Niger Secures Additional Funding Agreements to Boost Food Security and Resilience

NIAMEY, Niger (AXADLE) – Niger's Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have inked supplementary financing pacts to amplify the Family Farming Development Programme across crucial regions like Maradi, Tahoua, Zinder (ProDAF MTZ), and Diffa (ProDAF Diffa). Inking the deal for Niger was Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine. On IFAD's behalf, Bernard Hien, the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, took the pen. This fresh injection of funds is…

Opinion Piece: The Fissures in Somalia’s Political Scene

By Axadle Editorial Board Folks, it's been a heck of a week in Somalia’s political scene. The Southwest State is heating up, and tensions are bubbling right under the surface. Everyone's pointing at Ethiopia, but let’s be real; the actual drama is unfolding much closer to home. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sent a top-tier team to Baidoa—fronted by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and featuring NISA boss Abdullahi Mohamed Ali . Unfortunately, they returned to Mogadishu dragging two hefty political losses that have…

The Gulf States’ Growing Influence in Africa

How are the Gulf states flexing their muscles in Africa? Hassan Hassan, who founded and leads New Lines magazine, and Rana Mamdouh, a commissioning editor for Alpheratz (New Lines' Arabic sister publication), shine a light on this intricate web. Rather than clashing over ideologies, they honed in on gobbling up resources, further fragmenting nations already swimming in turmoil. It's complicated, to say the least.

Kenyan Court Confirms Freeze on Somali Embassy’s Accounts Due to Unsettled Renovation Debt

NAIROBI, Kenya (AXADLE) - The gears are turning for a Kenyan construction firm, as Kingsley Construction Limited pushes forward with plans to auction off the Somali Embassy in Nairobi. The reason behind this dramatic move? An unpaid renovation bill that has been gathering dust since 2016, amounting to KSh 25.6 million (roughly $174,080 USD). Last Thursday, with anticipation palpable in the courtroom, Somalia's plea to unfreeze the embassy's bank accounts at Premier Bank Limited was turned down by a Kenyan judge. High Court…

South Africa Resists Pressure, Commits to Continuing Pursuit

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that Pretoria will steadfastly pursue its genocide case against Israel for alleged atrocities in Gaza. He announced that fresh evidence will be submitted to the World Court next month. This case, lodged by South Africa in December, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 U.N. Genocide Convention through attacks in Gaza. These attacks are claimed to indiscriminately hit schools, refugee shelters, hospitals, soup kitchens, aid workers, and designated safe zones. "We are…

Somali FM Asserts No Ethiopian Intrusion into Somalia Amid Egypt Tensions

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) - In a candid chat with Universal TV, Somalia's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Fiqi, squashed rumors that Ethiopia had trodden on Somalia’s sovereignty. "No Ethiopian incursions on our turf," he stated firmly.Yet, he left the door open, adding, "But if it happens, we'll be ready." This stance challenges the narrative spun by Somalia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, who had warned the UN Security Council multiple times about Ethiopia’s alleged sovereignty breaches. President Hassan Sheikh

Researcher Investigates Economic Consequences of Declined Humanitarian Aid in East Africa

The research falls into two segments: "The Cost of Inaction: Impacts of WFP Assistance Shortfalls on Food Security Outcomes in Somalia" and "The Cost of Inaction: Impacts of WFP Refugee Assistance Shortfalls on Food Security Outcomes in Uganda." In 2021, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) reached 34.4 million folks in East Africa through initiatives like providing school meals and specialized food for at-risk groups. Fast forward a year, and East Africa saw the number of food-insecure people balloon to 82 million.…

A Day of Nutritious Eating Within 1,500 Calories: What It Looks Like

Everyone's calorie needs vary depending on individual goals, such as weight loss, maintenance or muscle gain. Understanding your health and weight goals is the first step in determining your daily calorie intake. For example, if you have a weight loss goal, your caloric needs will be different than if your goals are sports performance and muscle gain. Once you've decided how you want food to affect your weight, health and performance, you can start determining your energy needs. For those focused on weight control, a…

Exclusive Interview: U.S. Elevates Diplomatic and Security Assistance in Somalia

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA/WASHINGTON — In an exclusive conversation, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley discussed the ongoing efforts to navigate the diplomatic tensions and security hurdles confronting Somalia, alongside U.S. attempts to mediate the simmering dispute with Ethiopia. Trouble flared up earlier this year between Somalia and Ethiopia when the latter inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region, which Somalia sees as an affront to its sovereignty. This…

ONLF Denounces Ethiopian Military Chief’s Allegations as a Threat to the 2018 Peace Accord

Jigajiga (AX) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has hit back at allegations made by Ethiopian military chief General Berhanu Jula, who has claimed the group is a state adversary funded by Egypt. Recognized as a legal political entity, the ONLF demanded an urgent clarification from the Ethiopian government on Thursday, warning that the accusations jeopardize the 2018 peace deal. General Jula's contentious remarks surfaced in a video broadcasted by Ethio-Forum on September 8, 2024, where he seemed to charge ONLF…