Author: Abdihakim Kalale

On Monday, Somali government forces conducted a successful operation near Qansah Dhere district in the Bay region, killing six al-Shabaab militants, including two key leaders. The raid, executed in Weel-Manas village, approximately 15 kilometers from Qansah Dhere, led to the capture of multiple weapons and motorbikes, marking another step in the Somali government’s ongoing offensive against the militant group. According to Somali military sources, the two prominent al-Shabaab figures killed were Nuur Kerow Haydar and Shegow Adan Macalim, who oversaw the group’s local operations, including sanction enforcement and extortion from residents. This operation reflects a broader strategy against al-Shabaab, which…

Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, has called on political party leaders to prioritize peace during the upcoming local government elections and to actively discourage any actions that could incite unrest. Majaliwa emphasized the importance of peace and voter participation during a recent symposium hosted by the Shia community. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa urged leaders of political parties to take a stand for peace ahead of Tanzania’s local government elections, set for Wednesday, November 27. Speaking at a general assembly organized by the Shia community, Majaliwa appealed for party leaders to motivate their members to vote while maintaining peace and unity.…

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, African leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto and Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, are pressing for equitable climate financing, comprehensive adaptation support, and swift implementation of the Paris Agreement’s Article 6. African delegates emphasize the need to enhance climate fund accessibility and address recent climate challenges in the region. The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan, uniting global leaders, policy experts, and climate advocates to tackle urgent climate issues. African nations are underscoring their call for fair climate financing and the full operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, aimed…

Somaliland’s Vice President Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail Saylici has endorsed the opposition Waddani Party in the upcoming November 13 presidential election, calling for support toward “change-seeking” groups. His backing of Waddani’s candidate, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, signals significant political tension with incumbent President Muse Bihi’s administration. Campaigns have intensified across the region, with towns showcasing party colors, as Bihi’s Kulmiye Party and opposition forces vie for influence. The election, held under Somaliland’s unique democratic framework, has drawn regional interest, with voters aspiring for peaceful, globally recognized democracy. In a move that has heightened Somaliland’s political atmosphere, Vice President Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail…

Residents of El Fasher in North Darfur and villages in Sudan’s White Nile state are fleeing their homes due to intensifying clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have escalated attacks on urban and rural areas. The RSF’s ongoing assault on El Fasher aims to capture one of the last major urban strongholds in North Darfur, leading to widespread displacement, while recent RSF incursions into White Nile villages have prompted further evacuations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the displacement of hundreds of families due to the conflict, and satellite imagery suggests RSF forces…

The Somali government has decided that Ethiopian forces will not join the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in January 2025. Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama announced the exclusion during an interview, citing Ethiopia’s alleged breaches of Somalia’s sovereignty as the reason for this decision. According to Minister Jama, Ethiopia has been barred from AUSSOM due to its recent actions that Somalia views as an infringement on its territorial integrity. The tension stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland…

Kenya is among the nine African countries allocated MPOX vaccine doses to combat the recent surge of the disease on the continent. The Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) has designated 899,000 doses of the vaccine for these nations. This allocation comes as part of a coordinated effort between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and various partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and UNICEF, to manage the ongoing MPOX outbreaks. The distribution strategy aims to use the limited vaccine supply effectively, targeting countries with the highest need based on readiness and the extent of the…

Somali Foreign Minister Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed El-Baz met in Mogadishu to further enhance bilateral ties between their countries. They discussed various areas of cooperation, including current regional and international matters, aiming to solidify their long-standing partnership. Minister Fiqi expressed his gratitude for Egypt’s steadfast support, emphasizing the deep-rooted historical and strategic relations between the two nations. The relationship between Somalia and Egypt has intensified this year, particularly due to their shared concerns about Ethiopia. This shared mistrust led to an agreement in August, resulting in Egypt supplying arms to Somalia after both nations signed a…

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctioned two high-ranking officials from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on allegations of involvement in human rights abuses and contributing to Sudan’s instability. These sanctions represent the first UNSC-imposed measures in the Sudanese war that erupted on April 15, 2023, amid a power struggle between the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Following a U.S. proposal, the UNSC’s Sudan sanctions committee agreed to impose a travel ban and asset freeze on RSF’s head of operations, Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, and West Darfur commander,…

A U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) statement confirmed on Friday that an American MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone crashed on Tuesday near Farsooley, Somalia, in an area controlled by Al-Shabaab. Initial reports in Somali media had incorrectly identified the aircraft as Turkish, allegedly due to misinformation circulated to target Türkiye’s reputation amid its close defense cooperation with Somalia. The U.S. Africa Command clarified that the downed drone was indeed American, dispelling claims made earlier in local Somali media that the aircraft belonged to Türkiye. This initial misidentification is thought to be part of a broader campaign to misrepresent Türkiye’s involvement in Somalia,…

Top business leaders in Kenya convened in Nairobi today to explore strategies for broadening the reach of Kenyan businesses into regional and global markets. The meeting, organized by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and Ecobank Kenya, focused on the opportunities emerging from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is poised to be the world’s largest free trade zone, with Africa’s population of 1.2 billion expected to grow to 2.5 billion by 2050. The agreement aims to increase trade among African nations, which currently stands at only 15-18%, and stimulate production through regional value…

The Sudanese army successfully secured key areas in north Khartoum Bahri, including the Samrab district, after intense clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday. The RSF reported launching drone strikes on army positions in retaliation. The fighting led to casualties on both sides and involved heavy artillery and air support. On Friday, heavy fighting broke out in north Khartoum Bahri between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in the army reclaiming key districts in the region. According to Sudanese military sources, the army successfully regained control of the Samrab district, particularly the strategically significant…

Sudan accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of killing 120 people in Al-Hilaliya, eastern Al Jazirah state, through shootings and food poisoning. The town has been under siege for ten days, facing severe humanitarian conditions, including a cholera outbreak and a lack of healthcare. The Sudanese foreign ministry condemned these actions, linking them to retaliation for RSF defections to the army. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out a brutal attack on the town of Al-Hilaliya, located in eastern Al Jazirah state, which left 120 dead. The victims were allegedly killed through…

The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) engaged in intense clashes near Omdurman and in Sennar state, resulting in civilian casualties, arrests, and heightened military operations. These ongoing battles reflect the prolonged struggle for control across Sudan, with accusations of civilian abuses and rising displacement in conflict zones. On Thursday, fighting escalated between the Sudanese army and the RSF in several areas east of Omdurman. According to Sudan’s Ministry of Health, at least one person was killed and five were injured as a result of RSF’s artillery and drone strikes from positions south and west of Omdurman, which…

The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Horn of Africa reached a new high of 20.4 million in October, up from 19.9 million in August, as reported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Thursday. This rise was largely attributed to increased displacement in Sudan and Burundi. Sudan alone accounted for 11.4 million IDPs, an increase from 10.7 million in August, spurred by continued conflict and seasonal flooding. According to the IOM, this is the first time Sudan’s displaced population has surpassed 11 million since conflict broke out. “Since the conflict’s onset in Sudan in April 2023,…

Kenyan forces deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) have been commended for their skill and readiness after passing a rigorous Operational Effectiveness Inspection (OEI). This recent OEI, conducted biannually to evaluate each unit’s alignment with MONUSCO’s objectives, concluded on Thursday, November 7, 2024, confirming the capabilities of the Kenyan Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 4) in critical areas such as preparedness, training, communication, welfare, and adherence to the UN’s principles and codes of conduct. The inspection was led by Lt. Col. Walter Rosa Barbiza and Maj. Gouravendra Pratap Singh Parmar…