Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to conclude his African tour with a landmark visit to Namibia this week, underscoring India’s growing interest in securing critical minerals vital to its clean energy ambitions and technological development. Namibia, the leading uranium producer in Africa and third globally, has emerged as a key partner in India’s strategy to diversify mineral imports. Modi’s stop in Windhoek follows his engagements in Ghana, where he sealed deals on rare earth mining, and precedes his participation in the BRICS summit in Brazil. India is looking to tap into Namibia’s vast deposits of uranium, lithium, and…

The passing of celebrated Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o on May 28, 2025, has sparked renewed discussions across Africa, particularly in Francophone countries, about the role of language in post-colonial literature. Known for his groundbreaking decision to write in Kikuyu—his mother tongue—Ngũgĩ is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most principled literary voices. Born in 1938 during British colonial rule, Ngũgĩ’s early works were penned in English, but he later rejected colonial languages for his native Kikuyu. This choice, though controversial, positioned him as a leading advocate for linguistic decolonization in African literature. His seminal essay collection, Decolonising the Mind…

South Africa is grappling with major economic and diplomatic challenges after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 30% tariff on South African goods entering the United States, effective August 1, 2025. The move threatens duty-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which currently allows more than 6,000 South African products into the U.S. market. The South African government swiftly responded, disputing the tariff justification. In a statement posted on social media, the presidency argued that the U.S. decision was based on a “contested interpretation” of trade data, insisting that 77% of U.S. goods already enter South Africa…

At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured during widespread antigovernment protests across Kenya on July 7, as the nation marked the 35th anniversary of the 1990 pro-democracy uprising known as “Saba Saba.” According to a statement issued by Kenyan police, 52 officers were also injured during the protests, which saw demonstrators clash with security forces in multiple locations across the country, including the capital, Nairobi. Security forces reportedly used live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse crowds as demonstrators attempted to march towards the city center, calling for political reforms and the resignation of President William…

A series of coordinated attacks attributed to armed groups in Burkina Faso has resulted in the deaths of eight security personnel, local and security sources confirmed on Monday. According to reports, seven police officers were killed during an assault on a police post near Fada N’Gourma, located in the eastern part of the country close to the border with Niger. The area has long been affected by insecurity and the presence of armed militants. The police station, which is situated near a university, was targeted on June 30. A second attack on the same site was reported three days later,…

Africa’s Cocoa Powerhouses Drive Global Chocolate Industry Amid Surging DemandAfrica remains the undisputed heart of global cocoa production, with countries like Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon producing over 70% of the world’s supply. As global appetite for chocolate continues to grow—particularly in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America—these African nations are playing an increasingly critical role in shaping the future of the chocolate and food industries. Rising Demand and Shifting Markets Global demand for cocoa beans from Africa is accelerating, fueled not only by traditional markets in Europe and the United States, but also by emerging economies…

Heavy fighting erupted early Monday in Somalia’s central Hiiraan region after Al-Shabaab militants launched a major offensive on the town of Moqokori and its surroundings. The attack included a suicide car bombing and multiple ground assaults targeting military positions and local security forces. Local sources reported that the coordinated attack began with a large explosion in a zone where government troops and civilians were present, followed by intense firefights involving Somali National Army units and allied clan militias known as “Macawiisley.” Al-Shabaab has claimed full control of Moqokori and released images purporting to show its fighters inside former government compounds.…

Sudan’s transitional government has issued a strong statement accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of using its diplomatic channels to shield the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from international accountability. The Sudanese foreign ministry described the RSF as a “terrorist militia” and alleged that the UAE was working behind the scenes at global platforms to influence narratives, including during recent Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meetings held in New York. According to the ministry, the UAE delegation made efforts to alter a NAM draft statement by removing language that condemned the RSF and expressed solidarity with Sudan’s civilian population. The ministry also…

At the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu called for a fairer and more inclusive global order that reflects the interests of developing and low-income nations, particularly in Africa. In a speech delivered on his behalf, Tinubu stated that BRICS should not only serve as a bloc for emerging economies but also become a beacon for emerging solutions. He stressed that despite contributing the least to global emissions, Africa suffers the most from climate change impacts. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged a reevaluation of global governance…

There is growing speculation that the United States could soon initiate dialogue with the militant group Al-Shabaab to help resolve Somalia’s long-standing conflict, according to Hamza Warfa, a former senior advisor at the U.S. State Department. In a recent interview, Warfa emphasized that continued military efforts against Al-Shabaab have largely failed to bring peace or stability to Somalia over many years. He described the ongoing reliance on force as ineffective and called for alternative approaches, including negotiations. Warfa also revealed that the previous Trump administration might have already begun exploring the possibility of engaging Al-Shabaab in peace talks. He plans…

Kenyan security forces sealed off all major roads leading into central Nairobi on Monday, July 7, 2025, in anticipation of widespread anti-government protests planned nationwide. The move comes amid growing unrest in the country and coincides with the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests, which marked a key moment in Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy. A heavy police presence patrolled the city, with checkpoints placed over 10 kilometers from the city center. Businesses remained shut and schools advised students to stay home. Roads leading to major government installations, including the State House and parliament, were barricaded with razor…

A rebel coalition aligned with al-Qaeda has eclipsed every other armed faction in the central Sahel, fuelling the deadliest twelve-month period the region has recorded since militants violence first spilled out of northern Mali a decade ago. Jamaʿat Nusrat al-Islām wal-Muslimīn (JNIM) – an umbrella group created in 2017 from five long-standing militant organisations – now operates in all of Mali and in 11 of Burkina Faso’s 13 administrative regions. Field researchers and open-source monitoring units say the movement has also pushed south-ward into northern Benin and Togo and mounted sporadic raids inside Ivory Coast. 280 claimed attacks in Burkina…

The Ethio-Djibouti Railway has collected 7 billion birr in revenue over 11 months, according to Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime. This marks the first full year of the railway’s operation managed by Ethiopian and Djiboutian nationals. Out of a total 13.7 billion birr generated by the transport and logistics sector during the same period, the railway contributed roughly half. Civil aviation followed with 3.5 billion birr, while public transport added 2.5 billion birr, and insurance services brought in 450 million birr. Despite the railway’s progress, truck transport still dominates cargo logistics, handling 84% of all cargo. Rail…

Mozambique has initiated talks with China to restructure its $1.4 billion debt, amid mounting financial pressures and a fragile political climate. President Daniel Chapo confirmed the move during an international development finance conference in Seville, Spain, citing the need to ease fiscal burdens and ensure debt sustainability. President Chapo noted that China is Mozambique’s largest bilateral creditor and emphasized that rescheduling or even cancellation of the debt is not an unrealistic prospect. He added that discussions would be held on a partnership basis and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to honoring international obligations. Mozambique’s total external public debt reached $9.8 billion…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in the Egyptian city of El-Alamein on Sunday for an official visit, where he is expected to hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The visit comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, particularly surrounding Ethiopia’s imminent inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a controversial hydropower project on the Nile River. During the visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including cooperation in the areas of security, trade, education, and regional diplomacy. Egyptian media reports also suggest that the talks will include discussions on…

More than 1,000 Ugandan soldiers have been deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically in Ituri province’s Bunia, Mahagi, and Djugu territories, according to a recent report by United Nations experts. The deployment, not formally authorized by the Congolese government, comes under the stated aim of countering the activities of the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO), an armed group operating in the region. Ugandan officials say the move is intended to neutralize security threats near Lake Albert, where some of Uganda’s vital oil infrastructure is located. However, the UN report suggests the real motive may…