Author: Abdihakim Kalale

On Thursday, the Sudanese army successfully intercepted and downed several drones launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeting residential areas in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. This latest assault, coupled with intense exchanges of artillery fire, tragically resulted in civilian casualties. The RSF has held significant control over parts of El Fasher since April, launching a major offensive in May with the goal of capturing the city, considered the last remaining government stronghold in Darfur. Despite these persistent attacks, the Sudanese army, bolstered by allied militias, has managed to hold its defensive lines and maintain a foothold…

Kenya stands to benefit as the World Health Organization (WHO) prioritizes new vaccine development for 17 specific pathogens that are significant causes of disease globally, including in Kenyan communities. This new initiative, announced in a recent WHO study, seeks to tackle pathogens identified as critical based on factors such as regional disease prevalence, antimicrobial resistance concerns, and socio-economic impact. The WHO’s global study highlights urgent vaccine research and development (R&D) priorities, reconfirming established targets like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis—three diseases that together cause nearly 2.5 million deaths each year worldwide, with Kenya seeing particularly high burdens from these infections according…

Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa underscored the critical role of border security in fostering sustainable development between Tanzania and Uganda during a three-day conference in Bukoba Municipality. The gathering, attended by officials from both nations, focused on strengthening security cooperation and implementing the African Union’s Cross Border Cooperation Convention. Delivering the commissioner’s message, Kagera Regional Administrative Secretary Stephen Ndaki affirmed Tanzania’s commitment to maintaining peace and security along the shared border, emphasizing the longstanding cultural and diplomatic bonds between Tanzania and Uganda. “As close neighbors, our nations benefit from strong mutual ties that promote regional harmony,” Ndaki conveyed on behalf of…

On Wednesday, intense fighting erupted between Somali government forces and militants in southern Somalia, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 Somali regional and federal soldiers, officials reported. The battle occurred near Wayaanta, approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Kismayo in Jubaland state, as government troops advanced on an area believed to host militant gatherings. According to three officials with direct knowledge of the incident, who requested anonymity due to restrictions, over 20 other soldiers were injured. One source estimated that more than 20 Alshabab fighters were also killed during the clash. In a similar operation last year in the…

With Somaliland’s election just days away, President Muse Bihi Abdi has called on citizens to rally behind his Kulmiye party, emphasizing its role in securing international recognition and stability for Somaliland. Addressing the nation in a recent televised speech, Bihi stressed that Somaliland is at a historic crossroads, asserting, “We have forged valuable partnerships, not for personal gain but to advance Somaliland’s rightful place on the world stage.” Since his election in December 2017, Bihi has made diplomatic progress a priority, noting efforts to build alliances, including ties with Kenya and Guinea, as key steps towards achieving global legitimacy. His…

Ethiopia is taking a major step towards economic growth by repurposing wasted energy, thanks to support from the United Arab Emirates and China. Through a strategic partnership, UAE-based Hodler Investments and China’s GCL Energy Investment will supply energy to data centres in Ethiopia, focusing on artificial intelligence and blockchain applications. Hodler Investments, a Dubai-based firm specializing in energy, AI, and digital mining, has partnered with GCL Energy Investment, a subsidiary of China’s prominent energy provider Golden Concord Group. This initiative, aligned with Ethiopia’s goal to lead in the digital economy, will convert flared gas and other wasted energy into power…

Tanzania has launched over 63 carbon trading projects spanning multiple sectors to reduce its carbon footprint while generating revenue through environmental services. This initiative, highlighted by Deputy Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office for Union and Environment, Khamis Hamza Khamis, aims to enhance conservation efforts and support sustainable development across agriculture, energy, forestry, livestock, and waste management. Deputy Minister Khamis, speaking at the National Assembly, noted that these registered projects cover forestry (51%), energy (33%), agriculture (8%), livestock (5%), and waste management (3%). He was responding to a question raised by Amani MP, Abdul Yussuf Maalim (CCM), who…

Kenya’s leading telecom operator, Safaricom, has revised its earnings forecast for the year, following a significant drop in net income caused by the depreciation of Ethiopia’s birr currency. Safaricom, which secured the first license to operate in Ethiopia in 2022 after the sector was opened up, has experienced challenges in the country despite strong customer growth. Factors such as security issues, high inflation, and currency fluctuations have hindered its progress. The company reported a 31.9% year-on-year increase in its half-year earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). However, its full-year earnings guidance was lowered to between 94 billion and 100 billion…

