Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Speaking during the official ceremony to appoint Rt. Rev. Wallace Ng’ang’a Ng’ang’a as the new Bishop of Kenya’s Military Ordinariate at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, President William Ruto emphasized the significant role the Church plays in the country’s strength. The President expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for appointing Bishop Ng’ang’a, noting that this move enhances the spiritual foundation of the military. Ruto highlighted the close partnership between the government and religious institutions, describing it as a fundamental pillar of the nation’s success. He acknowledged the Catholic Church as one of the state’s leading partners, contributing to key sectors such…

The Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) has outlined a five-year plan for Tanzania, seeking $360 million to implement a community health workers initiative. At a recent international workshop held in Dar es Salaam, Dr. James Guwani, the head of the Community Health Division at Africa CDC, emphasized that this initiative is crucial for achieving universal health coverage. The first phase of the plan, estimated at $40 million, is designed as a community health acceleration strategy, aiming to establish an Integrated and Coordinated Community Health Workers (iCCHW) program to enhance community health worker efforts nationwide. This program is essential…

Fierce clashes broke out in the Wajid district of the Bakool region, Somalia between Ethiopian military forces and Al-Shabaab militants. The skirmish reportedly ensued after Al-Shabaab launched an attack on Ethiopian troops, who were allegedly moving through areas under the South West Regional Government’s control. Sources close to the situation confirmed that heavy weaponry was deployed by both the Ethiopian forces and Al-Shabaab during the fighting. However, the official extent of the damage caused by the confrontation remains unknown. In response to the attack, reinforcements were dispatched from nearby military bases, leading to a subsequent barrage of mortar shelling in…

The Kenyan government has announced a budget of 100 million shillings (approximately 775,000 U.S. dollars) to aid the evacuation of its nationals affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon after Israelis invaded Lebanon. The funds will support security and other agencies in assisting the evacuation efforts as the situation in the region remains unstable. Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs minister, addressed the Senate, reassuring that the government is determined to ensure the safety of all Kenyans currently in the Middle East, especially those in Lebanon, where 26,000 Kenyans reside. “After communicating with…

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a leading organization in combating global piracy, has stressed the need for continued caution despite a decline in piracy attacks along Somalia’s coast over the past nine months. According to the IMB’s latest report received by Xinhua, piracy activity in the region saw some incidents earlier this year, with three ships hijacked, two boarded and fired upon, and one other targeted unsuccessfully in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden. However, the IMB noted no reports of attacks from July to September, likely due to the region’s seasonal monsoon rains. Despite the drop in incidents,…

Eritrea showcased its cycling dominance on the third day of the African Continental Road Cycling Championships, clinching victory in both the men’s and women’s junior road races, further solidifying their golden streak this week. In the women’s race, which saw competitors from ten nations battling for glory, Eritrea set the pace throughout. All four of their riders worked collectively at the front of the pack, demonstrating their well-coordinated strategy. The East African team’s plan was to use their numerical advantage to push the tempo on the climbs just after leaving town. Despite multiple attempts by rival nations to break away,…

Next month, Kenya will deploy another 600 police officers to Haiti as part of a broader international mission aimed at combating gangs, President William Ruto announced on Friday. His comments came during a visit by Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, who sought to accelerate the mobilization of additional forces. So far, more than 10 nations have pledged around 2,900 personnel to support the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) initiative. However, since the United Nations sanctioned the mission’s launch in June, only approximately 430 officers have been dispatched, including nearly 400 from Kenya. Despite international efforts, heavily armed criminal gangs maintain…

Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) leader and Darfur governor Minni Minawi revealed on Friday that he had turned down offers of bribery from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and an undisclosed backer, who attempted to sway him into supporting their side in the country’s conflict. Minawi stated that one proposal involved sharing control of Darfur’s military divisions with the RSF while maintaining his position as governor, but with expanded authority and increased financial resources. This revelation came after accusations from RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who claimed Minawi sided with the Sudanese Armed Forces for personal financial…

