Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Government officials warn that the blockade, which has lasted for nearly a year and intensified in recent weeks, has created life-threatening conditions. Food supplies have dwindled, prices have skyrocketed, and aid convoys remain blocked, placing entire communities at risk of starvation. On Saturday, a high-level Sudanese delegation led by Sovereign Council member Ibrahim Jabir met with UN officials, including Deputy Resident Humanitarian Coordinator Kristina Hamburg. Also present were key Sudanese figures such as the Information Minister, the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary, and the Acting Humanitarian Aid Commissioner. In a statement, Information Minister Khalid Aleisir said Sudan had formally requested the UN…

The Shuwalid Festival is currently being celebrated in Ethiopia’s historic city of Harar, drawing local and regional participants to honor a centuries-old cultural tradition that was recently recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. The festival, observed annually by the Harari people, marks the end of six days of voluntary fasting after Ramadan and involves communal prayers, spiritual songs, traditional dances, and exhibitions of Harari crafts, jewelry, clothing, and cuisine. The three-day celebration is centered at the revered shrines of Aw Shulum Ahmed and Aw Akebara, located at the main gates of the ancient walled city of…

Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially objected to an upcoming international conference on the Sudan crisis scheduled to take place in London this month, expressing frustration at being excluded while countries it accuses of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been invited. The high-level conference, jointly organized by the European Union, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, is set to take place in mid-April. It aims to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Sudan and mobilize international support for the United Nations humanitarian response plan, which targets assistance to over 20.9 million people affected by the conflict. In…

Five Kenyan chiefs who were abducted in February while en route to a security planning meeting ahead of President William Ruto’s visit have been released, local authorities confirmed. The officials, taken near the Mandera-Somalia border, were freed on Sunday evening after negotiations between regional elders and the abductors reportedly succeeded. The captives were dropped off by unidentified individuals after being held across the border in Somalia for nearly two months. The chiefs—drawn from Wargadud East, Qurahmudow, and Chachabole administrative areas—were seized between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki while travelling to Elwak Town. Their abduction triggered national security concerns, with President…

In a comprehensive report released ahead of the transition, Nur highlighted the key achievements of his time in office, which saw sweeping reforms in the military, increased international cooperation, and a notable rise in the operational strength of the Somali National Army (SNA). Strengthening the SNA and Combatting Al-Shabaab Under his leadership, the Ministry of Defence facilitated the training of more than 20,000 soldiers in areas such as modern warfare, ethics, human rights, and technical skills. This marked a significant step toward professionalizing Somalia’s armed forces. Minister Nur also led numerous high-level military operations against the Al-Shabaab militant group. His…

After U.S. Sanctions, UAE Responds to Alarming Allegations The United Arab Emirates has begun investigating several companies allegedly linked to Sudan’s notorious Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after the United States sanctioned them for their role in Sudan’s worsening crisis. The UAE’s Ministry of Justice confirmed that none of the seven companies under scrutiny are licensed or operating legally within the country. “We’re treating this matter with the utmost seriousness,” the ministry stated on Friday, noting that the probe was launched immediately after being alerted by U.S. officials. Sanctioned for Their Ties to a Violent Militia Earlier this year, the United…

In a statement released on Friday, the company called the claims “baseless” and emphasized that it does not provide paramilitary or mercenary services under any circumstances. “These rumors were echoed by a Somali-based news platform in an article dated April 3, 2025, which not only repeated the unfounded claim but also alleged that SADAT is providing military training to the Somali Armed Forces,” the company said. SADAT clarified that it operates strictly in the fields of strategic consultancy and training services, and that its activities are entirely professional and lawful. It stated that the purpose of such reports was to…

Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Langley stated that the threat posed by Al-Shabaab has increased, prompting the U.S. to expand its military operations against the group. Escalation of U.S. Operations Langley emphasized that the U.S. is set to intensify its strikes against Al-Shabaab, saying: The President and the Secretary of Defense have granted me expanded authority to swiftly and forcefully target and strike [Al-Shabaab] What Does This Mean? The statement suggests that the U.S. aligns with Somalia’s concerns regarding Al-Shabaab’s growing activity and its connections with the Houthis. Local media reports also indicate that Somalia might play…

