Latest news with #HornofAfrica
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kenya, Ethiopia agree to build cross-border infrastructure
Kenya and Ethiopia have agreed to work on cross-border infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing bilateral trade. At a meeting in Addis Ababa on June 5 as part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HOAGDP), the two countries agreed on transformative programmes to improve the movement of goods, people, and digital services across the Ethiopian-Kenyan border. Ethiopia and Kenya agreed to support the construction of two bridges across the River Dawa (Rhamu and Suftu), as a passage of hope that will not only carry vehicles but also convey the aspiration of underserved communities to access healthcare, education, and markets.'The main objectives are to enhance infrastructural connectivity, socio-economic development, trade facilitation, and cross-border development between Ethiopia and Kenya,' says the joint communique. These measures are seen as a demonstration of Igad's commitment to operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement through strengthening seamless trade between Ethiopia and Kenya by reducing border-crossing times, reducing transport costs and making regional goods more competitive in international markets. Subsequently, Kenya and Ethiopia will finalise the draft bilateral agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance on Customs matters and other enabling legal frameworks at the earliest opportunity. The two agreed on the location for a one-stop border post at Rhamu, a trade facilitation centre at Suftu, access roads and bridges at Rhamu and Suftu, and optic fibre 'meet me' points. The meeting featured senior government officials led by Ahmed Shide, minister of Finance of Ethiopia and Cyrell Odede Wagunda, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Investment and Assets Management of the National Treasury of Kenya. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
UNHCR Praises Saudi Support Amid Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
A senior United Nations official has described the ongoing crisis in Sudan as one of the world's largest humanitarian emergencies, yet also among the least funded. Less than 18 percent of the $1.8 billion needed to support relief operations in 2025 has been secured. Mamadou Dian Balde, Regional Director of the UNHCR for East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes, and the agency's regional refugee coordinator for Sudan, stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia's continued support. He noted that the Kingdom's contribution remains vital to maintaining life-saving aid, especially at a time when global humanitarian funding is shrinking. During a recent visit to Riyadh, Balde met with key Saudi officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation with UNHCR. His discussions focused on supporting over 27 million refugees and displaced individuals across East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and surrounding regions. He stressed that Saudi Arabia's partnership, both through direct aid and international collaboration, has played a crucial role in sustaining relief efforts in the face of the largest displacement crisis worldwide. Balde's visit included meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), the Saudi Fund for Development, and Islamic development institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development. He also consulted with humanitarian and religious organizations like the Muslim World League and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth. In Sudan, despite limited resources, UNHCR continues to deliver core services such as refugee registration, relocation to safer areas, and distribution of emergency supplies. This includes shelter kits, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and kitchen essentials, as well as medical supplies and support for survivors of gender-based violence and unaccompanied children. Balde highlighted the scale of the crisis, pointing to nearly 13 million Sudanese who have been displaced in just two years, with 4 million fleeing across borders. He warned that displacement is accelerating, citing the arrival of approximately 2,000 new refugees daily in Chad due to recent violence in North Darfur. With only 11 percent of the regional response plan for Sudan funded, humanitarian actors face difficult choices, often unable to reach all those in need. Looking ahead, UNHCR's strategy combines emergency relief with long-term development. Balde stressed the need to integrate refugees into national systems, improve host community services, and avoid parallel aid structures, Balde told Asharq Al-Awsat. For 2025, the agency and its partners require $1.8 billion to assist 4.8 million people, including refugees, returnees, and local communities across the region.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
African legends bring hope to Somalian football
When the wider world thinks of Somalia, the first things that are most likely to come to mind are conflict and the pirates who have threatened ships around the Horn of Africa in recent instability has restricted the development of sport in the country and the men's national football team, nicknamed the Ocean Stars, have not played competitively on home soil since game has historically united a population of around 17 million troubled by clan divisions, and Mogadishu could soon be granted permission to stage international matches at its 65,000-capacity National legends of African football - Emmanuel Adebayor, Samuel Eto'o and Jay Jay Okocha - travelled to the Somali capital this week to take part in an exhibition match which players and officials hope will help pave the way for the continent's top stars to return on a regular basis."This football showcase is truly a historic moment. It marks the day Somalia earned a golden place on the world stage," local youth coach and player Cabdulaahi Geesey told BBC Somali."Sharing the pitch with Okocha, Eto'o and Adebayor, wearing the same kit and even scoring a goal is a dream come true."The image these guests will carry back with them is of a peaceful Somalia, a united people and a football culture that is rising once again."Somalia deserves the trust to start hosting matches on home soil again." Former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker Adebayor hailed the match, part of a 'peace tour' backed by world governing body Fifa, as a "wonderful" thousands in attendance created an electric atmosphere in a stadium that has endured a chequered past."I know a little bit about Somalia," the 41-year-old former Togo captain said."We just pray for God to give you peace so that you can build your country."Yet the security situation in Somalia remains challenging, and the mood was tense outside the stadium, with a heavy police contingent guarding the State-aligned Al-Shabab militants launched a major offensive earlier this year and have made territorial gains since in April killed senior Somali military officials in a village 30km from Mogadishu, while several people died this month when a suicide bomber targeted an army recruitment centre in the security minister Mohamed Ali Haga described the match as a chance to "change the perception of the world towards Somalia and show the world that Mogadishu is peaceful". 'First step' to international return Somalia's footballers have always struggled to make an impact on the continental stage, and its men are currently ranked 201st out of 210 national teams in the world – with only Seychelles and unranked Eritrea beneath them in have never made it past the preliminary round in qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and have only ever registered one win in qualifying for the Fifa World has become Somalia's most frequent venue for 'home' games during almost four decades in exile, during which time their stadium in Mogadishu was repeatedly requisitioned for military Football Association president Souleiman Waberi, who also holds high office at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and Fifa, says the legends game is the first step to the return of the Ocean Stars."Maybe the next step will be a friendly match with another country," Waberi added."Then the Somalia FA can send a letter to Caf to request them to come to check the stadium."If it meets all criteria, Somalia can host international games here in Mogadishu."Recent home qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup have been staged as far afield as Morocco and Mozambique, but supporters are eager for their side to return to home Maxamuud was among the thousands in attendance on Tuesday to see Adebayor, Eto'o and Okocha in action."I'm genuinely very happy having three world-renowned footballers visit us, be warmly welcomed, and return safely," she told the BBC."To Somalia, I say may this peace last."Just as these players came and left in peace and good health, I hope the same will happen for others." A new dawn for stadium Built in 1977 with Chinese assistance, Mogadishu's main ground was closed in 1991 when the country descended into anarchy after the overthrow of President Siad Barre's military from the United States and Pakistan used it as a base for two years until 1995, when it reopened for a nine-year troops were then stationed there before Al-Shabab made it their main Mogadishu stronghold between 2009 and 2011.A new internationally-backed government was installed in 2012, leading to a new peacekeeping force using the stadium as an operational suffered heavily during the years of military use, but artificial turf was laid and facilities restored during a renovation in official reopening for a game between Horseed SC and Mogadishu City Club in July 2021 drew a capacity is now hoped the legends match will help demonstrate that sport can reclaim a space once dominated by violence."I know Somalia," Waberi said."It's a people of sport. There's football every day."We have a legends game, you see the stadium is full. I am sure this stadium will host international games."