In a significant development amid the protracted civil war that has plagued Algeria since 1991, the Algerian government has begun dialogue with the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), a pivotal player in the conflict. This initiative seeks to address the violence that has resulted in an estimated 200,000 deaths and to promote a path toward reconciliation in a nation deeply scarred by political and social strife. Background: The Rise of the Islamic Salvation FrontThe Islamic Salvation Front emerged in the late 1980s as a powerful Islamist political movement advocating for governance based on Sharia law. By 1991, the FIS was poised…

Monrovia, Liberia – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female president and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been re-elected as the President of Liberia in a historic election held in November 2011. Her victory marks a pivotal moment for the West African nation, as she begins her second term in office after successfully guiding Liberia through a period of post-conflict recovery and significant national rebuilding. The National Elections Commission announced that Sirleaf won approximately 61% of the vote in the run-off election held on November 8, 2011, defeating her main challenger, Winston Tubman, in a closely watched race. Her re-election…

In a brutal attack on Wednesday, armed men in military uniforms raided a village in the Wonduruba Administrative Payam, Central Equatoria State, killing ten civilians and injuring four others, according to local officials. The attackers reportedly used both firearms and machetes in the attack. This horrific incident took place shortly after a visit by Central Equatoria Governor Gen. Augustino Jadalla Kamilo. The violence is believed to have been triggered by earlier clashes between government-affiliated militias under Gen. Kenyi Abdu (also known as Kenyi Warrior) and rebel forces from the National Salvation United Forces (NSUF), led by Gen. Kenyi Loburon. The…

At least 10 cases of snakebites have been reported in Mayom County, Unity State, after severe flooding displaced residents and animals alike. Torrential rains last week submerged 11 payams, forcing both people and wildlife, including snakes, to higher ground, which led to increased encounters between venomous snakes and residents. Mayom County Commissioner Luke Chierye Riek told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the county’s health department had confirmed the snakebite cases from various locations over the past month. “The report was just released. After a week of relentless rain, floods forced many residents to move from lower areas to higher ground,…

Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the suspension of all passenger flights to Mogadishu, Somalia, effective October 14, 2024, citing operational difficulties. In an official letter dated October 9, addressed to the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Transport, KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka highlighted that this decision was necessary due to challenges that have hindered the airline’s ability to maintain the route. “Due to ongoing operational issues, the Board and Management of Kenya Airways have decided to suspend passenger flights to Mogadishu as of October 14, 2024,” Kilavuka noted in the correspondence. Kilavuka further extended his gratitude to the Ministry,…

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics has identified a pressing need for $500 million to enhance the nation’s railway system. This investment aims to bolster the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, which is vital for facilitating trade for the landlocked nation by improving access to international ports. The railway, spanning 752 kilometers and connecting the capital, Addis Ababa, to Djibouti’s port, is slated for significant upgrades. The funding will also support essential reforms in operations, legislation, and institutional structures to enhance rail safety and efficiency. Of the $500 million investment, $300 million is allocated for developing new port connections, while $200 million is…

The Ethiopian Geological Institute has strongly denied recent claims by some media sources, including Egypt Independent, about the alleged risk of an earthquake near the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The institute declared that such reports are entirely untrue. Ijara Tesfaye, the Director General of the Ethiopian Geological Institute, clarified that a recent minor earthquake near Fental, approximately 150 kilometers from Addis Ababa, registered just 4.9 on the Richter scale. However, some outlets have exaggerated this incident, creating unfounded fears about potential risks to the GERD. Tesfaye firmly rejected these assertions, describing them as baseless fabrications aimed at misleading the…

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced on Thursday that it has been forced to cease treatment for 5,000 malnourished children at Sudan’s Zamzam camp due to a severe shortage of supplies, including critical food and medicine. Among these children, 2,900 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The medical organization reported that ongoing conflict has blocked vital aid deliveries for months, preventing the replenishment of essential supplies, which ran out by the end of September. “As a result of the prolonged blockade, we have had to halt treatment for 5,000 malnourished children, including nearly 3,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition,” MSF…