withdraws

In a stark shift in its foreign aid strategy, the United States has decided to withhold $50 million in health assistance to Zambia. This decision stems from the alarming issue of "systematic theft" of donated drugs and medical supplies within the country. What does this mean for those in dire need of medical support? U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, expressed the gravity of this choice. He described it as a "difficult" but necessary step after countless warnings to the Zambian government about the importance of…

The Shift in Russia's Perspective on Aid to Africa In a thought-provoking shift, Russia has recently expressed its evolving stance concerning aid to Africa. Rather than promoting a model fraught with dependence, the Kremlin is advocating for a partnership built on mutual benefits—a refreshing departure from the traditional aid models that have often left African nations tethered to foreign benefactors. Is this real change, or merely a shift in rhetoric? With a world increasingly focused on…

North Western State of Somalia Withdraws from Talks Amid Tensions with Somalia HARGEISA, Somalia - In a dramatic development on the Horn of Africa's diplomatic scene, North Western State of Somalia has announced its withdrawal from ongoing talks with the Somali government. The spark? A contentious visit by Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to the disputed SSC-Khatumo region, which North Western State of Somalia has described as "a calculated provocation and a…

Columbia University Faces Federal Funding Cuts Amidst Controversy In a surprising twist last Friday, the Trump administration announced its decision to cut approximately $400 million worth of federal contracts and grants to Columbia University. This substantial figure accounts for nearly 8% of the university’s current $5 billion portfolio in federal grant commitments. A bold move, isn’t it? Yet, it wasn't entirely unexpected given the atmosphere of heightened scrutiny towards educational…

The landscape of international climate finance is witnessing a significant shift as the United States retreats from a massive $9.3 billion initiative. This pact was originally designed to assist developing nations in moving away from their reliance on coal and transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions. Let's take a journey back to 2021. It was then, amidst the buzzing atmosphere of the UN climate talks held in Glasgow, Scotland, that the Just Energy Transition Partnership was born. Comprised of…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring Mogadishu (AX) – A Persistent Tug-of-War for Financial Stability in Somalia In the theater of international politics and finance, Somalia finds itself grappling with a formidable challenge. Just recently, the United States announced a significant cut in funding to Somalia's elite Danab special forces unit, a brigade renowned for its prowess in counter-terrorism. Alongside this, billions of dollars in grants that predominantly flowed through the U.S. Agency for…

ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau: A Tense Political Landscape In a recent, unfolding drama that gripped West Africa, the regional bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) revealed an unexpected development. Its delegation stationed in Guinea-Bissau abruptly exited the nation on the first day of March. This sudden departure was precipitated by a startling ultimatum from the country's leader, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who threatened to expel the mission. It begs the question:…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a pivotal twist of regional dynamics, Burundi has commenced the withdrawal of its troops from Somalia. This move marks the end of an 18-year era of military involvement under the auspices of the African Union's peacekeeping initiatives. But what's driving this significant change? The roots trace back to a contention over troop contributions to the recently minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, which took the baton from the African Union Transition Mission in…

Burundi Troops Leave Somalia Amid AUSSOM Force Size Dispute MOGADISHU, Somalia - Burundi's bold decision to withdraw its troops from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) echoes a significant diplomatic rift. This decision unfurls a tapestry of questions and challenges amid an already complex scenario in the Horn of Africa. What exactly prompted this exit, and what are its implications for the region struggling against the tide of extremism? Once heralded as a symbol of collaborative…

Burundian Troops to Exit Somalia as Egypt Joins AU Mission Mogadishu, Somalia — The landscape of peacekeeping efforts in Somalia is undergoing a noteworthy shift. Following unsettling negotiations that failed to hit a conciliatory note, Burundian troops are poised to exit Somalia. This development arises due to a stalemate in discussions between Somalia's federal government and Burundi regarding the precise number of troops to be deployed under the African…