Author: Abdihakim Kalale

As Somali-American State Senator Omar Fateh campaigns to become the next mayor of Minneapolis, he is facing a wave of Islamophobic and racially charged attacks. Far-right voices have questioned his loyalty and background, especially after a past campaign clip showed him calling Somalia “home.” Critics have used this to cast doubt on his American identity, sparking viral disinformation and doctored images online. Despite the hostility, Fateh’s campaign has gained momentum, drawing comparisons to Zohran Mamdani—the Muslim democratic socialist who recently defeated Andrew Cuomo in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary. Both Fateh and Mamdani are sons of immigrants, rooted in grassroots…

The Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO), a political and armed group based in Ethiopia, held a public conference on 13 July in Semera-Logia, the capital of Afar regional state. The gathering brought together RSADO’s leadership, youth, women’s associations, and civil society members to discuss the group’s objectives and future direction. At the conclusion of the event, RSADO reaffirmed its intention to continue both political and military efforts aimed at challenging Eritrea’s ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). The group’s six-point statement emphasized its call for the full recognition of the Red Sea Afar people’s right to self-determination,…

Following coordinated attacks on July 1 that resulted in the deaths of ten Malian soldiers, the Malian Armed Forces launched a series of targeted operations across the Kayes and Nara regions. The attackers, identified as members of the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group, had targeted seven key locations, including Kayes, Niono, and Diboli. In response, the military carried out air and ground operations that reportedly neutralized over 80 fighters and destroyed safe havens, logistics hubs, and a training camp in the Gal-Gal forest. Additional strikes near Madina Kagoro dismantled lookout shelters and secured surveillance equipment. Malian military spokesperson Colonel-Major Souleymane Dembélé confirmed…

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), backed by international partners, launched a successful intelligence-led operation on Saturday near Gayacad junction in the Hiiraan region, killing 15 Al-Shabaab militants, including several field commanders. The multi-phase raid targeted fighters mobilized from Middle Shabelle regions of Adan Yabal and Ceel Cali Ahmed. The group was reportedly heading to reinforce trapped militants in Hiiraan but was intercepted and neutralized despite efforts to hide in remote bush areas. Five militants were also wounded. While a few fighters escaped, a manhunt is currently underway. NISA praised international support and reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating Al-Shabaab’s…

U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by claiming the United States funded the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), despite repeated denials from Ethiopian officials and documented evidence that the project is entirely domestically financed. Speaking during a televised meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 14, Trump alleged that the dam, which he called a threat to Egypt’s water supply, was built using U.S. funds. He previously made a similar claim in June on his social media platform. In response, the Public Coordination Office for the GERD in Addis Ababa strongly rejected the statement. Aregawi Berhe, head…

Relations between China and Niger are showing signs of strain following recent disagreements over energy sector operations and employee policies. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting with Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakari Yaou Sangaré in Changsha, emphasized the importance of resolving differences through dialogue. “The two sides should properly handle the differences and problems encountered in cooperation through dialogue,” Wang stated, according to a readout from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier this year, Niger’s government expelled three executives of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) over wage disparity issues between local and expatriate workers. Additionally, a Chinese-owned hotel…

Angola has announced a major breakthrough in offshore energy exploration after uncovering over one trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Lower Congo Basin, marking the country’s first-ever gas-focused discovery. The successful drilling of the Gajajeira-01 well, located in Block 1/14, also revealed large volumes of condensates. This milestone is seen as a critical step in implementing Angola’s Gas Master Plan, aimed at reducing oil flaring, boosting domestic power capacity, and positioning the country as a key regional gas exporter. The project is operated by Azule Energy — a joint venture between BP and Eni — which holds a…

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away at the age of 82 in a medical facility in London, marking the end of a political era that spanned both military rule and democratic leadership. Buhari, a retired army general, first rose to prominence as Nigeria’s military ruler between 1983 and 1985. He later re-emerged as a civilian politician, becoming president in 2015 after three unsuccessful attempts. His 2015 victory was historic, as he became the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent president in Nigeria’s democratic history. He served two terms before leaving office in 2023. Throughout his career, Buhari…

