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Kenya’s new army chief tours volatile northeast as al‑Shabaab tests the border NAIROBI — Kenya’s new army commander, Lt. Gen. David Ketter, has made his first inspection swing through the country’s northeastern frontier, a scrubland expanse where the line between Kenya and Somalia blurs and al‑Shabaab’s shadow lingers. His tour of forward operating bases in Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa was part morale boost, part fact-finding — and a clear signal that Nairobi wants to steady the front at a time of shifting dynamics…

Justice or Political Vendetta? The Case of Rached Ghannouchi In a courtroom shadowed by controversies, Tunisia's opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi finds himself ensnared in a legal battle that many observers argue extends beyond the realm of justice. This latest ruling, tacking on additional years to his existing sentences—over 20 years from previous convictions—has triggered a stir among advocates of political freedom and human rights, both domestically and internationally. The Latest Sentencing This week, Ghannouchi,…

In a significant development following the troubling events of October 7, 2023, involving both Hamas's attacks on Israel and the subsequent military actions in Gaza, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan revealed on May 20 his intention to pursue arrest warrants for alleged war crimes tied to the conflict. "The legal dynamics are shifting," remarked an expert on international law familiar with the situation. Despite the International Criminal Court's announcement that Israel's consent is not a prerequisite for acknowledging the…

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. This significant decision comes on the heels of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s announcement on May 20, calling for warrants tied to the events following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which prompted a fierce Israeli military response in…

The opposition leader in the self-declared independent region of North Western State of Somalia triumphed in the recent election, according to the electoral commission's announcement on Tuesday. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, representing the primary opposition faction known as the Waddani Party, secured over half of the votes, stepping out as the clear victor. At 69 years old, Abdullahi has previously held the prestigious position of North Western State of Somalia's parliament speaker back in 2005. This opposition group…

Somalia President Brings Back General Odowaa Yusuf, Noted for Oppositon Tactics, as Army Head MOGADISHU, Somalia - General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, recognized for his pivotal role when he became the chief of the Somali National Army (SNA) at the tender age of 32 in 2019, has been reappointed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. After nearly a year away from the position, he's stepping back into the limelight. Odowaa's return follows his previous dismissal by President Mohamud, who had replaced him in 2023 with Maj. General Ibrahim…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a surprising twist of events, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has shown the door to a top brass member of the Somali National Army (SNA), just when the nation is intensely embroiled in its campaign against Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab militants, notorious for causing upheaval, assert control over huge patches of rural zones in south and central Somalia. Recent military efforts have shaken their foundation, leaving many militants pondering defection to governmental camps. Nonetheless, the…

UN Secretary-General Reaches Out to Netanyahu Over UNRWA Restrictions In a significant move, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has formally communicated his concerns to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the recent decision to impose restrictions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This agency has served as a vital pillar of support for millions of Palestinian refugees, providing essential services like education, healthcare, and social…

The human rights leader of the United Nations has conveyed a grim message, stating that the "darkest chapter" of the conflict in Gaza is currently unfolding in the northern region. He cautioned that Israel’s military actions could potentially be classified as "atrocity crimes." Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted a staggering statistic: "Over 150,000 individuals are reported dead, injured, or unaccounted for in Gaza" since the outbreak of war just over a year ago. "It is unimaginable, yet the…

In the heart of Nairobi, Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua spoke to lawmakers before they voted on his impeachment at the Parliament buildings on October 8, 2024. Photo by REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File. On Friday, Kenya's high court decided that the impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should go to the Chief Justice for further examination. The vote came in on Tuesday, with parliament deciding to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges. These included accusations of personal enrichment and inciting…