Author: Abdihakim Kalale

The restoration of the historic Al-Nejashi Mosque in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is in its final stages, with local authorities reporting the project is 90% complete. The mosque, which was significantly damaged during the two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia, is undergoing reconstruction with financial and technical support from the Turkish government and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). Zafu Gebresilase, the Cultural and Tourism Coordinator of Wukro district, told local media that repairs have been underway for the past eight months, led by local professionals in collaboration with national and regional heritage experts. She noted that both the mosque and…

A group of sixteen senior Somali political figures, including former presidents and prime ministers, have accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of abandoning his constitutional role as a neutral national leader, instead deepening political divisions through the formation of the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP). In a strongly worded joint statement issued Tuesday night, the leaders expressed concern over what they described as the collapse of inclusive governance and the erosion of Somalia’s federal model, following the official launch of JSP, chaired by President Hassan Sheikh himself. “The country is facing an unprecedented political crisis,” the statement read. “Rather than facilitating…

Ethiopia and China have taken a significant step in strengthening cultural and media ties with the official launch of “China Hour”, a new television segment showcasing Chinese audiovisual content on Ethiopian media outlets. The initiative was announced during the “Seeing China – Fostering China-Ethiopia Media Collaboration” event held at Addis Ababa University, which also marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Organized jointly by Ethiopia’s Government Communication Service, China’s National Radio and Television Administration, and the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa, the event emphasized the importance of media as a tool for fostering mutual understanding, cooperation,…

Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has accused Uganda of violating the United Nations arms embargo on South Sudan by deploying troops and military hardware into the country without notifying the UN Security Council. In a statement released Wednesday, Amnesty urged the Security Council to renew and enforce the embargo, which is set to expire on May 31, 2025, warning that lifting the restrictions now could worsen an already fragile security situation. The accusations come amid rising tensions and renewed clashes between rival forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, despite a 2018 peace agreement aimed…

Sudan’s national electricity company confirmed that a drone attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Wednesday night struck two key power stations in Omdurman, leading to a widespread blackout across the capital. According to the company, the Al-Markhiat substation and a major distribution station were directly targeted, resulting in fires and significant infrastructure damage. “This assault deepens the hardship faced by citizens and disrupts essential public services,” the statement said. Civil defense teams are working to extinguish the fires, while technical crews prepare to conduct a full damage assessment and initiate repair operations. The attack marks the…

In a significant development for Kenya’s tourism industry, Africa Travels Investment, a firm backed by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has acquired Pollman’s Tours and Safaris, the country’s oldest and most iconic tour operator. The acquisition was approved by Kenya’s Competition Authority, which confirmed that the deal does not raise any competition concerns or risk of job losses. The regulator emphasized that the tourism industry remains tightly regulated and that the transaction complies with market fairness guidelines. Pollman’s, founded over six decades ago, is a household name in East African tourism, offering safari packages and transport services to both domestic…

The Somali government has unveiled a renewed campaign to dismantle human trafficking networks responsible for smuggling Somali citizens into exploitative and often deadly conditions abroad. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Attorney General Suleiman Mohamud Mohamed confirmed that Somalia is intensifying efforts to track, arrest, and repatriate traffickers operating both inside the country and abroad. The campaign is being supported by international partners, including agencies focused on cross-border crime prevention. “It is becoming easier for us to repatriate our Somali citizens in Sudan, Libya, Algeria, and Morocco who have committed crimes in Somalia, using legal procedures that facilitate the…

Members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee have expressed growing concern over what they describe as the United States’ diminishing influence in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, warning that the region is becoming increasingly vulnerable to foreign rivalries, instability, and governance challenges. The remarks came during a hearing titled “East Africa and the Horn: At a Turning Point or Breaking Point?” held on May 13. Lawmakers and expert witnesses, including Michelle Gavin, Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, offered critical assessments of U.S. foreign policy in the region and highlighted several…

