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Somalia seeks $40 million to launch new shilling notes in push to end counterfeit era MOGADISHU — Somalia’s government says it is $40 million short of the cash it needs to print a new series of Somali shilling banknotes — a long-promised overhaul officials argue is essential to restoring confidence in the currency and curbing the counterfeit notes that dominate everyday transactions. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre told reporters the total cost of the rollout is about $70 million. Somalia has secured $30 million in…

South Africa at a Crossroads: Donor Cuts Threaten Hard‑Won Gains Against HIV GAUTENG, South Africa — In a conference hall a short drive from Johannesburg’s busy highways, the blunt arithmetic of global aid collided with the realities faced by clinics and families. Scientists, clinicians, activists and people living with HIV spoke in urgent, sometimes angry tones: the era of steady international support that helped turn a tide against HIV may be ebbing, and the consequences could be catastrophic. Stark projections, stark…

Egypt announces troop deployment to Somalia, intensifying Horn of Africa contest Egypt has announced it will deploy troops to Somalia under a bilateral security agreement, a move Cairo says is intended to bolster counter‑terrorism operations and help stabilize the war‑torn Horn of Africa nation. Officials described the steps as the completion of planning for the deployment, but they provided few operational details, leaving open questions about the size, mandate and timetable of the force. What Cairo says Egyptian…

The Shifting Sands of Malian Security: An Unfolding Crisis In the heart of West Africa lies Mali, a nation steeped in rich history, cultural diversity, and remarkable resilience. Yet, beneath its vibrant exterior, a tumultuous struggle for security has been escalating, leading to alarming consequences for its people. The country's complex political landscape, particularly after the military coups of 2020 and 2021, remains under scrutiny as external military alliances continue to prove ineffective. A Legacy of Discontent…

Somalia’s army in pieces: Cowsweyne defeat still reverberates, former president warns When Al-Shabaab overran Cowsweyne in 2023, it did more than seize a strategic town in central Somalia. The militants’ victory cracked open the fragile architecture of the Somali National Army (SNA), scattering frontline units, exposing command fractures and — according to former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed — setting back efforts to rebuild a professional force for years. A rout with consequences “Osweyne was where Somali forces were…

Nigeria's Healthcare Landscape: A Temporary Respite Amid Ongoing Struggles The announcement from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that they have suspended their two-day warning strike is a relief for many. The strike, which had brought a standstill to public tertiary hospitals, was a cry for help from a beleaguered healthcare system grappling with both systemic inefficiencies and personal sacrifices in the face of a demanding economic landscape. In hospitals across Nigeria, the impact of the strike was…

Luxembourg regulator on the hot seat as finance, diplomacy and activism collide Regulatory shuffle sparks protests In a story that folds finance into foreign policy, Luxembourg’s financial watchdog is set to face questioning by lawmakers after approving paperwork that allows Israel to sell bonds into the European market. The decision follows a move at the start of September when Israel shifted the authorisation for its bond prospectuses from the Central Bank of Ireland to Luxembourg’s regulator. The move has been…

Millions vote in Malawi in high-stakes rematch driven by economic angst Millions of Malawians queued at polling stations across the southern African country on Tuesday to choose a new president in what has become a symbolic test of the nation’s democratic institutions and a high-stakes rematch between President Lazarus Chakwera and former president Peter Mutharika. From the market stalls of Blantyre to the maize fields of rural districts, the atmosphere was charged. Campaign posters still hung on lamp posts, and the thrum…

Analysis: Egypt’s luxury resort at Mount Sinai — a test of faith, heritage and development When the first pilgrims come down from Mount Sinai at dusk, they still carry the small, sandy relics of a place that has been consecrated in the imaginations of billions: a rocky peak where, in the stories of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, a prophet received the law. St. Catherine’s Monastery, a fortified Byzantine complex tucked at the mountain’s base, has for centuries been the human anchor in a landscape that Bedouin communities…

Burkina Faso's Bold Move: Visa-Free Travel for African Citizens In a significant stride towards Pan-African integration, Burkina Faso has announced the elimination of visa fees for all African travelers. This refreshing decision, articulated by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, aims to foster the free movement of people and goods across the continent—a dream long cherished by many as a pillar of the African Union's agenda. The Vision Behind the Decision Burkina Faso's new policy envisions a continent less shackled by…