regional

Plans are brewing to safeguard Red Sea shipping routes disrupted by attacks from Iran-backed insurgents in Yemen. In a significant moment, Ethiopia's Premier Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki shared an emotional embrace after signing a historic truce in 2018. Reuters Egypt and Eritrea are contemplating a military partnership and intelligence exchange to reinforce their already strong bond, insiders say. According to sources, the agreement would detail measures to protect Red Sea shipping, disturbed by…

Mogadishu (AX) – Monday saw Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the big cheese at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), touch down in Mogadishu for a chinwag with Somali bigwigs, aiming to boost ties between Somalia and IGAD. In a sit-down with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, they chewed over burning regional issues like security hurdles, economic hook-ups, and IGAD's ongoing projects in Somalia. President Hassan doubled down on Somalia's resolve to tighten bonds with IGAD and to play a pivotal role in the…

On a sunny Sunday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for an official visit. Tagging along with him were Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk and Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib. Mohamed El-Homsani, the spokesperson for the Cabinet, remarked that the visit exemplifies the strong bond and mutual interests between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. As both nations navigate a time of heightened collaboration, they look to bolster their strategic alliance and tackle regional…

U.S. Envoy Stands Firm with Somalia, Urges Peaceful Solutions Amid Regional Strife ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — U.S. Special Envoy Mike Hammer made it unequivocally clear: Washington backs Somalia's territorial sovereignty. From within the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Hammer's words carried weight, "Hear this plainly, the United States stands with Somalia's sovereignty and unity, firmly and clearly." The backdrop to Hammer's declaration involves a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and…

Mogadishu (AX) — Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), landed in Mogadishu on Monday for high-stakes powwows with Somali leaders. Somalia's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moallin Fiqi, along with other dignitaries, greeted the IGAD delegation upon their arrival at Aden Adde Airport. The visit aims to bolster ties between IGAD and Somalia, honing in on critical matters like regional security, climate change, and the inception of a Blue Economy Centre of Excellence in…

Somaliland's Determined Pursuit of Red Sea Access Amid Neighborly Strains HARGEISA, Somalia - Somaliland, the self-declared independent region, has reiterated that their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia regarding access to the Red Sea is nearly finalized. Only the legal formalities await completion now. Essa Kayd, the Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister, shared this update with diplomats in Hargeisa. He deemed the advancement as 'momentous and imminent.' Months back, Kayd indicated the…

Press Photo On Sunday, Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expats Minister, got together with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his Emirati counterpart, in Abu Dhabi. This gathering also included UAE's State Minister for African Affairs, Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Nahyan, along with Ambassador Lana Nassiba, the Special Envoy to the EU, and Sherif Eissa, the Egyptian Ambassador. Abdelatty praised the blossoming relationship between Egypt and the UAE, pointing out how various fields…

Somali Minister Warns Regional President Over Support for Ethiopian Forces In a recent address, Laftagareen drew a poignant comparison between 25 MPs who side with the South West State populace and the iconic Somali Youth League (SYL) heroes. "Those MPs standing with their people's will are reminiscent of the 13 SYL members," he noted. As a foundational political entity in Somalia, the SYL spearheaded the independence movement during the mid-20th century, laying down a legacy from 1940s through the 1960s. Emphasizing the…

Tensions Rise as Regional Health Ministries Clash with Federal Government Over Cooperation Mogadishu (AX) — An alarming rift has emerged between the federal government of Somalia and the regional health ministries, alongside the Banadir region. This discord pertains to the cessation of collaborative efforts essential for the provision of health services. In a united statement released on Sunday, these regional bodies accused the Federal Ministry of Health of unceremoniously halting cooperation. They highlighted a…

Abiy Ahmed Issues Strong Warning on Ethiopia's Sovereignty Amid Escalating Regional Tensions In the midst of rising diplomatic chills, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has cautioned against any infringement on Ethiopia's territorial autonomy. This tension primarily springs from Ethiopia's recent pact with Somaliland, a self-proclaimed independent territory within Somalia. The Somali federal government, staunchly opposed to Somaliland's statehood, has threatened to evict Ethiopian forces unless this agreement is retracted. To…