First Independent Mena Newspaper
More than 42 million people across six East and Horn of Africa countries are facing acute food insecurity in 2025, according to a grim new report from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Regional Focus of the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, released Tuesday (16 September), reveals that Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, […]
Morocco maintained a trade surplus with Africa in 2024, though it declined significantly to 7.2 billion dirhams from 12.6 billion dirhams the previous year, according to the Foreign Exchange Office’s annual report on Morocco’s foreign trade. The deterioration stems primarily from an increased trade deficit with Egypt, which widened by 3 billion dirhams, combined with […]
East Africa is experiencing a profound geopolitical shift as Gulf states and Turkey expand their influence through infrastructure, energy, and security investments totaling an estimated $75 billion, according to a new report by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies. This influx is transforming the region’s political and economic landscape, particularly in fragile states like […]
India and nine African nations have launched the sea phase of AIKEYME-25 — or Africa India Key Maritime Engagement — the first-ever joint naval drill aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean. Co-hosted by India and Tanzania, the six-day exercise marks a major step in strengthening strategic cooperation between India and nine […]
The Horn of Africa countries should turn to trade as a solution to persistent conflict and political instability, says a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), that suggests that the lack of intra-regional trade, as well as poor infrastructure, has fueled conflict and violence by perpetuating poverty and a sense of marginalization. […]
As the Horn of Africa is facing multiple and complex challenges, two important forums have recently brought together experts, politicians, diplomats and traditional leaders to discuss ways to strengthen regional stability and security. The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing high levels of instability and political violence, from the civil wars in Ethiopia and Sudan, […]
The Ethiopia-Somalia feud continues as Mogadishu has called on Addis Ababa to retract its deal with Somaliland, ruling out on Thursday (18 January) any possible mediation until a controversial agreement with the breakaway region is cancelled. Claiming its territorial integrity has been violated by the agreement, Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated there was […]
Somalia has vowed to defend its territorial integrity by “all legal means possible” after a destabilizing deal inked on Monday (1 January) that has seen its breakaway region of Somaliland gain Ethiopia’s recognition in exchange for the latter’s access to the Red Sea. Following an emergency meeting on Tuesday (2 January), the Somali cabinet said […]
A grouping of eight East African countries, IGAD, has said both Sudan’s warring generals agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting as part of efforts to implement a cease-fire and initiate political dialogue to end the country’s devastating war. In a meeting of the leaders of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) held in Djibouti, the […]
Horn of Africa is concerned about a new war in the battle-scarred region after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s call for a direct port access on the Red Sea, asserting that access to the sea is an existential question. Ethiopia is abuzz with rumors of a looming war in the region after Abiy reportedly told […]