Author: Abdihakim Kalale

France Plans 2026 Africa Summit in Nairobi Amid Shifting Alliances and Waning Influence in Francophone Africa France is preparing to host the next Africa-France Summit in 2026, with Nairobi, Kenya, named as the likely venue for the high-level gathering. While specific details such as the exact date and venue are yet to be confirmed, French and African officials have begun outlining key themes for the event, with artificial intelligence and digital innovation expected to feature prominently on the agenda. This summit comes at a time of notable strain between France and several African countries, particularly in West Africa, where a…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in Djibouti on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties and deepening regional coordination, particularly in response to growing tensions in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. President El-Sisi was welcomed by Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh upon arrival in Djibouti’s capital. The visit follows previous engagements between the two leaders, including discussions held on the sidelines of the 33rd Arab League Summit in Bahrain in May 2024. During his stay, President El-Sisi is expected to hold high-level talks with his Djiboutian counterpart on strengthening political and economic relations,…

The Somali government has reportedly requested the departure of Sivuyile Thandikhaya Bam, the Deputy Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), following remarks he made during a recent UN Security Council briefing that drew sharp criticism from Somali officials. Mr. Bam, a South African diplomat, currently serves as the Deputy Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson to Somalia, as well as the Deputy Head of ATMIS. On April 9, he addressed the UN Security Council on the security situation in Somalia, offering a bleak assessment of the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab. During his briefing, Mr.…

A coordinated disinformation campaign has been launched against the oil exploration agreement signed between Türkiye and Somalia in February 2024. The campaign, traced to a Europe-based website operated by exiled Turkish nationals linked to the FETÖ terrorist group, has circulated Somali-language propaganda online, targeting both governments and misrepresenting the terms of the agreement. According to a source who spoke to WAJ, the disinformation was intentionally translated into Somali and distributed across social media platforms to sow distrust between the Somali public and the government of Türkiye. The website responsible has a known history of publishing anti-Türkiye content and is associated…

Kenya’s President William Ruto has positioned Nairobi as a strategic bridge between global powers, offering to mediate between China and the United States amid renewed tensions between the two economic giants. Speaking during his official visit to Beijing — the first African state visit to China in 2025 — Ruto emphasized Kenya’s unique diplomatic posture. He drew a symbolic parallel with his May 2024 state visit to the United States, which marked the first African state visit to Washington in over 15 years. This visit mirrors my earlier one to the United States. Perhaps Kenya can serve as a bridge…

Burhan Meets Chinese Envoy as Repairs Near Completion on Export Pipeline Sudan’s military leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, held talks with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xianghua on Tuesday to discuss the resumption of South Sudanese oil exports via Sudan, WAJ has learned. The meeting, held in Port Sudan, focused on revitalizing economic ties and oil cooperation following the recent arrival of South Sudanese crude at the Bashayer export terminal on Sudan’s Red Sea coast. “The discussion centered on enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the energy sector,” Acting Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Idris Ismail said in a statement after the meeting. Ambassador Zhang…

Possible Links to Ruto’s China Trip and SGR Talks U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has canceled his much-anticipated diplomatic tour to Africa, which was scheduled to include stops in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, WAJ has learned from informed sources. Rubio, who has recently taken on an elevated role in shaping U.S. foreign policy in Africa, was expected to engage both Kenya and Ethiopia on matters of regional security and economic cooperation, including discussions related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and counterterrorism partnerships in the Horn of Africa. However, according to WAJ sources, the abrupt cancellation may be tied—at…

The recently appointed head of Tigray’s Interim Administration, Lt. Gen. Tadesse Worede, has unveiled a downsized cabinet, trimming ministerial posts from 27 to 21 and reducing the number of deputy presidents to one. Though the full list of appointees has not yet been officially released, sources indicate that Amanuel Assefa, a senior TPLF figure and deputy to former leader Debretsion Gebremichael, is expected to serve as the sole deputy president in the new structure. In a key move that signals a shift in leadership style, Lt. Gen. Tadesse has also reversed the suspension of three top military officials—Masho Beyene, Migbey…

