Ethiopia: Internal Power Struggle in Tigray Region

 Source: African Arguments posted on 29 October 2024 a commentary titled “Power Struggle in Tigray” by Gerrit Kurtz, German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

An intergenerational power struggle is taking place within Tigray Region that pits Debretsion Gebremichael against Getachew Reda.  It has little to do with ideology.  Some Tigrayans believe Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is encouraging the division behind the scenes

Indian Ocean Security and US Strategy

 Source: The East-West Center published on 18 October 2024 a bulletin titled “Connecting West and East: Indian Ocean Security and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy” by Nilanthi Samaranayake.  

Washington appears to be increasingly recognizing the importance of the western Indian Ocean, suggesting that it may be starting to conceive of the Indian Ocean as a region on its own terms.  

Arms Transfers to Sub-Saharan Africa

 Source: The Italian Institute for International Political Studies published on 30 September 2024 a paper titled “The Complex Trends and Patterns in Arms Transfers to Sub-Saharan Africa” by Pieter Wezeman, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The 6 largest arms importers in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2019-23 were Nigeria, Angola, Senegal, Mali, Uganda, and Ethiopia.  The major arms suppliers during this period were China (19 percent), Russia (17 percent), and France (11 percent).  Imports of arms by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have been declining in recent years.

Somalia’s leaders agree on framework for universal suffrage

Source VOA, By Mohamed Olad Hassan
Thursday October 31, 2024

Political leaders in Somalia agreed Wednesday on a framework for the country’s first national one-person, one-vote elections, a government statement said.

The decision followed marathon monthlong talks led by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that saw the withdrawal of Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, also known as Madobe, from the National Consultative Council meeting in Mogadishu.

Somalia’s government and federal member states said Wednesday that direct universal suffrage would be introduced with local elections set for June 2025.

The agreement signed by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the leaders of three regional states and Mogadishu’s governor laid out a path to nationwide one-person, one-vote elections.

“The leaders agreed to introduce national elections, where citizens will vote for their leaders, starting with the local, regional and municipal elections set for June 2025,” read a communique released at the end of the meeting in Mogadishu.

“The election of parliamentary and presidential leaders of the Federal Member states will be held on September 2025,” the statement said.

The members of NCC also have ordered the completion of Somalia’s National Independent Electoral Commission to facilitate the electoral process.

Opposition stand

In March, Somalia’s parliament unanimously approved a bill overhauling the country’s electoral system to reintroduce universal suffrage, a plan that has been criticized by some leading politicians.

The leaders of two federal member states, the Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubaland President Islam, opposed Wednesday’s decision.

Unlike Islam, who stepped out of the NCC meetings two weeks ago, Deni repeatedly said that Puntland no longer would recognize federal institutions, accusing President Mohamud of violating the constitution and losing his legitimacy.

Additionally, prominent Somali opposition leaders, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, have vehemently condemned Wednesday’s decision, calling it illegal.

“The decision illegally extends the terms of the regional presidents, threatens the national stability, the efforts of building good governance,” according to a statement from the opposition. “We will never accept it.”

The country has not had nationwide one-person, one-vote elections since 1969, when dictator Siad Barre seized power.

Mohamud was elected by lawmakers in May 2022 and previously said the next national elections would be by universal suffrage.

Currently, voting follows a complex, indirect model where state legislatures and clan delegates pick lawmakers for the national parliament, who in turn choose the president.

UN Security Council

Wednesday’s agreement comes on the heels of another significant development for Somalia.

The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Wednesday facilitating the transition of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Somalia, or UNSOM, to the U.N. Country Team, or UNCT.

This shift, prompted by a formal request from the Somali government, presented by the United Kingdom, received unanimous support from all 15 member states of the council. It establishes that during this transition phase, the U.N.’s support activities in Somalia will be rebranded as the U.N. Transitional Mission in Somalia, or UNTMIS.

According to the resolution, the transfer of responsibilities from UNSOM to UNTMIS, alongside national authorities, will commence on November 1, and is anticipated to conclude by October 31, 2026.

U.K. Ambassador to the U.N. Barbara Woodward characterized the passage of the resolution as the “beginning of a crucial period for Somalia.”

“UNSOM has played an important role since its inception in 2013, supporting peace building and state building in Somalia through implementing its good offices, policy guidance, coordination, technical assistance and capacity building functions,” she said.

