Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Tanzania is making strides toward establishing its first niobium production facility, which will play a key role in supporting advanced industries such as aerospace and energy. Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, announced plans to initiate production of the rare mineral in the Panda Hill area, with operations managed by Panda Hill Tanzania Limited (PHTL). This facility will manufacture niobium-derived products, including ferroniobium, crucial in various high-tech applications. Dr. Kiruswa emphasized the government’s ongoing negotiations with PHTL to formalize a framework that will secure Tanzania’s economic stake in the project, aligning with the Mining Act’s mandate for a 16%…

South Africa has announced plans to collaborate with Tanzania on satellite technology projects, with the potential for future joint satellite launches. The initiative was introduced by Dr. Bonginkosi Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, during a visit to Dar es Salaam, where he highlighted possibilities for expanding support to Tanzania’s space sector. During the event, the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), tasked with advancing Tanzania’s space goals, outlined its plans to launch three satellites over the next few years. According to DIT Council Chair Dr. Richard Masika, the institution aims to send its first satellite…

Originally part of Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) was established as an independent protected region in 1959. This remarkable area, managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), is dedicated to preserving its unique ecosystems and cultural heritage, promoting it as one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. Under the management of NCAA, Ngorongoro has grown into a world-renowned site that offers exceptional experiences for tourists, researchers, and conservationists alike. With its UNESCO World Heritage status, awarded in 1979 for both natural and cultural significance, the NCA supports rich biodiversity, including numerous threatened species and the iconic…

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced that a recent operation resulted in the deaths of 27 Alshabaab fighters in the Yaaqle area of the Middle Shabelle region. The 12-hour offensive, carried out on Sunday, targeted an Alshabaab assembly point, according to the agency’s statement. NISA detailed that militant vehicles and bases were destroyed during the operation, but no casualties were reported among Somali forces. This operation is part of an ongoing offensive led by the Somali National Army (SNA) across the regions of Middle Shabelle, Galgadud, and Mudug, where more than 100 militants were reportedly eliminated in…

As the Eastern Cohort militia mobilizes in eastern Sudan, tensions surge, particularly with the Beja community calling the force a ‘foreign threat.’ Meanwhile, intensified drone strikes in Khartoum are worsening the humanitarian toll, as calls for safe zones and international intervention grow amid Sudan’s unfolding civil conflict. Announced on October 29, the Eastern Cohort, a militia associated with the Popular Front for Liberation and Justice under Amin Daoud, confirmed its mobilization in Kassala State. This deployment follows their training at undisclosed sites and aims to defend “land and honor” amid Sudan’s ongoing instability, according to assistant commander Humad Shiblalla. While…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently voiced strong concerns over foreign embassies allegedly participating in black market currency exchanges, which he claims drain Ethiopia’s resources. Speaking before the House of People’s Representatives, Ahmed asserted that some embassies are involved in unauthorized currency trading, intensifying Ethiopia’s economic difficulties. He emphasized the government’s patience thus far but stressed the importance of upholding Ethiopian laws and vowed action should such practices continue. This comes on the heels of Ethiopia’s launch of the Homegrown Economic Reform Program (HGER 2.0), a comprehensive plan to address persistent economic issues, including inflation, unemployment, and a soaring debt…

Kenya’s freshly inaugurated 17-mile expressway, largely funded by China, stretches over Nairobi’s congested traffic with sparse usage, symbolizing the heavy toll of debt on the nation. This road, valued at nearly half a billion pounds, will only revert to Kenyan control once its cost is recouped through tolls set at around £3 per journey, a sum that remains out of reach for many Kenyans. During recent protests in Nairobi, both China and global institutions like the IMF and World Bank faced criticism for Kenya’s debt load, though campaigners highlight the role of private banks and bondholders as equally significant creditors.…

The SSC Khaatumo administration, which emerged from the former British Somaliland, has accused Somaliland forces of launching coordinated attacks on its military bases in Buhodle district, heightening regional tensions. In a recent statement, SSC Khaatumo alleged that Somaliland’s military targeted both military sites and nomadic communities, leading to severe clashes that endangered both soldiers and civilians. “The SSC Khaatumo administration condemns these assaults as acts of aggression threatening peace in the region. We stand firm in defending our territory and will not accept attacks on our people,” the statement declared, urging the international community to intervene for an immediate truce…

