Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Two individuals have been arrested in Bungoma County for allegedly trafficking elephant tusks, in a coordinated operation between local police and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). According to a statement from the National Police Service (NPS), the suspects were intercepted at Cheptais Kipsis Junction while transporting two elephant tusks hidden in a blue sack on a motorcycle. The operation, led by officers from Cheptais Police Station and KWS personnel from Kitale, was based on intelligence reports regarding illegal wildlife trafficking in the area. The two suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be charged under Section 92(4) of…

The United States is considering sweeping new travel restrictions that could affect citizens from 36 countries, including 25 African nations, according to a confidential State Department memo seen by multiple sources. The move, if enforced, would mark one of the largest expansions of travel curbs in recent U.S. policy. The internal document, reportedly signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines a 60-day deadline for the targeted countries to address U.S. concerns regarding visa overstays, document reliability, and repatriation cooperation, or risk facing full or partial travel bans. African Countries Heavily Represented Among the African nations listed are Ethiopia, Nigeria,…

Sudanese army forces and allied armed groups announced Sunday they had successfully repelled a major ground offensive launched by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, the last major government stronghold in the Darfur region. Clashes erupted early in the morning along the eastern and northeastern edges of the city, as RSF units attempted to penetrate fortified army positions. The renewed assault comes amid weeks of escalating drone and artillery bombardments that have intensified a humanitarian crisis in North Darfur’s capital. According to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the RSF launched the attack after a sustained artillery barrage,…

Ethiopia’s top military leader has voiced deep concerns over Egypt’s expanding military footprint in Somalia, describing it as a direct threat to Ethiopia’s national security interests. Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, Chief of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), told Ethiopian lawmakers on Saturday that foreign troops stationed in Somalia—under the pretense of cooperation—could undermine regional stability and Ethiopia’s sovereignty. “Foreign military actors are now present in Somalia with unclear motives,” he said in a parliamentary briefing. “Their strategic objectives must be carefully scrutinized in the context of Ethiopia’s national security.” While Berhanu refrained from naming Egypt directly, his comments come…

Sudan has ordered the immediate evacuation of its nationals from Iran as Israeli airstrikes continue to target multiple Iranian cities, sparking regional fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Prime Minister Kamil Idris instructed Sudan’s ambassador in Tehran, Abdel Aziz Hassan Salih, to ensure the safety of Sudanese citizens residing in Iran and begin preparations for their return, according to a statement by the Sudan News Agency (SUNA). The decision follows a deadly exchange of hostilities between Iran and Israel that has left scores dead. After Tehran launched missiles at Israeli targets in Tel Aviv, Israel retaliated with…

As Somalia’s capital transforms its skyline with cranes, concrete, and high-rise ambition, two young female engineers are making their mark—not only as builders of infrastructure but as symbols of a new Mogadishu. Fathi Mohamed Abdi and Saadia Ahmed Omar, both just 24 years old, are at the forefront of Somalia’s construction renaissance. Wearing hard hats and high-visibility vests, they navigate bustling construction sites with confidence, overseeing multimillion-dollar projects in a field historically dominated by men. “When I started, many questioned my ability simply because I was a woman,” says Abdi, now chief operating officer of Arkan Engineering Services, a Somali-owned…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made a strong call for national self-reliance in security and governance, urging citizens to take a more active role in shaping the country’s future without depending solely on international assistance. Speaking at a handover ceremony at the headquarters of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), where Mahad Mohamed Salad officially assumed leadership from Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, the president stressed that the foundations of a stable Somalia must be built from within. “The world has supported us in rebuilding our institutions,” said President Mohamud. “But security is where we must now step up.…

A recent international investigation has revealed that South Sudan loses an estimated 5,000 kilograms of gold every year through illegal smuggling channels, with most of the gold routed through Uganda to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The report, compiled by the Swiss-based NGO SWISSAID and titled “On the Trail of African Gold,” identifies South Sudan as one of the least transparent countries on the continent regarding artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). It cites nonexistent official records, minimal government oversight, and an entrenched network of illicit cross-border trade. Despite the country’s potential mineral wealth, authorities in Juba have yet to provide…

