Author: Abdihakim Kalale

During Iran’s recent missile attacks on Jerusalem, several Ethiopian families and women were blocked from entering a public shelter after an extremist ultra-Orthodox (haredi) faction took control of the facility and declared it “men only,” according to local media reports. Witnesses say that when the families — many of Ethiopian descent — attempted to enter the shelter, members of the group spat on them and forced them back. Police were called to the scene, but their intervention was reportedly brief. After authorities left, the group continued preventing women and families from entering the shelter. The incident has sparked condemnation and…

The United States has officially imposed a new round of sanctions on Sudan, following a formal determination that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons against its own population, according to a notice published in the Federal Register. The sanctions stem from a finding issued by the U.S. State Department on April 24, which concluded that Sudan violated international law by deploying chemical or biological agents. The measures are enacted under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991. Effective immediately, the sanctions include a suspension of most forms of U.S. foreign assistance, except for urgent humanitarian…

Families of six Moroccan nationals who were sentenced to death by a military court in Somalia’s Puntland region are calling on the Moroccan government to take urgent steps for their repatriation. The six men were convicted by a military tribunal in Bosaso on March 2, 2024, for alleged membership in Daesh. The court ordered their execution by firing squad and instructed their deportation within 18 months. However, more than a year later, the detainees remain incarcerated in Garowe, and no official timeline for their repatriation has been announced. On May 19, their families filed a formal complaint with Morocco’s Ministry…

Eritrea has formally submitted a request to the United Nations Human Rights Council to terminate the mandate of the Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring alleged human rights violations in the country — a move observers call unprecedented and potentially far-reaching in its implications. The current Special Rapporteur, Sudanese legal scholar Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, recently described the rights situation in Eritrea as “critical,” highlighting patterns of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and indefinite national service as key factors behind continued mass displacement from the country. Established in 2012, the mandate has been renewed annually, most recently under a resolution led by the…

Tanzania has successfully begun the evacuation of its citizens stranded in conflict-hit Israel and Iran, following orders from President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The first group, comprising 42 Tanzanians and their dependents, landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday after a three-day journey from Israel. Many among the returnees were students, including Neema Dashina, a medical student in Jerusalem, who expressed gratitude to the government: “It’s been a long journey, and we’re thankful to be home safe.” A second evacuation flight, carrying Tanzanians living in Iran, was expected to arrive via the United Arab Emirates early…

Somali Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, was received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday during an official visit to Türkiye. The meeting, held behind closed doors, came amid Türkiye’s bold declaration of major investments in Somalia’s critical infrastructure, including hydrocarbons and space launch facilities. The two sides did not release specific details of the meeting. However, the encounter underscores the continued momentum in maritime cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye, which has grown significantly in recent years. In 2020, the two countries signed a key agreement that allows Türkiye to conduct natural resource exploration in…

The Iranian Embassy in Nairobi has strongly denied claims linking the Islamic Republic of Iran to alleged terror plots in Kenya, calling the accusations baseless and politically driven. In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the embassy pushed back against recent media reports that referenced an alleged advisory from Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), which warned of potential terror threats coinciding with the anniversary of the June 25 protests. “These claims are the work of hostile elements with no grounding in reality,” the statement read. “They reflect fabricated narratives designed to undermine diplomatic relations.” Iran emphasized that it has no…

At least sixteen people lost their lives during Wednesday’s anti-government demonstrations across Kenya, with the majority reportedly shot by police officers, according to Amnesty International Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The protests marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly 2024 anti-tax demonstrations that ended in the storming of parliament. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Nairobi and other cities, demanding justice for those who died last year and protesting against alleged police brutality and continued economic hardship. In Nairobi, the situation escalated quickly as security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and—according…

In a historic step, Ethiopia is preparing to export crude oil for the first time, starting in September, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced during a recent conversation with local media leaders and industry experts. The milestone follows years of anticipation and groundwork in the Ogaden Basin, located in the Somali Regional State, where Chinese company Poly-GCL Petroleum has been leading exploration and development efforts. Until now, Ethiopia has spent over $4 billion annually on imported fuel, despite claims of vast untapped reserves. “This moment has been in the making for six years,” Prime Minister Abiy said, recalling the country’s initial…