Somali government has welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous decision to transition the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) into a temporary mission over the next two years, beginning November 1, 2024

Thursday October 31, 2024

Source: Hiiraan Online, Mogadishu — Somali government has welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous decision to transition the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) into a temporary mission over the next two years, beginning November 1, 2024.
In a resolution passed on Wednesday, the Security Council approved the creation of the United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which will replace UNSOM, established in 2013 to support Somalia’s transition to democracy and rule of law. The new mission aims to shift UNSOM’s responsibilities to the Somali Federal Government and local UN agencies by October 31, 2026.

The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the decision aligned with its proposal to gradually phase out UNSOM, enabling Somalia to strengthen its sovereignty and institutional independence. The proposal, presented in August through UN Secretary-General António Guterres, came after months of collaborative discussions between Somali officials and UNSOM’s joint technical committee.

“This diplomatic milestone reflects the shared vision of the United Nations and Somalia for a peaceful, resilient nation, equipped to guide its own national agenda and engage as a strong international partner” stated the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The transitional mission, now called UNTMIS, will focus on supporting free and fair elections and human rights protection during its first year, with some responsibilities transferring to Somali authorities by the end of year one.

UN missions can only be deployed with the agreement of the host country. In Africa in particular, the UN has been facing hostility in recent years

Somalia expels Ethiopian diplomat

Source: VOA, Wednesday October 30, 2024

FILE – Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 27, 2024.

Somalia has declared an Ethiopian diplomat working in Mogadishu a persona non grata.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the diplomat of engaging in “activities incompatible with his diplomatic role.”

The diplomat, Ali Mohamed Adan, who is a counselor at Ethiopia’s embassy in Mogadishu, was ordered to leave Somalia within 72 hours of receiving the notice.

Somalia did not specify the actions allegedly committed by Ali, but the statement said they “constitute a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”

VOA’s Horn of Africa Service sought comments from the spokesperson for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nebiat Getachew, but did not receive any.

Somalia and Ethiopia have been involved in a heated diplomatic dispute since Addis Ababa signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somaliland, a move Somalia sees as infringement on its sovereignty. Ethiopia and Somaliland defended the MOU. If implemented, it would give Somaliland recognition from landlocked Ethiopia in return for the leasing of 20 kilometers of seafront, according to Somaliland officials.

In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, alleging “internal interference” by Ethiopia. Somalia also ordered the closure of Ethiopia’s consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, though they remained open.

Last month, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, urged the international community to stand with Somalia in condemning Ethiopia’s violations.

Barre alleged that Ethiopia was attempting to “annex parts of Somalia under the guise of securing sea access.”

Taye Atske Selassie was the foreign minister at the time and rejected the Somalian prime minister’s comments, insisting that Ethiopia’s MOU with Somaliland is “based on existing political dispensation in Somalia.”

“Ethiopia’s name can never be associated with any one of the allegations,” said Taye, who has now become Ethiopia’s ceremonial president.

Encircling Ethiopia

 Source: The Hill published on 28 October 2024 a commentary titled “Shifting Alliances in the Horn of Africa: An Egypt-Eritrea-Somalia Axis” by Imran Khalid.  

The author argues that the recent summit in Asmara of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia was an effort “to encircle Ethiopia.”  Egypt, frustrated with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, may be positioning itself for a proxy war, using Eritrea to destabilize its neighbor. 

Ethiopian Dialogue Commission presses ONLF to rejoin peace talks

Source: Hiiraan Online, Sunday October 27, 2024

FILE – Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, Prof. Mesfin Araya, addresses the media during a press briefing

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Ethiopian Dialogue Commission is pressing the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) to reconsider its decision to boycott Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference, a move they say threatens to destabilize the already fragile peace agreement established between the two sides in 2018. 

The ONLF, a political organization advocating for the self-determination of Ethiopia’s Somali region, has accused the Ethiopian government of failing to uphold key promises, leading it to withdraw from the conference just days before its planned launch.

The 2018 peace accord, signed in Asmara, Eritrea, was initially celebrated as a transformative deal, ending decades of ONLF’s armed resistance and granting the group formal political recognition within Ethiopia.

