Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Africa’s wealthiest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has called for bold, long-term thinking to unlock the continent’s potential, stating that Africa could transform into a “heaven” within five years if its leaders and citizens embrace visionary action. Speaking at the 32nd Annual Meeting of Afreximbank, Dangote emphasized that only Africans can shape the continent’s destiny. “It’s not about amassing wealth,” he said, “it’s about creating it — not just for ourselves, but for our nations.” Dangote, known for his high-impact investments across West Africa, urged the continent’s business and political elites to shift their focus from short-term profits to sustainable, transformative development.…

At least 11 people have been confirmed dead and 7 others injured after a traditional gold mine collapsed in Sudan’s River Nile State, according to local authorities. The incident occurred last Thursday at a site known as Karsh Al-Fil, located in the desert area between the towns of Atbara and Hayya. A field investigation conducted jointly by local officials and Sudanese mineral experts confirmed the casualties. Initial unofficial reports had speculated a much higher death toll — up to 50 — with fears that additional miners may still be trapped underground. Authorities noted that the mine had previously been closed…

A forest fire that began in the Afar region has spread into Eastern Tigray, burning over 24 hectares of land and threatening to engulf the ecologically vital Desa’a forest. Local authorities say the blaze remains active and beyond the capacity of community response efforts. According to Hailay Gebramariam, Deputy Administrator of the Eastern Tigray Zone, the fire entered Tigray through Kala’amin Kebele in the Atsbi district, after igniting in Berahle district of the neighboring Afar region. “The fire is still burning and could expand further if not swiftly contained,” Hailay said. The Desa’a forest, a key environmental zone for Tigray…

Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has agreed to a United Nations proposal for a one-week humanitarian ceasefire in El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur not under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The agreement was reached during a phone call between General Burhan and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. Burhan emphasized the importance of implementing existing U.N. Security Council decisions regarding the Sudanese conflict, according to a statement from his office. El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has witnessed intense clashes since April 2024, as RSF units tightened their grip around the city. The…

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” is visiting Qatar on Saturday, leading a senior delegation at the invitation of the Qatari government, officials confirmed. According to sources within the Somaliland presidency, the visit is part of ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at exploring areas of cooperation. Meetings with top Qatari officials are expected, though no official agenda has been made public. Topics may include regional developments, economic collaboration, and diplomatic ties. This visit follows President Irro’s earlier trip to the United Arab Emirates, reflecting a pattern of increasing engagement between Somaliland and Gulf nations. While Qatar has not yet issued a…

During Iran’s recent missile attacks on Jerusalem, several Ethiopian families and women were blocked from entering a public shelter after an extremist ultra-Orthodox (haredi) faction took control of the facility and declared it “men only,” according to local media reports. Witnesses say that when the families — many of Ethiopian descent — attempted to enter the shelter, members of the group spat on them and forced them back. Police were called to the scene, but their intervention was reportedly brief. After authorities left, the group continued preventing women and families from entering the shelter. The incident has sparked condemnation and…

The United States has officially imposed a new round of sanctions on Sudan, following a formal determination that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons against its own population, according to a notice published in the Federal Register. The sanctions stem from a finding issued by the U.S. State Department on April 24, which concluded that Sudan violated international law by deploying chemical or biological agents. The measures are enacted under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991. Effective immediately, the sanctions include a suspension of most forms of U.S. foreign assistance, except for urgent humanitarian…

Families of six Moroccan nationals who were sentenced to death by a military court in Somalia’s Puntland region are calling on the Moroccan government to take urgent steps for their repatriation. The six men were convicted by a military tribunal in Bosaso on March 2, 2024, for alleged membership in Daesh. The court ordered their execution by firing squad and instructed their deportation within 18 months. However, more than a year later, the detainees remain incarcerated in Garowe, and no official timeline for their repatriation has been announced. On May 19, their families filed a formal complaint with Morocco’s Ministry…