Ethiopia’s National Election Board (NEBE) has officially revoked the legal recognition of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), citing the party’s failure to meet conditions set under provisional registration guidelines. The decision, which took effect on May 5, 2025, has sparked renewed tensions between the federal government and Tigray’s dominant political force. NEBE announced the revocation after the TPLF failed to comply with requirements laid out under Proclamation No. 1332/2016, which allows formerly armed political movements to register under special terms. These conditions included holding a general assembly within six months of registration and notifying the Board in advance for…

A new report by Amnesty International has shed light on the disturbing realities faced by Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, with over 70 women recounting abuse, deception, and exploitation at the hands of recruitment agents and employers. The report, launched Tuesday in Mombasa, documents cases where workers were promised legitimate jobs—only to find themselves in inhumane working conditions, often without pay, rest days, or basic freedoms. One of the women, Bigeni Maina Mwangi, said she was recruited under the pretense of becoming a beautician, but upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, her contract was changed. She was forced into domestic…

Tanzanian authorities have arrested Amani Golugwa, Deputy Secretary General of the opposition CHADEMA party, in a move that has sparked concerns about a growing crackdown on political dissent ahead of the country’s October 2025 general elections. Golugwa was taken into custody early Tuesday at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam as he prepared to board a flight to Brussels, Belgium, where he was scheduled to attend a political forum organized by the International Democracy Union (IDU). According to a statement by the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police, Golugwa was arrested over alleged violations of immigration regulations, specifically…

More than 7,000 families have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan’s West Kordofan state as fresh clashes erupt between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The conflict has intensified around the strategic towns of Al Nuhud and Al Khuway, with both locations witnessing waves of displacement between May 1 and 2, IOM reported on Monday. The RSF launched a surprise offensive on May 1, seizing Al Nuhud—a key transportation hub—by the following day. Government forces withdrew initially to Al Khuway and later regrouped in…

Ethiopia is set to receive a significant boost to its renewable energy and mineral industries, with five Chinese firms committing a combined investment of $1.75 billion, according to Finance Minister Ahmed Shide. The investment package, which is currently undergoing local licensing procedures, spans solar-cell manufacturing, mineral exploration, and the development of a dedicated economic zone. Among the key investors is CSI Solar Co., a Shanghai-listed firm majority-owned by Canadian Solar Inc, which plans to inject $250 million into building a facility for solar modules and energy storage solutions. In the mining sector, Sequoia Mining & Processing Plc has pledged $600…

A new political party, Justice and Unity, was officially launched in Somalia’s capital on Monday, drawing participation from the country’s highest-ranking leaders and marking a significant step in the evolving political landscape. The event, held in Mogadishu, served as the party’s founding congress and formal entry into Somalia’s political system. The launch was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and the Presidents of Southwest, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and SSC-Khaatumo. Thousands of supporters, civil society members, and political stakeholders also gathered to witness the announcement. President Hassan Sheikh was unanimously elected as the party’s chairman and presidential…

Ethiopia has imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals seeking to enter the northern Tigray region, as concerns grow over rising political tensions and uncertainty following a fragile post-conflict recovery. The measure, confirmed by local officials on Tuesday, effectively halts international visits to a region that had only recently reopened to foreign tourists following the end of a devastating civil war in 2022. “I can confirm that foreigners are banned from travelling to Tigray, but we still do not know the reason behind the decision,” said Wondimu Asamnew, an associate of Tigray’s regional leader Debretsion Gebremichael. The federal government has…

Tanzania has emerged as the most peaceful country in East Africa according to the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI), securing the 65th position globally out of 163 countries and territories evaluated. This marks a notable improvement from its 2023 ranking and reflects the country’s growing reputation for internal stability. Compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the Global Peace Index measures levels of peace using indicators such as societal safety, internal and external conflict levels, and militarisation. With a peace score of 1.987, Tanzania leads within the East African Community (EAC), outperforming regional peers including Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi,…