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Ceasefire’s fragile calm: a pause that forces questions about Gaza’s future The quiet that fell over Gaza for a third day was not the deep silence of peace so much as the cautious hush of people catching their breath. A US-mediated truce has created a narrow corridor for the release of hostages, the return of displaced families and a summit in Egypt billed as the moment to “end the war.” But beneath the immediate relief — and the carefully choreographed optimism in Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh — lie hard political choices…

Somalia’s Quiet Test of Federalism: A New State’s Speaker Knocks on Mogadishu’s Door In the thick summer heat of Mogadishu, a meeting that might have gone unnoticed told a larger story about where Somalia’s fragile federal experiment may be heading. On Tuesday, Abdullahi Ali Hirsi Timacadde, the Second Deputy Speaker of Somalia’s Upper House, hosted Dr. Adan Abdullahi Aw-Hassan, the Speaker of the North Eastern State Parliament, for talks that were part ceremony, part signal, and all politics. The official readout was…

Somalia Looks to Kuwait’s Quiet Power as UN Gathering Turns to Deals, Not Declarations On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sat down with Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, for the kind of conversation that rarely makes headlines but often shapes outcomes. The readouts were restrained: talks of strengthening ties, shared views on regional security, fresh avenues in trade and development. Yet the presence of Kuwait’s…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a balmy Wednesday evening in the heart of Mogadishu, Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre welcomed Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita of Djibouti's Parliament and his team to discuss fortifying the ties between their two nations.The Prime Minister underscored the crucial partnership between Somalia and Djibouti, emphasizing shared goals like development, mutual admiration, and maintaining peace. He extended heartfelt thanks to Djibouti for its unwavering backing in Somalia's journey of…

On a Monday rendezvous in Nairobi, Kenya's President William Ruto held discussions with William Burns, the CIA Director, while joined by Noordin Haji, Ruto's African counterpart. Fast-forward two years since the Ethiopian Tigray conflict reached a resolution on October 28, 2022. Although the peace pact supposedly ended hostilities, experts contend that thorny issues still linger unresolved. Tune into today's VOA 60 for more updates on developments across Africa.

Chatfest Between Putin and Ethiopian Leader Abiy Ahmed Rocks the BRICS Bash KAZAN, Russia — In the bustling metropolis of Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed huddled during the BRICS shindig, diving into ways to solidify their alliance and dig up new collaborative ventures within the ever-growing BRICS family. Spanning from October 22 to 24, this pow-wow was one of the headline events at this year’s summit, featuring movers and shakers from 36 nations. Russia has pulled out all…

In Mogadishu, Saturday saw a noteworthy tête-à-tête at Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi welcomed Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu. They focused on nurturing the diplomatic bonds between their two nations. Ambassador Wang Yu launched into a round of applause for Minister Fiqi's stalwart defense of Somali sovereignty. He pledged China's unwavering backing for Somalia's independence and unity. The ambassador also spotlighted the decade-long presence of China's embassy in Somalia,…

Meryl Streep shines brightly as one of the finest talents in Hollywood, but her recent appearance at the United Nations highlighted a different mission: advocating for the women of Afghanistan. These women, stripped of their right to self-expression under Taliban rule, face astonishing limitations on their lives. A recent UN report paints a grim picture of the situation, asserting that for the last three years, the Taliban regime has systematically "erased women from Afghanistan's public sphere." True to these findings, at…

Folks gathered at the University of Nairobi in Kenya on September 13, 2024, to delve into "Strengthening Sino-African Relations: Reflections on Two Decades of FOCAC". The event, held last Friday, examined the significant milestones since the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicked off over 20 years ago. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) This insightful seminar took place on a Friday in the heart of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, scrutinizing key achievements since FOCAC's inception over two decades ago. High-profile…

Security and Climate Summit Takes Place in Mogadishu The bustling city of Mogadishu recently hosted a groundbreaking conference focused on the dual challenges of security and climate change impacting Somalia. “Today’s gathering holds immense significance, as it unites individuals from the climate sector with security professionals, and vice versa,” remarked Christophe Hodder, the UN advisor on climate, security, and the environment, during a conversation with Anadolu. His words underscored the urgency for collaborative…