rising

Amidst a blazing inferno of a heatwave, South Sudan has decided to shutter all schools for the next fortnight. It's a move prompted by an alarming reality: some children have fainted under the intense sun. How did we get here? For the second year in succession, this nascent nation, already grappling with severe climate oddities that flood its lands in the rainy season, finds itself at odds with the February-March heat spikes. Deputy Education Minister Martin Tako Moi paints a vivid picture of an…

Recent findings emerging from a survey spearheaded by Afrobarometer in collaboration with local partners present compelling insights into public sentiment toward the judicial system in Liberia. The data reveals a notable rise in support for the court system, especially since the establishment of the Office for War and Economic Crimes by President Joseph Boakai. This favorable shift is particularly striking when juxtaposed with sentiments recorded in 2022. What might be driving this renewed faith in the judiciary? As we…

The ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern regions such as Goma, is reaching critical levels. Civilians, especially children, are bearing the brunt of this turmoil. According to UNICEF, the situation grows increasingly dire with each passing day. The refugee agency estimates that hundreds of thousands have been uprooted by the relentless fighting. Imagine for a moment the sheer chaos—a family that once shared laughter and meals finds itself scrambling for safety, with little to no…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Government of North Western State of Somalia has ushered in a fresh wave of initiatives aimed at re-establishing stability and reinforcing security in the Sanaag region, particularly in Erigavo. These actions are being implemented in the wake of recent clashes that forced an estimated 45,000 people from their homes, stirring concerns of further tensions. A high-caliber delegation, inclusive of members from North Western State of Somalia's legislative branches, announced a critical directive: the sole…

The United Nations has issued a stark warning: humanitarian needs in Gaza are severe, despite an uptick in aid flowing into the region following the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The ongoing struggles and challenges in the territory paint a vivid picture of a situation that remains dire. According to the UN's World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the fragile ceasefire, effective since January 19, has allowed for a more significant delivery of essential supplies to Gaza after a…

CAIRO - Egypt and Somalia have enthusiastically rolled up their sleeves, set to activate a long-anticipated military accord inked in 2024. Curious as to why? Well, these interesting developments seem likely to raise eyebrows over in Ethiopia. You see, a significant discussion hovers over the colossal Grand Renaissance Dam, a construction project that's become quite the bone of contention between Ethiopia and Cairo. Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt recently put pen to paper on…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a dramatic showdown that has taken the nation by storm, a gaggle of irate airlines has hit the brakes on both local and international flights on a day that will linger in the annals of aviation history — Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The core reason? An itchy battle over swelling fees slapped on carriers by Somalia’s federal administrators, an action akin to a sudden 'turkey dump' right before dessert. What’s the buzz all about? Let’s go for a nosedive into this unfolding aerial saga. The usually stoic…

On a bustling January day in 2025, the heart of Nairobi reverberates with the chants of protesters holding placards high above their heads. Their message is as resolute as the sun beating down upon Kimathi Street: an insistent demand for answers to what they allege is a troubling surge of enforced disappearances targeting vocal government critics. In the tangled and vibrant tapestry of Kenyan life, human rights groups have sounded the alarm, pointing accusing fingers at the police. They claim a systemic silencing of dissent…

Egypt's Firm Stand on Red Sea Military Presence Amid Rising Tensions with Ethiopia CAIRO - In an assertive move that echoes the phrase "not in my backyard," Egypt has taken a firm stance against the incursion of non-local military forces into the Red Sea. These decisive words come as Egypt once more throws its unwavering support behind Somalia, a nation locked in a tense diplomatic tango with Ethiopia. The latter’s cozy relations with the self-proclaimed independent…

Okay, picture this: a diplomatic tug-of-war, with all the drama of a soap opera. We've got Ethiopia pulling one way and Egypt yanking the other. It's a high-stakes chess game, and Somalia's caught in the middle like the poor pawn wishing it could just be a knight and leap out of the fray. Somalian Diplomacy in the Hot Seat: A Tale of Two Rivals and a Stuck-in-the-Middle ADDIS ABABA/MOGADISHU, Jan 12 – Rumor has it that Ethiopia's trying to swap out Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Fiqi, for a new face. But there’s a snag…