Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Intensifying clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, Sudan, have left hundreds of civilians dead or wounded over the past six weeks, according to Ibrahim Khater, Director General of the Ministry of Health in North Darfur State. Khater reported that since September, the violence has claimed the lives of 80 civilians and left 520 others injured. This adds to the alarming toll documented by Doctors Without Borders in August, where 370 deaths and 2,500 injuries were recorded in hospitals they support. The ongoing violence has severely impacted El Fasher’s healthcare system, with medical…

Sudan’s Sovereign Council leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, held talks with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on Monday to discuss the possibility of Sudan rejoining the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Sudan had suspended its membership in IGAD earlier this year after the regional organization engaged with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. During the meeting, Youssouf delivered a message from Djibouti’s President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, who currently chairs IGAD, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation. Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Hussein Awad, stated that the discussions revolved around Sudan’s potential return to IGAD,…

Kenya will send an additional 600 police officers to Haiti as part of a United Nations-supported initiative aimed at addressing escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. The deployment is expected to occur in early November, according to the country’s police chief. President William Ruto announced the additional officers following discussions with Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Garry Conille, where both leaders emphasized the need for increased support from the international community. “After completing pre-deployment training, a contingent of 600 officers will join the Kenyan police already operating in Haiti,” stated Douglas Kanja, Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, during a press…

A Judge from the Court of Appeal has joined fellow jurists in advocating for the complete abolition of the death penalty in Kenya, arguing that it is ineffective as a crime deterrent and contradicts human rights principles. During the observance of the World Day Against the Death Penalty, Justice John Mativo pointed out the increasing global trend toward eliminating capital punishment. He highlighted that numerous countries have ceased to carry out executions, even if they still maintain the death penalty in their legal frameworks.“It is fundamentally inhumane, degrading, and irreversible. Most nations have abolished it entirely, and even those that…

Sudan’s devastating civil war continues to be fueled by secret foreign arms shipments, with countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran reportedly supplying weapons, munitions, and drones to both factions. Confidential assessments, a U.S. State Department-funded report, and captured weapons evidence have revealed these covert operations. Recently, Sudanese military officers in Omdurman allowed The Washington Post journalists to examine a drone reportedly captured from the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with munitions for the device. Photos of crates containing munitions, including one indicating a Serbian origin and UAE Armed Forces Joint Logistics Command label, were also…

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged citizens to engage actively in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 27, 2024. She emphasized the elections’ importance as a precursor to the general elections planned for 2025. President Samia made her appeal on October 10, 2024, during the finale of the 2024 National Uhuru Torch Race and the launch of a book detailing the history of the Uhuru Torch. She encouraged the public to view these civic elections as a crucial chance to enhance democracy and encourage community involvement. “As the youth express, ‘we should not take it lightly.’ This…

Somalia Supports Sudanese Refugees in Mogadishu: Scholarships Offered Amid Ongoing Conflict Somalia’s Ministry of Education has announced a new scholarship program for Sudanese students whose education has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The initiative aims to provide these displaced students with the opportunity to continue their studies, emphasizing Somalia’s growing role in regional cooperation and humanitarian support. In a statement, the Ministry of Education highlighted that the scholarship program is designed to enhance educational opportunities for students affected by the Sudanese conflict. The program also reinforces Somalia’s commitment to education as a tool for fostering regional solidarity.…

The Ministry of Minerals and Energy of Somaliland has entered into a cooperation agreement with Emirates Industrial Laboratory, a UAE-based company, to establish modern mineral testing facilities within the region. This move is set to reduce reliance on foreign labs for mineral analysis, which has previously been carried out in countries like India, South Africa, and the UAE. The agreement was formalized in Dubai, with Mohamed Osman Said, Director-General of Somaliland’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy, representing Somaliland. Emirates Industrial Laboratory will supply and install state-of-the-art equipment, significantly enhancing the region’s capacity for in-house mineral testing. Said emphasized that the…

