Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Adem Mohammed, has expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the Ankara Declaration, describing it as a vital step in easing tensions with Somalia and commending Türkiye’s role as mediator in the Horn of Africa. Speaking in Ankara, Ambassador Mohammed highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to peace, conflict resolution, and regional stability, noting that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s mediation has helped reduce hostilities and promote dialogue. “The Ankara Declaration has strengthened mutual understanding and laid the groundwork for a long-term peace initiative,” he said. Relations between Ethiopia and Somalia deteriorated after Ethiopia’s January 2024 deal with Somaliland, granting sea…

Niger’s military announced it has eliminated a senior Boko Haram commander in the country’s southeast during a targeted air operation. The army said the militant, known as Bakura but identified by authorities as Ibrahim Mahamadu, was killed last week on an island in the Diffa region, near the Lake Chad basin where Niger borders Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon. Officials described the attack as a “surgical operation” carried out by fighter jets. Bakura was considered one of the group’s most feared figures, linked to cross-border raids and attacks on civilians. Boko Haram’s insurgency, which began in Nigeria in 2009, has since…

Demonstrators in several South African cities have called on the government to ban coal exports to Israel, arguing that the shipments undermine Pretoria’s legal case against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Protests were held in Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town, where participants carried signs denouncing coal companies and demanding an immediate embargo. Mining giant Glencore, which exports coal to Israel, was singled out by protesters, who said the supplies help sustain Israel’s electricity grid and military operations. The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA), which supported the demonstrations, said it was unacceptable for South…

Heavy rains in Niger have triggered severe flooding that has left at least 47 people dead and forced more than 56,000 from their homes, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The General Directorate of Civil Protection said 7,754 households across 339 neighborhoods and villages have been affected. Of the casualties, 30 people were killed when their homes collapsed, while 17 others drowned. At least 70 people were injured, and 257 livestock were also lost in the disaster. Officials said emergency food assistance is being distributed, with more than 3,700 families identified as immediate beneficiaries. Relief agencies are also assessing further needs as…

Türkiye’s deepening engagement with Africa is drawing praise from leaders across the continent, with Somali and Sudanese officials highlighting Ankara’s growing influence in humanitarian aid, development, and strategic partnerships. Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, described President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s landmark 2011 visit to Mogadishu as a “turning point” that shifted Somalia’s trajectory. “At that time, Somalia was cut off from the world, facing famine and collapse. Türkiye’s presence brought international attention and hope,” Nur said. He emphasized that relations, which began with humanitarian aid, have since expanded to strategic cooperation in energy, fisheries, infrastructure, and…

A draft peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group proposes restoring government authority in territories currently controlled by the insurgents. The draft, presented by Qatar, outlines a three-phase process aimed at implementing a ceasefire, releasing prisoners, and eventually returning rebel-held areas to state administration. Both sides are expected to discuss the proposal in Doha in the coming days under international mediation. Diplomatic sources confirmed the authenticity of the text, though Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi has voiced dissatisfaction with the current draft. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Tshisekedi signaled the need for…

Burkina Faso has declared UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata, accusing her of co-chairing a report that alleged child rights abuses by the country’s security forces. In a statement, the Burkinabe government rejected the findings, saying the report “indiscriminately” equated the actions of terrorist groups with those of national defense forces and relied on “unfounded statements and falsehoods” without supporting judicial evidence or official investigations. The report, prepared by a UN country task force and submitted to the Security Council, detailed alleged violations against children amid the country’s ongoing security crisis. Officials in Ouagadougou expressed anger that local…

Bamako, August 2025 – France has called for the immediate release of one of its embassy employees detained in Mali, warning that the arrest violates international law protections for diplomatic staff. Malian authorities claim the individual was engaged in intelligence activities on behalf of France and accuse “foreign states” of plotting to destabilize the country. The arrest coincides with the government’s announcement that dozens of Malian soldiers were taken into custody over an alleged coup plot. Relations between Bamako and Paris have deteriorated sharply since Mali’s 2020 and 2021 coups, with the ruling military authorities turning away from France and…

