Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed concluded a working visit to Italy this week, following his trip to France, with a focus on strengthening bilateral and economic relations. In Rome, Prime Minister Abiy held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across key sectors. The meeting emphasized shared priorities in economic collaboration, although detailed agreements were not made public. Italian government sources indicated potential areas of cooperation under Italy’s “Mattei Plan for Africa,” including support for water infrastructure, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture initiatives in Ethiopia. “The two sides…

Kenya has formally endorsed Morocco’s proposal to grant Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, positioning itself among a growing number of African and international actors shifting support toward Rabat in one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes. The announcement came during an official visit by Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi to Rabat, where he held bilateral talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. In a joint statement, Kenya described Morocco’s autonomy plan as “the only credible, realistic and sustainable solution” to the Western Sahara conflict. A Decades-Long Dispute The Western Sahara dispute dates back to 1975, following Spain’s withdrawal from the…

A growing number of young Ethiopians are risking their lives to reach Saudi Arabia, lured by the hope of better economic opportunities but often met with abuse, detention, and deportation. Among them is Yasin Omar, who told The New Humanitarian (TNH) that after years of poverty and unemployment near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, he joined thousands of compatriots taking the perilous “Eastern migration route” through Somaliland, Yemen, and eventually into Saudi Arabia. “The dalalas [smuggling brokers] tell you only good things about Saudi Arabia,” Yasin said. “They never tell you about the beatings, the starvation, or the torture.” According to the…

In a landmark gesture of interfaith support and community empowerment, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has sponsored 47 Muslim clerics from underprivileged areas of the city to perform Hajj, the sacred Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The group, comprising Imams from neighborhoods including Kibera, Majengo, Maringo, and Utawala, departed from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday morning, with all travel and accommodation expenses fully covered by the Nairobi City County Government. Speaking during the send-off, Ustadh Hassan Amin, Chair of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, praised the Governor’s generosity: “Hajj is a deeply spiritual journey. This gesture reflects the…

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro arrived in Nairobi on Monday to begin a multi-day working visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties with Kenya and strengthening Somaliland’s international diplomatic presence. Accompanied by a senior delegation that includes key ministers and security officials, President Irro is scheduled to hold formal talks with Kenyan President William Ruto and other top officials. Discussions are expected to focus on trade cooperation, regional security, and diplomatic engagement. According to an official statement from the Somaliland Presidency, the visit underscores the strategic importance Nairobi holds in Somaliland’s regional outreach. “Key matters of mutual interest will be…

Tanzania has completed the landmark $260 million John Magufuli Bridge, a 3.2-kilometer structure stretching across Lake Victoria and now officially recognized as East Africa’s longest bridge. The bridge, which links Kigongo and Busisi in the Lake Zone, will be inaugurated on June 19, 2025, in a high-profile ceremony led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, according to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa. Constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway 15th Bureau (CR15B), the project was launched in 2019 under the late President John Magufuli and faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Entirely financed by Tanzania with over…

Despite persistent global headwinds and internal pressures, several African countries are defying expectations in 2025 with strong economic growth fueled by reform, resource potential, and demographic dynamism. The latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) data highlights a group of nations leading Africa’s growth charge based on year-on-year GDP performance. Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and with over 60% of its citizens under the age of 25, the continent holds immense long-term promise. Critical mineral wealth, an expanding middle class, and the ongoing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continue to underpin growth across…

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, is on a three-day official visit to Morocco aimed at strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between the two nations. The visit, which began Sunday, marks a key milestone with the official inauguration of Kenya’s embassy in Rabat. In a statement posted on social media following his meeting with Ambassador Jessica Gakinya, Minister Mudavadi said discussions focused on correcting Kenya’s trade imbalance with Morocco. While Kenya currently imports goods worth KSh12 billion (approx. $92 million), largely composed of fertilizers and other essential commodities, its exports—mostly tea and coffee—stand at just KSh500…