Strengthening Somalia-Türkiye Defense Ties Türkiye is reportedly preparing to send military advisors from the private defense company SADAT to Somalia, following an official request from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. According to sources cited by the think tank “Horn Review,” the deployment aims to assist Somali forces in countering Al-Shabaab in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. Caasimadda Online a media platform which is known for being close to Somali government also reports this news. WAJ recently reported, citing Somali officials, that President Mohamud formally requested direct military intervention from Türkiye during his last meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.…

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, announced the cancellation of two major contracts in Kenya, resulting in a loss of over Ksh10 billion in investments. The cancellations include a $3.4 million (approximately Ksh439 million) consulting contract for aviation advisors and a $79 million (about Ksh10.2 billion) contract for primary literacy programs. DOGE’s action aligns with its focus on eliminating “wasteful” contracts. This follows a broader trend of reduced U.S. assistance to Kenya, including the freezing of temporary aid by President Donald Trump and the suspension of several projects by USAID. The move marks significant…

On March 31, 2025, over 40 civilians were reported killed in Brakat town and surrounding areas, including Senka, Arsema, and Fita, in North Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region. Residents claim that government security forces were responsible for the killings, which took place during house-to-house searches and on the streets. The violence began in the afternoon after an exchange of gunfire between defense forces and anti-riot forces. After the gunfire ceased, security forces allegedly moved through the town, targeting civilians, including mothers, children, and the elderly. Funeral ceremonies for the victims were conducted at local churches the following day. The Amhara Region…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh in Djibouti on Wednesday to deepen bilateral relations and enhance strategic cooperation. The leaders discussed collaboration in key sectors, including security, economic development, trade, and political coordination. Both presidents emphasized the strong historical ties between their nations and reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability. President Mohamud expressed gratitude for Djibouti’s support, particularly in peacekeeping and counterterrorism. He praised Djibouti’s role in Somalia’s state-building efforts and its contributions to regional security. “Djibouti has played a critical role in Somalia’s state-building process, and we are deeply thankful for their unwavering…

The deputy commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Abdel Rahim Hamdan Daglo, has warned of possible military action in Northern State and River Nile State following recent battlefield setbacks. In a video statement, Daglo claimed that 2,000 RSF vehicles were heading toward Northern State. He vowed to continue fighting alongside his brother, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, saying their forces would not surrender. The RSF has been losing ground in Sennar, Gezira, White Nile, and parts of Khartoum, while the Sudanese army also lifted an RSF siege on El Obeid in North Kordofan. Despite these setbacks, RSF fighters recently…

More than 20 people were killed in an attack in Oromia’s Horo Guduru Wollega zone, specifically in Abe Dongoro district, Tullu Moti kebele, on March 28, according to local officials and residents. The assault was followed by the abduction of three individuals. A resident of the area, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, reported that the attackers targeted local militia forces, causing gunfire that led civilians to flee. However, as they attempted to escape, many were shot in their homes and surrounding areas. “At least 20 people were killed in a horrific manner,” the resident said, adding that several others…

African Union (AU) mediators arrived in South Sudan’s capital, Juba to defuse tensions and prevent a return to civil war following the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar last week. President Salva Kiir’s government accused Machar, a former rebel leader and longtime rival, of attempting to incite a new rebellion. His house arrest came after weeks of clashes in Upper Nile state between the military and the White Army militia. While Machar’s forces were allied with the group during the 2013-2018 civil war, they deny any current links. The AU delegation, which includes former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and…

At least 50 people have been killed and dozens injured in attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on villages south of Omdurman over the past three days, a local community spokesman said on Tuesday, calling the assaults retaliatory. The attacks followed the withdrawal of many RSF fighters from the nearby Jebel Aulia area toward the southern Omdurman countryside in late March, after the Sudanese army recaptured parts of Khartoum and Jebel Aulia, according to the spokesman and previous reports. Seifeddine Ahmed, a spokesman for the local Al-Jumu’iya community, said the RSF launched heavy assaults using artillery, rockets, and…