conflict

The harrowing day began when Civil Defense teams rushed to aid a man injured by his exploding pager in Sidon, Lebanon, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. (AP Photo) Just a day after Hezbollah-linked pagers detonated, a secondary onslaught hit Beirut and other areas in Lebanon on Wednesday. State media and Hezbollah officials reported that this new wave targeted walkie-talkies and solar gear. The Health Ministry confirmed the second wave's tragic toll—20 fatalities and more than 450 wounded. These attacks, purportedly by Israel…

The Central Bank of Libya has officially declared a halt to its operations following the alarming kidnapping of its IT chief by unidentified armed assailants. This disturbing event unfolds amid escalating tensions among various armed factions throughout the nation. Prior to this incident, gunmen had surrounded the bank's headquarters located in Tripoli, demanding the resignation of Governor Seddik al-Kabir. This bold move has sparked international outrage, notably from Richard Norland, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya. He…

Ethiopia has officially replied to the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s correspondence, characterizing the contents as a "series of unfounded claims." Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie of Ethiopia addressed the Council on September 6, 2024, regarding Egypt's correspondence, which firmly rejected Ethiopia's fifth and latest effort to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia's rebuttal stems from Egypt's allegations of breaching international regulations by proceeding with the dam's filling without the…

In a significant development, the Special Criminal Court, which delves into human rights breaches from the nation's civil war, has apprehended Abakar Zakaria Hamid. Hamid, a prominent figure in the Seleka militia—a rebellious band that took over Bangui in 2023—is under indictment. He stands accused of masterminding a vicious assault on a church a decade ago, an attack that tragically claimed the lives of no less than 17 individuals. Additionally, seven other persons are now in custody, facing charges linked to this heinous…

Nairobi (AX) — The plot thickens in the legal wrangle between Somalia's Nairobi embassy and a Kenyan builder following the court's decision to keep the embassy's bank accounts frozen. An insider shed light on the origins of the relationship between the Somali embassy and Kingsley Construction Limited, which brought a lawsuit against the Somali government for breaching their contract. Back in 2015, figures such as Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid and Former Somali Ambassador Gamal Mohamed Hassan, along with…

Sudan’s military chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, eyes September with optimism, aiming to solidify his image as the nation's rightful leader on the international stage. This endeavor unfolds against the backdrop of a brutal war that has unleashed a massive humanitarian crisis. Just recently, Burhan flew to Beijing, engaging in talks with President Xi Jinping. The occasion was the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac), a gathering of numerous African leaders, notably Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Kenya’s…

In response, Ethiopia boldly declared that Egypt “must abandon its aggressive approach,” firmly restating that any discussions on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) are firmly within Ethiopia's jurisdiction. This latest back-and-forth fuels the enduring diplomatic friction between the two nations, intensifying fears of further escalation. Why is the GERD causing such a stir? Back in 2011, Ethiopia laid the first stone for what would become a landmark project to bring electricity to millions of its citizens, half of…

Biden Extends Sanctions on Ethiopia Amid Ongoing Instability Mogadishu (AX) — U.S. President Joe Biden has chosen to prolong sanctions aimed at specific individuals and groups entangled in Ethiopia's persistent conflict. This decision sustains a national emergency declaration originally set to lapse on September 17, 2024. The sanctions, established under Executive Order 14046, will stay in place for an additional year, as Biden seeks to confront what he deems a sustained threat to American national security and…

NCIC Denounces Ongoing Hostilities Between Akamba and Somali Communities in Mandongoi The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has publicly criticized the escalating violence between the Akamba and Somali populations in Mandongoi, located in Kyuso Sub-County. NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia expressed deep concern over the turmoil that has wreaked havoc on the local communities. “This conflict threatens the fragile stability we have worked so hard to build,” Kobia stated. The unrest has tragically resulted in…

Religious Leaders Urge Peace Amid Tensions Between Somalia and Ethiopia MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the wake of escalating tensions, religious figures convened in Mogadishu, calling for tranquility and denouncing the controversial pact forged between Ethiopia and Somaliland. They assert that this agreement threatens Somalia’s territorial integrity and violates international law. The scholars emphasized the necessity of safeguarding Somalia's sovereignty. They urged the populace to unite and remain calm, highlighting that…