funding

Until recently, the United States' President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) played a pivotal role in South Africa’s healthcare landscape, funding roughly 17% of the nation’s HIV budget. Yet, in the wake of significant cuts during the Trump administration, particularly targeting USAID—the world’s foremost donor organization dedicated to health and humanitarian assistance—South Africa found itself grappling with an unexpected funding crisis. Relations between South Africa and the U.S. grew increasingly…

SSC-Khaatumo Faces Financial Dilemma for Upcoming National Examinations Las Anod (AX) – In a developing story that raises questions about educational equity and government support, the SSC-Khaatumo regional government has confirmed that the federal government of Somalia will not provide financial assistance for the administration of the National Secondary School Examinations in the 2024/2025 academic year. This decision has thrown a wrench into the preparations for what is a pivotal moment in many students' academic…

Urgent Call to Action: The Future of Peacekeeping in Somalia Mogadishu (AX) — Just recently, the United Nations Security Council faced a significant setback by not authorizing a crucial funding framework for the African Union’s (AU) ambitious peace mission in Somalia. This oversight means that while the clock continues to tick, hope for a streamlined transition remains perilously uncertain. AUSSOM: A New Chapter or an Unwritten Story? Enter the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), set to…

The Future of African Development Funding Under the Trump Administration The recent budget proposal from the Trump administration for the fiscal year 2026 has raised eyebrows across the globe, particularly regarding its impact on African economies. The proposal indicates a drastic reduction of $555 million in U.S. contributions to both the African Development Fund (ADF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). But what does this mean for the future of development in Africa, and how might it…

The African Union (AU) remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering peace and stability in Somalia, even as it grapples with significant financial hurdles impacting its peacekeeping mission in the Horn of Africa. This dedication is not merely a bureaucratic obligation; it's a pressing moral imperative driven by the multi-layered struggles of the Somali people. Can we truly imagine a future where these challenges are met with unwavering resolve? At the forefront of this initiative is the Chairperson of the African Union…

The Future of U.S. Foreign Aid in Malawi: A Tipping Point for Infrastructure and Development Recently, a significant shift has occurred in U.S. foreign aid that has sent shockwaves through Malawi and beyond. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a prominent U.S. foreign aid agency, is in the process of winding down its operations. This decision has resulted in the abrupt cancellation of Malawi’s $350 million Transport and Land Compact. Tragically, only a handful of other projects across the globe will see their…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has sounded the alarm, urgently calling for the rapid deployment of an additional 8,000 peacekeepers. This plea is made against the backdrop of escalating Al-Shabaab attacks, which have cast a long shadow over years of stabilization efforts in Somalia. The situation is becoming increasingly precarious, jeopardizing the hard-earned progress of the nation. During a ministerial meeting held in Kampala on Thursday, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu…

World Malaria Day, commemorated annually on April 25, serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for ongoing political commitment and investment in malaria prevention and control. This is especially critical in Africa, a region that accounts for a staggering 94% of global malaria cases and deaths. Just consider this: while we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare, one ill-defined mosquito continues its reign as a leading enemy to children and mothers, and indeed, entire communities. Recently, Uganda marked…

Mogadishu (AX) — The recent decision by the United States to abstain from a pivotal UN Security Council resolution has raised significant concerns regarding the future of the African Union’s Security Operations in Somalia (AUSSOM). As we approach a crucial vote in May concerning the mission’s funding, a sense of uncertainty permeates discussions surrounding the support, effectiveness, and overall strategy of AUSSOM in its mission to stabilize Somalia. At the heart of the U.S. abstention are serious reservations about the…

The Road Ahead: Kenya's Strategic Financing for Infrastructure Development In the bustling heart of Nairobi, in the shadow of the Kibera slums, children chase after a well-worn soccer ball, their laughter punctuating the air as they play on makeshift fields. Just a stone's throw away, the complexities of national infrastructure challenges loom large, but against this backdrop, hope and determination persist. This juxtaposition of joy and struggle symbolizes the broader narrative that is unfolding across Kenya. As of…