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Clan conflicts have displaced nearly 150,000 people in Somalia

Africa /

Nearly 150,000 people have been displaced in various parts of Somalia in clan conflicts since January, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Monday. This includes around 42,000 people, mostly women, children and the elderly, who were displaced by violence in the town of Luuq in the Gedo region in early July, including 12,000 who fled to hard-to-reach locations outside the town, it said. The violence is believed to have been triggered by a dispute over land ownership that also resulted in the burning of the biggest market in the town. Clan conflicts in the Mudug region from June 26 to July 2 forced over 26,000 people to abandon their homes in the remote areas of Galdogob and Jariiban districts, according to a statement by OCHA. Conflicts in Galmudug killed more than 55 people and wounded more than 60 others. The conflict paralyzed humanitarian service delivery, including the health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in the area, according to the UN. “Those displaced are particularly vulnerable, with women, children and the elderly making up the majority. An estimated 30% of the displaced people are livestock herders who managed to flee with their livestock,” OCHA said in the statement. Khalid Abdullahi, a humanitarian expert in the capital Mogadishu, told Anadolu the internal fighting among communities in Somalia is not new, but it seems that the clashes between rival clans have been increasing this year. He said the federal government should work with the federal member states to scale up efforts to resolve repeated clan conflicts “that hinder peace in the brotherly communities in the country.” Humanitarian needs will remain high in Somalia in 2024 due to recurrent shocks, including climatic events such as drought and floods, conflict and insecurity, widespread poverty and disease outbreaks. 6.9 million people in Somalia need humanitarian assistance in 2024 OCHA said $1.6 billion in funding is required for the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HNRP) in Somalia but only $507 million had been received as of Aug. 2.

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Tunisia, US discuss Libya’s political future

Africa /

Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar expressed support Monday for all efforts to ensure security in Libya. Ammar received US Ambassador to Tunisia Joey Hood and US special envoy for Libya Ambassador Richard Norland to discuss strengthening ties between Tunisia and the US and also Libya’s political future. Regarding the political process in Libya, Ammar said the political solution for the country must be Libyan-Libyan in a framework of consensus and a Libyan leadership under the auspices of the UN, according to the Tunisian Foreign Ministry. He also reiterated Tunisia’s support for all efforts aimed at reaching a “comprehensive and lasting” settlement that would guarantee Libya’s security, stability, unity and sovereignty, the ministry said. Norland paid tribute to Tunisia’s “positive and constructive “role in bridging the gap between the Libyan interlocutors. He reiterated the US’s refusal to impose solutions by force from any party and expressed his country’s willingness to coordinate with Tunisia to move towards a political settlement based on dialogue and negotiation. Libya has been plagued by sporadic security issues amid ongoing political division since 2022. The country is currently governed by two rival administrations: the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh based in Tripoli, which controls the western part of the country, and the government of Osama Hammad, appointed by the House of Representatives, which operates out of Benghazi and governs the eastern region and parts of the south. Efforts led by the UN to hold parliamentary and presidential elections have repeatedly stalled, prolonging the country’s political deadlock and exacerbating the security situation in the oil-rich nation.

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2024 Paris Olympics marked by controversies