However, ONLF leaders claim that only 20% of the agreement’s commitments—such as reintegrating former fighters and resetting displaced communities—have been fulfilled. ONLF spokesperson Abdiqadir Hassan Hirmooge, known as Adani, stated that the group’s patience with Ethiopia’s perceived inaction has run thin. “We maintained peace as agreed, but the government’s failure to uphold its obligations raises serious questions about its dedication to lasting reconciliation,” Adani said, noting that ONLF’s Central Committee will meet later this month to reassess its approach.

The rift between ONLF and the Ethiopian government has deepened in recent weeks following accusations from Ethiopian military chief General Berhanu Jula, who described ONLF as an “enemy” allegedly backed by Egypt. ONLF condemned the general’s statement as both inflammatory and damaging to the fragile peace, urging the Ethiopian government to clarify or retract the remark. “These claims are baseless and dangerous. To suggest we are aligned with foreign powers to destabilize Ethiopia is both false and a serious provocation,” Adani responded, warning that ONLF may reevaluate its commitment to the peace deal if such rhetoric persists.

ONLF’s decision to boycott the National Dialogue Conference reflects broader grievances with the Ethiopian government’s approach to inclusivity. The group accused the ruling party in Ethiopia’s Somali region of handpicking participants for the conference in a way that sidelines dissenting voices. Additionally, ONLF criticized the absence of representatives from key regions, including Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray, arguing that this imbalance undermines the dialogue’s goal of comprehensively addressing Ethiopia’s regional conflicts.

Despite its withdrawal, ONLF stated it remains open to rejoining the process if the dialogue framework is restructured to include all perspectives. “A genuine national dialogue cannot simply echo the ruling party’s stance; it must be rooted in true representation and inclusivity,” ONLF’s statement emphasized, adding that they would consider participating if these conditions are met.

Compounding ONLF’s discontent, the group has reported instances of cultural suppression within the Somali region, claiming the government has pressured Somali elders to renounce their identity. ONLF has also expressed concerns over rumours that Ethiopia may alter the region’s official name and flag, which they interpret as a threat to the Somali cultural identity within the nation.

For ONLF, the ultimate goal remains self-determination for the Somali region, a right supported by Ethiopia’s constitution under Article 39, which grants regional autonomy and even potential secession. Although ONLF has shifted its tactics from armed struggle to diplomacy, its leadership remains committed to the possibility of regional independence. “Self-governance is essential. If we fail to act, we risk losing everything we’ve fought for,” Adani stated recently, underscoring the group’s enduring vision for autonomy.

The Ethiopian Dialogue Commission’s call for ONLF’s participation underscores the essential role that regional voices play in Ethiopia’s search for stability. However, without the active involvement of critical groups like ONLF, Ethiopia’s National Dialogue risks becoming an incomplete attempt at reconciliation, leaving unresolved grievances and deepening existing divisions across the country.

Turkey to seek improved Africa cooperation in Djibouti talks, officials say

Source: Reuters, By Tuvan Gumrukcu
Sunday October 27, 2024

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Turkey’s foreign minister will travel to Djibouti next week to attend a Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting and discuss improving cooperation between Ankara and the continent, officials from his ministry said.

NATO member Turkey has ramped up its presence and influence in Africa in recent years, increasing trade nearly eight-fold, giving diplomatic and military support to some countries, and inking deals in various fields.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Djibouti meeting would evaluate a previous conference held in 2021 and discuss possible moves to deepen cooperation.

The meeting will be held on Nov. 2-3 and will be attended by representatives from 14 African countries, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the officials added.

It comes amid Turkish mediation efforts to resolve a dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over a deal that Ethiopia agreed to lease a stretch of coastline from Somaliland, and at a time when West Africa struggles with surging terrorism.

The officials said the mediation was difficult due to the lack of trust between the parties, but that Ankara hoped for good news in coming days.

On Tuesday, Turkey inked a cooperation agreement with Niger on mining, after having signed a similar cooperation deal with the West African nation on oil and gas in July.

Asked about the accord, the officials said Turkey’s Mineral Research and Exploration authority had three gold mining fields in Niger, protected by Niger security forces, and planned to start production there by the end of the year.

Turkey is competing with major powers like France, Russia and China for a foothold in Africa, forging partnerships with several nations and providing armed drones to Somalia, Ethiopia and others.

The officials said Turkey’s provision of defence equipment and military training aimed to strengthen “national capabilities” and support counterterrorism.

“Countries that have acquired Turkish drones have increased their ground control in their countries,” said an official, citing Burkina Faso’s doubling the level of its control over the state to 65% using Turkish drones.

