Author: Abdihakim Kalale

The Sudanese government expressed strong disapproval on Friday after the United States imposed sanctions on Mirghani Idris, the director general of the Sudanese Defense Industries System. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Idris, citing his leadership in the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) weapons acquisition efforts to support its conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. Sudan’s foreign ministry issued a statement calling the sanctions “unexpected and unjustified,” asserting that it’s the responsibility of national militaries to defend their countries and secure necessary resources to maintain stability. The ministry argued that without such capabilities, security…

The Wagner Group’s presence in Africa extends beyond its well-known operations in Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Sudan, and Mozambique. Expanded List of Wagner Group Activities in Africa Main Focus: Security, political support, and resource control. Activities: Wagner supports CAR’s government, secures mining operations, and provides military training. Impact: Reports of human rights abuses, exploitation of resources, and increased dependency on Russia for security. Main Focus: Military support for General Khalifa Haftar. Activities: Direct combat support, military training, and strategic aid to Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA). Impact: Prolonged civil conflict and increased regional instability. Main Focus: Counterterrorism support post-French…

Darfur Governor Mini Arko Minawi claims that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) deputy commander proposed a plan to join forces to facilitate Darfur’s secession. Speaking to Radio France Internationale (RFI), Minawi said that during discussions in N’Djamena in June, Abdel Rahim Daglo encouraged him to work together to separate Darfur from Sudan’s army. Minawi added that Daglo avoided explaining the purpose behind his proposal. The RSF, led by Abdel Rahim’s brother, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been clashing with Sudan’s army since April 2023, reigniting longstanding tensions in Darfur. This is the first public claim linking the RSF to a secessionist…

A high-level Turkish delegation led by Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Arslan Bayraktar, arrived in Mogadishu on Friday. The visit marks a new milestone in Türkiye-Somalia relations as the Turkish seismic vessel Oruç Reis reached Mogadishu’s port to begin surveys along Somalia’s coastline for potential oil and natural gas resources. Türkiye’s Minister Bayraktar expressed Türkiye’s aim to uplift Somalia’s economy, noting the importance of exploring opportunities in oil, natural gas, mining, and energy infrastructure. This initiative is seen as a significant stride toward Türkiye’s goal of fostering economic growth and self-sufficiency in Somalia. “Our goal is to support…

Ethiopia and Angola have embarked on a collaborative initiative to enhance security and stability within the region. This comes after a meeting between Angola’s External Intelligence Service (SIE) and Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). The delegation from Angola, led by Director General Ambassador Matias Bertindo Matonda, arrived in Addis Ababa for a working visit. During the discussions, Deputy Director General Tazer Gebre Egziabher provided insights into Ethiopia’s political, economic, and security reforms following the national transition. The talks focused on a range of critical issues, including the dynamics in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the…

Ethiopia is commemorating its 117th National Armed Forces Day with a celebration under the theme, “An Army Resilient Through Challenges.” The day marks a tribute to the Ethiopian Defense Army’s ongoing efforts to protect and strengthen the nation amidst various trials. The event has gathered high-ranking officials, including President Taye Atsike Selassie, Defense Minister Engineer Ayisha Mohammed, and Chief of Armed Forces Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, along with foreign defense ambassadors, patriots, and invited dignitaries. An insightful panel discussion is being held in Addis Ababa, tailored for foreign military attachés and focused on the Ethiopian Army’s historical contributions, enduring resilience,…

The upcoming Djibouti Summit, scheduled for November 2-3, 2024, marks Turkey’s second Africa summit held on the continent, although this one is a ministerial event. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit Djibouti for this summit, emphasizing Turkey’s commitment to strengthening ties with African nations. This approach is seen as strategic, highlighting Turkey’s efforts to distinguish its initiatives from Western countries. The gathering will focus on expanding Turkish-African cooperation. It will also review outcomes from the previous Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit held in Malabo from November 19-21, 2014, which centered on the theme “A New Model of Partnership to…

Mogadishu Welcomes Türkiye’s Seismic Survey Vessel Arrival Türkiye and Somalia have initiated a major energy exploration project off Somalia’s coast, marking a new era of cooperation aimed at bolstering Somalia’s oil and natural gas potential. Türkiye, leveraging its experience in the energy industry, aims to support Somalia in developing its resources, while also building local expertise and infrastructure within the Somali energy sector. This collaboration stems from a March agreement between Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. The partnership underscores Türkiye’s commitment to East Africa and involves deploying a Turkish seismic…

