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Somalia's Democratic Leap: The Road to One-Person, One-Vote Mogadishu (AX) — In the bustling corridors of Somalia's political heart, the visionary journey toward a one-person, one-vote electoral system is unfurling with vibrant ambition. On a crisp Monday morning, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, the steely chairperson of Somalia’s Electoral Commission, engaged in earnest dialogue with the European Union Ambassador, Karin Johansson. Their tête-à-tête was a symphony of democratic dreams and international solidarity.…

Following the whirlwind events of the U.S. elections in November 2020, President Biden’s administration paused, opting to re-evaluate portions of an existing trade pact before rolling out a new series of discussions. Fast forward to August 2022, Kenya witnessed a leadership shift as former Deputy President William Ruto rose to the presidency, taking the reins in the ongoing negotiation process. The buzz around these trade talks, formally known as the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP), brims with optimism in…

Kenya and Somalia: Building Bridges on Security and Cooperation In a recent pow-wow at Nairobi's State House, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Kenyan President William Ruto rolled up their sleeves to hash out a seamless handover for regional security. This pivotal transfer, set to launch in January 2025, will see the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) morph into the newly minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Monday saw President Mohamud touchdown…

Polling stations across Mozambique have swung wide open for a gripping general election. Citizens are stepping up to the ballot box to choose a new president, provincial governors, and representatives for parliament. At the forefront of the race is the ruling party, Frelimo, putting forth the candidacy of Daniel Chapo. Chapo aims to take the helm from Filipe Nyusi, the sitting president who has served a full two-term limit. Frelimo has exerted control over Mozambique since it gained independence from Portuguese colonial…

Somalia: Dahabshiil's Walk Back on 'North Western State of Somalia' Spurs Outrage — Dahabshiil, a major player in Somali money transfers, has acquiesced to a directive from Somalia's Federal Government, removing any mention of "North Western State of Somalia" from its platforms. This decision has sparked considerable backlash in the self-declared independent region of North Western State of Somalia. To many in North Western State of Somalia, this decision feels like a deep betrayal. It follows the path taken by…

Egypt and Ethiopia have been butting heads for the past decade over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) that Ethiopia’s been constructing. This hydroelectric behemoth has Egypt jittery, fearing it could mess up its water security downstream. With construction almost done and the first sparks of power generation already humming, GERD is a reality Egypt can't ignore anymore. So far, Egypt's kept its response diplomatic. They’ve fired off letters to the U.N. Security Council, accusing Ethiopia of flouting international…

After Somalia, Qatar and the UAE shift their focus to Sudan Khartoum, Sudan - As part of increasing its holdings in Africa, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates has continued to venture into Africa with the aim of expanding its markets and perhaps political influence on the young continent. Last week, there were reports that the outgoing president of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, had…

KISMAYO, Somalia | The incumbent Jubaland security minister Abdirashid Janaan has been formally fired after switching allegiance to the Mogadishu administration, despite working closely with the regional government under President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe. Several sources had suggested to Axadlethat Janan, who hails from the Gedo region, was planning to formally move his loyalty to outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, with whom he had disagreed. And Jubaland, who apparently had intelligence reports, fired…