funding

Amidst a seemingly endless undercurrent of geopolitical tension, a group of Somali special forces captains stood stoically against the backdrop of 2022. They were part of a specialized commando unit, their faces stern as they engaged with their U.S. Army trainers. The photograph, captured by Luis Tato for The Washington Post, is a vivid reminder of the complex tapestry of military alliances woven across Africa and the Middle East. In Nairobi, recent developments have thrown a wrench into these delicate dynamics. An…

The once impenetrable bastion of Dinsor, situated in Somalia's southwestern region and close to the frontier with Kenya and Ethiopia, crumbled under the combined efforts of African Union troops. Just days prior, they had seized Bardhere, another strategic location. These captures are significant as both towns represented the remaining strongholds of the Al-Shabaab insurgents. While these victories have offered a flicker of hope, a more complex issue looms over the horizon. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman,…

FILE - A solider navigates through the aftermath of a harrowing attack. In the city of Mogadishu, amidst scattered wreckage and fallen dreams, the Afrik hotel stands as a somber reminder of an incident on February 1, 2021. Though the attack was eventually thwarted by security forces, the scars it left behind are a testament to the ongoing strife in Somalia. With a bold statement on Saturday, Somalia's government delivered a stark warning: those who pay extortion money to al-Shabab will face the gavel of justice. In a rare…

A United States district judge has taken significant steps to protect federal funding for various aid programs by extending a temporary injunction against President Donald Trump's order to freeze these vital resources. This decision, made by Judge Loren AliKhan, addressed the urgent concerns raised by the National Council of Nonprofits and others involved in the legal case, who argued that the freeze would result in "irreparable harm." Just last week, confusion reigned following an unexpected directive from the White…

In a significant display of unity, European Union leaders convened yesterday in Brussels with a renewed commitment to enhancing defense expenditures. This decision stems from the pressing challenges posed by Russia's aggressive posturing and the evident need to fill critical voids in military capabilities. Yet, the backdrop of this meeting was far from tranquil. The air was thick with tension following U.S. President Donald Trump's provocative remarks about a potential trade war against the EU, purportedly as a response to…

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against the Trump administration’s recent attempt to freeze federal grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance. This decision came at the behest of Democratic state attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia, who argued that implementing this Republican policy could jeopardize vital government-funded services. US District Judge John McConnell, based in Providence, Rhode Island, delivered the ruling following extensive legal arguments. Despite…

In a whirlwind of political drama, a federal judge threw a wrench into President Donald Trump’s recent endeavor to put a halt on federal funding. On Tuesday, amidst a sea of back-and-forth legal motions, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan stepped in, temporarily stalling Trump's administration from proceeding with this sweeping financial freeze. It was a day marked by chaos and high stakes—the kind that paints a vivid picture of modern-day political intrigue. You might wonder: why not simply proceed with the president's…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a stern message that's as clear as a bell, Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has sounded the clarion call, warning businesses, brokers, and drivers not to dance to the tune of extortion payments to Al-Shabaab. Think they're bluffing? Think again. NISA is ready to crack the whip of legal repercussions on those bankrolling this notorious militant outfit. The agency, with a vigilance sharp enough to cut diamonds, made this…

World Bank's Climate Finance Faces Scrutiny: Oxfam Rings the Alarm Bell November 2024 – Nairobi — Oxfam International is sounding the alarm over the World Bank’s climate finance, pointing out murky waters in the Bank's transparency and accountability. Their latest doc, "Climate Finance Unchecked," pulls back the curtain on some dodgy discrepancies between budgeted and real spending in climate projects, hinting at shaky foundations in the fight against global warming. Drilling into data from 2017 to 2023, Oxfam spotlights…

In the bustling streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, an African Union peacekeeper strolls by a line of armored vehicles. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, better known as ATMIS, is grappling with the possibility of stumbling blocks in its concluding phase. Why? The culprits are inadequate funding and heightened regional unease, particularly with neighbor Ethiopia in the mix. Mogadishu (AX) — The African Union's mission in Somalia is hitting snags as it edges nearer to its finale. The root of the hiccups?…