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UK Hosts Global Conference Calling for Swift End to Sudan Conflict The United Kingdom has spearheaded international appeals for an immediate end to the devastating war in Sudan, hosting top global diplomats to discuss new humanitarian aid commitments as the crisis enters its third year. The conflict, erupting on April 15, 2023, arises from a power struggle between Sudan's regular army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Neither leader attended…

Ghana Directs Foreign Nationals to Exit Local Gold Market by April 30, 2025 It was barely a year ago when a conversation over coffee in Accra turned to the booming gold trade and the significant presence of foreign entities involved. My companion, a dedicated small-scale miner by profession, voiced a wary hope, "One day, perhaps, Ghana will have better control of its own precious resources." It seems now, that day has come. On April 14, Ghana officially announced a sweeping directive urging all foreign nationals…

On the sun-drenched edges of Mogadishu, lies a place many would rather forget, yet can't afford to. It's the Al-Hidaya camp, a testament to both resilience and despair. Here, beneath an unforgiving sky, Somali mothers shield their little ones, desperately trying to ward off the harshness of their reality with mere cloth scraps. As the capital of Somalia looms in the distance, a cruel irony unfolds: proximity to potential aid, but separated by a chasm of systemic hurdles. Once, the thought of fleeing from the…

The complexities of international trade and local economics can often brew storms, leaving us to wonder about the wisdom of certain policies. One such focal point right now is the bustling activity surrounding the Dangote Refinery, particularly with its naira-for-crude policy that’s been quite the topic. This policy, orchestrated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, dictates that local refiners buy crude oil in naira rather than dollars. At first glance, this sounds like a strategic move to…

Northeastern State's Economic Resilience: An Address by President Said Abdullahi Deni In a stirring address that has resonated throughout Northeastern State, President Said Abdullahi Deni announced a decisive shift in the region's stance on businesses claiming coercion as a pretext for making payments to the Islamic State (ISIS). From this point forward, the administration has vowed to dismantle such financial channels. With a tone underscored by determination, President Deni remarked, "No businessperson will have the…

It's fascinating how quickly things can change in the world of finance. On a seemingly ordinary Monday, Eutelsat's stocks experienced an explosive surge—shooting up 68% in just one day. To add to the excitement, the shares catapulted by another 123% the following morning, reaching $4.77 before settling at $3.79 by Tuesday's close. But what caused such a dramatic shift in market dynamics? The backdrop to this financial ride was actually a geopolitical twist: the United…

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve amidst escalating tensions, the Ukrainian government has expressed confidence in its ability to hold the line against Russian forces. This assertion comes in the wake of a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, one marked by President Donald Trump's recent decision to pause military aid to Kyiv. This move represents a striking pivot toward a more accommodating stance regarding Russia—a development that has left many observers questioning the implications for regional…

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…

NAIROBI, Kenya - In the bustling fields of central Kenya, where the sun casts long shadows over the lush green leaves of Khat, farmers halt their weary hands. This halt, however, is not for rest, but a cry for justice in the twisted mechanisms of commerce that link their fields to Somalia. Why, you might ask, would a thriving community decide to stop exporting their produce? It's a complex weave of economics and ethics, a tale that echoes powerfully in today's market-driven world. The quintessential Khat plant,…

Since the military coup in Niger in July 2023, former president Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have remained confined in a distressingly precarious situation. Their prolonged detention serves as a grim reminder of how swiftly political fortunes can shift and the consequent havoc it wreaks on lives. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent authority charged with scrutinizing cases of wrongful confinement, has labeled the incarceration of Bazoum and his spouse as arbitrary. Their conclusion…