Ethiopia has launched a significant economic reform by opening its export, import, wholesale, and retail trade sectors to foreign investors, marking a turning point in the country’s traditionally cautious approach to foreign economic participation. The announcement comes with the release of Directive No. 1082/2025, issued by the Ethiopian Investment Board, which removes previous restrictions that reserved major trade activities for domestic actors. The directive aims to boost competition, improve service delivery, and attract international capital to fuel Ethiopia’s structural and macroeconomic reforms. Key Changes: Export and Import Now Open Under the new rules, foreign investors are permitted to participate freely…

As military confrontation between Israel and Iran intensifies, African nations are already beginning to experience the indirect fallout — from economic instability and diplomatic pressure to threats to regional trade and energy security. On June 13, Israel launched a targeted airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, killing several high-ranking officials and nuclear scientists. While the direct conflict remains in the Middle East, its ripple effects are sweeping across Africa. Economic Shockwaves Across the Continent Brent crude prices surged by over 5%, reflecting fears of disruption in oil supplies. This sudden spike has prompted economic anxiety in fuel-importing African countries.…

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission has voiced deep concern following reports of an Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, warning that the spiraling tensions in the Middle East pose a significant danger to global peace and security. In a statement issued from AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Chairperson condemned the rising hostilities and called for an immediate halt to all acts of aggression. He urged both parties to exercise maximum restraint and to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation. “The current developments risk igniting a broader conflict with dire consequences not only for the region but for international stability,”…

Sanctions imposed by the United States against Sudan are expected to become legally binding within days, pending their official listing in the Federal Register, a U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed Thursday. The measures, first announced on May 22, are in response to serious allegations that Sudanese government forces deployed chemical weapons in their ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Once published, the sanctions will be enforceable immediately, according to U.S. officials. These punitive steps will reportedly impact Sudan’s ability to access U.S. exports and international financial channels, including credit facilities. While the U.S. had earlier indicated June…

Djibouti has officially turned down a high-level Ethiopian proposal seeking exclusive access to the Port of Tadjourah and the right to establish a naval base, signaling firm resistance to what it views as overreach into its sovereignty. President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh confirmed that Ethiopia had requested a cross-border corridor with special status and permission for naval deployment. “This went far beyond the scope of any previous agreements,” Guelleh stated, emphasizing that Djibouti had closed the matter. The refusal comes as Ethiopia, a landlocked country with growing strategic ambitions, intensifies its search for stable maritime access. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s earlier…

Tanzania is poised to reap major economic benefits as China officially waives import duties on goods from 53 African nations maintaining formal diplomatic ties, a move expected to deepen trade relations and drive African exports into Asian markets. The policy shift was announced during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) implementation summit in Changsha, where Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, led the country’s delegation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at the event, highlighted the new zero-tariff policy as a strategic measure to boost African exports, strengthen commercial ties, and accelerate economic collaboration across sectors. The initiative is…

In a world where alliances are shaped not only by embassies but by education, healthcare, and shared development, Taiwan is carving out space in Africa – quietly, deliberately, and relationally. With only one official ally left on the continent – Eswatini – Taipei has embraced a bold strategy many are calling “non-recognition diplomacy.” At first glance, Taiwan might seem absent from the African diplomatic scene, overshadowed by China’s massive infrastructure investments and formal partnerships. But beneath the surface, a subtle yet strategic presence is emerging – built not on billion-dollar deals, but on people-to-people engagement. Classrooms Over Embassies: Education as…

Tanzania’s economy is on track to grow by 6% in 2025, up from 5.5% in the previous year, according to Planning and Investment Minister Kitila Mkumbo. The minister also projected a narrowing of the budget deficit to 3.0% of GDP in the next fiscal year, down from 3.4%. The government attributes the positive outlook to improved investor confidence, infrastructure development, and stable macroeconomic policies. “This forecast reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen economic fundamentals and enhance fiscal discipline,” said Mkumbo during a budget presentation on Thursday. The economic update comes months ahead of Tanzania’s general elections scheduled for October. President Samia…