Kenya’s government has announced plans to offload part of its 34.9% stake in Safaricom, the region’s most profitable telecommunications company, in a bold move to raise KSh149 billion ($1.16 billion) during the 2025/26 financial year. This privatization effort is part of a broader strategy to plug a widening budget deficit, ease rising debt repayment burdens, and avoid further tax increases amid mounting public discontent. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed the plan in an interview with Business Daily, stating that the transaction would likely be Kenya’s largest divestiture in nearly two decades. “There is talk that if we could offload…

Ethiopia has officially recorded its first two cases of mpox, involving a 21-day-old infant and the child’s mother in the southern border town of Moyale, the Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) confirmed on Sunday. Health authorities believe the virus was likely introduced through cross-border movement, as the infant’s father had recently traveled to neighboring Kenya. Moyale is a key commercial and transit point situated on Ethiopia’s southern frontier, adjacent to Kenya and near Somalia — both of which have reported mpox outbreaks in recent years. According to a joint statement by the Ministry and EPHI, several…

According to the Puntland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the crew was captured on May 14, 2025, aboard the vessel Maimon 1, which is reportedly owned by the Yemeni government. The boat was intercepted near Ras Asir by the Puntland Coast Guard. Officials say the crew was using a banned fishing technique known locally as “Hawi,” a method prohibited under Puntland’s fisheries legislation. In addition, the vessel had no registered local agent or coordination with the ministry, which is a legal requirement for foreign fishing vessels operating in Puntland’s Exclusive Economic Zone. “This is a serious violation of Puntland’s…

In 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa is asserting its position as a global tech frontier. From fintech disruptors to AI pioneers, a new wave of digital transformation is reshaping economies, driven by local ingenuity and international investment. According to the 2025 Global Tech Ecosystem Index by Dealroom.co, seven cities in Sub-Saharan Africa have emerged as “Rising Stars” among the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems. These cities reflect a continent on the move — technologically ambitious, startup-focused, and globally recognized for innovation. The 7 Fastest-Growing Tech Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa (2025) Rank City Country Leading Companies Sectors 1 Lagos Nigeria Flutterwave, Paystack, OPay, Andela,…

The United States is signaling a recalibration of its military engagement in Africa, with its top general on the continent, Gen. Michael Langley, urging African partners to take greater responsibility for their own security during the conclusion of the African Lion 2025 military exercises. Speaking on the final day of the joint training event that brought together troops from over 40 nations, Langley emphasized a new tone: capacity-building over dependency. “We need to be able to get our partners to the level of independent operations,” he told reporters, adding pointedly, “There needs to be some burden sharing.” The shift in…

The United States has announced new sanctions against Sudan’s military-led government, citing the alleged use of chemical weapons during its ongoing war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The move adds further pressure to Sudan’s deeply fragile political and humanitarian landscape, where millions are already enduring famine, displacement, and insecurity. According to the US State Department, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, were found to have violated the Chemical Weapons Convention following allegations that chlorine gas was used in attacks during 2024. Details of the incidents, including precise locations and casualties, have not been publicly…

Marked annually on May 25, Africa Day celebrates the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, and its transformation into the African Union (AU) in 2002. This year’s theme, “Education for Liberation: Empowering the African Future,” reflects a continental focus on youth development, innovation, and inclusive governance in line with Agenda 2063 — the African Union’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation. A Historic Legacy: From OAU to AU Africa Day traces its origins to May 25, 1963, when leaders from 32 independent African nations gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the vision of Pan-African unity. Spearheaded by…

President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh has raised alarm over the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) expansive presence in Africa, accusing the Gulf nation of masking military ambitions beneath its multi-billion-dollar investment campaigns. In a recent interview with Radio France Internationale, Guelleh described the UAE’s $110 billion investment push across the continent as a calculated strategy to expand military influence under the guise of economic development. “These investments are not purely economic ventures,” he said. “They are intertwined with military objectives that risk compromising the sovereignty and stability of African nations.” The president revealed that Djibouti had previously rejected a UAE request to…