Delegates from the Great Lakes region gathered in Juba, South Sudan, on Thursday for a three-day forum aimed at tackling the issues of illegal mineral exploitation and boosting cross-border trade. Organized by South Sudan’s Ministry of Mining, the European Union (EU), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the forum seeks to foster a coordinated approach for mineral value addition and cross-border cooperation to enhance regional stability. The forum’s theme, “A Harmonized Regional Approach for Mineral Value Addition and Cross-Border Cooperation for the Maximization of Benefits from Mineral Resources and Promotion of Peace and Stability,” highlights the…

African nations are pushing for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to be recognized as an international inter-parliamentary organization. This push has been ongoing for over a decade, and the momentum is now stronger than ever as African leaders call for the change. The 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Sydney, Australia, has provided the perfect platform for this dialogue. Moses Wetangula, Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker, is leading the Kenyan delegation and emphasized the need for reform. He pointed out that the CPA, established in 1911, is currently registered as a charity organization in the UK and needs to be upgraded to…

Following Donald Trump’s election as the 47th president of the United States, an unexpected wave of support has emerged from Kenya, with many citizens taking to social media to celebrate his victory. This reaction is partly fueled by a growing discontent with perceived U.S. interference in Kenyan and African politics and a hope for less involvement in the region’s internal affairs under Trump’s administration. Kenya has historically followed U.S. elections closely, especially since Barack Obama’s presidency, which marked a moment of pride for Kenyans given his family ties to the country. However, recent years have shifted perspectives, as many Kenyans…

According to the Turkey-based İNSAMER, a research center within the İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, the ongoing 18-month civil war in Sudan continues to devastate civilian lives, leaving deep and unhealed wounds. Recent violence in Sudan’s Al Jazeera state has seen the deaths of thousands of civilians, including children, with numerous women tragically ending their own lives after escaping assaults carried out by armed members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a region like Sudan, where Islam holds a strong influence, reports of sexual violence and suicides are generally rare. The recent wave of women driven to mass suicide starkly…

The highly anticipated Africa Media Festival will return for its third edition on February 26-27, 2025, at the Nairobi National Museum, Kenya. After two successful editions, the festival is set to once again unite media professionals, creatives, and innovators from across the continent to explore the future of African media. The festival, affectionately dubbed “The Africa Media Village,” has grown in stature since its inception, drawing over 1,300 attendees and hosting more than 50 sessions and 120 speakers. The 2025 edition aims to build on this momentum by fostering a community-focused environment that encourages meaningful connections, collaboration, and learning. Bridging…

Following recent discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud confirmed that Somalia is ready to receive nationals from Germany who lack legal residency. President Mohamud expressed optimism about reintegrating Somali citizens, stating that the country is progressing beyond its turbulent past. However, his remarks have sparked strong criticism in Somalia, with many questioning the safety of returnees amid ongoing security concerns. President Mohamud told BILD, a German newspaper, that Somalia has moved beyond being a “civil war zone.” He emphasized that Somalia is evolving, with the government aiming to provide a safe environment for returnees. However,…

Sudan’s government has disputed recent U.N. displacement figures related to ongoing violence in the eastern Al Jazirah state. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on October 28 that clashes involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had displaced approximately 46,700 people and left numerous civilians dead or injured. However, Salwa Adam Binia, Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, questioned the reliability of these numbers, arguing that OCHA’s figures might be exaggerated or inaccurate due to limited on-the-ground verification. “Local teams are conducting daily tallies, and a specialized team will soon visit to provide an accurate count,” she explained.…

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malawi’s Minister for Energy, Ibrahim Matola, to enhance collaboration in the petroleum sector. The agreement focuses on a government-to-government (G-to-G) framework for the importation of bulk refined petroleum products, aiming to bolster energy security for both nations. This partnership follows discussions between the presidents of Kenya and Malawi during the United Nations General Assembly held in New York in September 2024. Senior officials from both countries engaged in these dialogues, focusing on energy security and sustainable development. Under this MoU, Kenya and Malawi seek…