East Africa

Binti Ali Wardhere’s story begins with a quiet loss: irreparable, yet all too common amid Mogadishu’s wartime tumult. The tragedies she faced on an otherwise unremarkable October day in 1993 echo through her every thought, a reminder of the events tied to the notorious moniker "Black Hawk Down." Surprisingly, this phrase—popularized by a Hollywood blockbuster—synonymizes with the infamous 1993 U.S. military catastrophe in Somalia. On October 3rd, eighteen American soldiers perished, accompanied by the anguished…

Sam Nujoma, the renowned activist and guerrilla leader who cemented his legacy as Namibia’s first democratically elected president, has passed away at the age of 95. His journey through the tumultuous path to independence from apartheid South Africa is marked by determination, vision, and an unwavering commitment to his people's freedom. In the 1960s, Nujoma was instrumental in founding the South West People’s Organization (Swapo), a movement that became synonymous with Namibia’s struggle for liberation. Undertaking immense…

The summit in Tanzania was a convergence of distinguished figures, uniting the leaders of both the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community. Africa's illuminated heads of state gathered, not just to exchange pleasantries, but to address the escalating calamity in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Their unified resolution was clear: military leaders would convene within a mere half-decade to chart the course for an instantaneous and unequivocal cessation of hostilities. The…

President Will Ruto addresses Wajir residents during his North Eastern tour on February 5th, 2025. President William Ruto's recent journey across North Eastern Kenya has stirred a complex array of questions and controversies, shaking the dusty plains where political ambitions converge with historical anomalies. Is this sojourn about redressing the historical marginalization of the Somali community in Kenya, or does it signal an opportunistic ploy to bolster electoral figures with potential foreign influence? As the 2027…

Mogadishu (AX) – Gathered in the vibrant city of Dar es Salaam, leaders from across East and Southern Africa came together in a pivotal summit, as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visibly immersed himself last Saturday. The extraordinary meeting was a collective endeavor by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bold attempt to untangle the turbulent web of conflict that has recently engulfed the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The…

The unpredictable corridors of power opened their doors on February 4, 2025, as US President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into the Oval Office. An occasion captured in time by Evan Vucci's lens for the Associated Press, the meeting hinted at a controversial geopolitical chess move: relocating Gazans from their besieged enclave. But relocate to where? The eyes of Israeli and US officials are turning toward Morocco and two autonomous Somali regions—Northeastern State and North Western State…

In a resolute stride toward equity in public service, President William Ruto inaugurated Kenya's 10th immigration office on Thursday, nestled in the heart of Garissa County. This significant move aims to streamline the passport application process for the residents of Northern Kenya. But why is this such a momentous occasion? Picture a resident from Mandera, Wajir, or Tana River, trekking arduous journeys to Nairobi, Mombasa, or Nakuru merely to procure a passport. The inconvenience and costs add up, don't they? Now, with a…

In a significant development on Thursday, Kenya announced that it had dispatched 144 additional police officers to join the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, aiming to combat the persistent specter of gang violence plaguing the Caribbean nation. This fresh contingent is part of an endeavor strikingly complex yet courageously undertaken. Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, detailed that the group includes 120 men and 24 women. They are…

Vaccination Against Mpox South Sudan has encountered its inaugural case of mpox, as confirmed last Friday—a grim milestone that has placed the nation on high alert. The discovery was made when a patient succumbed to the clutches of this rare virus, following a gauntlet of diagnostic tests. James Hoth Mai, serving as Acting Health Minister, illuminated the details during a press briefing held in the pulsating heart of Juba. On January 22, a patient first displayed harrowing symptoms, including fever, a…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the vibrant city of Kampala, a significant meeting unfolded between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. Their conversation was peppered with discussions on deepening the bonds between their nations, with an emphasis on security, economic growth, and collaborative measures against the specter of terrorism. The dialogue between the two leaders wasn't merely a formal exchange. Instead, it was imbued with the kind of warmth and understanding that often arises…