impact

By Ali Mohamed AliWednesday April 1, 2026 Illustrative photo  Somalia’s push to open its offshore waters to Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) could come at a steep environmental cost unless the country insists on a rigorous Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) carried out by an independent, technically qualified firm. Context: Planned Drilling by TPAO Somalia has already awarded TPAO exclusive rights to multiple offshore and onshore oil and gas blocks after the company completed extensive 2D and 3D seismic…

Somalia’s repeated election delays have become a central test for the country’s fragile democratic development and political stability. Elections in Somalia are closely tied to security, federal-state relations, and international support, meaning postponements can ripple across governance, public trust, and efforts to fight insurgency. This explainer breaks down what election delays typically mean in Somalia, why they happen, and how they can affect democracy and stability. What Happened Somalia has faced recurring…

Iran’s foreign minister said the killing of Ali Larijani will not destabilize the country’s leadership or governing system. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that the assassination of Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, would not shake the leadership or the system that, he said, the United States and Israel aim to dismantle. He spoke in an interview with Al Jazeera that aired after Iranian authorities confirmed Larijani’s death. Araghchi said Washington and Jerusalem have…

Somalia’s khat bill: How a daily airlift of mira to Mogadishu drains a fragile economy Somalia’s dependence on khat—known locally as qaad and as mira in Kenya—has evolved from a social habit into a structural economic liability. Official statements tabled in Kenya’s National Assembly on December 3, 2025, show just how lopsided the trade has become: Somalia is Kenya’s largest export destination for mira, accounting for more than 95 percent of Kenya’s total mira export volume. The crop supports an estimated 110,000 Kenyan…

Embracing AI in Journalism: A New Dawn for African Media On a balmy August morning in Nairobi, under the expansive African sky, journalists from across the continent gathered to explore an evolving frontier—Artificial Intelligence in journalism. The half-day workshop, "The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Its Impact on Journalism," organized by Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau, became a confluence of tradition and innovation, merging human stories with machine precision. A Meeting of Minds in Nairobi As I…

Benjamin Netanyahu has often expressed his belief that Donald Trump is arguably the best ally Israel has ever had in the Oval Office. In a bold display of support this week, the Israeli Prime Minister was among the first global leaders to extend his congratulations to Trump on his election victory, calling it "the greatest comeback in history." Such enthusiasm from Mr. Netanyahu comes as no big surprise. During Trump's initial term, he established himself as a fervent supporter of Israel. Among his many actions, the…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — An enormous wave of sadness has swept through Eastleigh, Nairobi, as the Somali community grapples with the tragic murders of three females from one family, found in separate parts of Kenya. Discovered on a Monday, the lifeless bodies of Waris Daud, her 22-year-old daughter Amina Abdirashid, and her 12-year-old niece Nuseiba Dahir, have left a trail of grief and unanswered questions. The trio vanished from their Eastleigh abode late Sunday night, never to return. The grim event has captured nationwide…

In a devastating turn of events, Hurricane Milton has claimed the lives of at least 11 individuals as it swept through Florida, unleashing tornadoes that wreaked havoc across the state. Authorities have reported widespread flooding, power outages, and various other troubles from what turned out to be a less catastrophic storm than initially predicted. Late Wednesday night, the hurricane roared across the region before moving out to sea, leaving behind a trail of destruction with roads blocked by fallen trees and tangled…

Israel has announced that it carried out strikes targeting the intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in Lebanon, evaluating the aftermath of these assaults after a series of actions aimed at high-ranking members of the group. Iran's Supreme Leader condemned these operations, calling them counterproductive. The air raid on Beirut formed part of a broader offensive that has displaced over 1.2 million people within Lebanon. Reports indicate that the attack focused on a potential successor to the Hezbollah leader, who was…

The Horn of Africa continues to grapple with aftershocks from Ethiopia’s agreement with North Western State of Somalia in January. This pact, which bestowed Ethiopian naval units access to North Western State of Somalia’s coastline, has sparked strife and intrigue across the region. In a twist, Hargeisa claims Ethiopia is mulling over acknowledging North Western State of Somalia’s boundaries, stirring the pot further. Fast forward nine months, and tensions escalate with new forces entering the fray, like Egypt making chummy…