On Tuesday, Tuareg rebels in Mali said a drone strike using a Turkish drone had killed eight people and wounded 20 others.

Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Daren Butler and Lisa Shumaker

Somalia condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, calls for regional stability

Source: Hiiraan Online, Sunday October 27, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government condemned Israel’s overnight attacks on Iran, describing the action as a breach of sovereignty and a violation of international laws and customs.

In a statement released Saturday, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its opposition to further escalation in the Middle East, warning that widening the conflict threatens regional security and stability.

“Somalia renews its demand to the international community and the Security Council to bear their responsibilities in halting practices that threaten the region’s future,” the statement read. “It also stresses the need for serious measures to secure regional stability and peace in line with international laws and treaties.”

The Israeli military launched strikes on military bases in Iran, hitting about 20 sites over several hours in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran. The Iranian army confirmed four soldiers were killed after it said the attacks on Saturday targeted military bases but resulted in only “limited damage”.

Iranian military officials had previously warned that any attack from Israel would provoke a “harsher response,” raising concerns over further tensions in the region.

Preventing Genocide in Sudan

 Source: Foreign Policy published on 25 October 2024 a commentary titled “How the U.N. Can Prevent Genocide in Sudan” by Romeo Dallaire and Shelly Whitman.  

While a UN peacekeeping force in Sudan is not politically feasible at the moment, a multinational or African Union-led protection force with troops from willing countries could be mounted to protect civilians.  Initially, it could establish safe zones or safe corridors for civilians to facilitate the delivery of emergency aid. 

War and instability bring African governance progress to a halt: Report

Source: Aljazeera, Democratic backsliding in Africa reflects global trend towards ‘strongman politics’ emboldening autocrats.

Published On 23 Oct 202423 Oct 2024

Progress in democratic governance in Africa has ground to a halt, according to a new report issued by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

The latest edition of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, published on Wednesday, found that progress in governance across the continent came to a halt in 2022 following four years of “almost complete stagnation”.

Dozens killed by paramilitary RSF in Sudan’s Gezira, aid groups say

Source: UNICEF calls for more international attention to ‘the forgotten crisis’ as about 25.6 million people face acute hunger.

Published On 26 Oct 202426 Oct 2024

Dozens of civilians have been killed and thousands displaced in Sudan’s Gezira state, aid groups said, after several days of attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

A union of doctors and a youth group said the RSF attacked several villages and towns in the east-central state of Gezira, looting and vandalising public and private properties, and leaving dozens dead, The Associated Press news agency reported on Saturday

Türkiye to commence oil and natural gas exploration in Somali territories

Source: Saturday October 26, 2024

Türkiye is set to begin oil and natural gas exploration in Somali land areas thanks to a new agreement between Turkish Petroleum and Somali Petroleum Authority, Turkish energy and natural resources minister announced on Friday.

Turkish Petroleum Corporation and Somali Petroleum Authority signed a new agreement for hydrocarbon exploration in land areas, said Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, speaking at the welcoming ceremony at the Port of Mogadishu where the Oruc Reis ship arrived following a 20-day journey from Istanbul.

Türkiye and Somalia are further broadening cooperation in maritime regions, he added.

​​​​​​​Oruc Reis will carry out three-dimensional seismic studies in areas off the coast of Somalia. The mission is expected to last approximately six months and will involve collecting seismic data for both oil and natural gas. This data will be analyzed in the Turkish capital Ankara to identify potential drilling sites.

Earlier on Friday, Bayraktar met with Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the Turkish minister posted on X, sharing photos from the meeting. Ties between Türkiye and Somalia ‘are getting stronger every day with the projects we jointly develop,’ Bayraktar shared on X.

‘We want to contribute to the welfare of the Somali people and strengthen our friendship by investing not only in oil and gas but also in mining and electricity sectors,’ he said.

The Turkish minister was also received by the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s historic visit to Somalia in 2011, ‘our bilateral relations have gained significant momentum,’ Bayraktar said in a separate post on X. ‘Now, with the launch of our Oruc Reis ship, we are entering a new phase of partnership,’ he added.

Earlier this year, Türkiye and Somalia signed memorandums of understanding between their ministries and governments. Under these agreements, Turkish Petroleum, Türkiye’s national oil company, obtained licenses for three offshore areas in Somali waters. The ministry plans to conduct seismic surveys across the three licensed zones, each covering roughly 5,000 square kilometers.