In a recent cyberattack, over $350,000 meant for a Somali solar energy initiative was stolen, revealing serious security weaknesses at the India-based International Solar Alliance (ISA). The funds, designated for Hayle Barise Energy Solutions, which is developing solar infrastructure in Somalia, were instead redirected to an account in the UAE. The breach came to light on September 23 when Hayle Barise Energy Solutions informed ISA that they hadn’t received the expected payment. Investigations uncovered that cybercriminals had infiltrated ISA’s email system, diverting the funds to a fraudulent account in Dubai. Ajay Mathur, ISA’s Director General, provided a detailed account in…

In recent years, Turkish construction companies have increasingly focused on air and sea port projects across Africa, playing a key role in enhancing the continent’s transportation infrastructure. Summa Construction, for example, is directing its efforts toward airport projects in Nigeria, while Ankara-based Metag Holding has signed a deal to develop Somalia’s Hobyo Port with a $70 million investment. Turkish companies have earned recognition for their significant contributions to improving both air and maritime transportation systems in Africa. Metag Holding’s new agreement is designed to enhance the Mogadishu Port, which serves as a vital hub for Somali trade. Through collaboration with…

One by one, the satellites detached from their launch vehicle, a variety of them equipped with solar panels and technological components. On August 16, these satellites, numbering 116, were sent into space, mostly designed by Western countries, with one significant exception: Senegal’s first-ever satellite, GaindeSAT-1A.This small CubeSat marks a major achievement for Senegal, offering earth observation and telecommunications services. Senegal’s president hailed it as a significant step towards “technological sovereignty.” The dropping costs of launching satellites, as noted by Kwaku Sumah, managing director at Spacehubs Africa, have opened the doors for smaller nations like Senegal to engage in the space…

Sudan has refuted allegations from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that its military bombed the residence of the Emirati ambassador in Khartoum, announcing on Monday that it will seek legal recourse to demand compensation from the UAE for its alleged backing of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). At a press conference in Port Sudan, Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad dismissed the UAE’s accusations as “baseless,” pointing to satellite images taken the day after the supposed incident that showed the ambassador’s residence still standing. “These claims are without merit,” Awad stated, adding that the UAE’s frustration likely stems from the exposure…

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has reported that one individual has died due to Mpox, with a total of 13 confirmed cases since the virus was first identified in the country. On Monday, Health Director General Patrick Amoth announced that the patient had underlying health issues that contributed to their passing. “Out of the confirmed cases, eight individuals have recovered and returned home, while four remain hospitalized,” Amoth stated. These cases were detected from 236 laboratory samples across ten counties. Amoth made these remarks in Nairobi during an event where the Ministry received a donation of 15.2 million tablets of…

Sudan renewed its accusations against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, alleging that the Gulf nation continues to provide military, financial, and logistical backing to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing conflict. Sudan has called on the United Nations Security Council to take decisive steps to address these “persistent hostile actions.” In an official letter addressed to the President of the Security Council on October 11, Sudan presented what it referred to as new proof of the UAE’s involvement in aiding the RSF. This follows a previous complaint lodged on March 29, accusing the UAE of inciting…

A newly submitted report to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Transport has laid out plans for an ambitious reform of the country’s railway system, aiming to introduce private sector participation and create a dedicated regulatory body. The goal is to inject competition into the Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC), which is currently state-run, and to improve the sector’s overall efficiency. This report is part of a broader reform program supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and proposes a $2.6 billion investment to modernize the railway infrastructure. One of the central recommendations is the establishment of an independent regulatory authority, which would be…

The Kenyan Embassy in Thailand has issued a renewed warning to its citizens against seeking employment in Myanmar, following a surge in reports of fraudulent job offers circulating online. In a statement released on Saturday, the Embassy expressed deep concern over the persistent applications by Kenyans, despite ongoing alerts regarding the dangers of traveling to Myanmar, which include risks of abduction, forced labor, and torture at the hands of criminal syndicates. The Embassy highlighted that some Kenyans are disregarding these warnings, with ten individuals currently held captive by a Chinese cartel demanding hefty ransoms for their release. The cartel claims…