Author: Abdihakim Kalale

As Sudan’s brutal civil war enters its third year, international aid organizations and the United Nations are warning that the country is now experiencing the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis. With more than half of the population—nearly 25 million people—in need of urgent assistance, Sudan is facing catastrophic levels of hunger, mass displacement, and unchecked violence, particularly in the Darfur region. Aid agencies report the conflict has surpassed all previous crises in terms of scale and devastation. The conflict, which began in April 2023, pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent attacks by…

The announcement was made in a joint statement by the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), which includes the U.S. and six Gulf countries. The newly sanctioned individuals are accused of playing key roles in al-Shabaab’s military, intelligence, and financial networks. Among those named is Xassan Abshir Xuuroow, a senior intelligence officer accused of extorting money from residents around Kismayo, and Mumin Dheere, the deputy emir of al-Shabaab in Lower Juba, who reportedly planned attacks on strategic targets including Kismayo Airport. Other names on the list include Macalin Burhaan, who has detained over 80 civilians in Lower Juba and refused to…

The United Arab Emirates has secretly installed a sophisticated Israeli-made radar system at its Bosaso Air Base in Somalia’s Puntland region, marking a significant expansion of its military and strategic presence in the Horn of Africa, according to local defense analysts seen by the Wall Africa Journal. The radar system, known as the ELM-2084 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), is one of the most advanced surveillance systems in use worldwide. Capable of tracking aircraft, missiles, drones, and artillery fire simultaneously, it boasts a detection range of up to 470 kilometers and the ability to monitor over 1,000 targets in…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and First Lady Zinash Tayachew arrived in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on Monday, marking the first official visit by an Ethiopian head of government since diplomatic ties were established between the two nations in 1976. The four-day visit, made at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, includes Ethiopia’s participation in the 2025 Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) Summit. The summit brings together world leaders to discuss sustainable development and climate resilience. According to Vietnamese state media, the visit also signals a renewed push to strengthen relations between Ethiopia and…

Al-Shabaab has reportedly shifted its military focus from parts of South West State to central Somalia, as security sources confirm that the militant group has redeployed fighters from the Bay and Bakool regions to the Hiiraan region, particularly the contested area of Aboorey. This strategic move comes amid an ongoing offensive by Somali government forces, who have been engaged in fierce clashes with the group since April 8. According to Hiiraan News Agency (HNA), local analysts believe this relocation is part of Al-Shabaab’s plan to consolidate its presence in Hiiraan, possibly easing pressure on the previously blockaded zones in South…

In the rugged interior of the Horn of Africa, long before the rise of modern nationalist movements, a flame of resistance burned fiercely. It was not ignited in European capitals or shaped in colonial drawing rooms—it was born in the Somali deserts, in mosques and poetry circles, and in the minds of determined youth. That flame was the Dervish Movement (Dhaqdhaqaaqa Daraawiish), a Somali-led Islamic and anti-colonial struggle that challenged the might of the British Empire, the Italian colonizers, and the Ethiopian monarchy. From 1899 to 1920, under the uncompromising leadership of Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, the Dervish Movement established…

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly taken control of the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur following three days of intense attacks, triggering a mass exodus and worsening the region’s humanitarian crisis. Local officials and aid workers confirmed that thousands of families fled the camp, which houses more than half a million displaced people, as fighting intensified. The RSF assault, allegedly led by commander Jedo Abenchok, has left hundreds dead and injured, according to Sudanese opposition figures and humanitarian sources. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates over 3,000 families fled toward El Fasher and surrounding areas. North…

Somalia is preparing for a significant democratic milestone as officials announced that voter registration for local elections in Mogadishu will begin on April 15, ahead of polls scheduled for June 30. The vote, which marks the first direct election of local leaders in the capital in decades, is a major step in the country’s shift toward a one-person, one-vote system. Deputy Governor of Banadir for Security, Mohamed Ahmed Diiriye Yabooh, confirmed on Saturday that registration will commence in nine districts across the capital, with plans in place for elections in all 20 districts by July. “The people are ready to…

With over 90 percent of votes counted, Nguema garnered nearly 80 percent of the total vote, while his closest rival, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, received approximately 3 percent. The remaining candidates, including six other contenders, failed to secure more than 1 percent each. Nguema, who led the August 2023 coup that ended the 55-year rule of the Bongo family, had widely been expected to win. His rise to power followed decades of dynastic leadership and was hailed by some as a chance for national renewal, though critics argued the new electoral framework favored the military-backed administration. Despite some concerns raised by opposition…

Gabon is anticipating the announcement of provisional results from Saturday’s presidential election, the first national vote since the military ousted longtime leader Ali Bongo in a coup in August 2023. The transitional leader and coup architect, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who reshaped the constitution to pave the way for his candidacy, is widely viewed as the frontrunner. However, critics argue that the new legal framework—crafted under his leadership—was tailored to favor his ascent to the presidency. Saturday’s vote marks a significant turning point for the oil- and timber-rich Central African nation, which is emerging from more than 50 years of…

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has reiterated his appeal for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), asserting that the current structure fails to reflect today’s global realities and continues to marginalize Africa. Speaking at the official opening of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, President Bio joined a high-level panel discussion alongside former Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Philemon Yang, the current President of the 79th United Nations General Assembly and former Prime Minister of Cameroon. During the session titled “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” President Bio described the current UNSC framework as outdated and “unacceptable,”…

Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has officially granted a license to Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to operate in the country. The move is being hailed as a major step forward in bridging Somalia’s digital divide, particularly for underserved and remote rural communities. The announcement was made during a formal ceremony in Mogadishu attended by Starlink representatives and senior government officials. The licensing agreement enables Starlink to begin rolling out its high-speed, low-latency satellite internet service across Somalia—offering a transformative boost to national connectivity efforts. Starlink’s entry into Somalia represents a significant milestone in our…

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirmed his country’s commitment to combating terrorism and strengthening state institutions during his remarks at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Saturday. He emphasized Somalia’s growing resilience and international engagement, while expressing gratitude to Türkiye for its ongoing support. Speaking to global leaders and diplomats, Mohamud said Somalia has shifted from the brink of collapse to a state of fragility, noting improvements in security and governance, despite challenges. “Somalia and Türkiye are real partners built on mutual interests,” he said, underscoring Türkiye’s critical role in training and equipping Somali forces. Mohamud acknowledged international backing from the…

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has expressed readiness to work alongside the region’s newly appointed Interim Administration while emphasizing its continued institutional independence. TPLF Chairperson Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) made the remarks during a gathering on Thursday following the appointment of Lt. Gen. Tadesse Worede as the new President of the Interim Administration. He succeeds Getachew Reda, whose departure comes after months of internal friction between the interim government and the TPLF. In an apparent effort to ease political tensions, Debretsion called for cooperation and unity in addressing Tigray’s urgent priorities. “We are prepared to work in a coordinated manner…

Authorities in Somaliland have condemned Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s planned visit to LasAnod, calling it a “provocative” move amid ongoing tensions over the contested Sool region. In a statement issued Thursday, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the visit as a violation of Somaliland’s claimed territorial control and warned it could disrupt regional stability. “Such actions threaten ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security in the Horn of Africa,” the statement read. LasAnod, located in eastern Sool, has been at the center of a dispute between Somaliland and local clans. In August 2023, Somaliland forces were pushed out…