Horn of Africa News

Nefasit Post

Kenya:

Since March 21, protests have taken place in Nairobi, Kisumu, and other locations throughout Western Kenya. Mr. Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition, has been the driving force behind these demonstrations, which accuse the government of doing nothing about the country's rising cost of living.

The West is now concerned about these trends. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, has voiced serious worry over the violence, deaths, property damage, and disruption of several economic operations in the capital that have occurred since the protests started. To maintain peace and promote national harmony and reconciliation, he has urged all parties to remain calm and engage in communication.

These comments have been demanded by Western diplomatic missions in Nairobi, who have urged political leaders to reach a consensus for the nation's benefit quickly. Senator Chris Coons of the United States has arrived in Nairobi to discuss trade, security, and democracy with Kenyan officials.

But, following a request from President William Ruto, Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga has called off a scheduled anti-government march after weeks of protests. To address issues with the electoral process, Odinga consented to form a parliamentary committee including members from both parties. There have already been three fatalities, 400 injuries, and looting due to protests against high living costs and claims of voting fraud in the previous election.

Concern over President Isais' recent visit to Kenya among Western countries sparked a push to block regional integration. The same pressure used to Ethiopia during the TPLF insurrection is now being applied to Kenya.

Ethiopia:

Senior military officials from Eritrea, including the head of the National Security Agency, Brigadier General Abraha Kasa, have visited an air force base in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, to consolidate the “close ties” between the two countries. The delegation was received by the head of the Ethiopian Air Force, General Yilma Merdasa, and visited other sites, including the Ethiopian Information Network Security Agency, the Science Museum, and the Abrehot Public Library. The group also visited agricultural and educational facilities in the Oromia Region and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in the Beneshangul Gumz Region.

Sudan:  

The leader of the Sudanese army Abdelfatah al Burhan indicated on Thursday that he remained committed to a plan for a new transition toward elections.

The agreement, which calls for establishing a civilian government and has the backing of the West, aims to fill the political void left behind by the October 2021 coup.

South Sudan:

Eritrea's delegation, composed of FM Osman Saleh & Presidential Adviser Yemane Gebreab, met with President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba yesterday.  The delegation delivered a message from President Isaias focussing on developments in South Sudan, bilateral relations & regional situations.

President Salva highlighted the long-standing relations between the two countries forged in a common struggle for freedom & thanked President Isaias for his message & continued solidarity with the people of South Sudan, including in multilateral forums.

President Salva Kiir briefed the delegation on developments in the transition period in South Sudan and the challenges and prospects for peace.  He appreciated Eritrea's efforts to promote peace & reconciliation among Southern Sudanese.

President Salva underscored the need to develop bilateral cooperation even in the face of difficulties.  The President applauded Eritrea's decision to resume its activities in IGAD and stressed that it would contribute to more effective regional cooperation.

Eritrea:

Recent diplomatic efforts in Ethiopia and South Sudan demonstrate that Eritrea is putting much effort into regional integration. Yemane Ghebreab and Minister Osman Salih of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed a delegation to South Sudan. To strengthen the "tight connections" between the two nations, senior military officials from Eritrea, including the head of the National Security Agency, Brigadier General Abraha Kasa, have visited an air force facility in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.

In development news:

A 30 MW solar photovoltaic power plant with a 15 MW/30 MWh battery energy storage system will be built in Dekemhare, Eritrea, with the approval of $49.92 million from the African Development Bank. The award will pay for the construction of the power plant as well as technical support and capacity building to enhance grid performance and capacity. The project is anticipated to lower electricity prices to 18.5 US cents per kilowatt hour, raise the proportion of renewable energy in the grid's energy mix from 3% to 23%, and create both short-term and long-term jobs during project implementation once it is finished. The grant is intended for the government of Eritrea, and the Ministry of Energy and Mines is in charge of carrying it out.

Saudi Arabia:

Admiral Gorshkov, a Russian warship equipped with guided missiles, made history by docking at the Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time a Russian military ship has docked in Saudi Arabia in 10 years. The vessel stopped at the port for a two-day crew rest and refueling before continuing its journey back to Russia.

During its visit, a meeting was held between Rear Admiral Mansour bin Saud Al-Juaid and the Northern Fleet's missile ship division Commander, Captain Oleg Gladky, indicating the significance of this visit. Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story.

The visit of the Russian warship Admiral Gorshkov to Saudi Arabia is just one example of Russia's increasing presence and influence in the Red Sea region. In recent years, Russia has made significant efforts to strengthen its ties with countries in the region, including Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt.

This has caused concern among Western nations, as it indicates a possible shift in the balance of power in the region away from US influence. With Russia establishing stronger ties with countries on the Red Sea, it could potentially challenge US interests in the area, which have historically been significant.

Moreover, Russia's presence in the Red Sea region has also been tied to its broader geopolitical goals, including its ambitions to expand its economic and political influence in the Middle East and Africa. By strengthening its ties with countries in the Red Sea region, Russia is positioning itself as a major player, which could have significant implications for regional stability and security.

Overall, the visit of Admiral Gorshkov to Saudi Arabia is just one example of Russia's increasing presence and influence in the Red Sea region, which could have significant implications for the balance of power in the region and beyond.

Sports

In the latest football news, Alexander Isak has been crowned the FUN88 Player of the Month for March. Isak, who plays as a striker for Newcastle United, made headlines for his impressive performance on the field, scoring three times in the last two matches. His contribution helped Newcastle United to record back-to-back wins just before the international break.

The Swedish striker's performance was particularly noteworthy in the game against Nottingham Forest, where he scored a brace, including a last-minute winner from the spot. Isak cited the penalty as a personal highlight for him, saying, "It was a special moment."

Speaking to nufc.co.uk, Isak expressed his gratitude for the award, saying,

"Fans can see that we are all working hard in every game, and I'm always grateful for their support and to receive the award for March."

The award was the first time Isak had claimed the accolade, and he was thankful for the support and votes that helped him win.

Isak's impressive performance has made him a fan favorite, and the award is a testament to his hard work and contribution to Newcastle United's recent success. Fans will eagerly await what Isak has in store for the following games and hope to see more of his impressive form.