World /

 The 2024 Paris Olympics, which began on July 26 with around 10,500 athletes representing 205 delegations, ended Sunday but will be remembered for several controversial decisions and developments. They include a ban on Russian athletes competing under their flag not being applied to Israel, a ban on headscarves for French Olympic athletes, the expulsion of homeless people from the capital, the opening ceremony, which was criticized as being blasphemous, and swimmers having to compete in a polluted Seine River. – Controversial opening ceremony The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26 at the Seine River has been criticized by religious authorities and the international community for offending Christianity. The performance of a “drag queen” (a man wearing women’s clothes and make-up) at the ceremony, which was a “first” in that it was held outside the stadium, was met with negative reactions on the grounds that it depicted Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper” about Jesus Christ and disrespected religious beliefs. The Catholic Church in France, several Christian unions including the Middle East Council of Churches and the Vatican strongly criticized the opening. Following the international outcry, Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the event, said in a statement that the controversial reenactment scene did not depict Jesus Christ but Dionysus, the god of wine in Greek mythology, and “a pagan festival.” – Homeless pushed out of Paris due to Olympics In preparation for the Olympics, France evicted homeless people and irregular migrants, including children, from their homes in and around the capital. They were bused to cities such as Strasbourg and Orleans. According to a report by an umbrella organization of associations helping irregular migrants, 12,545 people were affected by the evictions from April 2023 to May 2024. – Hijab ban at Olympics French authorities barred women athletes competing for the host country from wearing the hijab, or Muslim headscarf, during the Games. In September, then-French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said French athletes would be prohibited from wearing the hijab during the Olympics. French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla, who was a competitor in the 4×400 meters relay, was banned from taking part in the opening ceremony on Friday with her hijab on. But following a backlash from some athletes and social media users, Oudea-Castera said in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that “the issue is solved,” and Sylla was allowed to participate by wearing a cap to cover her hair. – Calls to ban Israeli athletes Many argued that Israeli athletes should be banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from participating in the 2024 Olympics because of their country’s ongoing offensive against Gaza, similar to the procedure applied to Russian athletes over the Ukraine war. More than 80 associations organized a protest against Israel’s participation. – Pollution of Seine Since 2015, the French government has reportedly spent around €1.4 billion ($1.53 billion) to clean up the Seine River, in which people have been banned from swimming since 1923 due to pollution and dangers from ship traffic. The announcement that the swimming and triathlon races at the Olympics would be held in the Seine had raised concerns about health and hygiene conditions. The Belgian team withdrew from the triathlon mixed team finals after Belgian athlete Claire Michel contracted E. Coli bacteria after her individual races in the Seine. Similarly, Portuguese triathlete Vasco Vilaca suffered symptoms consistent with a gastrointestinal infection after the race, while German swimmer Leonie Beck announced that she was ill after her race. In addition, swimming training in the Seine was canceled five times due to pollution.

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Ousmane Sonko visits Mali to push for ECOWAS reintegration

Africa /

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko made his first visit to Mali since taking office in March 2024. This visit is part of Senegal’s diplomatic push to reintegrate Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the countries left the regional bloc following military takeovers. Sonko’s meeting with Mali’s interim president, Colonel Assimi Goita, emphasized the need for West African nations to overcome their differences and rebuild a united regional entity. Sonko envisioned a “Malian empire” connecting Mali with Senegal, Ghana, and beyond. In January, the juntas of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso criticized ECOWAS for imposing what they called “illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible” sanctions instead of supporting their fight against security threats. ECOWAS has been applying pressure through sanctions and rejecting extended transition periods to restore civilian rule. This situation marks the first time in nearly 50 years that ECOWAS members have withdrawn in such a manner. The three nations have since formed their own alliance, The Alliance of Sahel States. Senegalese President Basirou Diomaye Faye, who also visited Mali in May, faces the challenge of reuniting the fractured regional bloc.

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World elephant day highlights urgent need for conservation ffforts

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Communities around the world observed World Elephant Day on Monday, focusing on raising awareness about protecting elephants from various threats. At the Adventures with Elephants reserve in Bela Bela, South Africa, the annual event featured a herd of rescued elephants grazing and cooling off by the water in the heat. Managing Director Sean Hensman highlighted the significant pressures on elephant habitats, noting, “It’s a day to celebrate elephants and consider their broader conservation needs. Elephants face immense pressure due to shrinking land as human populations surge. Africa’s population is expected to reach 3 to 4 billion by 2050, reducing land available for elephants.” Elephant handler David Mupupu pointed out the drastic decline in African elephant numbers since 1920, from 4 million to just 400,000 today, representing a 90 percent decrease. “We must take care of our elephants,” he emphasized. The World Elephant Day Society reports that both African and Asian elephants are increasingly endangered by poaching and habitat destruction. The organization plans to work with conservation groups to develop effective policies to combat poaching and protect elephant habitats. World Elephant Day, established in 2012, is observed annually on August 12.