Türkiye, a close ally of the Horn of Africa nation, has invested in the country’s education, infrastructure and health and provided extensive humanitarian aid through the years.

Malaria is surging in Ethiopia, reversing a decade of progress against the disease

Source: New York Poast, By Maya Misikir and Stephanie Nolen
Maya Misikir reported from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Stephanie Nolen covers the global threat of infectious diseases including malaria.
Saturday October 26, 2024

Climate change, civil conflict and growing resistance to insecticides and treatments are all contributing to an alarming spread of cases.


An entomologist collecting mosquitoes for study from the Butuji River in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, last year.Credit…Tiksa Negeri for The New York Times

Malaria infection rates are soaring in Ethiopia, where a combination of armed conflict, climate change and mosquitoes’ growing resistance to drugs and insecticides has accelerated the spread of a disease the country once thought it was bringing under control.

More than 6.1 million malaria cases, and 1,038 deaths, have been recorded in the country this year through the end of September, compared with 4.5 million cases, and 469 deaths, for all of 2023. Worse, cases are likely to soar far higher in the next couple of months because peak malaria season, driven by seasonal rains, begins in September and runs through the end of the year.

“We’re backsliding so fast — we’ve gone back a decade,” said Fitsum Tadesse, the lead scientist overseeing the malaria program at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute in Addis Ababa, the capital of the country.

The malaria surge in Ethiopia could prove to be a harbinger for other countries in the region, where the same underlying biological factors exist, and war and climate change are making more people vulnerable.

Dr. Tadesse believes some of the rise in cases in Ethiopia is due to growing drug resistance: The parasites that cause malaria in East Africa are increasingly resistant to treatments that have long been the bedrock of the response.

At the same time, mosquitoes are becoming more resistant to the insecticides that are used on protective bed nets and in indoor spraying programs. And they have evolved to evade diagnosis by some of the most common malaria tests.

“All of the biological factors are converging here, and it’s happening at the worst possible time,” Dr. Tadesse said.

The largest surge in cases has been reported in the country’s Oromia region, where the federal government has been fighting separatist militias in a long-running civil war. The conflict between the Ethiopian armed forces and the Oromo Liberation Army has intensified over the past five years, displacing more than 1.5 million people. Some areas, such as a region called the West Welega Zone, which has recorded some of the highest numbers of malaria cases in 2024, have been inaccessible to humanitarian and aid organizations for years.

That fighting has weakened Ethiopia’s health system, disrupted malaria control activities and displaced people, making it harder, sometimes impossible, for them to seek care. They also become more vulnerable to mosquito bites while living in temporary shelter. And they may take the malaria parasite with them, spreading the disease into new areas. Ethiopia’s borders, including its northwestern boundary with Sudan, which has a massive civil conflict of its own, are porous.

Humanitarian agencies have been unable to distribute bed nets, medications or diagnostic tests. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, malaria can move swiftly through families and then whole communities.

Simultaneously, a changing climate has made new parts of Ethiopia vulnerable; towns with no previous history of malaria reported the disease this year. Many outbreaks were reported in highland areas — with elevations above 2,000 meters (about 6,560 feet) — where historically neither the mosquitoes nor the malaria parasite they carry were comfortable. Increasingly, the climate in these areas is becoming warmer and wetter, more hospitable for mosquitoes.

“We still don’t know the intricacies of how climate change is playing a role in all of this, but we do know its impact becomes greater when everything else is disordered,” Dr. Tadesse said.

There is an additional threat in Ethiopia from an invasive Asian mosquito species, called Anopheles stephensi, that has become established in the country in recent years. Malaria has largely been a rural disease in Africa. But stephensi is an urban mosquito, breeding in discarded soda cans and in drainage ditches and thriving in congested cities. It caused a recent surge of malaria cases in the city of Dire Dawa, and has alarmed public health officials whose malaria programs are designed to serve rural areas.

Stephensi also flourishes in building sites, where large open cisterns are used for cement- and brick-making, and such sites are increasingly common in rapidly urbanizing areas.

Seada Ahmed, health education and communication director at the Oromia Health Bureau, said that some urban areas in the region reported their first malaria cases ever this year.

After years of sustained investment mirroring the push against malaria elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, the Oromia region saw its cases fall from 900,000 in 2011 to about 100,000 per year in 2019. But last year the number surged to 2.8 million people, and in the last three months alone 1.4 million of 45 million people in the region were diagnosed with malaria.