Tanzania has reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the European Union to boost exploration and development of critical minerals vital for clean energy and sustainable economic growth. But while officials hail the collaboration as a pathway to industrialization, some civil society groups and environmentalists are raising red flags about long-term risks. Speaking at the launch of the PanAfGeo+ 2025–2029 program in Dar es Salaam, Minerals Deputy Permanent Secretary Msafiri Mbibo emphasized Tanzania’s ambition to become a global supplier of graphite, lithium, cobalt, and rare earths—resources deemed essential for clean energy technologies. The EU-backed PanAfGeo+ initiative, which supports geological surveys and technical…

Tensions Rise in Sudan as PM Idris Appoints Ministers, Faces Pushback from Armed GroupSudan’s transitional government took its first steps toward forming a non-partisan cabinet this week, as Prime Minister Kamal Idris named new defence and interior ministers. However, the move has sparked tensions with one of the country’s influential armed groups, exposing early rifts in the delicate political transition. According to state broadcaster SUNA, Lt. Gen. Hassan Daoud Kabroun was appointed defence minister and Lt. Gen. Babiker Samra Mustafa as interior minister. Kabroun, a South Kordofan native, previously served as the army’s director of financial affairs. Mustafa, from the…

Despite pledges to end the United States’ “forever wars,” President Donald Trump’s second term has ushered in a sharp escalation in drone strikes across Somalia, stirring concern among analysts and humanitarian advocates. According to data from New America, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has launched at least 43 air strikes in Somalia in 2025 alone, more than doubling the previous year’s total. While most of these operations targeted IS-Somalia factions in the northeast, others were aimed at al-Shabab fighters, particularly amid a renewed offensive by the group in central regions of the country. Trump’s military actions come despite campaign rhetoric emphasizing…

Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, came under heavy security lockdown today as the country marked one year since the deadly anti-tax demonstrations of 2024 that claimed over 60 lives. Police patrols, road closures, and heightened surveillance were reported across the Central Business District and other major cities, as the government braced for renewed protests. Parliament Road, previously breached during last year’s chaos, has now been reinforced with razor wire and stationed with armed officers. Access to downtown Nairobi was severely limited, with roadblocks placed at Valley Road, Ngong Road, and Donholm Roundabout. Public transport was also disrupted, with matatus and private…

Djibouti Rejects Ethiopian Naval Ambitions, Cites Sovereignty Concerns Djibouti has firmly dismissed Ethiopia’s recent request to establish a naval base on its territory, asserting its sovereignty and refusing to be drawn into regional power plays. In a bold statement, President Ismail Omar Guelleh compared the rejected proposal to a potential “Crimea of the Horn of Africa,” underscoring the risks of foreign military influence in his strategically located nation. During a wide-ranging interview with Jeune Afrique, Guelleh clarified that while Ethiopia is welcome to use Djibouti’s ports for commercial purposes, any attempt to secure exclusive military rights or territorial concessions is…

In the fertile plains of Thika, central Kenya, pineapple farming is being reshaped by technology and sustainability as agribusinesses pivot toward climate-resilient practices. One of the country’s leading fruit producers is pioneering smart agriculture methods to ensure consistent production despite extreme weather events like prolonged droughts and flash floods. Spanning over 4,000 hectares, the farm has turned to precision agriculture tools—including drone surveillance, satellite imaging, and advanced drip irrigation systems—to enhance crop yields while conserving resources. The shift to drip irrigation alone has slashed water usage by nearly 40%, making pineapple farming more sustainable and cost-efficient. Each hectare is densely…

In the heart of Tanzania, Hadija Jabiri has grown a thriving export business from humble beginnings—proving that vision and determination can transform even the smallest venture into a global enterprise. Starting with under $300 and a dream, Jabiri launched her company, GBRI, as a young business student. Her first idea—soap manufacturing—faced funding hurdles, pushing her instead toward vegetable farming, where startup costs were lower and market demand was steady. With just two acres in Iringa, she began cultivating tomatoes, onions, and peppers, securing buyers even before planting. Over time, GBRI expanded beyond its own fields, partnering with nearby smallholder farmers…