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Businesses in Addis Ababa are struggling with soaring inflation

Business /

Businesses in Addis Ababa are struggling to keep pace with soaring inflation following the government’s shift to a flexible exchange rate policy implemented late last month. Since the policy change, the Ethiopian birr has lost 60% of its value against the dollar as of Monday, leading to increased prices for basic goods and prompting some businesspeople to hoard supplies. At the Samra Hotel, prices now fluctuate daily, or even hourly, to keep up with the changing market conditions, as noted by Rahel Teshome, an employee at the hotel. Many supermarkets in Addis Ababa are hoarding products in warehouses and selling only small quantities in-store to avoid penalties from city authorities, who are cracking down on hoarders. Consumers seeking bulk purchases face inflated prices and must retrieve products from warehouses. In Merkato, the city’s largest open-air market, guards are stationed to prevent businesses from raising prices. Recently, police raided warehouses, seizing 800,000 liters (210,000 gallons) of edible oil, which was later distributed at previous prices to local cooperatives. Over 3,000 stores accused of hoarding have been closed across the country. The Addis Ababa City Trade Bureau has warned of further actions against those exploiting the floating birr to hike prices. The new exchange rate policy represents a significant shift in Ethiopia, where the government had long controlled foreign currency prices, fostering a black market. Now, commercial banks set foreign exchange rates, and non-bank entities are allowed to operate foreign exchange bureaus. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a four-year, $3.4 billion credit facility in conjunction with Ethiopia’s reforms. The IMF has committed to disbursing $1 billion immediately to address urgent needs, with Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva calling the reforms a “landmark moment for Ethiopia.” In response to foreign currency shortages, authorities have imported 14 million liters (3.7 million gallons) of edible oil to ease consumer pressure. However, these measures have had limited impact given the rising prices of other essential goods. Experts warn that Ethiopians, particularly those on fixed incomes, face uncertain times ahead. Getachew T. Alemu, a public policy specialist in Addis Ababa, notes that the immediate IMF funding may not be sufficient to alleviate the strain, suggesting that without careful policy actions, conditions could worsen. The government’s efforts to curb price speculation have also been challenged by its own actions. Last week, authorities raised the cost of ordinary passports from 2,000 to 5,000 birr, leaving individuals like Almaz Teferi, who was in the process of obtaining a passport, shocked by the sudden increase. Teferi, who is preparing to work as a domestic laborer in the Gulf states, had been saving to cover the passport fee but found the cost had risen significantly within days.

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Adapting pastoral farming to a warming climatex

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Farmers in Kenya are increasingly turning to camels as a drought-resistant alternative to the cattle they have traditionally raised. In rural Kenya, it’s common to see pastoral farmers with their cattle. For communities like the Borana and Samburu in the northern region, cattle are not just livestock but a symbol of social status, vital for cultural rituals, weddings, and providing milk and meat. However, climate change is disrupting this traditional way of life. In Lekiji village, 252 kilometers from the capital, Abdullahi Mohamud, a 65-year-old camel herder and father of 15, lost nearly all his 30 cattle during the 2022 drought. “I had 30 cattle before the drought, but only one survived,” he recounts. Devastated by the loss, Mohamud invested his savings in 20 camels, believing they offer a more reliable option. The 2022 drought, exacerbated by climate change, killed around 2.6 million cattle. Camels, however, are more resilient and better adapted to harsh conditions. “Cattle are hard to rear due to poor pasture, whereas camels thrive on shrubs and can survive in tougher conditions. When the pasture dries up, cattle perish,” Mohamud explains. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that the drought caused losses of approximately 2.6 million cattle, with damages estimated at 226 billion Kenya Shillings (about 1.75 billion USD). The growing population has intensified competition for grazing and water resources. A small camel costs around $600 USD, while a cow is about $150 USD. The Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) notes that over 70 percent of Kenya’s land is rangeland. Despite camels comprising only six percent of Kenya’s herbivore population (about 960,000), they provide significant advantages over cattle. The Somali community in Northern Kenya pioneered camel herding, a practice later adopted by other tribes such as the Samburu, Turkana, Pokot, and Maasai. Integrating camels into traditional herding practices helps pastoralists manage the effects of climate change and maintain food security. Nearby, 26-year-old Musalia Piti now tends to his father’s 60 camels after losing 50 cows to drought. The family has invested in camels, which they can sell for cultural ceremonies when needed. Camels require less water and can graze on a wider variety of plants. Their long bodies reduce sun exposure, aiding in heat stress management. The shift from cattle to camels marks a significant adaptation to climate threats and aims to improve long-term climate resilience. This transition also impacts cultural traditions, especially for the Samburu, where cattle symbolize status and are used as dowry in marriages. Elder Lesian Ole Sempere, 59, stresses the importance of cattle in wedding ceremonies, despite the decreasing herd sizes. Raising camels involves a learning curve and may not immediately match the cultural significance of cattle, but the Samburu remain committed to their traditions, adapting to new realities while preserving their cultural identity. Calvince Okoth, a Veterinarian at Mpala Research Centre, highlights that recent droughts have reduced available pastures. Rotational grazing, involving designated paddocks during the dry season, is a viable strategy, though communal land ownership and encroachment complicate management. Climate change is causing unpredictable weather in the Horn of Africa, prompting farmers to explore new agricultural methods, including fish farming. Camels offer a promising alternative that may help preserve traditional pastoralist lifestyles in the 21st century. Whether these communities will fully embrace camels remains to be seen.