Eritrea has formally submitted a request to the United Nations Human Rights Council to terminate the mandate of the Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring alleged human rights violations in the country — a move observers call unprecedented and potentially far-reaching in its implications. The current Special Rapporteur, Sudanese legal scholar Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, recently described the rights situation in Eritrea as “critical,” highlighting patterns of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and indefinite national service as key factors behind continued mass displacement from the country. Established in 2012, the mandate has been renewed annually, most recently under a resolution led by the…

Tanzania has successfully begun the evacuation of its citizens stranded in conflict-hit Israel and Iran, following orders from President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The first group, comprising 42 Tanzanians and their dependents, landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday after a three-day journey from Israel. Many among the returnees were students, including Neema Dashina, a medical student in Jerusalem, who expressed gratitude to the government: “It’s been a long journey, and we’re thankful to be home safe.” A second evacuation flight, carrying Tanzanians living in Iran, was expected to arrive via the United Arab Emirates early…

Somali Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, was received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday during an official visit to Türkiye. The meeting, held behind closed doors, came amid Türkiye’s bold declaration of major investments in Somalia’s critical infrastructure, including hydrocarbons and space launch facilities. The two sides did not release specific details of the meeting. However, the encounter underscores the continued momentum in maritime cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye, which has grown significantly in recent years. In 2020, the two countries signed a key agreement that allows Türkiye to conduct natural resource exploration in…

The Iranian Embassy in Nairobi has strongly denied claims linking the Islamic Republic of Iran to alleged terror plots in Kenya, calling the accusations baseless and politically driven. In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the embassy pushed back against recent media reports that referenced an alleged advisory from Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), which warned of potential terror threats coinciding with the anniversary of the June 25 protests. “These claims are the work of hostile elements with no grounding in reality,” the statement read. “They reflect fabricated narratives designed to undermine diplomatic relations.” Iran emphasized that it has no…

At least sixteen people lost their lives during Wednesday’s anti-government demonstrations across Kenya, with the majority reportedly shot by police officers, according to Amnesty International Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The protests marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly 2024 anti-tax demonstrations that ended in the storming of parliament. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Nairobi and other cities, demanding justice for those who died last year and protesting against alleged police brutality and continued economic hardship. In Nairobi, the situation escalated quickly as security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and—according…

In a historic step, Ethiopia is preparing to export crude oil for the first time, starting in September, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced during a recent conversation with local media leaders and industry experts. The milestone follows years of anticipation and groundwork in the Ogaden Basin, located in the Somali Regional State, where Chinese company Poly-GCL Petroleum has been leading exploration and development efforts. Until now, Ethiopia has spent over $4 billion annually on imported fuel, despite claims of vast untapped reserves. “This moment has been in the making for six years,” Prime Minister Abiy said, recalling the country’s initial…

Tanzania has reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the European Union to boost exploration and development of critical minerals vital for clean energy and sustainable economic growth. But while officials hail the collaboration as a pathway to industrialization, some civil society groups and environmentalists are raising red flags about long-term risks. Speaking at the launch of the PanAfGeo+ 2025–2029 program in Dar es Salaam, Minerals Deputy Permanent Secretary Msafiri Mbibo emphasized Tanzania’s ambition to become a global supplier of graphite, lithium, cobalt, and rare earths—resources deemed essential for clean energy technologies. The EU-backed PanAfGeo+ initiative, which supports geological surveys and technical…

Tensions Rise in Sudan as PM Idris Appoints Ministers, Faces Pushback from Armed GroupSudan’s transitional government took its first steps toward forming a non-partisan cabinet this week, as Prime Minister Kamal Idris named new defence and interior ministers. However, the move has sparked tensions with one of the country’s influential armed groups, exposing early rifts in the delicate political transition. According to state broadcaster SUNA, Lt. Gen. Hassan Daoud Kabroun was appointed defence minister and Lt. Gen. Babiker Samra Mustafa as interior minister. Kabroun, a South Kordofan native, previously served as the army’s director of financial affairs. Mustafa, from the…