Author: Abdihakim Kalale

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…

Burkina Faso has revoked the licenses of four foreign NGOs and suspended two others for a period of three months, citing legal and data-related violations, according to official decrees dated mid-June. Authorities did not publicly elaborate on the exact nature of the breaches, but emphasized that the move aligns with ongoing national security and regulatory efforts. One of the suspended organizations was reportedly involved in unauthorized handling of sensitive information. The decision comes amid growing domestic initiatives aimed at enhancing sovereignty, strengthening internal governance structures, and limiting external interference, especially in the face of escalating insecurity linked to armed groups…

At least 10 soldiers were killed and 15 others injured following a double attack on Friday near Niger’s western border with Burkina Faso, the military reported. The assault, carried out by several hundred armed men, struck the areas of Bouloundjounga and Samira, located in the Gotheye department, a region frequently targeted by armed insurgent groups. According to Defence Minister General Salifou Modi, the attackers were successfully repelled, with 41 militants killed in response operations. The announcement was made via national television. Gotheye department lies in a volatile tri-border zone shared with Mali and Burkina Faso, where attacks by groups affiliated…

The governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have unveiled a new joint initiative — the Alliance of Agricultural Seed Producers of the Sahel (APSA-Sahel) — aimed at strengthening local food systems and reducing reliance on foreign seed imports. The alliance, formed under the broader framework of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), seeks to promote seed sovereignty by developing and distributing climate-resilient seeds tailored to the region’s harsh environmental conditions. Officials say the move represents a significant step toward economic and agricultural independence in the Sahel. Announced by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Agriculture Denis Ouédraogo, the APSA-Sahel initiative will…

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea, rejecting a proposal by the Eritrean government to terminate the role. The decision renews international scrutiny of the country for another year. In the vote, 25 countries—including neighboring Ethiopia—opposed Eritrea’s attempt, while 16 abstained and only 4 voted in support. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the outcome sends a strong message that the global community “is not misled by Eritrea’s efforts to divert attention and discredit independent human rights reporting.” Eritrea had argued that rights violations in…

A recent opinion article published by The Jerusalem Post alleges that Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is playing a key role in enabling Iranian influence and the presence of armed groups in the region. The piece argues that Sudan under al-Burhan is becoming a base for Tehran-linked activities and a transit point for weapons and technology that may threaten Israel and regional allies. The article claims that Iranian weapons and intelligence agents are operating inside Sudan, with drone components being shipped and assembled covertly. It further states that Sudan has quietly become a haven for members of Hamas,…