conflict

FILE - On January 1, 2024, North Western State of Somalia's President Muse Bihi Abdi and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came together in Addis Ababa to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) granting Ethiopia access to a North Western State of Somalia port. As tensions swirl around the maritime dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asserted on Thursday that his nation is pursuing access to the Red Sea "through peaceful avenues.” During a parliamentary session where lawmakers pressed him for…

In Mogadishu (AX), a minimum of six individuals met their demise, and a host of others sustained injuries due to a flare-up of inter-clan skirmishes within Luuq district, nestled in the Gedo region, as shared by folks on the ground.On Wednesday, rival clan factions, armed to the teeth with a variety of weapons, clashed fiercely on the eastern fringes of Luuq. These feuds have flared sporadically in recent months, rekindling age-old disputes.An attempt at reconciliation held earlier this month in Kismayo hit a wall, plunging…

Human Rights Watch has strongly called on the Burkinabe authorities to carry out a "swift and comprehensive" inquiry into the tragic massacre of civilians in Barsalogho, a town that recently endured a catastrophic event on August 24, 2024. This horrific attack was perpetrated by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM), leading to the loss of over 130 lives, with countless others left injured. Carine Kaneza Nantulya, the Deputy Director for Africa at Human Rights Watch, articulated the…

Election day in Mozambique commenced on a tranquil note. Yet, when poll results surfaced, a remarkable shift occurred. Reports from Mozambique News Reports and Clippings indicate that thousands of citizens, predominantly the youth, took to the streets, vehemently contesting the declaration that Frelimo had secured a staggering 70% of the vote. This outpouring of discontent has stirred the fabric of Mozambican society. Many critics, fueled by the perception of electoral manipulation, expressed their frustration. As one young…

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…

IDP families in need of assistance/File photo/Ergo (ERGO) – Nasteho Mohamud Hashi, a determined single mother, has been facing a formidable challenge. The assistance she once received from the World Food Programme came to a halt in June, leaving her in a tight spot as she tries to feed her nine children. The $85 monthly support from WFP was a lifeline for Nasteho's family at the Hilac IDP camp in Dusamareb, located in Somalia's Galmudug state. Their circumstances changed drastically when conflict forced them to flee their…

In a significant political twist, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed intentions to create a commission tasked with reviewing the existing Constitution. This endeavor might lead to the scrapping of term limits, ultimately opening the door for a potential third presidential term. Tshisekedi, who assumed the presidency in January 2024 following a highly contentious re-election battle in December, is now advocating for alterations to a Constitution that first received the nod from voters…

FILE - On the date of April 8, 2023, Ethiopian Minister Abiy Ahmed was present at the graduation event for recruits at the Ethiopian military school. Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopia's hustle for a grip on the Red Sea is heating things up in the Horn of Africa. This tug-of-war among Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Somalia might just change the political scene there. At the heart of it all is the fierce scramble for control over the vital Red Sea route. A big piece of the puzzle is Ethiopia’s port deal with North Western State of…

Gabon is gearing up for a significant referendum on November 16, where citizens will cast their votes concerning a newly proposed constitution. This impending decision has ignited a spectrum of reactions across the political landscape. One noteworthy aspect of the proposed constitution is that it would enable military leader General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to mount a campaign for the presidency. This particular element has raised eyebrows and prompted intense backlash from various opposition factions. The draft…

Venâncio Mondlane, an independent candidate vying for the presidency in Mozambique, has issued a powerful call for a nationwide strike to protest widespread electoral malpractice. According to a civil society group known as Mais Integridade, the fraudulent activities were so flagrant that they unfolded right under the noses of various observers. "It’s hard to believe what we've witnessed," one member of the group noted, reflecting the disillusionment felt by many. Tragically, the political climate has grown increasingly…