East Africa

Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on Saturday launched a new round of talks mediated by the African Union (AU) on the disputed Blue Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project on the Blue Nile, which nations in subsequent countries fear could lead to further water shortages. The three-day talks held by President Felix Tshisekedi take place in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the current chairman of the AU. Egypt's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Cairo wants the negotiations to…

Somali military and Al-Shabaab claim victory in several attacks MOGADISHU, Somalia - The al-Qaeda-linked group, Al-Shabaab, claimed victory in several military base attacks in Somalia on Saturday morning, a claim that has been disputed by the federal government in Somalia and the military, which insisted that the militants be rejected. Fierce fighting was reported in Lower Shabelle…

Nine days after a group affiliated with the Islamic State captured the city of Palma, the Total group closed its gas station in northeastern Mozambique. The threat was undoubtedly too great for Total. Nine days after the attack on Palma by a jihadist group, a security source told AFP that the group evacuated all staff from…

Key talks to end dead end in Somalia start in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia - After many weeks of waiting, the highly anticipated meeting before the election between the federal government of Somalia and the federal member states started in Afisiyooni within Aden Adde International Airport, in what could solve Somalia's political impasse. The meeting, mediated by members of the…

In Madagascar, the Minister of Health announced on Thursday, April 1, that the country was following the facility for the Covax unit. Meanwhile, the second wave of coronavirus plunges the country into an increasingly serious health crisis, with 15 deaths recorded in 24 hours, on Wednesday 31 March. With our correspondent…

Kinshasa welcomes, from this Saturday, April 3 through Monday, a new round of negotiations around the construction site for the Renaissance dam. The Egyptian, Ethiopian and Sudanese foreign ministers will be present. Ethiopia has been building Africa's largest dam since 2011 on the Nile. Sudan and Egypt in particular fear an impact on their vital water reserves. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi…

Biden warns of the situation in Somalia when leaders convene a meeting WASHINGTON, USA - US President Joe Biden has written to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate President about the current situation in Somalia, a country that has struggled with insecurity for the past three decades following the fall of Siad Barre. The United States is one of the international partners that has…

Somali troops repel several Al-Shabaab attacks near the capital MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Qaeda-linked group Al-Shabaab claimed victory in several military bases in Somalia on Saturday morning, a claim that has been disputed by the federal government in Somalia and the military, which insisted the militants be expelled. Heavy fighting was reported in Lower Shebelle early Saturday…

More than a week after the spectacular and deadly attack on the city of Palma in the province of Cabo Delgado, by a local group affiliated with the Islamic State, President Filipe Nyusi spoke on Friday, April 2, in commemoration of Good Friday. He trusts God as survivors in shock continue to pour into cities that are still under government control.…

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has granted Somalia $970,000 additional interim assistance on lapse time basis under the enhanced Closely Indebted Deficient Countries (HIPC) initiative. This may increasingly cover Somalia’s debt service obligations for March 25, 2021 through to March 24, 2022. Interim assistance under the enhanced HIPC Initiative is debt relief granted on a country’s debt service falling due between the HIPC Decision and Completion Points. Once a country reaches the HIPC Completion Point, it will…