Some part of that higher case figure reflects better case-finding, Ms. Ahmed said, because community health workers have been going door-to-door to try to detect new infections.

Many of those infections are severe. While just 623 people required hospitalization to treat their symptoms in 2023, more than 41,000 have been admitted to the hospital in the past three months, Ms. Ahmed said.

Ababaye Tilahun has worked for 15 years as a health worker in the West Welega Zone, where the highest case numbers have been recorded.

“We have had malaria in the past, but this year has been exceptionally worse than any other time,” Ms. Tilahun said.

Stephanie Nolen is a global health reporter for The Times.

Somalia condemns deadly terror attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries

Source: Hiiraan Önline, Wednesday October 23, 2024




CCTV footage verified and geolocated by CNN shows the attackers approaching the entrance of the aerospace site where a fatal terror attack took place on Wednesday, October 23. From Social Media
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government has condemned a deadly terrorist attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), describing it as a “heinous” act that threatens global peace and security. The attack, which occurred at TUSAS headquarters near Ankara on Wednesday, resulted in the deaths of five people and left 22 others injured, according to Turkish authorities.

“This cowardly act is not just an attack on Turkey, but a threat to global peace and security,” Somalia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Somalia, having faced similar challenges, empathizes with Turkey and stands in solidarity with its people.”

Somalia praised the swift response of Turkish security forces, expressing confidence that those responsible would be brought to justice. “We urge the international community to strengthen cooperation against terrorism to ensure that such acts do not weaken our shared commitment to protect our people and uphold peace,” the statement added.

The attack, described by Turkish officials as a well-coordinated assault, took place at TUSAS, a key defence contractor that manufactures drones and fighter jets. CCTV footage from the incident showed the attackers, identified as a man and a woman, approaching the facility with firearms and backpacks. An explosion rocked the building, followed by gunfire. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya indicated that the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is suspected of carrying out the attack, though no group has claimed responsibility.

Four TUSAS employees and a taxi driver were killed in the attack, which has heightened concerns about the security of Turkey’s critical defence infrastructure. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish government.

The attack drew strong condemnation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was attending the BRICS summit in Russia at the time. “This vile act is an attack on our country’s survival and defence industry,” Erdogan said. He received support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who offered condolences, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who stated, “NATO stands with our ally Turkey and strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms.”

Somalia, which has faced its own prolonged battle against terrorism, stressed its commitment to fighting terrorism alongside Turkey. “Somalia remains committed to standing with Turkey and the international community in this fight, grounded in mutual trust and shared values,” the statement concluded.

Somali pirates resurface after 5-month lull, threatening global shipping

Source: Thursday October 24, 2024

Boats maneuver around the pirated commercial ship MV Ruen during an Indian military operation on Saturday. Ministry of Defence/PIB via CNN
Mogadishu (HOL) — After five months of relative calm, Somali pirates have returned to the high seas, posing renewed threats to global shipping lanes. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), operating under Operation ATALANTA, has raised an alert following the departure of a suspected pirate action group (PAG) from Somalia’s northern-central coast. The warning signals a resurgence of piracy in the region, where lawlessness and instability have once again become a breeding ground for maritime crime.

According to the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), the PAG, consisting of 13 armed pirates, left Ceel Huur near Hobyo and is heading toward the Indian Ocean. “All vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity,” the agency urged, reigniting fears of another wave of hijackings and attacks.

The last significant pirate activity in the region occurred on June 7, 2024, when the Marshall Islands-flagged PACIFIC HONOR was approached by suspicious vessels. That incident ended without harm, but the message was clear: Somali pirates are biding their time. Martin Kelly, head of advisory at EOS Risk Group, explains the timing: “With the end of the monsoon season, weather conditions have improved. This gives pirates the opportunity to resume operations, and we’ve been warning clients of the increased risk.”

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) report from January to September 2024 reveals that while global piracy incidents have dropped to their lowest levels since 1994, Somali pirates remain active. Though the threat of Somali piracy had decreased from its notorious peak in the late 2000s, the tactics of modern-day pirates are becoming more sophisticated. Pirates no longer rely solely on small skiffs; instead, they commandeer dhows and fishing vessels, repurposing them as “mother ships.” These vessels enable pirates to strike targets as far as 800 nautical miles offshore, complicating international efforts to intercept them.