A new report has revealed that several African nations are making strides in English language skills, with South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda leading the continent in proficiency. The findings are based on the 2024 English Proficiency Index published by EF Education First, which evaluated more than 2 million test-takers globally. Despite a global decline in English ability for the fourth consecutive year, Africa stands out as the only continent where women consistently outperform men in language proficiency. Ethiopia, in particular, recorded the world’s largest gender gap in favor of women, with a 58-point difference. Africa Defies Global Trends…

Thousands of miners in eastern DR Congo toil daily under harsh conditions at the vast Rubaya mine, which supplies a significant portion of the world’s coltan—an essential mineral used in smartphones and other electronic devices. In a rare visit facilitated by M23 rebels who now control the region, international journalists witnessed the operation of one of Africa’s most strategic mining sites. Coltan ore, extracted from the Masisi Hills of North Kivu, represents about 15% of global supply and half of DR Congo’s domestic production. More than 10,000 workers were observed engaged in strenuous labor—digging, hauling, washing, and processing the mineral-rich…

Since the onset of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023, at least 23 civilians have lost their lives and 51 others injured in incidents involving landmines and explosive remnants of war, according to Sudanese authorities. Major General Khalid Hamdan, head of the National Mine Action Centre, revealed that 51 separate explosions have been recorded across Khartoum, Blue Nile, and North Kordofan states, underscoring the growing threat posed by unexploded ordnance. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are believed to have planted mines in strategic areas to hinder enemy movements. With some displaced residents beginning to…

Ethiopia has announced steps to reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar by conducting trade using alternative currencies, according to the Ministry of Finance. State Minister of Finance Eyob Tekalign confirmed on Friday that Ethiopia has already signed bilateral agreements with countries like the United Arab Emirates to enable currency swaps and local currency-based trade. The move is part of a broader strategy to diversify Ethiopia’s foreign trade operations, mitigate risks linked to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar, and enhance trade partnerships with a wider range of countries. “This is not only about financial convenience, but also about protecting Ethiopia’s…

A deadly airstrike in northern Yemen has left over 60 people dead and dozens more injured, most of them Ethiopian migrants, after U.S.-made bombs struck a detention center in the Houthi-controlled city of Saada. Survivors of the April 28 strike say they were caught off guard in the middle of the night as explosions ripped through the building, collapsing its roof and sending shards of metal and concrete flying. Eyewitnesses describe a horrifying scene of bodies mangled, limbs severed, and survivors buried beneath rubble. Most of the detainees were migrants from Ethiopia’s conflict-ridden Tigray region, fleeing civil war and economic…

Cameroon will head to the polls on October 12 for its next presidential election, as announced by a decree signed by President Paul Biya on Friday. The election will determine the future leadership of the Central African country, home to nearly 30 million people and rich in cocoa and oil resources. According to the electoral law, presidential hopefuls must submit their candidacies within 10 days following the convening of the electoral college. At 92 years old, Biya is currently the oldest sitting head of state globally and has led Cameroon since 1982. He has not yet confirmed whether he will…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced at the United Nations Security Council that it has gathered sufficient evidence to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being perpetrated in Darfur, western Sudan. ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan highlighted targeted sexual violence against women and girls of certain ethnic groups as among the most egregious abuses uncovered during the ongoing investigation. The probe is based on more than 7,000 pieces of evidence, including testimonies from survivors who fled to neighboring Chad. “These findings reveal an entrenched pattern of violations,” Khan told the Council, emphasizing the bravery of those…

Kenya has launched stakeholder consultations for a major regional fiber optic infrastructure project that will connect northeastern Kenya with both Ethiopia and Somalia, aiming to enhance digital connectivity and cross-border cooperation in the Horn of Africa. The project, spearheaded by Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy along with the ICT Authority, is part of the World Bank–funded Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP). At the heart of the initiative is a 740-kilometre fiber optic backbone stretching from Isiolo to Mandera, near the borders of Ethiopia and Somalia. In addition to the main backbone, the plan includes…