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Trump administration holding migrants in Djibouti after judge blocks deporting them to South Sudan, president says
A group of eight migrants are being held in the small African country of Djibouti after a judge said the Trump administration's attempt to fly them to South Sudan "unquestionably" violated a court order, President Trump confirmed Thursday. Mr. Trump lashed out at U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, who ordered the government to "maintain custody and control" of the migrants Tuesday. Attorneys say the migrants were put on a flight to violence-plagued South Sudan, allegedly violating an earlier order by Murphy requiring migrants to be given certain due process rights before they're deported to a third country. The Trump administration says the eight men have serious criminal records. "A Federal Judge in Boston, who knew absolutely nothing about the situation, or anything else, has ordered that EIGHT of the most violent criminals on Earth curtail their journey to South Sudan, and instead remain in Djibouti," Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social post. "He would not allow these monsters to proceed to their final destination." Djibouti is a small country on the Horn of Africa on the continent's east coast, located across the Gulf of Aden from the Arabian Peninsula. Mr. Trump didn't specify where the deportees are being held, but the U.S. has a military base in the country. Mr. Trump said "a large number of ICE Officers" were also left with the men. Murphy has ordered the Trump administration to give six men "reasonable fear" interviews to screen them for any concerns about being harmed in a third country. If they do not satisfy the reasonable fear standard, the government must give them at least 15 days to challenge their removal. Murphy says the men can be held either in the U.S. or abroad, as long as the government maintains custody over them.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
TikTok posts falsely claim Ethiopia's health minister and her deputy quit over medical strike
'The minister of health has resigned,' reads the text overlay on a TikTok video posted on May 7, 2025. The video, which contains a picture of Mekdes, has been shared more than 820 times. The Ethiopian health professionals had given the government seven days to respond to their demands before going on strike. The post was shared on TikTok during this period. People commenting on the post hailed Mekdes for purportedly stepping down. 'She is a hero,' read one comment. 'The struggle should start from the top leaders. Other officials should learn from her decision.' Another user added: 'She did the best thing. The health workers' demand should be met.' A similar post published by the same TikTok account a week later claimed Mekdes' deputy Dereje Duguma, whose official title is State Minister of Health, had also stepped aside. 'The health professionals' demand is leading to protests,' reads a text overlay at the bottom of the video, posted on May 14, 2025 – a day after the partial strike by healthcare workers began (archived here). Shared more than 730 times, the clip contains a photo of Dereje. On May 7, 2025, the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association (EHPA) urged the government to immediately address the demands made by the sector's workforce, giving a week's notice of their intention to strike (archived here). The nationwide partial strike began on May 13, 2025, to demand fair pay, better benefits and risk compensation. The strike coordinators reported on May 14, 2025 that several health workers and medical students were reportedly arrested in different parts of Ethiopia as the strike gained momentum across the country (archived here). However, the claims that both the health minister and her deputy resigned because of the strike are false. Both Mekdes and Dereje made public appearances and statements in their official capacities days after the claims about their purported resignations were posted. Mekdes appeared on the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation and spoke about the list of strike demands and ongoing efforts to address them (archived here). 'A new proclamation was recently passed that provides health insurance for health professionals and the cost will be fully covered by the government,' Mekdes said in her interview on May 12, 2025. She also pointed out that the new law provides further benefits for health professionals. Three days later, she issued a stern warning to striking workers, saying that 'strikes in the health sector are prohibited by law' and announced legal action against those who refused to return to work (archived here). Mekdes again appeared on EBC News on May 19, 2025, and said, "Health professionals are performing their professional duties in health facilities." Despite this, she indicated that some medical schools' activities have been interrupted over the strike (archived here). Meanwhile, Dereje posted a message on Facebook about the strike a day after the claim about his resignation was published. He denounced the actions of individuals whom he accused of hijacking the interests of health workers to advance their political plans amidst the strike. 'I want to assure that the attempt to hijack health professionals for a political agenda will not achieve its objective,' he posted in Amharic (archived here). The healthy ministry confirmed to AFP Fact Check that the claims about both ministers were unfounded. 'This is completely false,' a health ministry spokesman said.
