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The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm: a staggering number of individuals in West and Central Africa are grappling with unprecedented levels of hunger. Amidst a backdrop of armed conflict, widespread displacement, economic turmoil, and relentless extreme weather, the region teeters perilously on the edge of a humanitarian crisis. From June to August alone, over 36 million individuals faced challenges in meeting even their most basic food requirements. Alarmingly, projections indicate that this figure could…

Al-Shabaab Faces Setbacks in Fierce Battle in Central Somalia By Ali Musa, Axadle Times International–Monitoring MOGADISHU, Somalia - A pivotal clash between Somali National Army (SNA) troops and al-Shabaab militants unfolded on Friday in the Hiiraan region. Here, bravery and sacrifice meet on the battlefield, as Somali forces push onward to secure key areas from al-Shabaab's hold. For nearly half a year, Somalia’s security forces have relentlessly pursued…

Struggles in Central Somalia: A Glimpse into the Lives of Families In a quiet corner of Dusamareb, Somalia, Mohamed Mahmoud Hussein stands in his metal workshop, gripped by the unsettling reality that his doors may soon close for good. His concern, however, stretches beyond the confines of his business; it envelops his family. Five of his children have faced expulsion from school due to unpaid fees, a heart-wrenching consequence of his current struggles. “I owe $150 at Waabari School, where my daughter was…

In an era defined by rapid technological change, few sectors have experienced as much upheaval as the financial technology (fintech) landscape. Recently, Paystack’s introduction of its peer-to-peer transfer app, Zap, has sparked a wave of scrutiny and concern regarding regulatory compliance. It prompts us to ask: how far can innovation go before it bumps into the walls of regulation? The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised alarms, asserting that Zap operates similarly to a digital wallet—an assertion that…

Mogadishu (AX) — Recently, former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo found himself in the thick of a heated discourse regarding the recent strategic withdrawal of government forces from crucial military positions, including Aden Yabaal in Middle Shabelle. In a world rife with misinformation, Farmaajo's plea to the Somali public emphasized unity and support for the national army, rather than succumbing to the insidious propaganda of Al-Shabaab. In a press release on Tuesday, the former leader articulated his…

In a highly anticipated announcement, the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to lower interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point later today. This decision follows the recent inflation data for eurozone countries, which revealed a price increase of just 2.2% in March—a slight decline of 0.1% from February. As the cost of living inches closer to the ECB's target of 2%, there is a clear opening for the bank to implement a rate cut. If the ECB moves forward with this reduction, the main interest rate will decrease…

Fierce Fighting in Central Somalia: Chaos and Resolve in Aboorey ABOOREY, Somalia - As the arid dust settles over Aboorey, a palpable tension and resolve linger in the air. The town finds itself at the crossroads of conflict. Just this week, federal troops found themselves locking horns once more with the ever-elusive al-Shabaab militants. Their presence was sudden and assertive, reminiscent of seasoned chess players swooping in during the last quarter of a game. Stories from the ground whisper of ferocious…

Nairobi, a city humming with vitality and ambition, hosts the epicenter of Kenya's financial world—the Central Bank of Kenya. On a seemingly ordinary Tuesday, the bank's walls echoed an extraordinary announcement: the central bank decided, unexpectedly, to cut its policy rate for the fifth consecutive meeting. The decision rippled through the streets of the city, signaling a stimulus aimed squarely at revitalizing private sector lending. In an era where economic forecasts often found themselves shifting with the…

In today's ever-evolving landscape of financial technology, it's easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of innovation. However, behind the scenes, regulators are working diligently to ensure that these technological advancements do not outpace the safety nets put in place to protect consumers and maintain market integrity. A recent development in this field involves MobileMoney Limited, the company that operates MTN MoMo. The central bank released a statement, noting, "MobileMoney Limited has not been authorised to carry out…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab, the relentless insurgent group tied to Al-Qaeda and notorious for its long-standing threat in East Africa, has faced substantial setbacks in central Somalia. State media have been buzzing with reports of these recent developments. This comes at a pivotal moment as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud makes his inspiring visit to the troops stationed on the frontlines of this embattled nation.Visitors to the town of Adan Yabaal in central Somalia might have been surprised to find the country's…