Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Tanzania Lifts Ban on Agricultural Imports from Malawi and South Africa Following Diplomatic Talks Tanzania has lifted its recently imposed ban on agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, signaling a step towards resolving a trade dispute through diplomatic channels. The decision, announced late Friday, comes just days after Tanzania introduced the ban in retaliation for similar actions taken by the two southern African nations. The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) confirmed that the ban, which affected the importation of agricultural produce, would be lifted immediately. TPHPA’s Director General, Joseph Ndunguru, stated that the move aimed to facilitate…

Amid ongoing public outrage, the BBC has identified members of Kenya’s security forces responsible for the fatal shootings of anti-tax protesters outside parliament on June 25, 2024. The BBC’s investigation, which involved analyzing over 5,000 images and videos, revealed that the protesters, who were unarmed and posed no immediate threat, were targeted by security personnel. The tragic incident occurred during a large-scale protest against the government’s controversial finance bill. Despite the Kenyan constitution guaranteeing the right to peaceful protest, the deaths of the demonstrators sparked widespread condemnation. Over 100,000 people had gathered outside parliament that day, hoping to sway lawmakers…

A spokesperson for the Zamzam displacement camp in Sudan’s North Darfur state reported that a militia allied with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) detained 40 aid workers, including staff from the International Relief Organization (IRO), on Sunday, April 27. The aid workers, along with about 50 civilians, were arrested while evacuating toward Tawila, according to camp spokesperson Mohammed Khamis Douda. The incident follows an April 12 attack attributed to the RSF, which killed nine IRO staff members at the Zamzam camp. The RSF also reportedly seized control of the camp, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Douda explained that…

In a significant diplomatic development, Somalia welcomed Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, to Mogadishu over the weekend, signaling renewed efforts to strengthen bilateral relations after decades of limited engagement. Bogdanov’s visit, the first by a senior Russian diplomat in decades, included high-level meetings with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, and other senior officials. During the talks, Russia extended an official invitation from President Vladimir Putin for Somalia’s leader to attend the upcoming Russia–Arab League Summit, underlining Moscow’s growing diplomatic outreach toward Africa. The reception…

The African Union’s stabilization efforts in Somalia are facing fresh challenges, as military officials warn that the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) urgently needs an additional 8,000 troops to contain a growing threat from Al-Shabab militants. In a joint statement issued after a three-day security meeting in Uganda, representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, the African Union, and several international organizations voiced deep concerns over the deteriorating situation in Somalia. Officials highlighted that current troop levels are insufficient, allowing Al-Shabab to regain control over key areas, particularly in Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. The…

Tehran is hosting the Third Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference from April 27 to May 1, 2025, bringing together senior officials, ministers, private sector leaders, economic experts, and representatives from international organizations and the African Union. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, Seyed Rasoul Mohajer, confirmed that the gathering coincides with Iran Expo 2025, where around 2,500 international traders and delegations from 106 countries, including 39 official state delegations, are expected to attend. The events aim to boost economic cooperation, while also promoting tourism and cultural exchanges. The Iran-Africa Summit, taking place on April 27, will feature participation from 19…

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…