Eye on Africa

Al‑Shabaab’s War Chest: How a Militant Tax System Fuels a Comeback in Somalia A militant economy hiding in plain sight The hardest thing to see in Somalia’s long war is often the most obvious: the receipts. A new assessment by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point says al‑Shabaab, al‑Qaida’s Somali affiliate, is now the network’s financial powerhouse—pulling in an estimated $100 million to $200 million a year. That money isn’t just paying for bullets. It’s rebuilding a parallel state. The report, The Global State…

UK–Somalia trade has jumped. Now comes the hard part: turning a one-way surge into a two-way partnership It’s not often that trade data between two countries separated by nearly 7,000 kilometers makes you sit up. But the United Kingdom’s latest figures with Somalia do just that. In the four quarters to the end of Q1 2025, total trade in goods and services reached £72 million—up 75.6% from a year earlier, according to a UK Department for Business and Trade factsheet released on September 19, 2025. On the face of it, that’s a…

Tragedy Strikes During Festival: Deadly Scaffolding Collapse in Ethiopia In a devastating turn of events, a makeshift scaffolding collapsed at a church in the town of Arerti, Ethiopia, leading to the death of at least 36 people and injuring more than 200 others. This tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday morning, during a gathering for the annual Virgin Mary festival, a significant event marked by devotion and festivity in this predominantly Christian nation. The Heart of the Incident The disaster occurred around 7:45…

The Untimely Death of Nathi Mthethwa: A Complex Legacy In the heart of Paris, beneath the shadow of promise and tragedy, the body of Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa was discovered outside his hotel. The South African ambassador to France and former cabinet minister was found lifeless after the window to his high-rise room had been forcibly opened. He was 58 years old. A Diplomatic Journey Interrupted Mthethwa had just begun his role as ambassador in December 2023, serving as South Africa's envoy to one of its key…

Unrest in Madagascar: A Youthful Cry for Change Amidst Government Reshuffle In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina announced the dismissal of his government on Monday. This move follows a series of intense, youth-led protests that erupted over severe water and power shortages, leaving at least 22 people dead and over 100 injured. The situation underscores a larger narrative of youthful unrest echoing across different parts of the globe, from Nepal to…

Suicide Blast and Gunfire Rock Mogadishu’s Most Secure Prison, Hours After Government Claims Citywide Gains Mogadishu — A bold and deadly assault hit one of Somalia’s most fortified sites on Saturday afternoon, when suspected al-Shabaab militants stormed Godka Jilacow, the high-security prison run by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). The attack began with a suicide bombing at the facility’s perimeter, followed by sustained gunfire as security forces fought to secure the compound. Initial reports…

Somali, Ugandan forces take Awdheegle in fresh push against al‑Shabaab Somali troops backed by Ugandan peacekeepers say they have seized control of Awdheegle, a strategic farming town on the Shabelle River about 80 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, in the latest phase of a stepped-up offensive against al‑Shabaab. The Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that the capture is a milestone in “Silent Storm,” a multi‑stage campaign to dismantle the militant group’s foothold across southern Somalia. In the hours after the…

Tragedy Strikes Nigeria: The Loss of a Talented Voice In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of grief across Nigeria, the beloved television anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu was tragically killed during an armed robbery at her home in Abuja. The circumstances surrounding her death, filled with both horror and heroism, have left a nation grappling with the growing concerns over safety and security. Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed his heartfelt condolences, acknowledging Maduagwu's vibrant career and the…

Flotilla Bound for Gaza Intercepted at Sea; African Leaders Demand Release of Detainees Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of roughly 40 vessels on Wednesday that had been sailing for weeks toward the besieged Gaza Strip, detaining scores of activists and prompting urgent diplomatic protests from African leaders whose citizens were aboard. Among those taken into custody was Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, an emblematic figure whose presence underscored the…

Somali Activist Omar Jamal Freed From ICE Custody in Minnesota, Says He’s Confident He Won’t Be Deported MINNEAPOLIS — Somali community advocate Omar Jamal walked out of a southern Minnesota jail this week after a month in federal custody and used his first public appearance to do something unusual in a high-stakes immigration case: praise the jail that held him. “What I have seen is people doing their job with professionalism in a humane way,” Jamal told reporters in Albert Lea, standing beside Freeborn County Sheriff…