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Russia declare evacuation of border districts in Belgorod, Kursk regions

World /

Russian officials on Monday announced that evacuations are being implemented in border districts in the country’s Belgorod and Kursk regions. “In order to protect the life and health of our population, we are starting to move people who live in Krasnoyaruzhsky district to safer places,” Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram. Expressing that Ukrainian military activity was reported on the border of the district, Gladkov said he is certain that Russian troops will do everything to “cope with the threat.” The Krasnoyaruzhsky district lies east of Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region and south of Russia’s Kursk region. Gladkov further said the coordination of the evacuation is underway on the ground, and transport has been sent to the area. “I am sure that everything will be done in an organized manner, the main thing is that it will be done calmly, without panic, under the guidance of responsible persons,” Gladkov went on to say. Elsewhere, Kursk Governor Alexey Smirnov said on Telegram that the operational headquarters formed in the region decided to evacuate residents of the region’s Belovsky district. Smirnov further said he instructed Russia’s Transport Ministry in the region to prepare additional transport to evacuate residents from the district. A day earlier, Smirnov claimed that a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group tried to cross into Belovsky, but that Russian forces “stabilized the situation.” Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee announced on Aug. 10 that it introduced a counter-terrorism operation regime in the border regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk amid Ukrainian incursions. Last Tuesday, Russia said that Ukrainian troops, including tanks and armored combat vehicles, attacked its military positions near two border settlements in the Kursk region. Since then, Moscow has reported that it has been repelling incursions into the border region by Ukrainian forces, in addition to countering air strikes launched at Kursk and surrounding regions, including Belgorod. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 7 accused Kyiv of “large-scale provocation” and “indiscriminate shooting.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later commented on the allegations, saying: “Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done.”

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Flooding displaces thousands in western Ethiopia

Africa /

Heavy flooding in western Ethiopia has displaced around 16,000 people, local media reported on Monday. The floods, caused by intense rainfall, affected four districts in the Gambella region, according to the state-owned Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC). The floods damaged homes and agricultural fields, leaving the community in urgent need of aid, the regional communication bureau reported. The displaced individuals have been relocated to safer, drier areas. Authorities, along with relevant stakeholders, are working to address the situation, said Gatbel Moon, a local disaster risk management official. This flooding is part of a recurring issue in the region, as August is the rainy season in Ethiopia, frequently resulting in severe floods in Gambella and other areas.

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Ex-Gambian President Jammeh’s accused hit squad general detained

Africa /

The Gambian military has announced the detention of former General Bora Colley, who is accused of being part of a hit squad targeting opponents of exiled former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. According to a statement from the Gambian Armed Forces (GAF), Colley was detained on August 9 after voluntarily surrendering to the GAF Military Police at Yundum Barracks. The statement noted that intelligence services had been monitoring Colley’s residence in Banjul on the day of his arrest. Colley is currently in custody and cooperating with Military Police during the investigation. Colley is alleged to have been a member of the “Junglers,” a hit squad established by Jammeh to “suppress the Gambian people, silence opposition, and carry out execution orders” between 2003 and 2006. Yahya Jammeh’s Rule Yahya Jammeh took power in Gambia through a military coup on July 22, 1994, and ruled the country for 22 years. During his presidency, Jammeh was accused of various human rights violations, including torture, rape, and executions. He lost the presidential election to Adama Barrow on December 1, 2016. Jammeh initially refused to accept the election results and rejected calls to step down. He declared a 90-day state of emergency on January 17, 2017, but eventually left the country for Equatorial Guinea on January 21, 2017, after pressure mounted. Jammeh announced in May that he would return to Gambia.

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