Kenya’s Navy and Coast Guard recently took part in a joint exercise with the European Union (EU) naval task force, strengthening maritime security in the western Indian Ocean. Conducted in the final week of October, the exercise featured a simulated search and rescue (SAR) operation led by the EU’s Operation Atalanta flagship, ESPS Santa Maria (F81). Kenya’s coast guard and navy assets collaborated closely, refining shared procedures essential for effective SAR missions. The training highlighted the role of Kenya Coast Guard personnel, who also benefit from the Go Blue initiative—a blue economy program spanning Kenya’s coastal counties and covering a…

In a ceremony at Mogadishu’s main port, Türkiye delivered four long-range patrol boats to Somalia, marking a significant step toward restoring the country’s naval security. With Somalia’s navy collapsing alongside its central government in 1991, the country has since faced challenges from piracy and ongoing conflict with Alshabab militia. Türkiye’s Ambassador highlighted the patrol boats’ role in safeguarding Somalia’s strategic coastline, reinforcing Türkiye’s decade-long partnership with Somalia that began in 2011. This cooperation spans critical sectors, including security, where Türkiye has actively supported Somalia’s fight against piracy and militancy. Additionally, Somalia has invited Türkiye to help re-establish a Somali navy,…

Reports indicate that over 45 people, including Wacale district administrator Nigussie Koru, lost their lives during an armed ambush on Friday, November 1, 2024, in the North Shewa Zone of Oromia. Eyewitnesses describe the attack as part of intensified clashes between government forces and suspected Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) fighters. A resident, speaking under conditions of anonymity, said the assault began in the early hours as government forces and armed groups engaged in combat near Wacale. Nigussie, who was accompanied by security personnel, was ambushed en route to the Kara area, where he intended to address local security concerns. The…

Church Brokers Peace Between Rival Leaders in TigrayIn Ethiopia’s Tigray region, tensions escalated as political disagreements between TPLF Vice Chairman and head of Tigray’s interim administration, Getachew Reda, and TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael almost erupted into conflict. However, the regional church intervened, urging the two leaders to resolve issues through dialogue. Both sides pledged to address their differences peacefully. Recently, Tigray’s church split from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, criticizing its silence over Tigray’s plight. Following the brutal northern conflict, the people of Tigray remain deeply affected and continue to face post-war challenges. Despite the Pretoria Agreement, which established a…

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have intensified their retaliatory attacks in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state, leaving at least 18 people dead over the last two days. This violence follows the defection of ex-RSF commander Abu Aqla Kikil, who joined Sudan’s military forces in October. In response, the RSF has reportedly launched a campaign against villages in eastern and southern Al-Jazirah, resulting in heavy casualties and forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee. On Thursday, the Al-Jazirah Conference, a civilian organization formed post-RSF takeover in December 2023, reported an RSF-led attack on Al-Faj Al-Bashir village, killing eight people and leaving many…

Access to phone and internet services remains disrupted for residents across Ethiopia’s Oromia region, where military clashes between government forces and insurgent groups have intensified. Residents report that communication blackouts, especially in conflict-affected zones, have continued for several months, with disruptions primarily impacting areas engaged in fighting with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). A resident of Wadera Wereda in the Guji Zone reported that phone and data services in his area were cut off due to ongoing violence, which has seen casualties among local police and regional security forces. Another source from North Shewa’s Dera Wereda confirmed that his region…

In Khartoum, the deteriorating health crisis has claimed the lives of four children due to severe malnutrition within the last ten days, according to the South Belt Emergency Room. These recent deaths highlight the growing threat faced by children as malnutrition rates surge amid Sudan’s ongoing conflict. The affected neighborhoods—Al-Ingaz, Al-Azhari, Al-Salama, and Mayo—have been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since hostilities erupted. Fighting has been intense, and in the past ten days alone, over 2,400 cases of malnutrition have been documented in these areas. “The recent deaths of these young children from malnutrition-related complications illustrate…

Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have formalized an agreement to enhance the Kalemie and Moba ports in DRC, aiming to modernize these facilities and streamline cargo transport between the two countries. The announcement was made in the August House on Thursday by Deputy Minister of Transport, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya, in response to a question from Kondesta Sichalwe, Member of Parliament for Momba Constituency. In her inquiry, Sichalwe asked about any ongoing efforts to improve Kalemie port operations and whether DRC had operational alternatives to Kalemie. In his response, Eng. Kasekenya confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…