regional

In the ever-changing landscape of international diplomacy, moments arise where collective action speaks louder than individual efforts. Recently, such a moment was captured when Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre joined an essential virtual gathering of leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The backdrop of their discussion was the increasingly troubling security situation unraveling in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The dialogue,…

On a notable Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi welcomed Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh to Cairo, sparking a crucial dialogue on regional security, the nuanced challenges in Somalia, the fragile state of Sudan, and the delicate balance of Red Sea security. This pivotal meeting came against a backdrop filled with concern over Ethiopia's persistent aspirations for sea access, a country that remains landlocked yet ambitiously forward-thinking. The discussions were graced by the esteemed presence of…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in a bid to illuminate the economic ripples of regional tension, unveiled a worrying revelation on Monday. The Suez Canal, a crucial artery of global maritime trade, is hemorrhaging approximately $800 million every month. A staggering loss underscored by growing instability in the region. This shortfall not only poses a threat to Egypt’s economic engine but also raises a question: What are the far-reaching consequences of such financial hemorrhage on global…

Mogadishu: Dynamics Within the Somali Presidency In a move that caught many by surprise, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially relieved Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim Qoone from his advisory role on inter-regional affairs this past Sunday. The decision, formally announced through a presidential decree, sparked curiosity and contemplation across the political landscape of Mogadishu. It left some asking: What prompts such a decision in these turbulent times? "Leaders are expected…

ECOWAS Currency: Bridging West Africa The idea of a unified West African currency, known as the Eco, is as ambitious as it is inspiring. Imagine a future where crossing borders within West Africa doesn’t involve exchanging currencies—a future where trade and interaction flow seamlessly across countries. This is the vision behind the Eco, a currency anticipated to act as a unified medium of exchange, fostering trade and economic unity across the region. During a meeting held in Abuja—the heart of Nigeria’s administrative…

The decision to initially prevent Nigerians with ECOWAS passports from entering Niger stems from the nation's recent withdrawal from the West African regional group known as ECOWAS. But why such a drastic move? It all circles back to the political tremors reverberating through the region. Niger's exit—occurring alongside fellow nations Mali and Burkina Faso—followed a trio of coups that placed military governments at their helm. Some attempts at negotiations fell flat, and eventually, their departure was solidified in…

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki (L) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (R) appear together during a past diplomatic sojourn. CREDIT / EPC Mogadishu (AX) — In recent developments, Eritrea has firmly rebutted allegations by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, who suggested that Eritrea is preparing for military conflict against Ethiopia. Eritrea swiftly labeled these claims as unfounded, attributing them to an attempt to deflect from Ethiopia's internal challenges. Teshome, speaking through Al Jazeera, pointed…

This past weekend, regional dignitaries from southern and eastern Africa gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's bustling capital. Their agenda? To address the increasingly perilous situation unfolding in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There, M23 rebels have rapidly seized control of significant territories in a region blessed with abundant minerals. But can mere discussions truly pave the way for peace amidst such turmoil? Experts observing the proceedings noted a deeply entrenched discord among the leaders,…

The idea that the United States could assume control over Gaza and propel its economic development is not just ambitious; it strikes at the very core of the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. For Palestinians in Gaza, a densely populated enclave previously home to about 2.3 million people, such a prospect is more than a political maneuver—it stirs deep-seated anxieties of displacement reminiscent of a past marked by catastrophe. Would history, as it often does, repeat itself for those who have already endured so much? The…

Mogadishu (AX) — Imagine a bustling city square in Mogadishu, where purposeful steps echo on the pavement, and the air is charged with political ambitions tinged with skepticism. Somalia’s federal government finds itself in an ideological whirlpool, debating the merits and pitfalls of extending regional state leaders’ terms. This move, they argue, is a deliberate gambit toward transforming Somalia's electoral landscape into a "one person, one vote" democracy—a tantalizing prospect for many but fraught with complexities and…