military

Somalia and Egypt Edge Closer on Defense — With the Nile Dispute in the Background MOGADISHU — Around a long wooden table inside Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, a quiet but consequential conversation unfolded this week. Somalia’s deputy defense minister and senior generals received Egypt’s defense attaché, Col. Ahmed Fathi Abdelsatar Al-Husseini, to discuss tighter military cooperation: more joint training, deeper coordination, and, according to Somali officials, a possible Egyptian role within the African Union’s security…

Behind the Lines: Ethiopia and Egypt's Tug of War Over Somali Peacekeeping The geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa is shifting, and at its heart lies a quietly simmering tension between two regional powers: Ethiopia and Egypt. The backdrop to this palpable unease is Somalia, a nation struggling to rebuild amidst the shadows of its past conflicts. As Cairo prepares to send troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), questions arise about the motives and implications of their…

markdown Quiet Victory in a Troubled Landscape: Kenya's Operation Against Al-Shabaab NAIROBI, Kenya - Nestled within the coastal Lamu County, a dense and mysterious woodland called Boni Forest covers the land—a forest that, for years, has sheltered both an array of wildlife and the ominous threat of Al-Shabaab militants. This week, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) marked a noteworthy victory in this shadowy theater of conflict. The Battle for Boni The KDF, alongside a multi-agency security task force, conducted a precision…

Escalating Tensions in Somalia: Ethiopian Troops Hit by Remote-Controlled Landmine In the isolated Waajid district of Somalia, a remote-controlled landmine attack marked another grim chapter in the ongoing struggle against insurgent violence. On Tuesday, a convoy of Ethiopian troops, part of the African Union peacekeeping mission, was struck, resulting in casualties, though the exact number remains undisclosed. This incident underscores the growing instability in the region, where hopes for peace are continuously thwarted…

The Cost of Accountability: Kenya’s Landmark Legal Battle with Britain NAIROBI, Kenya — The vast expanses of Lolldaiga Hills, home to resilient communities and rich biodiversity, have stood as silent witnesses to a historical shift in Kenya's legal landscape. For the first time, Britain has agreed to compensate Kenyans following military misconduct, an event that marks a turning point in the accountability of foreign forces operating abroad. A Fire’s Far-reaching Consequences In 2021, a persistent blaze engulfed more than…

According to reports from government officials and research organizations, Russia has been supplying North Korea with oil, anti-aircraft missiles, and financial aid in exchange for military personnel to bolster Moscow's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both the United States and South Korea have leveled accusations against the nuclear-capable North for dispatching over 10,000 troops to assist Russia in its battle against Ukraine. Analysts suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is keen on acquiring advanced military…

The wife of a prominent opposition leader claims he was whisked away in Nairobi, now languishing in a jail cell in Kampala, and she's pleading for his swift release. Renowned Ugandan political agitator, Kizza Besigye, made an appearance at the Makindye General Court Martial in Kampala on a date that will likely stick in minds: November 20, 2024 , amidst assertions of his abduction from neighboring Kenya. Besigye, age 68 and once a practicing doctor, is a formidable critic of President Yoweri Museveni. He was brought to…

On Monday, Ethiopia’s Defense Ministry firmly refuted rumors swirling around about a military helicopter accident near the northern city of Bahir Dar. They made it clear in a statement that there wasn't any mishap involving Ethiopian choppers, putting the kibosh on any flying mishaps tales out there. According to Borkena News, an online news source operating outside the country, Saturday brought forth claims accusing an Ethiopian Air Force helicopter of crashing in Bahir Dar. However, these articles were loose on details,…

Recent reports reveal that a significant number of Gabon’s 860,000 registered voters have chosen to support a new Constitution, which might mark an end to military governance, as disclosed by State Television. This important referendum has the potential to dismantle a political dynasty that the Bongo family has held onto for nearly six decades. The proposed Constitution is not just a piece of legislation; it embodies one of the key promises made by General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema following his seizure of power during…

In a chilling demonstration of control, the militant group Al-Shabab executed two young men in a remote village not far from Janale—roughly a stone's throw, or, to put it more precisely, about 90 kilometers, southwest of Mogadishu. On a rather somber Friday, eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene, which took place in Busley Daoud. This locale, firmly in the grip of Al-Shabab, witnessed this grim spectacle, the group’s message delivered with the brute force of gunfire. Busley Daoud's central square became the stage for…