Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Türkiye has expanded its military presence in Somalia, deploying additional troops and equipment as Al-Shabab’s recent advances near Mogadishu raise serious concerns about the security situation. Nearly 500 Turkish soldiers arrived this week, almost doubling the number of Türkiye’s military personnel in Somalia. Their mission includes protecting key Turkish installations such as the Turksom military base and Mogadishu’s airport and port, as well as operating armed drones. Türkiye’s engagement with Somalia, which began as a humanitarian initiative in 2011, has evolved into a deep economic and security partnership. Turkish companies now manage vital Somali infrastructure, while Turkish naval forces assist…

Ethiopian coffee growers, long celebrated for producing some of the world’s finest beans, are racing against time to meet new European Union regulations that threaten to upend their livelihoods. Starting from December 31, coffee exported to the EU must be backed by detailed geolocation data to prove it was not grown on recently deforested land. Farmers who fail to comply risk losing access to Europe, the world’s largest coffee consumer. While the E.U. says the measure aims to combat deforestation and promote sustainability, many African farmers say they are being forced to carry an unfair burden — despite contributing the…

General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, is conducting a four-day official visit to Ethiopia to strengthen military ties and explore cooperation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense industries. During his visit, General Berrid held discussions with Ethiopia’s Chief of General Staff, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, and State Minister of Defense Martha Luigi. Both sides praised the progress of their growing military relations and agreed on a draft partnership framework set to be finalized soon. The Moroccan general’s itinerary included visits to key Ethiopian institutions, such as the Cyber Security Directorate,…

Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari arrived in Mogadishu this week for a high-profile visit aimed at strengthening security collaboration between Iraq and Somalia. The Iraqi delegation was formally received at the General Kaahiye Police Academy by Somali Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail and Police Commander Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi. The welcoming ceremony featured an exchange of medals of honor and traditional Somali gifts, symbolizing the growing bond between the two nations. During their bilateral discussions, the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in several critical areas, including police training, counterterrorism, migration management, and institutional development. Somali Security Minister…

Kenya and Uganda have officially signed a $137 million bilateral agreement to implement the Angololo Water Resources Development Project (AWRDP), a cross-border initiative designed to strengthen food security, expand energy access, and promote regional integration for over 300,000 people in the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River Sub-basin. The deal was sealed in Busia County by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Muga, and Uganda’s Minister for Environment, Beatrice Atim Anywar. It marks a major step in a long-standing regional vision first proposed in 2010 and later developed under the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) of the Nile…

The Sudanese Armed Forces have begun constructing underground facilities within key military bases to protect advanced weaponry and drone systems, according to sources familiar with the matter. According to Sudan Tribune a source speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, the sources revealed that the initiative is part of a broader effort to fortify strategic assets amid the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The tunnels are designed not only to guard against aerial attacks, including drone strikes, but also to facilitate secure storage and command operations. “The goal is long-term protection,” one source explained, adding…

A former senior Somali petroleum official has voiced strong support for Somalia’s recent energy framework agreement with Turkiye, calling it a pivotal step toward transforming the country into a future petroleum producer. Engineer Khadar Shukri Dhoomey, former Director General at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and now a leading figure in Somalia’s private energy sector, spoke to Gaylan Media to clarify key details of the agreement and respond to public concerns. According to Dhoomey, the agreement signed between Somalia and Turkiye is a framework deal, not a final production contract. “This is not a Production Sharing Agreement yet.…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s recent visit to Djibouti marked a key moment in ongoing regional diplomacy, as both Egypt and Djibouti reinforced their shared position on the future of Red Sea maritime security. Meeting with President Ismail Omar Guelleh, the two leaders voiced firm opposition to any external interference in the region’s navigational sovereignty. In a joint statement following the talks, the presidents emphasized that safeguarding the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is the sole responsibility of the states bordering these waters. Their declaration comes amid Ethiopia’s increasing calls for access to the sea, a move that…

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Uganda’s capital to participate in a high-level summit of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the newly launched African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Hosted in Kampala, the meeting gathers heads of state and senior officials from nations that have deployed peacekeeping forces to Somalia over the past decade. The summit is expected to evaluate the early stages of AUSSOM’s rollout, address logistical and operational hurdles, and strengthen regional collaboration in the fight against al-Shabaab. In a statement issued by Villa Somalia, President Mohamud reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to “African-led solutions…

Somali government forces successfully repelled a pre-dawn assault by Al-Shabaab militants on a key military installation in the Wargaadhi area of the Middle Shabelle region, officials confirmed on Thursday. The assault, which began shortly after the morning Fajr prayers, involved a wave of explosions followed by a ground attack targeting the base — a vital stronghold along a major supply corridor. The base is home to elite Somali forces, including the U.S.-trained Danab special forces, Gorgor units, and locally mobilized Ma’awisley fighters. Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Sheikh Yusuf Al-Adala hailed the defense as a success, stating that the attackers were…

The United States military carried out a rare maritime airstrike off Somalia’s coast last week, destroying a stateless vessel and a support boat allegedly transporting advanced weapons destined for the militant group Al-Shabaab, Somali and U.S. officials confirmed. According to Hiran Online operation, conducted by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), marks an unusual use of airpower against maritime smuggling networks in East Africa. According to Somali government sources, all individuals aboard the vessels were killed, and no civilian casualties were reported. Authorities believe the primary vessel was carrying sophisticated weaponry intended to bolster Al-Shabaab’s military capabilities. Intelligence officials say the shipment…

The unmistakable buzz of drones is fast becoming the new soundtrack of war in Africa. From Sudan to Somalia, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are transforming the battlefield with a reach and precision once reserved for the world’s top militaries. But with the growing accessibility of these systems, the lines between state and insurgent power are blurring, and the rules of engagement are rapidly shifting. In Sudan, the escalating civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has become a drone-heavy conflict. On July 31, 2024, SAF leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan narrowly escaped a…

More than 100 people are feared to have been killed in a devastating drone strike in Gedeb town, East Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, according to accounts from residents and eyewitnesses. The attack reportedly occurred on April 17 near Gedeb Primary School, where locals had gathered for what they described as community development efforts, including the construction of a school fence. Witnesses describe a horrifying scene in which peaceful civilians were caught in the explosion. “We were just working on the school,” said one wounded resident, his hand bandaged. “There was a massive blast. People screamed and scattered. Some…

Sudan’s military announced Thursday that it had repelled a major assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the western outskirts of El-Fasher, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 RSF fighters and injuries to dozens more. In an official statement, the army reported that Wednesday’s assault was met with coordinated resistance from both regular troops and allied local forces. At least 52 RSF members were said to be wounded in the clash. The military also accused the paramilitary group of launching artillery shells into civilian neighborhoods, which reportedly killed five civilians and injured 40 others, including women. There…

Kenya’s President William Ruto concluded a state visit to Beijing this week, cementing a renewed phase in Kenya-China relations through a series of high-level meetings and bilateral agreements. The trip marked a strategic step in expanding cooperation across infrastructure, energy, digital innovation, and trade. President Ruto met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to stronger diplomatic and economic ties under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The visit came at a time when China continues to consolidate its position as Africa’s foremost development partner, while many African nations reconfigure their foreign policy…

A splinter faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) announced the establishment of a joint operations room with Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) aimed at lifting the year-long siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The faction, led by Mohamed Bashara Yahya, declared its support for the Sudanese army earlier this month, officially breaking ranks with the main JEM faction led by Suleiman Sandal. The move marks a significant development in the ongoing civil conflict, as more armed actors realign in response to the RSF’s growing presence in western Sudan. General…