East Africa

In Somalia, police in Jubaland state have apprehended four suspected pirates near the coastline amidst increasing piracy activities, particularly in the Horn of Africa country currently grappling with instability. The arrested pirates were allegedly scheming to launch attacks on ships within Somalia's waters around Kismayo, the administrative hub of Jubaland state. Following multinational military interventions, the region has shown signs of stability recently. The operation took place roughly 70 km south of Kismayo, the…

Lately, authorities in Egypt and Hamas have stated that the truce will unfold in phases, with Hamas releasing captives in exchange for Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza.It remains unclear whether the agreement will fulfill Hamas's main demand of ending the conflict and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.Hamas announced through a communication that their senior figure, Ismail Haniyeh, broke the news during a phone call with the Prime Minister of Qatar and Egypt's intelligence minister. The announcement sparked…

In Nairobi, Kenya and Somalia inked a set of crucial agreements on Monday, spanning political consultations, education, defense, foreign affairs, security, economy, trade, and social services. The signing, which took place in Nairobi during the third session of the Somalia-Kenya Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), represents a significant stride in bolstering the two nations' bilateral ties. Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, and Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia is currently facing severe flooding and mass displacement due to the ongoing Gu rains, impacting more than 163,400 individuals and displacing a minimum of 37,120, according to the most recent report by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Hirshabelle, Jubaland, and South West states have been particularly hard hit by the seasonal rains, disrupting the lives of thousands and overwhelming response teams. Responding to the escalating crisis, Somalia's Ministry of Environment…

During an interview with BBC Somali, Somaliland's Foreign Minister, Dr. Essa Kayd Mohamud, discussed the autonomous control of Somaliland's waters, making a clear distinction from Somalia's authority. Mohamud informed Turkey that access to Somaliland's shores is restricted, asserting the independent management of its maritime borders. Emphasizing Somaliland's stance, Mohamud expressed positivity regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia, dispelling concerns about its impact. He anticipates a smooth…

"The primary motivation for my mom to kickstart this venture was to expose the vibrant Somali culture to the Canadian populace while preserving tradition since Somalia predominantly relied on oral storytelling," shared Osman. He emphasized that the oral tradition lacked documentation, prompting his mother to ensure the history transcends generations. Moussa migrated to Canada in 1991 and invested six years in materializing her dream. Her goal was to educate her sons and the broader community about the allure of Somali…

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre touched down in Nairobi on Monday for the Kenya-Somalia Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) high-level conference happening from May 3 to 6, 2024. Top-ranking Kenyan government officials and Somali Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, enthusiastically greeted the Prime Minister's delegation at the airport. Ambassador Abdulle expressed to reporters, "Somalia and Kenya have never been closer. Prime Minister Barre's visit will strengthen this bond and create new opportunities…

In Kenya's western Nyando area, ongoing air and water operations are working to rescue families trapped in their homes due to sweeping floods. Last Saturday, the River Nyando overflowed, engulfing several villages and halting traffic on the busy Kisumu-Nairobi highway. More than 1,000 households were compelled to abandon their homes, as local media documented. Although no casualties have been reported yet, the water levels are continuing to rise, according to local authorities. A collaborative effort between the Kenya Red…

Somalia's PM Hamsa Abdi Barre arrives in Kenya for important meeting Nairobi - Somalia's Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre landed in Nairobi on Monday for a crucial discussion on economic cooperation with Kenya, a vital trade partner in the East African region. He was welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by senior Kenyan officials including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Barre is set to participate in the Joint Commission for Cooperation meeting in Nairobi and will…

The Ethiopian government has admitted to neglecting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland. Amid international pressure, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration failed to enforce the agreement, leaving diplomats in Addis Ababa concerned. Diplomatic sources revealed that Ethiopia assured Western diplomats of its commitment to upholding the territorial integrity and political unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia in line with the African Union Charter and international laws. Ethiopia clarified to…