Concerns

The political climate in Ethiopia's Amhara state has raised eyebrows in the United States, sparking significant concerns about the escalating conflict in the region—concerns expressed by none other than America's chief diplomat late on Monday. The Fano, a militia group part of the Amhara ethnic group, which holds the title of Ethiopia's second-largest ethnicity, is a curious player in this drama. Around April 2023, driven by the government's attempt to disarm regional forces, the Fano picked up their arms, embracing a role…

Today, a massive turnout of tens of thousands is anticipated across the United States, rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she vies for the presidency. The annual Women’s March is set to unfold not only in Washington, D.C. but in various cities nationwide, taking place just three days prior to the pivotal U.S. Election. The slogan for this year’s event, “We Won’t Go Back!” resonates deeply, expressing a strong resistance against the possibility of another Donald Trump presidency and its potential ramifications…

Mogadishu (AX) — The resurgence of pirate activity in the Indian Ocean alongside a surge of armed robberies in the Singapore Strait has reignited international apprehension regarding maritime safety. These notorious acts now pose a renewed threat to crucial global shipping avenues. Alerts from the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP ISC) have startled ship operators. They advised boosting ship defenses in these…

Every four years, an eerie shadow looms over Somalia as elections, instead of heralding a new dawn, often lead to political turmoil and strife. The outcome of these elections should ideally reaffirm the federal government's authority through peaceful and legitimate processes, yet, more often than not, the opposite occurs. The last election cycle (2021-2022) put the very fabric of the Somali state at risk. Despite this, there was a palpable sense of relief among the populace when newly elected parliamentarians pledged to…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Monday, Somalia gave the boot to a top Ethiopian envoy, accusing the diplomat of actions that clash with his official duties and breach Somalia's sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs broke the news, spotlighting the incident's significance. Ali Mohamed Adan, who held the position of Counselor II at Ethiopia’s embassy in the Somali capital, faced the label of persona non grata. This term demands he exits Somali territory within 72 hours. The move raises the bar in the already bumpy relationship…

Mogadishu (AX) — Canada has revealed a substantial rollback in its immigration strategy, scaling down the influx of newcomers amid escalating challenges in housing and social services. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the revamped plan, adjusting Canada’s permanent residency target for 2025 from a half-million to 395,000. That’s slicing it down by a hefty 21%. Trudeau confessed that his team “misjudged the balance” between filling job vacancies and managing immigration levels.Public mood is swaying these days. Recent…

Somalia: Opposition MP Flown to Nairobi Amid "Suspected Poisoning" Concerns MOGADISHU, Somalia - Mohamed Abukar Jafar, an outspoken opposition MP, urgently flew to Nairobi, sparking fears of potentially sinister political maneuvering due to a suspected poisoning. A staunch critic of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's rule, Jafar's abrupt health decline thrust him into an immediate medical journey to foreign lands. Before his transfer to Kenya's bustling capital, Jafar had been under treatment at Mogadishu Hospital…

In a significant escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah militants, Israel has broadened its military targets across Lebanon, leading to the deaths of at least 21 individuals in a recent airstrike in the northern region. Health officials reported this casualty figure, while millions of Israelis took refuge, protecting themselves from retaliatory projectiles launched from the Lebanese side of the border. The focal point of Israel's military endeavors has primarily been the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, along with the…

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces have intensified their operations around the enclave of Jabalia, tragically resulting in the loss of at least ten lives as food-seekers stood in line, according to reports from Palestinian medical personnel. Moreover, the military has issued evacuation orders while advancing against Hamas combatants. For nearly ten days, Jabalia has been under heavy Israeli bombardment. The military has encircled the camp, deploying tanks into adjacent towns like Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun with the overt…

Somalia Pulls Plug on Drones Near Mogadishu Airport Due to Al-Shabaab Threat MOGADISHU, Somalia - Worried about potential trouble stirred by Al-Shabaab, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) slammed the brakes on drone operations within a stone's throw—9 kilometers—of Aden Adde International Airport (a.k.a. Mogadishu Airport). Fingers pointed at caution, given the militants' pesky attacks. The move aims to keep this bustling air hub—Somalia's top dog in airports—safe from sinister plots. It's no secret that…