presence

On a brisk February day, a pivotal moment unfurled that could be transformative for the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia and Somalia, nations with intertwined histories and shared challenges, came together to make significant strides in regional security. The significant visit of an Ethiopian delegation led by the resolute Field Marshal Birhanu Jula to Mogadishu was not just a formal gesture; it was emblematic of the potentials unlocked by collaboration. Rewind to a few weeks prior, an atmosphere of collaboration was sowed in…

In the quiet corners of West Africa, the landscape of military alliances is subtly shifting, as if echoing an unspoken dialogue between the past and the present. France, known for its significant military footprint across the African continent, has chosen a different path in recent months. This transformation, while not definitive, marks a chapter in the intricate narrative of international relations and defense strategies. During a ceremony in the vibrant heart of Côte d'Ivoire's capital, French Defence Minister…

U.S. Troops to Extend Somalia Stay Amidst ISIS and Al-Shabaab Threats MOGADISHU, Somalia - With an ever-present danger posed by the militants of IS-Somalia and Al-Shabaab, it seems the presence of the United States Africa Command in Somalia might continue longer than initially foreseen. These groups, notorious for their relentless influence, have brought tumult and discord to the Heart of Africa. During a recent discussion, Pete Hegseth,…

NAIROBI, Kenya - Picture this: Ethiopia, a nation entrenched in the heart of the Horn of Africa, is rethinking its military engagements within its own territories. The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) are pulling back from several locales, a move as bold as a lion's roar in the Serengeti. This ambitious recalibration aims to bolster Ethiopia's defense along its borders, where the stakes are as high as an elephant's eye. For generations, the Ethiopian government—ever like a diligent gardener—has deployed its…

As dawn broke on a chilly morning in Port-au-Prince, the sleepy Toussaint Louverture International Airport hummed with activity uncommon for its usual routine. Stepping off a plane, with an air of determined anticipation, came a fresh wave of Kenyan police officers, on a mission as vital as it is daunting. It's not every day you see a contingent of officers journeying halfway across the globe, but then again, this was no ordinary task. They were here for a cause that everyone hoped would become a beacon of hope for a…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has underscored its plan to maintain its soldiers in Somalia as a part of the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). But there’s a hefty roadblock: Somalia demands the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops unless Ethiopia cancels its controversial sea access deal with North Western State of Somalia, hinged on mutual recognition. This agreement strives to offer Ethiopia a path to the Red Sea if it acknowledges North Western State of Somalia’s autonomy,…

In a striking announcement, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s chief diplomat, articulated that the Ethiopian Embassy, nestled within the Somali Presidential Palace since 2007, would remain put for the moment, despite simmering discontent from the Somali authorities. Ethiopia set up its embassy in Villa Somalia after its military marched into Mogadishu in December 2006. This intervention was intended to bolster the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) against rebel factions, notably the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).Although…

Egyptian military advisors, instructors, and commandos are assisting Somali forces in battling Al Shabab militants.From left, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Photo: AFPEgypt is amplifying its military presence in Somalia ahead of Ethiopia's December 31 deadline to withdraw, concurrently training and aiding Somali forces against Al Qaeda-affiliated militants, sources revealed to The National on Tuesday.Both Egypt and Somalia, belonging to…

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, has firmly expressed his disapproval of Egypt's decision to deploy troops for peacekeeping in Somalia. His criticism comes amid discussions focused on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the envisioned African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), stirring the pot regarding Egypt's growing military ambitions in the Horn of Africa. The ongoing reevaluation of peacekeeping strategies in Somalia,…

Somali Leaders Hold Secretive Talks Over Ethiopian Troops MOGADISHU, Somalia — Amid swirling tensions around Ethiopian military presence, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is in a fragile negotiation with Abdiaziz Laftagareen, the president of Somalia's Southwest State, insiders disclosed Tuesday. The high-stakes meeting, shrouded in secrecy, seeks to tackle the thorny issue of Ethiopian soldiers jostling around Somalia's sovereignty and regional tranquility. This happens against the backdrop of geopolitical plays involving…