East Africa

Understanding the Persistent Threats: Pirates and Cruise Ships Imagine a serene cruise vacation turning into a scenario plucked from the pages of an adventure thriller. It's unsettling to even contemplate, isn't it? Yet history recounts moments when cruise ships found themselves under the menacing gaze of pirates. During a particularly audacious incident, passengers even resorted to throwing furniture in a bid to deter their attackers. Could this peril still lurk beneath the sunlit waves, and how do these magnificent…

Gather around, for an event that promises to illuminate not just the night, but the entire continent of Africa. On April 12th, the illustrious Savoy Hotel in Marrakesh will open its doors to a pan-African celebration. This comes after the well-received gatherings in Kigali, Rwanda, and Lagos, Nigeria, during the years 2023 and 2024, respectively. These prior events were not just successful; they were a testament to Africa's potential and the spirit of innovation. What makes the pan-African…

Rukia Mohamed, A Beacon for the Garissa County Peace Movement /STEPHEN ASTARIKO Amidst the chatter and exchanges of a bustling community forum in Garissa, a significant message resonated—a clarion call for vigilance. Rukia Mohamed, a vital voice anchoring the Garissa County peace initiative, shared a heartfelt plea. “Youth in Garissa, heed this: be aware of the shadows in our midst,” she urged. Her words were not mere caution but a somber reminder of the peril that lurks in the form of human traffickers, those stealthy…

In a fervent appeal to his fellow leaders across the African continent, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has spotlighted the imperative of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into Africa’s roadmap for the future. He emphasized that the stakes for Africa are monumental, warning that if strategic measures are not implemented, the continent risks falling further behind in an era defined by technological advancement. Kagame articulated a compelling vision during a recent summit, asserting that Africa "urgently" requires…

Since its inception in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been an essential pillar of the U.S.'s economic strategy to foster trade and engender goodwill with the nations of Africa. AGOA is not merely an economic policy—it is a bridge of mutual opportunity extending across oceans. By granting eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market, AGOA extends its hand to over 1,800 products. This adds to the more than 5,000 products that already…

Imagine a place rich with minerals, a land that holds the keys to future technologies. This is the Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation blessed with enormous reserves of cobalt, lithium, and uranium. It's here where the United States is setting its sights, engaging in high-stakes discussions to inject billions of dollars in investment while hoping to contribute to the resolution of ongoing conflicts plaguing the country's eastern region. The Congolese government has been grappling with the persistent threat…

For decades, USAID has been a cornerstone of numerous development projects across Africa. This support has primarily focused on the critical areas of health, education, economic growth, and humanitarian aid. Each of these sectors serves as a life raft for communities striving to rise above poverty and illness. Yet, let us ponder for a moment—what happens when the tide of support suddenly shifts? The Trump administration, bringing a gust of new policies, stirred these…

The recent recovery of 258 victims from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as reported by Ibuka, the genocide survivors' association, has cast a somber shadow over Ngoma Sector in Huye District. This initiative to unearth long-buried truths began a fortnight ago, specifically in Matyazo Cell, Kamucuzi Village, where the harrowing discovery of four bodies was made within an abandoned pit latrine. Such sites, once commonplace due to the heinous acts that took place there, bear witness to unspeakable tragedies. The unearthed…

In a vibrant gathering in Maua town, the heart of Igembe South, President William Ruto took to the stage on the second day of his tour around Mount Kenya. It was a clear, sunny Wednesday — the perfect backdrop for a dialogue on fostering economic growth and shielding local farmers from the menacing grip of cartels. Have you ever pondered the deep roots these challenges have in agriculture, especially for the like of miraa farmers? As the President acknowledged, the shadows of exploitation have long loomed over…

Mogadishu (AX) – In an invigorating stride towards enhancing national security, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced a significant leadership change on Wednesday, ushering Brigadier General Abdiwahab Abdullahi Omar into the helm of the Somali Navy. This decision marks a pivotal chapter in Somalia's pursuit of maritime sovereignty—a quest to safeguard its sprawling coastline. Through a definitive presidential decree, President Mohamud articulated the strategic necessity of a robust naval force. “A…