Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Thousands of Ethiopian migrants, alongside others from the Horn of Africa, are undertaking life-threatening voyages across the Gulf of Aden, driven by a desperate hope to escape poverty and conflict. Their final destinations are often Yemen or Saudi Arabia, where they seek better economic opportunities. However, this perilous journey, known locally as “tahriib or illegal Migration,” subjects migrants to violent smugglers, extreme weather, and severe exploitation. Many, like Sami, a young man from Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, have faced horrific conditions. In Yemen’s smuggling camps, migrants are detained and extorted. “There were hundreds of us—mostly from Ethiopia but also Somalia and…

The Sudanese army has firmly denied accusations by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that its forces bombed the UAE ambassador’s residence in Khartoum. On Sunday, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed the Sudanese army conducted the attack using aircraft, promising to file formal protests with the UN and regional organizations. In a Monday statement, a Sudanese army spokesperson dismissed the allegations, accusing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of targeting diplomatic missions. The army reiterated its commitment to only targeting militia positions and condemned the RSF’s actions as part of broader foreign involvement in Sudan’s internal conflict. Following the conflict’s…

During an 11-day humanitarian expedition, a volunteer medical team from Türkiye, consisting of physicians, nurses, anesthesia technicians, and civil society members, provided free medical exams and procedures to hundreds of Ugandans. The health initiative was sponsored by the Friends of All Africa Association (TADD) in collaboration with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and Uganda’s Ministry of Health. One of the standout cases involved the successful removal of a 5-kilogram keloid mass from a patient named Muhammad Ramazan, 39. The 18-member medical team, specializing in general surgery, urology, ENT, gynecology, and plastic surgery, assessed around 1,500 individuals and performed…

Botswana, a southern African nation known for its rich wildlife and natural beauty, celebrates 58 years of independence from British rule on September 30. Gaining sovereignty in 1966, the country has since emerged from a challenging economic beginning to become one of Africa’s most prosperous and stable democracies. Under the leadership of its founding president, Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana transitioned from a heavily impoverished nation to a model of good governance and economic growth. At the time of independence, Botswana had little infrastructure and relied heavily on British aid. However, Khama’s leadership focused on prudent management of resources, particularly the…

São Tomé and Príncipe commemorates its National Unity Day on July 12, a significant event honoring the country’s long struggle for independence and the importance of national solidarity. This annual holiday pays tribute to the country’s efforts to unify its citizens against colonial rule, culminating in independence from Portugal in 1975. The day’s celebrations feature speeches by political leaders, cultural performances, and reflections on the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. President Carlos Vila Nova emphasized the need for ongoing national unity and cooperation to address contemporary challenges like economic development and education reform. He also acknowledged the importance of strengthening…

The Somaliland Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest of opposition Awdal region MP Mohamed Abiib Yusuf was unlawful, demanding his immediate release from Madera prison. The court cited the House of Representatives’ majority vote rejecting the withdrawal of Yusuf’s parliamentary immunity, deeming his imprisonment illegal under the Somaliland Constitution. Yusuf, who opposes Somaliland President Muse Bihi, was detained after returning from the UAE and charged with treason, discrediting the armed forces, and undermining national interests. His arrest faced widespread criticism for violating constitutional rights.

According to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Ethiopian authorities are allegedly infringing on Somalia’s sovereignty by taking control of crucial infrastructure in the southern Gedo region. Reports indicate that airports in Luuq, Dolow, and Bardhere are now under Ethiopian military oversight, purportedly due to security concerns related to Egypt’s presence in the area. In an interview with Al Jazeera, President Mohamud stated, “Ethiopia has taken control of important roads and airports in Gedo under the pretense of preventing Egypt from establishing a foothold. This constitutes an unlawful violation of Somalia’s territorial sovereignty.” He condemned Addis Ababa for seeking military dominance…

On Sunday, Türkiye dispatched a ship loaded with 3,000 tons of humanitarian supplies to Somalia, following the Ship of Goodness departing from Mersin, a southern province in Türkiye. This aid was loaded onto the ship GHADA under the supervision of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), with assistance from the Turkish Red Crescent and other non-governmental organizations. During the farewell ceremony, AFAD President Okay Memis announced that since 2016, Türkiye has provided nearly 60,000 tons of relief to Somalia, which is prone to cyclones, floods, famines, and droughts. He credited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s support for these efforts. Memis…

