influence

Egypt Plans Military Deployment in Somalia to Challenge Ethiopia's Influence in the Horn CAIRO, Egypt — As whispers circulate throughout the region, Egypt's gearing up to dispatch its military might to the rugged terrains of Somalia. This bold move is seen as a counterpunch to Ethiopia's growing hold over the Horn of Africa's geopolitical landscape, with Cairo eyeing a pivotal foothold to command the bustling waters of the Red Sea. Under the shadow of these regional chess games, Cairo will host powwows with Somalia from…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has openly criticized the recent online discussions regarding child sexual exploitation, labeling them as riddled with falsehoods. He accused certain politicians of opportunistically capitalizing on sensationalized narratives, essentially "jumping on the bandwagon." In response to a rash of provocative posts from Tesla titan Elon Musk, Mr. Starmer remarked that "a line has been crossed" when individuals, including safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, face serious threats due to the…

Last night, the iconic singer Beyoncé graced a rally for Kamala Harris in Houston. This wasn’t a concert; rather, it marked her debut political appearance during this election cycle, a pivotal moment for the Democratic presidential candidate. Beyoncé, who hails from Houston, stepped onto the stage to an ecstatic ovation from approximately 30,000 attendees gathered for Vice President Harris' rally focused on abortion rights. She was joined by fellow Destiny's Child alum Kelly Rowland, who also solidifies her place in the…

Putin Shrugs Off Western Estrangement at BRICS Gathering, Plays Host to 36 Dignitaries to Boost Worldwide Clout KAZAN, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin made a splashy comeback on the world platform, gathering 36 international figures at the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan. His move highlights Russia's undiminished sway, despite global attempts to sideline the nation over the Ukraine conflict. Held from October 22 to 24, 2024, this summit is a strategic gambit by Putin, signaling unity with the broadened BRICS posse…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a noteworthy pivot, Somalia's government has given the nod for Egyptian forces to step into the shoes of Ethiopian troops in the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), following a significant security agreement inked in August. Villa Somalia has thrown its support behind Egypt to spearhead AUSSOM, prompting Egypt to send preliminary teams to aid the Somali National Army (SNA), focusing on strategic routes often disrupted by the notorious Al-Shabaab militants.…

How Digital Banking is Transforming Somalia's Economy MOGADISHU, Somalia - The digital tidal wave sweeping through banking is poised to reshape Somalia's economic landscape, which is currently on an upswing thanks to improved security in various locales. Somalia's National Digital ID initiative aims to revolutionize banking services, spurred on by a collaboration between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA). Abdiwali Tima'adde, the top honcho at NIRA, believes…

The defense deal between Egypt and Somalia has stirred up worries about Cairo's clout in the Horn of Africa. Recently, Egypt and Somalia have been engaging in high-level security discussions. These talks focus on the stationing of Egyptian forces as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). This move has sparked regional apprehensions regarding Egypt's growing strategic and military sway in the Horn of Africa. According to a senior Egyptian security official, "A significant meeting took place in Mogadishu…

In the spotlight, we see prominent figures like Egypt's el-Sisi, Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrea's Isaias Afwerki, accompanied by former Somali leader Farmaajo and Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed. In recent happenings in Mogadishu (AX), a fresh alliance has been brewed between Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt. This unexpected coalition marks a significant turning point in the state of affairs in the Horn of Africa. The pact, unveiled during a gathering in Asmara, brings Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrean leader…

In Asmara, Eritrea, on October 9, 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held bilateral meetings to discuss enhancing military cooperation and strengthening their relationship amidst regional shifts. Credit: Villa Somalia Somalia's leader, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, touched down in Asmara, Eritrea, this past Wednesday for a formal visit. Since taking the helm in 2022, this marks his fourth voyage. It's likely geared toward boosting a developing alliance among Somalia,…