initiative

MOGADISHU – In a bid that feels somewhat like pulling rabbits out of a hat, Somalia is striving to open doors for Ethiopia in the troop lineup for the newly envisioned African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, affectionately coined AUSSOM. Diving deep into these waters, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Balcad, steps into the limelight with the declaration. It’s possible you’ve already guessed: he has quite a task ahead of him. Minister Balcad, speaking with an air of resolve, pointed out that the meticulous…

Meta Bids Adieu to Fact-Checking: A New Era of Free Speech or Chaos? WASHINGTON/MOGADISHU, Jan 12 As the Political Circus Returns, Meta Tosses Its Fact-Checking Habit So, here we are, folks! Meta, you know, the conglomerate behind the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and the new kid on the block, Threads, has declared the dissolution of its once shiny third-party fact-checking program. This cocktail party gem, in place since 2016, just got the ax. And with former President Donald Trump eyeing a return to the…

Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopia is embarking on an ambitious venture to irrigate more than 112,000 hectares of land in its often-neglected Somali region. This initiative, greeted with enthusiasm by local communities, is seen as a pivotal step towards transforming one of the nation's least developed territories. Orchestrated by the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowland Areas, this effort aims not only to rejuvenate arid fields but also to uplift the lives of countless residents. Having officially unveiled the Gode Irrigation…

A collaborative effort among various firms has welcomed the arrival of the initial set of 275 container wagons, designed to boost the transport capabilities of the Lobito Corridor project. This ambitious railway initiative stretches from Angola's Lobito port, reaching into the Democratic Republic of Congo and extending to Zambia. Unveiled in 2023 as part of the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, this corridor is backed by both the United States and the European Union. Once fully operational, it…

In the sun-whipped regions of Somalia, where the ground rarely sees rain, date palm trees have become indispensable allies for rural folks. They’re not just green life in the dry, they’re a lifeline, putting food on tables and coins in pockets. It’s been nearly ten years since the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) rolled out its initiative to boost these trusty trees here, and guess what? They’re still standing strong against climate’s curveballs, offering a smidgen of stability where it's needed most. CREDIT/…

Qatar Charity, teaming up with UNICEF, has kicked off a vital nutrition initiative aimed at alleviating hunger among children in Somalia's displacement camps near Mogadishu—a region heavily impacted by drought-related displacement. This project, a beacon of hope, is set to aid more than 3,000 young ones in dire need of nutritional support. The primary goal here? To nourish children aged 6 months to 5 years, addressing malnutrition head-on and ensuring their basic dietary needs are met. As of now, the initiative has already…

Somalia Blocks Ethiopia from Joining New AU Mission, Citing Sovereignty Issues MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's Defense Ministry declared on Friday that Ethiopia will be excluded from the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), expected to begin in January 2025. This edict comes amid a pivotal moment in the Horn of Africa, which grapples with the persistent menace of Al-Shabaab. Somalia contends that Ethiopia has overstepped its boundaries, encroaching on Somali sovereignty after…

Reporters from Bush Radio, a community radio station based in South Africa, are currently sharing their insights live from New York as part of an ambitious 14-month initiative. This project, aptly named "Strengthening Democratic Values through Cross-Cultural Journalistic Collaboration," seeks to enhance journalistic ties between South Africa and the United States. At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to nurturing up-and-coming journalists from both countries. Together, they aim to tackle the pervasive issues of…

Chad has launched a comprehensive vaccination initiative that includes the R21 malaria vaccine, representing a significant advancement in safeguarding the health of its younger population. This ambitious campaign is set to provide the PCV13, rotavirus, and malaria vaccines to an impressive total of 19.7 million children aged between six months and five years. Notably, the malaria vaccine will specifically benefit 168,522 children across 28 targeted districts. By incorporating the malaria vaccine into its national…

The African School of Governance (ASG), a visionary initiative spearheaded by H.E. Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, alongside H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, has officially opened its doors in the vibrant city of Kigali. This remarkable undertaking is bolstered by a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which aligns with its Young Africa Works Strategy. At the helm of ASG is Professor Kingsley Moghalu, who serves as its inaugural president. He is supported by a diverse and…