challenges

Leaders from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are being called upon to engage in crucial conversations aimed at halting the violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, while also exploring strategies to safeguard civilians caught in the turmoil in Sudan. These discussions are set to unfold at the forthcoming summit in Burundi. "This summit presents a vital platform for African leaders to confront the ongoing crises in Congo and Sudan, among others. They must create tangible,…

Clash Over Voting Reforms Intensifies in Somalia Against Evolving Al-Shabaab Danger MOGADISHU, Somalia — With al-Shabaab continuing its menacing activities, the conversation around voting reforms in Somalia is turning into quite the wildfire. The heart of the matter? Whether the country should stick to indirect elections or make a bold shift to letting every citizen cast their vote in the 2026 elections. The political bigwigs gathered again at the presidential palace, their heads bent over talks on national security and…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a rapid move to counter Ethiopia’s grand naval dreams and territorial aspirations, Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia are stepping up their military armor like they mean business.These three nations shook hands on this alliance during an October 10 summit in Asmara, quickly transforming diplomatic chitchat into robust military maneuvers. Egypt's already tossing military hardware Somalia's way, and whispers are swirling about Egyptian boots on the ground—up to 10,000 soldiers by the dawn of 2025 under a…

The European Union's chief diplomat recently expressed concerns over the United States' decision to grant Israel a month to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, arguing that far too many lives could be lost in that timeframe. "The US has urged Israel to enhance humanitarian aid to Gaza; however, a one-month extension feels inadequate. Given the current rate of casualties, far too many will die," remarked Josep Borrell to reporters just prior to an upcoming summit of EU leaders. US officials indicated that…

**MOGADISHU (Xinhua)** -- In an update shared Thursday, a UN relief group noted a drop in humanitarian access issues, falling by 18.6% from the second to the third quarter, landing at 57 compared to the previous count of 70. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) added that three aid workers lost their lives during this timeframe. Interestingly, while these unfortunate deaths coincided with their humanitarian roles, they were not directly tied to their work but were rather outcomes of broader…

Somalia's President Champions Direct Elections Amidst Political Storms MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a bold move, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that the country will proceed with direct elections, dismissing the cacophony of dissent from critics. This decision sparks a fresh chapter of political deliberation in Somalia, a nation that last experienced direct voting in 1969. Political discord and debate have been the norm for two years, with President…

NAIROBI, Kenya - A recent summit with Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia in attendance has birthed a coalition nicknamed the 'axis against Ethiopia,' marking an intense regional shift that edges Ethiopia into unfamiliar territory. Over the past few years, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has been wrestling with internal and external upheavals. Domestically, his administration faces significant headwinds due to regional unrest, notably the Tigray conflict, which upends his governance. On the international front,…

Rwandan health officials are deeply engaged in a massive contact tracing initiative, tracking down countless individuals to curtail the spread of a particularly alarming disease across the nation and beyond. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana remarked, “We’re confronting the challenge of viral hemorrhagic fever while simultaneously addressing mpox.” This dual health scare gives rise to a pressing need for swift action. During a recent online briefing, Nsanzimana reiterated their commitment to halting the virus's advance. “We…

In the past nine years, Angola has reported a concerning 200 instances of human trafficking. Ana Celeste Januário, the Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship, shared these alarming statistics during a thematic meeting in Luanda focused on the Program for the Promotion of Human Rights. Januário highlighted that the provinces particularly beset by this grave issue include primarily border regions as well as the capital, Luanda. She strongly encouraged citizens to follow established laws and engage in commerce…

In a gathering meant to promote global harmony, it’s surprising how frequently the topic of warfare comes up. This year’s UN General Assembly convened in New York under the somber weight of ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan—events that set the tone for the discussions ahead. As leaders arrived for the inaugural session on Tuesday, few anticipated the escalation of tensions that would unfold over the week. A new chapter ignited in the Middle East, escalating the altercation between Israel and Lebanon.…