of Public Service Justin Muturi made an extraordinary declaration: his son’s abduction during last year’s anti-government…

Picture this: It's a bustling Wednesday at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where the undulating chaos of travelers intermingles with quiet pockets of diplomacy. There, amidst the hubbub, Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, leans in for a conversation with Kenya's Deputy President, Professor Kithure Kindiki. Their meeting wasn't just a layover chat but a diplomatic tango aimed at deepening the bonds between Somalia and Kenya, two nations long tethered by history and a border, yet…

(Photo: ENA) In a remarkable turn of events reminiscent of a soap opera plot twist, Ethiopia and Somalia have decided to rekindle their diplomatic flame. The breakthrough came after Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Ethiopia's charismatic, albeit oftentimes controversial, Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, held candid discussions in the bustling heart of Addis Ababa on January 11, 2025. Speaking with the enthusiasm of someone who just found out they won the lottery, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the Special…

In the ever-evolving landscape of international diplomacy, few stories capture the essence of persistence and collaboration quite like the tale of Ethiopia and Somalia's rapprochement. This journey toward reconciliation, marked by the Ankara Declaration, has all the elements of a gripping drama with a cast of influential characters set against the backdrop of regional power dynamics. Let’s rewind to last December when the bustling city of Ankara took center stage—as polished Turkish officials buzzed around the opulent rooms…

Certainly! Here's a rewritten version of the content: --- Mogadishu, Somalia – In a twist of fate that reads more like a movie script than a real-life incident, fishing off the northeast coast of Somalia became a nerve-wracking tale for Liban Hassan* when he exchanged his net for a rifle. Having spent most of his 32 years amidst the waves near Eyl in Northeastern State, he turned hijacker last year, commandeering a Chinese fishing vessel and holding its crew captive. After an intense seven-week standoff, the drama finally…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a promising stride for Somalia, the nation has forged a significant partnership with Saudi Arabia to turbocharge development initiatives, courtesy of Saudi funding. This pact, inked at the heart of Mogadishu in the Ministry of Finance’s stately headquarters, saw Somalia’s Minister of Finance, Bihi Iman Egeh, and the Saudi Fund for Development’s helmsman, Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, sign on the dotted line with palpable enthusiasm. The significance of this occasion was underscored by Sultan Al-Marshad…

In the labyrinthine theatres of conflict across the globe, from the sun-baked landscapes of the Middle East to the rugged terrains of Africa and the tumultuous regions of Western Asia, a familiar emblem shines – the unmistakable Toyota badge. Particularly, the Toyota Hilux has become somewhat of an unwitting icon in the arsenal of insurgents and extremist factions. But what fuels this bizarre alliance between a humble vehicle and the machinery of war? The answer is a cocktail of ruggedness, availability, and geopolitical…