Author: Abdihakim Kalale

The humanitarian situation in Sudan is deeply alarming, according to Joyce Msuya, the acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Msuya made these comments public through a press release on Wednesday during a High-Level Side Event at the 79th Session of the General Assembly in New York.In her presentation, “The Cost of Inaction: Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region,” Msuya noted that the people of Sudan continue to suffer due to a war marked by egregious violations of human rights. She claimed that sexual assault has become a…

Kenya is on the verge of finalizing a $1.5 billion loan agreement with the UAE government, aimed at bolstering the nation’s financial stability amid escalating debt concerns. The cash-strapped East African country is currently negotiating a credit deal with the UAE to bridge its budget deficit, according to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, citing individuals familiar with the discussions. As per a Reuters source, the agreement is nearly finalized, with Kenya expected to secure the funds at an interest rate of 8.2%. One insider stated, “The deal is as good as done.” Kenya has been grappling with high domestic debt…

The Federal Republic of Somalia and the Republic of Turkiye signed an agreement on cooperation, exchange of financial intelligence, anti-money laundering, and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) in Ankara, Turkey, on September 25, 2024. Turkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and the Financial Reporting Center (FRC) of Somalia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Purpose of the AgreementThe agreement aims to strengthen the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two nations and collaborate in the fight against financial crimes, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Both Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)…

Senior Sudanese army officials have accused France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of attempting to divide Sudan and establish a state for West African Arab communities in the Darfur region and parts of Kordofan. Yasser Al-Atta, a member of the Sovereign Council and assistant commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Army, claimed that the UAE is exacerbating the crisis by supplying military support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) via Chad and the Central African Republic. In an interview with Al-Manbar, Al-Atta stated, “Talk of deploying international forces in Sudan is part of an international conspiracy sponsored by the UAE and…

Gunmen in South Sudan attacked a long-distance bus on a major road south of Juba, leaving at least one passenger dead and several others suspected to have been kidnapped, according to the army. The attack occurred on Tuesday morning, targeting a passenger vehicle en route to Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Photos from the scene show black smoke billowing into the sky as flames engulf the bus’s interior. Despite a peace agreement aimed at ending South Sudan’s prolonged civil war, large parts of the country remain unstable. Eight people were injured, and one person, a Ugandan man, was killed, according to army…

The National Salvation Front (NAS) rebels have denied any involvement in the bus ambush on the Juba-Nimule road, which resulted in the death of at least one Ugandan and the injury of eight others. The incident occurred on Tuesday when gunmen opened fire on a Bebeto Coach bus traveling to Uganda. Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), attributed the attack to NAS rebels under the leadership of Gen. Thomas Cirillo. However, NAS leadership denied these allegations in a press release on Wednesday. “NAS vehemently rejects the SSPDF spokesperson’s baseless and false…

The meeting between Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, represents a significant diplomatic milestone. Taking place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, their discussions highlighted Sudan’s deep appreciation for Turkiye’s steadfast support in humanitarian and political matters. Al-Burhan briefed Erdogan on the extensive damage inflicted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), emphasizing their role in the destruction of critical infrastructure and widespread atrocities against civilians. He reiterated the Sudanese government’s commitment to peace, noting its active participation in the Jeddah Agreement negotiations—an agreement that the…

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has officially launched restoration work on the Negashi Tomb and Mosque, a significant historical and cultural heritage site in Ethiopia. This initiative is part of a broader project supported by the Turkish Presidency aimed at repairing the damage sustained during recent conflicts. The Negashi Tomb and Mosque, originally constructed in early centuries, is known for its rich architectural style and historical importance, serving as a central place of worship and community gathering for centuries. The restoration is being executed by TIKA in collaboration with local experts and craftsmen, ensuring that traditional methods are…

