Author: Abdihakim Kalale

The Sudanese army, supported by allied fighters, has reclaimed the town of Haj Abdallah in Al Jazirah state and is advancing toward Wad Madani, the state capital, amid intensified clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Military sources confirmed the capture of Haj Abdallah, located approximately 58 kilometers from Wad Madani, alongside nearby villages such as Mahalla, about 13 kilometers west of the capital. The army is now targeting Al Shakkaba Al Noor, a village roughly 20 kilometers from Wad Madani, where RSF fighters are stationed. A coordinated effort from army units advancing from Sennar and Al Manaqil facilitated the…

South Sudan has intensified efforts to incorporate the disputed Abyei region into its territory, citing the outcome of a controversial referendum held over a decade ago. First Vice President Riek Machar recently received the referendum report, signaling a policy shift from the government’s earlier stance. On January 4, Machar accepted the referendum findings from a delegation led by Abyei Area Chief Administrator Dr. Chol Deng Alak. The report will be presented to the executive and parliament for deliberation. This move contrasts with Juba’s 2013 rejection of the referendum’s results, where one of Abyei’s main ethnic groups overwhelmingly supported integration into…

The United States has confirmed the death of Mohamed Mire, also known as Abu Abdirahman, a senior Al-Shabaab leader and former finance head. Mire was killed in a targeted airstrike conducted near Quyno Barrow, Somalia, on December 24, 2024, along with another militant. Mire held significant roles within Al-Shabaab for over 15 years, including serving as the group’s interior minister and a key strategist in its governance and military operations. His activities allegedly encompassed financing and planning major attacks in Kenya, such as the 2013 Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi and the 2019 DusitD2 complex assault, both of which resulted…

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit Kenya for a state visit from March 18 to 20, 2025. The visit, following an invitation from President William Ruto, will mark their first official trip to the East African nation. The royal visit aims to strengthen the enduring ties and cooperation between the Netherlands and Kenya, with a focus on exploring new partnerships and enhancing existing relations. Kenya, an influential country in the global sphere, shares close economic ties with the Netherlands, both serving as key hubs in their respective regions. The Netherlands and Kenya maintain a productive collaboration…

Puntland authorities have ruled out granting amnesty to foreign Daesh fighters hiding in the Al Miskat mountains, while offering Somali Daesh members a final opportunity to surrender. The decision follows a recent attack on a military base in Dharjaalle, where 12 foreign militants launched a deadly assault. General Abdirahman of the Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) stated, “Foreign terrorists from various countries will not receive amnesty.” This stance reinforces Puntland’s commitment to combating external militant influence within its borders. In response to the attack, Puntland security forces initiated an operation targeting ISIS strongholds in the Al Miskat mountains. Officials confirmed…

Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders, led by Tanzania, are working to address Mozambique’s escalating unrest following disputed elections on October 9. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, chair of the SADC organ on politics, defense, and security cooperation, recently convened an emergency virtual meeting to discuss regional support strategies. Zambia and Malawi, as part of the SADC troika, participated in the discussions. The leaders proposed measures to assist Mozambique in restoring peace and stability. The meeting also reviewed updates from Eswatini, reporting nearly 1,000 Mozambican refugees entering the kingdom in the past two months, with most sheltered at the overwhelmed Malindza…

At least four deaths during anti-government protests in Kenya have raised questions about police misconduct, with victims’ causes of death being misreported in official records. An investigation revealed that morgue logbooks recorded two deaths as road accidents, despite autopsies showing gunshot wounds to the victims’ heads and necks. The two men, Charles Owino and Shaquille Obienge, were killed during protests in July 2024, when large crowds took to the streets to protest rising taxes and political corruption. Family members discovered discrepancies between police reports and autopsy findings. While police attributed the deaths to accidents, autopsies revealed that Owino died from…

On January 1, 2025, the African Union’s (AU) mission in Somalia underwent its third name change in 18 years, now being called the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This new designation follows the mission’s previous iterations as the AU Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) for 15 years and the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) since 2022. The shift to AUSSOM reflects the mission’s focus on both supporting and stabilizing Somalia. Working in collaboration with the Somali Security Forces (SSF), AUSSOM aims to execute the Somalia Transition Plan (STP), which lays out a roadmap for transferring the country’s…

The capture of Masisi, a strategic town near Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by the M23 rebel group has escalated tensions in East Africa. This development jeopardizes the region’s stability and economic integration goals, which are central to the East African Community (EAC). The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel faction, has expanded its insurgency since 2022, facing accusations from the DRC and the United Nations of receiving support from Rwanda. While Rwanda denies direct involvement, regional tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali have worsened, challenging diplomatic and economic ties within the EAC. Despite ongoing mediation efforts, the EAC has…

Fighting resumed in El Fasher on Sunday between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after weeks of reduced confrontations. The army, supported by allied forces, repelled a fresh RSF assault from two fronts in the city’s east and southeast. Heavy weapons were used by both sides, with the army’s air force conducting multiple airstrikes on RSF positions. Explosions echoed through the city, and thick smoke was observed rising into the air. Despite a lull in direct combat over the past three weeks, RSF forces continued their bombardment of civilian and military sites in the area, causing civilian…

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has embarked on a diplomatic visit to four African nations—Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria. This marks the 35th consecutive year that Africa has been the destination for China’s first overseas diplomatic trip of the year, a tradition rooted in fostering long-term cooperation and shared growth. The visit aims to implement outcomes from the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and deepen practical collaboration across various fields, including infrastructure, trade, and renewable energy. Wang Yi emphasized the historical ties between China and Africa, describing the nations as “brothers” who…

Sudan has accused Chad of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing conflict by allowing its territory to serve as a supply route for military equipment from the UAE. The Sudanese government claims that drones used by the RSF in attacks on Sudanese targets have been launched from inside Chad. Sudanese Minerals Minister Mohamed Bashir Abunommo called for decisive action against what he described as escalating Chadian aggression. He urged political and military leaders to convene and formulate a coordinated response to confront this growing threat. Abunommo criticized Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby for sending a congratulatory message…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni held discussions on regional issues, including the situations in Somalia, Sudan, and agricultural development in Africa. During their phone call on Friday, the leaders emphasized the importance of supporting Somalia’s sovereignty and independence. They highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen the role of the African Union mission in aiding the Somali government. Sisi underscored Egypt’s commitment to assisting Sudan in addressing its ongoing crisis, advocating for a ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian aid delivery. Museveni acknowledged Egypt’s efforts in promoting peace and stability in Sudan. The conversation also focused…

Since gaining independence, African countries have consistently sought to industrialize in order to break free from economic dependency in the global order. In 1989, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), alongside the United Nations General Assembly, designated November 20 as Africa Industrialization Day to foster international awareness and cooperation on the continent’s industrialization. Despite these efforts, the full realization of industrialization remains elusive. In the 21st century, significant strides have been made in Africa’s economic development. The growing relationship with China has notably reshaped Africa’s strategic standing globally, marking a shift from the ‘Africa rising’…

As 2025 unfolds, African nations are poised to navigate a mix of challenges and prospects. From shifts in global trade under Donald Trump’s presidency to critical investments from China and Gulf nations, the continent faces pivotal moments across various sectors. Trade and U.S.-Africa RelationsUncertainty looms over the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) as the U.S. considers broad tariffs on imports. Although bipartisan support for the Lobito Corridor project offers hope, its discontinuation would hinder U.S. infrastructure ambitions in Africa. Somaliland Recognition and Sudan CeasefirePredictions point to potential U.S. recognition of Somaliland although this is hard to be predicted, this move…