A Tanzanian court has prohibited media outlets from broadcasting the trial of prominent opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. Principal Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga announced the ruling during preliminary proceedings at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, citing the need to protect civilian witnesses. “Live streaming, live broadcasting, and any other form of live distribution, including social media, are hereby prohibited,” he declared. Lissu, leader of the opposition party CHADEMA, was arrested in April after prosecutors accused him of urging the public to disrupt the country’s upcoming October elections. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. The…

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has strongly rejected recent Israeli remarks promoting the idea of a “Greater Israel,” during a visit to the Rafah border crossing alongside Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. Speaking at a press conference, Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt will not accept the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. He reaffirmed Cairo’s long-standing stance on the Palestinian issue, stating: “Our position is firm and unchanging. We reject all attempts to erase or undermine the Palestinian cause.” His comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly described himself as deeply committed to the vision of a Greater Israel —…

Authorities in Nigeria are searching for more than 40 people feared missing after a boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized in Sokoto State, in the country’s northwest. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that the vessel was transporting over 50 people to Goronyo Market when it overturned. Rescue teams were quickly deployed, and about 10 passengers have so far been pulled to safety. Officials said the cause of the disaster is under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest the boat may have been overloaded, a frequent problem in riverine areas of Sokoto. Such accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria, especially…

Reports from North Darfur’s capital indicate that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of carrying out summary executions of civilians amid heavy fighting for control of El Fasher. Local sources said at least 12 unarmed men were killed in the Shaqra area, west of the city, after RSF fighters claimed they were involved in smuggling. In addition, artillery bombardments over the weekend struck residential neighborhoods and the Abu Shouk camp for displaced people, killing more than 30 people, according to grassroots resistance committees. Witnesses further accused RSF fighters of entering the camp, executing residents, and abducting others. Footage…

Tanzania and Burundi have officially broken ground on a landmark railway project that will link Uvinza in western Tanzania to Musongati in eastern Burundi, marking the first cross-border standard gauge railway (SGR) in East Africa. The project, estimated at over $2.15 billion, was launched on August 16 in Musongati, where Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye presided over the ceremony. The railway will stretch 240 kilometers and is expected to be completed within five years. Prime Minister Majaliwa highlighted the transformative potential of the project, noting that travel and cargo times will be drastically reduced. “Today,…

Sudan has finalized a major defense contract with Pakistan worth more than $1.5 billion, underscoring deepening military ties between the two countries. The agreement was reached following a high-level Sudanese military delegation’s visit to Pakistan, led by Lieutenant General Pilot Al-Tahir Mohamed Al-Awad Al-Amin, Commander of the Sudanese Air Force. The delegation included senior officials from Sudan’s Air Defense Command and the Military Industry Corporation. During meetings with Pakistan’s Minister of Defence, the Chief of Air Staff, and other top officials, the two sides concluded an extensive package covering aircraft, drones, armored vehicles, and air defense systems. The deal includes:•…

A letter from US Senator Ted Cruz urging President Donald Trump to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence has drawn sharp responses from Somalia and China, underscoring the growing geopolitical contest in the Horn of Africa. Senator Cruz’s Proposal In his letter dated August 14, Cruz described Somaliland as a “critical security and diplomatic partner” for the United States, highlighting its role in counterterrorism, military cooperation, and economic engagement. He argued that recognizing Somaliland would strengthen US strategic interests in the Horn of Africa and beyond. Somali Government Response Somalia’s leadership firmly rejected the proposal, stressing that the country’s unity and territorial…

South Africa’s Chief of Defence, General Rudzani Maphwanya, is under fire following remarks he reportedly made during a visit to Iran, which critics say could harm Pretoria’s already fragile relations with the United States. According to Iranian state media, General Maphwanya praised the “lasting bond” between South Africa and Iran, recalled Tehran’s support for the anti-apartheid struggle, and said both nations share “common goals.” He also condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. His Iranian counterpart hailed South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice as being in line with Iran’s foreign policy.…