In 2004, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Wangari Maathai, a remarkable environmental and political activist from Kenya, in recognition of her tireless efforts in promoting sustainable development, democracy, and peace. Maathai made history as the first African woman to receive this prestigious award, highlighting the critical intersection between environmental conservation and global peace. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, an initiative aimed at combating deforestation, promoting biodiversity, and empowering women through tree-planting projects across Kenya. The movement not only addressed environmental degradation but also challenged traditional social norms by empowering women to take control of their…

12 young Tanzanians from diverse educational backgrounds have developed a robot photographer to address the challenges faced by videographers, who often have to stand for long hours under the sun while filming events. The robot, equipped with built-in lights, operates both during the day and at night. Its creation involved experts in electronics, metalworking, aluminum, and woodworking. It has also been endorsed by Prof. Baraka Maiseli, Head of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam’s College of Information and Communication Technologies. One of the innovators, Brighton Katabazi, the director of KBTIT video recording…

Amid escalating regional tensions, the Ethiopian General Consulate in Beirut, Lebanon, has urged Ethiopian nationals residing in southern and eastern Lebanon to register their personal details. In a statement issued on September 25, 2024, the consulate cited “deteriorating security conditions” in these areas as the reason behind this precaution. “It has become essential to identify our citizens living in these regions,” the statement read. The advisory is directed at Ethiopian nationals residing in Tyre, Sur, Byblos, Marjayoun, Nabatieh, and Sidon in southern Lebanon, as well as those in the Al-Bekaa Valley and surrounding areas in eastern Lebanon. This warning follows…

The Skyleader 600, Tanzania’s first locally manufactured aircraft, is set to be a highlight during the Tanzania International Manufacturers Expo (TIMEXPO 2024), which will kick off at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) on Thursday, September 26. Mr. Freddie Manento, Chief Executive Officer of Radian Limited and the event coordinator, revealed that the Skyleader 600 is specifically designed for long-haul business travel and can carry two passengers, in addition to the pilot. The airplane is manufactured by Airplanes Africa Limited (AAL), a company based in Morogoro. Throughout the event, two aircraft will be on display at different locations.…

In a military operation carried out by Jubbaland security forces in Janaay Abdalla village near Kismayo on Tuesday, at least ten Al-Shabaab militants were killed. Military sources reported that Jubbaland’s Darawish forces launched a preemptive strike against Al-Shabaab fighters who were allegedly preparing an attack in the region. The militants were believed to be planning a counteroffensive to reclaim Janaay Abdalla, an area liberated by government forces earlier. A security officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “During the operation, we successfully neutralized close to 10 militants and injured several others.” Janaay Abdalla is strategically important for defending Kismayo, the…

In what seems to be an effort to mend a previously strained relationship, President William Ruto met with Darren Walker, the head of the Ford Foundation, on Tuesday, September 24. The meeting occurred months after Ruto had accused the American foundation of sponsoring youth movements in Kenya. Currently in the US for the 79th UN General Assembly, Ruto shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account: “Kenya appreciates the Ford Foundation’s dedication to safeguarding our democracy and supporting Kenya’s demands for modern technology regulation, climate action, and reforms in international economic institutions.” Earlier this year, President Ruto responded to an unexpected…

Raila Odinga, the Azimio leader, is gaining traction in his bid to become Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) after President William Ruto secured the backing of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. President Faye, who was elected on March 24 and is the youngest head of state in Africa at 44, has prioritized fighting poverty, inequality, and corruption, advocating for “systemic changes” in his country. According to a statement from the presidency, the meeting between Ruto and Faye took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Raila faces competition from candidates representing Madagascar, Djibouti, and Mauritius, all…

On the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met with his Iraqi counterpart, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, on Tuesday. The discussion centered around mutual concerns and strategies to strengthen bilateral relations. According to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office, the leaders discussed expanding cooperation in economic, security, and cultural domains. They revisited the agreements made during Prime Minister Abdi Barre’s visit to Baghdad in July, reviewing the progress of those initiatives. Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized the importance of enhancing the partnership between Iraq and Somalia and congratulated Somalia on…