East Africa

Migrants on bikes show up at the border between Russia and Finland in Salla, northern Finland on November 23, 2023. In response to the influx of asylum seekers from Russia, Finland plans to pass a law allowing border officials to stop them, risking a breach of international agreements. Last year, Finland closed its border with Russia due to a surge in arrivals from countries like Syria and Somalia. It accused Moscow of using migration as a tool against the EU, a claim the Kremlin denies. By joining NATO and signing a…

Qatar Charity (QC) constructed and furnished two mosques in Garuwe, Somalia, and the Charsadda region in Pakistan. The unveiling ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries. The Taiba Mosque, located in Garoowe, Somalia, was inaugurated in the presence of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Ali Warsame and Abdul Qadir Abdul Tahir Farah. Sheikh Warsame commended QC for its exceptional work in building the mosque to the highest standards. In Pakistan, a Jami Mosque was erected in the Charsadda district of Khyber…

The United Nations humanitarian agency has intensified its efforts to combat the cholera outbreak in Somalia, with the death toll rising to 120 since January. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported 10,647 new cases of cholera in seven states, resulting in a case fatality rate of 1.1 percent. Additional funding is necessary to address the needs of those affected, according to the OCHA's report released in Mogadishu, Somalia. The OCHA warned that heavy rainfall in the country could…

Gathering in Dhusamareb, Federal and Regional State Ministers of Internal Security and police leaders are meeting to address security matters amid ATMIS troops pulling out. The federal Security Minister, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Faratag, shared that the goal of this two-day gathering is to bolster police forces at both federal and state levels. Minister Faratag emphasized the significance of collaboration between Security Ministries and Police Commands at all levels to achieve the nation's security objectives. The Internal…

In Bosaso, five individuals linked to the al-Shabab terrorist group faced a Northeastern State military court. They were accused of transporting al-Shabab members for deadly missions in Bosaso using their vehicles. The prosecutor revealed that the men were apprehended after an inquiry into two murder cases in the area. The security police caught them along with their vehicle during the operation. Some of the suspects claimed they were coerced by al-Shabab threats, while others argued they were unaware of their association…

President William Ruto bids farewell to Deputy Rigathi Gachagua at JKIA before embarking on a three-day State visit to the US on May 19, 2024. President William Ruto has set off for a three-day state visit to the United States. He was seen off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Sunday night by his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua and other top government officials. “This visit is significant as it marks the first State Visit by a Kenyan Head of State in two decades and the first by an African Head of State since 2008,”…

Iran has lost President Ebrahim Raisi in a tragic helicopter crash in a mountainous area due to poor weather conditions. Raisi, a key figure in Iranian conservative politics, served as president for almost three years and was likely to run for re-election. Born in Mashhad, a significant religious center in northeastern Iran, Raisi received religious training in Qom under notable scholars, much like Ayatollah Khamenei. He was recognized as a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad, denoted by his black turban, similar to the…

In a recent development, former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has expressed his disagreement with the outcomes of the National Consultative Council meeting in Mogadishu, claiming that they are worsening political tensions in the country. Farmaajo criticized the decisions made at the meeting, stating that the absence of the Northeastern State leader hints at a lack of trust in the Council. He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of going against federalization and the democratization of Somalia. "It's…

Somalia Urged to Take Firm Action Against Officials Violating Citizens' Rights A UN human rights expert urged Somalia to tackle serious security challenges. During a visit, Isha Dyfan emphasized the impact on civilians, particularly women and children, targeted by Al-Shabaab terrorists. The expert condemned the ongoing deadly attacks by Al-Shabaab and called for the government to ensure civilian protection and hold armed groups accountable under international law. She also stressed the need for the government to prosecute…

A court filing from Kenyan lawyers reveals their efforts to stop the deployment of police to Haiti to address escalating violence. The High Court has ordered government officials to respond to the lawsuit by June 12. Last July, Kenya offered to send 1,000 officers to Haiti in response to a plea for help. However, the High Court ruled in January that deployment could not proceed without a proper agreement with the Haitian government. President William Ruto signed a security deal with Haiti's former prime minister in March…