The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have reported a string of battlefield victories against the Fano militia in the Amhara region, claiming to have killed over 300 fighters during a single day of combat in the Gojam zone. These claims come amid reports of mounting civilian casualties and intensifying clashes that continue to destabilize the region. In a statement released over the Easter weekend, the ENDF described a broad military campaign across North Shewa and Gojjam zones, including targeted operations that allegedly neutralized several Fano commanders and dozens of fighters. The army also reported seizing weapons including sniper rifles and…

Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met with Turkish Ambassador Fatih Yildiz in Port Sudan on Monday to advance cooperation on key issues including development projects, humanitarian relief, and air transport connectivity. The talks followed recent discussions between Burhan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and are part of broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Khartoum and Ankara. According to Sudanese Foreign Ministry officials, the meeting emphasized upcoming Turkish-backed infrastructure and development initiatives aimed at supporting Sudan’s recovery. A major item on the agenda was the expected resumption of Sudan Airways flights from Port…

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with Somalia’s federal government, launched an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants near the Adan Yabaal district in the Middle Shabelle region on April 16, 2025. According to an AFRICOM statement released Monday, the precision strike resulted in no civilian casualties, though the number of militants killed has not been publicly disclosed. The operation followed a coordinated al-Shabaab assault on Adan Yabaal earlier that day, which forced Somali government forces to retreat after heavy fighting. Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, has recently intensified its insurgency, capturing strategic areas and targeting both local and international…

A tragic incident occurred outside Kenya’s Nairobi National Park when a 14-year-old girl was killed by a lioness that had entered a residential area bordering the park. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed the attack took place on Saturday night after the lioness jumped over a makeshift fence surrounding a ranch. The young girl was inside a house with another teenager when the lioness attacked. According to KWS spokesperson Paul Udoto, there is no indication of provocation. The second teenager quickly raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from KWS rangers and emergency teams. The girl’s body was found along…

Somaliland officials have confirmed the death of Farah Aydiid Jama, believed to be an Ethiopian consulate official in Garowe, Puntland. He was reportedly killed on April 20 by suspected Al-Shabaab militants, though the Ethiopian government has yet to confirm his death or his role at the consulate. A letter circulated by local media described Jama as a coordinator supporting Ethiopian citizens in border areas. According to the Attorney General of Khatumo State, Jama was abducted from his home in Las Anod, tortured, and executed. His body, bearing signs of severe abuse, was found in a valley outside the city. Investigations…

Kenya and Ethiopia have signed a new agreement aimed at accelerating trade between their border communities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The deal, signed in Mombasa by senior government officials from both countries, is designed to implement a simplified trade regime that will ease cross-border commerce and promote regional integration. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, emphasized that the partnership seeks to address long-standing trade barriers in the Moyale region. “We want to ensure that people at the border can trade freely and easily. This agreement brings us closer to realizing that goal,”…

The death of Pope Francis has triggered an outpouring of condolences and reflections from across Africa, where the Catholic Church plays a central role in spiritual and social life. Political leaders, major religious institutions, and millions of ordinary citizens are mourning a figure remembered for his humility, compassion, and dedication to justice. As the global Catholic Church prepares for a conclave, many in Africa are turning their attention to the possibility of an African successor — including Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson. Condolences Across the Continent From presidents to religious leaders, figures across Africa have expressed their sorrow at the passing…

President William Ruto is set to make his inaugural state visit to China, marking a new chapter in Kenya’s expanding partnership with Beijing. The five-day trip, beginning on April 22, 2025, aims to enhance Kenya’s economic standing through discussions on key infrastructure projects, including the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the dualing of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway. The visit will see Ruto engage with top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, to solidify agreements in various sectors like trade, agriculture, and technology transfer. The discussions will focus on financing Kenya’s ambitious projects and…