Author: Abdihakim Kalale

This appointment expands his role beyond his current position as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern issues. His selection aligns with the administration’s strategic interest in strengthening U.S. engagement in Africa, particularly in conflict resolution and private sector investment. Starting April 3, Boulos will embark on a regional tour alongside Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Corina Sanders. Their itinerary includes visits to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, with a focus on supporting sustainable peace initiatives in eastern DRC and enhancing economic ties between the U.S. and African nations.…

In a significant development for Africa’s energy sector, Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana have fulfilled their capital commitments toward establishing the Africa Energy Bank (AEB). This milestone represents 44% of the minimum required funding from African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) members to initiate the bank’s operations. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of APPO, announced this progress during the Congo Energy & Investment Forum last week. Strengthening Energy Financing in Africa The AEB aims to finance oil and gas projects across the continent, addressing funding challenges posed by traditional Western financial institutions’ reluctance to support fossil fuel initiatives due to environmental…

Albert Ofosu Nketia, the young Ghanaian boy who captured global attention with his viral crying-to-laughing video, is now facing serious health challenges, prompting his family to appeal for support. A recent visit by blogger Nana Baffuor revealed that Albert, who once brought joy to millions, is struggling with an illness that requires urgent medical attention. His family, particularly his grandmother, with whom he lives, is seeking financial assistance for his treatment. Albert became a worldwide meme sensation, with his video amassing over 398 million views on TikTok. However, despite his internet fame, his current condition highlights the harsh reality that…

Ethiopia has launched a large-scale cholera vaccination drive in the Gambella Region, aiming to immunize one million people as the country battles a rapidly spreading outbreak. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health announced the initiative on Sunday, stating that vaccinations will be administered across all zones in Gambella and refugee camps over the coming week. The campaign comes amid urgent warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) and humanitarian agencies about the worsening cholera crisis along Ethiopia’s border with South Sudan. At the campaign’s launch event, Ethiopian Minister of Health Mekdes Daba emphasized that, alongside vaccination efforts, maintaining hygiene and improving…

Somali National Army (SNA) forces, backed by local militia fighters repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault in the Sabiib and Canole areas of Lower Shabelle on Monday, killing at least 70 militants, according to government officials. Ministry of Defense spokesman Sheikh Abukar Mohamed said government troops had been on high alert and successfully foiled the attack on army positions. “Our forces were well-prepared and responded decisively. We have the bodies of the militants killed in the two operations,” he said. In a separate operation in the same region, an airstrike targeted Al-Shabaab fighters, killing at least 40 more militants, the spokesman…

The leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has declared that his forces will return to Khartoum despite recent losses, insisting that the war against the army is far from over. In an audio message shared on Telegram, Dagalo—widely known as Hemedti—admitted that RSF fighters had pulled back from parts of the capital last week but described the move as a “tactical repositioning” rather than a retreat. “It’s true that our forces withdrew from Khartoum, but this was a calculated decision by our leadership. We will return, stronger and more determined,” Dagalo said The statement follows recent…

The strike, conducted on Friday night, resulted in the elimination of at least 43 militants allegedly planning an attack on a Somali army base. Precision Strike with Turkish Drones According to sources in Türkiye who spoke to WAJ on condition of anonymity, the Akıncı drones played a crucial role in tracking and eliminating the militants. The reports suggest that the strike occurred as terrorist group militants owere leaving a high-level meeting where they had been coordinating attacks on government positions. According to Horn Pulse a local news platform Somali security sources indicate that operatives from the National Intelligence and Security…

Somalia’s Proposal Sparks Outrage in Somaliland Somaliland has strongly condemned Somalia’s reported offer of the strategic Berbera port to the United States, dismissing it as a desperate move to undermine Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition. Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden denounced the offer, calling it a “suicidal operation” by Somalia’s federal government. “This is a desperate and meaningless attempt by a corrupt regime in its final throes. There is nothing Mogadishu can do to stop Somaliland’s recognition,” Aden stated. Documents Reveal Direct Offer to Trump–WAJ WAJ has obtained documents suggesting that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud directly offered the…

Sudan’s Sovereignty Council leader and army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Mecca on Friday, where they agreed to establish a coordination council to enhance bilateral relations. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the leaders discussed Sudan’s ongoing crisis and efforts to restore stability. The proposed council aims to strengthen cooperation between the two nations across various sectors. Al-Burhan praised Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Sudan, including humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts following the country’s conflict. His visit comes amid reports of military gains by the Sudanese army against the paramilitary…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 27 for their first official discussions since Rubio took office. The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and regional stability, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s peace and development efforts, underscoring the importance of long-term stability in the region. The U.S. previously played a role in brokering the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), which ended the conflict in Tigray. Since then, Washington has emphasized the need for humanitarian access, reconciliation efforts, and the withdrawal…

Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM) has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of looting archaeological treasures, including gold, from the National Museum in Khartoum, in what experts describe as a devastating loss to the country’s cultural heritage. NCAM Director Ghalia Garelnabi stated that assailants ransacked the museum, deliberately destroying artifacts by smashing them underfoot in an apparent attempt to erase Sudan’s historical identity. A video published by the Sudan Tribune revealed extensive looting and destruction inside the museum, which has housed relics from Sudan’s ancient civilizations since its opening in 1971. The only major artifact left…

Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a special envoy to South Sudan in a bid to mediate tensions following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar. Odinga is expected to travel to Juba on Friday as part of regional efforts to prevent further instability. Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), was placed under house arrest on Wednesday after security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir reportedly surrounded his residence and disarmed his bodyguards. His party condemned the move as a violation of the 2018 peace agreement that…

The United States carried out airstrikes in northern Somalia on March 25, 2025, eliminating several ISIS-Somalia operatives near the Golis Mountains, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). The operation, conducted in partnership with the Somali government, aimed to weaken the group’s growing presence in the region. AFRICOM reported no civilian casualties. ISIS-Somalia, which emerged from former Al-Shabaab defectors, has expanded significantly in recent years, with its estimated fighters increasing from 300 in 2019 to around 1,000. The group has launched attacks on Somali security forces and foreign nationals, raising concerns about regional stability. The recent strike follows a series of…

Two senior Somali military and diplomatic sources confirmed to WAJ that Somalia and Türkiye are on the verge of finalizing a groundbreaking defense agreement that could reshape the security landscape of the Horn of Africa. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is currently in Türkiye for high-level discussions, with expectations of signing new defense pacts that will significantly boost Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab. For the first time, Türkiye is set to deploy hundreds of special forces to Somalia, providing direct military support in operations against the terrorist group. These elite troops will be equipped with advanced Turkish military technology, making this…

Kenya is set to send four specialized police officers to South Sudan under the United Nations peacekeeping mission, just hours after reports emerged of First Vice President Riek Machar being placed under house arrest. The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that Inspector General Douglas Kanja briefed the officers, who will serve with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for 12 months. The officers, drawn from the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations, will focus on specialized duties, including anti-cattle raiding operations. The deployment comes amid rising tensions in South Sudan after President Salva Kiir’s…

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has strongly opposed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s call for Tigrayans to nominate candidates for the position of interim administration president, labeling the move as “unacceptable.” TPLF officials argue that this action breaches the CoHA (Comprehensive Agreement for Peace and Stability) and violates the federal constitution. The criticism follows Abiy’s confirmation of Getachew Reda’s departure as interim president of Tigray and his subsequent call for participation in the nomination process. According to the TPLF, such decisions are one-sided and undermine ongoing peace efforts. The group has also accused the federal government of blocking essential supplies…