controversy

Analysis: Egypt’s luxury resort at Mount Sinai — a test of faith, heritage and development When the first pilgrims come down from Mount Sinai at dusk, they still carry the small, sandy relics of a place that has been consecrated in the imaginations of billions: a rocky peak where, in the stories of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, a prophet received the law. St. Catherine’s Monastery, a fortified Byzantine complex tucked at the mountain’s base, has for centuries been the human anchor in a landscape that Bedouin communities…

A New Political Chapter or Further Division? Somalia's Contentious Electoral Deal In Somalia's often turbulent political landscape, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's recent electoral agreement with a faction of opposition leaders has stirred both hope and hesitation. This deal aims to transition away from Somalia's traditional elder-based electoral model towards more direct elections—a move that some see as progress and others view with suspicion. A Shift Toward Universal Suffrage The core of this agreement is the…

In an intriguing turn of events, the ECOWAS Parliament has decided to send a delegation to Monrovia. Their mission? To tackle the ongoing political gridlock surrounding attempts by certain lawmakers to unseat Fonati Koffa, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Now, it's worth noting that while those aiming to displace the Speaker haven't managed to muster the necessary 49 votes as mandated by law, their actions have nonetheless halted legislative activities. They've effectively disrupted the usual proceedings by…

Somalia's Presidential Decision on Deportation Accord Faces Criticism MOGADISHU, Somalia - Among the cacophony of political discourse, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire does not mince words when challenging President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s deportation pact with Germany, labeling the memorandum of understanding 'reckless.' Khaire insists that any such international agreements must resonate deeply with Somalia's current scenario. The persistent turmoil that pushes Somalis to seek asylum abroad cannot be ignored. He…

The Supreme Court of Liberia has made it clear that lawmakers attempting to oust House Speaker Fonati Koffa must respect the legal procedures in place. This ruling came in response to a petition urging the court to intervene and stop the various factions of legislators who have been conducting their own sessions aimed at unseating the Speaker. In the midst of this political frenzy, Speaker Koffa remains steadfast, declaring that he has no intention of stepping down, despite calls for his resignation. Instead, he has called…

Out of 197 delegates from 57 different nations attending the event, only 21 were men. Earlier this week, the event's group photo sparked a wave of skepticism online from Somalis. Many argued that women's issues aren't prioritized by the government. Social media brimmed with snapshots from the conference: General Jama appeared alongside his adviser, former MP Abdullahi Godah Barre, and in another image, they conversed with another gentleman, identified by the BBC as an aide. "He wasn't the sole male minister; the…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has opted not to pursue charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa or anyone involved in the Phala Phala affair, which originated from a criminal complaint lodged by former intelligence official Arthur Fraser back in 2022. Known colloquially as "Farmgate," the controversy erupted when Fraser accused Ramaphosa of covering up the theft of $4 million after a burglary at the president's Phala Phala game farm. The president firmly rejected these allegations, asserting that the funds taken…

In a significant gathering at the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 26, 2024, in Geneva, delegates from various nations convened to deliberate on pressing global human rights dilemmas. Amidst this backdrop, Kenya's election to the council for the 2025–2027 tenure stirred the pot, faced with heavy criticisms from civil society groups due to alleged human rights transgressions. Photo by Janine Schmitz/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Kenya's leap onto the United Nations Human Rights Council…

During its annual conference, Britain's ruling Labour party aimed to project optimism regarding the nation's economic outlook, even as it faced significant pushback over proposed welfare cuts and ongoing controversies surrounding high-profile gifts received by top ministers. In her pivotal address at the party's gathering in Liverpool, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, occasionally interrupted by hecklers, emphasized the importance of "iron discipline" in managing the economy as state debt reaches alarming levels. As the first…

How Ethiopian-Egypt Tensions Impact ONLF’s Political Legitimacy