east

Somalia’s first EALA delegation: A cautious leap into East Africa’s political mainstream MOGADISHU — When Somalia’s joint parliament rose from a long morning of debate this week to elect nine lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly, it closed a chapter that began soon after the clan-based conflicts of the 1990s and the long, halting restoration of a central state. The vote marked the first time Somali legislators will sit in the EALA chamber in Arusha alongside delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda,…

Somalia’s Seat at East Africa’s Table: Why Mogadishu’s New EALA Delegation Matters A quiet milestone in Mogadishu In a bright room at the presidential palace in Mogadishu, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed Somalia’s first full slate of lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). The ceremony, following a parliamentary vote that selected nine representatives, was deliberately understated — no brass bands, no triumphal headlines. Yet the significance should not be missed. Less than a year after its…

Somalia elects nine EALA lawmakers, taking its full seat in East Africa’s regional house Somalia’s parliament has elected nine lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), a procedural step with outsized symbolism. Less than a year after joining the East African Community (EAC), Mogadishu now has a voice in the bloc’s lawmaking chamber in Arusha, Tanzania — where rules on trade, movement, and regional cooperation are hammered out. The joint sitting of both Houses at Villa Hargeisa in Mogadishu capped months…

Somalia’s turn toward Kiswahili: a classroom move with regional reach MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government has announced a policy shift that could reshape how the country talks to its neighbours: Kiswahili, the East African lingua franca, is to be introduced into the national school curriculum and promoted in Somali universities. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud framed the decision as part of a broader push toward regional integration. “The Somali National University, along with all Somali universities, must take the…

In an unexpected yet cordial meeting, President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, who have long been arch-rivals in the political arena, sat down to discuss pressing global issues like Ukraine and the Middle East. Their conversation took place in the iconic Oval Office of the White House, a setting that radiated peace despite the stark differences in their political views. As White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre reported, "They tackled significant national security matters and domestic policies affecting…

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared that the ongoing Middle East turmoil between Israel and Palestine has a potential resolution through the United Nations' acceptance of the two-state solution. He presented this as the prime strategy to resolve the regional humanitarian issues. He proposed that establishing a Palestinian state could address numerous concerns such as the relentless conflict responsible for countless civilian casualties. The Israeli military has been actively targeting…

This afternoon, the Taoiseach engaged in a conversation with President-elect Donald Trump, with pressing matters like the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine taking center stage. Simon Harris, while on the move between canvassing events in the country’s northwest, participated in this significant dialogue. Trump, who previously served as President from 2017 to 2021, secured a return to the White House last week after emerging victorious in the elections. He is set to officially assume office on January 20, 2025,…

 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Roberto Natali, the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, graced a solemn event dedicated to the memory of fallen countrymen at the Italian shrine in Nyeri. This poignant ceremony saw the presence of Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga, along with a sizable gathering of compatriots, members of Comites, and representatives from Italian missionary groups active in the region. The event also featured Carabinieri clad in historic uniforms, in alignment with National Unity and Armed Forces Day. From 1941 to…

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported a devastating toll of at least 60 fatalities resulting from Israeli airstrikes across various locations in the eastern Bekaa Valley, with the majority occurring in the Baalbek area. This tragic count encompasses incidents in 12 different regions within the Bekaa Valley, an area heavily influenced by the militant group Hezbollah. Disturbingly, the health ministry confirmed that among the deceased, there were at least two children, further highlighting the human cost of the conflict.…

Hamas Acknowledges the Passing of Leader Yahya Sinwar The militant organization Hamas has officially announced the death of Yahya Sinwar, a prominent figure within its ranks. Sinwar, who played a pivotal role in shaping Hamas’s strategies and operations, was reportedly killed in a recent confrontation. His demise is set against a backdrop of escalating tensions and conflicts in the Middle East Yahya Sinwar ascended to leadership of Hamas in 2017, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh. Hailing from Khan Younis, Gaza, he was not just a…