In a reminder of their capabilities, Somali pirates have made headlines with high-profile attacks in the past year. In December 2023, the MV Ruen was hijacked and held for three months before Indian naval forces freed the crew. In March 2024, the MV Abdullah was seized by pirates and only released after a ransom was paid.

Somali piracy does not exist in isolation. It is part of a broader regional crisis that includes Houthi rebel attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These attacks have forced shipping companies to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding thousands of nautical miles to their journeys and increasing costs. Fewer ships are available for anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, allowing pirates to operate with fewer restrictions. “The regional landscape has shifted, and with it, pirates have more opportunities,” Kelly noted while praising the Indian Navy for its role in recent rescues.

Global piracy incidents may be declining, with the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reporting 79 incidents between January and September 2024—the lowest since 1994—but Somali waters remain a hotspot. Of the incidents reported, 111 crew members were taken hostage, 11 were kidnapped, and violence against crew members is on the rise. The IMB cautions that pirates’ ability to operate far from the Somali coastline makes them a persistent threat.

The global cost of piracy is staggering. In 2020 alone, piracy was estimated to cost the world economy $37 billion annually

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Poses Diplomatic Challenge for China

 Source: The South China Morning Post published on 21 October 2024 an article titled “Ethiopian Dam Could Muddy the Waters of China’s Position as a Global Leader” by Jevans Nyabiage.

Ethiopia and Egypt have long been disputing the construction by Addis Ababa of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.  Ethiopia and Egypt are also among the newest members of BRICS, which will soon meet in Russia.  China, also a member of BRICS, has close ties with Ethiopia and Egypt and may be seen as the party for resolving the differences between the two.  This is not a position that China relishes.  

Investigative Report on Theft of US Emergency Aid to Ethiopia

 Source: Reuters published on 18 October 2024 an investigative report titled “UN Food Agency Failed to Act as U.S. Aid Was Looted in Ethiopia” by Giulia Paravicini, Steve Stecklow, and Tiksa Negeri.  

Thousands of tons of food aid provided by USAID to the World Food Program (WFP) were diverted from hungry Ethiopian civilians in Tigray Region in 2023 to the Ethiopian military, Eritrean soldiers, and Tigrayan forces.  The authors allege that WFP staff chose to ignore the illegal diversions.  As a result, USAID temporarily shut down the assistance program

Source: Djibouti, Ethiopia strengthen logistics collaboration to boost trade

Capital Newspaper
Tuesday October 22, 2024

At their meeting in Addis Ababa, the lobby organizations representing Djibouti and Ethiopia in logistics discussed how to best utilize their collaboration to boost trade between the two countries.

For the majority of its foreign trade, Ethiopia, the most populous country without a maritime exit, depends on Djibouti.

According to Anteneh Alemu, CEO of Pave Logistics and Trading PLC and Vice President of the Ethiopian Freight Forwarder and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), improving ties and collaboration between EFFSAA and the Association of Djiboutian Freight Forwarders (ATD) is essential for the effectiveness of the industry.

The Ethiopian counterpart has addressed a number of topics with the ATD team, which included President Robleh Mohamed Barreh and Secretary General Robleh Abdillahi Abdi, during their meeting on Thursday, October 17.

The majority of Ethiopian freight forwarders collaborate with their ATD-member counterparts in Djibouti while handling Ethiopian cargoes.

In the past, member logistics companies or organizations operated independently, but today, the Vice President of EFFSAA said, “The two sides have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and work jointly to enhance relations and establish a formal communication platform between the two sides.”

Anteneh told Capital, “This kind of cooperation shall boost the cooperative spirit and create transparency and trust as a business.”

“We used to act independently when there were changes, like new procedures being implemented or tariffs changed, but now we will work together and share information on the ongoing activity between the two countries,” he continued.

He emphasized that ATD will receive support from the Ethiopian organization that was established in 1998.

They are doing there, in part, what EFFSAA is doing, which is to say, “We will share our experience on capacity building and training programs.”

Bringing together about 89 Djiboutian freight forwarders, ATD unites freight forwarders that work in the nation’s transportation and logistics sectors.

EFFSAA was founded by a group of logistics experts with the goal of giving the industry a greater voice and power.

Ethiopian freight forwarders frequently work with Djiboutian partners to ensure smooth cargo transportation.

The MoU is scheduled to be inked between the two parties in the near future.