A looming impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua may soon come to a head in the Kenyan Parliament, as growing discontent from various MPs has begun to crystallize into formal proceedings. A prominent MP revealed that sufficient signatures have been gathered to initiate the motion, which could take place within days unless intervened by President William Ruto. Gachagua faces serious allegations, including fostering ethnic division, undermining presidential authority, and allegedly inciting anti-government protests that erupted this past June and July over tax hikes. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has suggested legal action against several associates of the Deputy…

Since the outbreak of violence in Sudan in April, over 3,000 children have reportedly been killed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the National Council for Child Welfare. The council also revealed that over 5,000 children, including 700 girls and 100 boys, have been subjected to sexual violence. This disturbing rise in assaults was particularly pronounced from July onward, highlighting the increased vulnerability of children in conflict zones. Secretary General Abdulqader Abdallah reported to the Sudanese Journal that multiple states have confirmed the RSF’s involvement in using children as combatants. “More than 3,000 children have been killed, while…

A group of MPs from Somalia’s Lower House has filed a resolution criticizing the leadership of Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The proposal was officially submitted to parliamentary leadership on Saturday. The lawmakers claim that the ministry’s activities come to a halt when the minister is away on official trips. They further accused Fiqi of consolidating operations within the ministry, limiting broader participation.Additionally, the MPs raised concerns about the alleged misuse of the ministry’s official seal by private businesses, which reportedly overcharge citizens for services. They assert that a significant portion of the revenue…

During the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s concerns regarding the Nile River water crisis and condemned unilateral actions that threaten Somalia’s sovereignty. Addressing the Nile water issue, Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt’s strategy for tackling the crisis is based on ensuring equitable use for all parties, without harming downstream nations. He accused Ethiopia of acting unilaterally and in violation of international law. According to Abdelatty, Egypt’s approach seeks to maximize benefits for all involved and ensure fair water usage while safeguarding downstream countries. He warned: “Anyone who thinks…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) accused the Sudanese army of bombing its ambassador’s residence in Khartoum, pledging to file a formal complaint with the UN and other regional bodies. According to the UAE Foreign Ministry, a Sudanese military aircraft caused “significant damage” to the building. The exact timing of the incident was not disclosed. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit a protest letter against this attack by the Sudanese Armed Forces to the African Union, the United Nations, and the League of Arab States, calling it a flagrant violation of the principle of diplomatic inviolability,” the statement said. In…

For the first time, China has imported dried sea cucumbers from Kenya, with a 300 kg shipment arriving at Changsha Huanghua International Airport in Hunan Province, central China. Chinese consumers are increasingly interested in sea cucumbers due to their reputation for being high in protein, low in fat, and low in cholesterol. According to Changsha Customs, China primarily imports sea cucumber products from North America, northern Europe, and other regions. The inclusion of Kenya as a source for sea cucumbers marks an expansion of China’s import network. Customs data reveals that Hunan imported over 300 million yuan (approximately 42.8 million…

On Sunday, a senior Sudanese general visited a military zone north of Khartoum, as part of a large-scale operation to reclaim the city from competing paramilitary forces. The army recently regained control of this strategically important area. Major General Mohamed Abbas al-Labeeb, deputy director of the General Intelligence Service, accompanied Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta, assistant to the army chief, during an inspection of troops and defenses in the Kadaru military zone. This visit followed the army’s advance from Omdurman, crossing the Nile River into Khartoum and Bahri, where they merged with forces stationed in Kadaru. General al-Atta addressed the troops,…

Ethiopia has largely remained silent regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with Somaliland, while Somalia has actively sought military, diplomatic, and other forms of support, claiming that the agreement infringes on its sovereignty. However, Ethiopia has recently begun voicing its support for the accord, as demonstrated during the United Nations General Assembly. According to an update from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland is “based on the existing political arrangement in Somalia,” as stated by Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie during his speech at the UN. Ethiopia also emphasized that the “goal is shared growth and…