A Kenyan woman and three foreign nationals were arraigned on Thursday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) law courts, facing multiple charges, including operating an illegal laboratory in Kajiado County. The accused are identified as Betty Mukami Micheni, a Kenyan, alongside Nigerians Ojukwu Awu and Egwu Ogba Mba, and Mexican national Isreal Alvarado. They stand accused of possessing precursor chemicals such as Methylamine 40%, Ethanol, Phenylacetone 99%, tartaric acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetone, and Toluene, among others. Additionally, they are charged with owning land believed to be acquired through criminal activities. Mba faces an additional charge for residing in the…

In July 2024, a massive landslide triggered by heavy rainfall struck the highlands of Geze Gofa in southern Ethiopia, resulting in the tragic deaths of 250 people and displacing over 15,000 from their homes. The disaster swept through 23 kebeles, leaving behind destroyed infrastructure and shattered communities in dire need of aid. One of the victims, Tigist Beneche, a mother of seven, recalls the devastation. “Our entire livelihood was destroyed,” she said, reflecting on the loss of her family’s farm and home. Tigist and thousands of others faced critical challenges as they struggled to rebuild from the disaster’s impact. Humanitarian…

The United States Treasury has imposed sanctions on Mirghani Idris Suleiman, accusing him of spearheading Sudan’s efforts to obtain weapons for its ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A Treasury press release dated October 24, 2024, outlined these measures, stating that Suleiman, Director General of the Defense Industries System (DIS), has played a central role in arms procurement, intensifying the scale and devastation of the conflict. As head of DIS, the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) primary body for weapons production and procurement, Suleiman allegedly orchestrated deals that have prolonged the hostilities. The press release indicated that SAF has…

Thousands of security cameras have recently been installed across Mogadishu as part of a citywide initiative aimed at curbing El-sebab’s activities and boosting safety in Somalia’s capital. Authorities say the cameras have enhanced monitoring of suspected militant movements, providing both security oversight and evidence that law enforcement is actively protecting the public. Although some residents appreciate the added security, certain business owners report increased vulnerability. Since October, three deaths and four injuries have occurred in attacks on businesses with visible cameras in the Daynile and Hodan districts, according to Deputy Mayor Mohamed Ahmed Diriye. Some business owners say they have…

A recent offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in central Sudan’s East Al Jazirah region has left at least 49 civilians dead and numerous others injured, marking a devastating escalation in violence. The assault, spanning multiple villages, has deepened the area’s humanitarian crisis and triggered significant displacement. According to local reports, the RSF targeted several villages in a series of retaliatory attacks following the defection of a high-ranking commander, Abu Aqla Kikal, who recently joined the Sudanese army. The violence, which began on Thursday, has particularly impacted villages like Zurqa, Safita al-Ghunomab, Maknun, Deim Elias, and Tambul. The Al…

Ethiopia and the United Kingdom have formalized an agreement to boost their collaboration in security matters, particularly focusing on regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts, as announced by Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) on Thursday. In a statement to state media, the NISS revealed that Richard Peter Moore, the head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), led a delegation to Addis Ababa for discussions with senior Ethiopian officials. The delegation received a warm welcome upon their arrival at Bole International Airport from high-ranking NISS representatives. The discussions covered a range of issues, including regional, continental, and international concerns. Specific…

The East African Community (EAC) has made notable progress toward establishing a unified airspace following the completion of Phase I of their initiative. This advancement enhances the interoperability of air navigation systems throughout the region, as highlighted by senior officials during a recent meeting in Mombasa, Kenya. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, EAC’s Deputy Secretary General overseeing infrastructure and socio-economic sectors, addressed attendees at the 19th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications, and Meteorology. The meeting, which runs for five days, prioritizes discussions on liberalizing the Upper Airspace and reducing airfare within the region. The participating states have…

The Somali community in Eastleigh, Nairobi, is grappling with shock and grief following the horrific murders of three women from the same family. The bodies of Waris Daud, her 22-year-old daughter Amina Abdirashid, and her 12-year-old niece Nuseiba Dahir were found in different locations across Kenya on Monday, after they went missing the night before. The incident has drawn national attention, with leaders and human rights groups condemning the brutal killings and expressing concerns over the rise in femicide cases in Kenya. The three women were last seen on Sunday night after Waris left their home to seek medical treatment.…