Turkey has deployed F-16 fighter jets to support the Somali National Army, Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi announced Wednesday. Speaking at the defense ministry headquarters in Mogadishu during the handover ceremony of the new army chief, Fiqi said the jets are intended to strengthen Somalia’s air capabilities and provide strategic support in counterterrorism operations. “The arrival of Turkey’s F-16s marks a significant boost to the Somali National Army’s operational capacity,” Fiqi said. “This partnership will enhance our ability to protect our borders and maintain security across the country.” The deployment comes as Somali forces continue operations against al-Shabaab insurgents in southern and central Somalia, where the militant group frequently attacks military and civilian targets. Turkey has long been a key partner of Somalia, providing military training, equipment, and infrastructure support. Analysts say the addition of F-16s signals a deepening of Ankara’s military engagement in the Horn of Africa. The Somali government has not disclosed the number of jets deployed or specific operational plans. On Tuesday, Turkish F-16s were seen flying low over Mogadishu, raising questions about the scope of their deployment. Garowe Online

The Horn — that comprises Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea — is a highly strategic spot on one of the world’s busiest trade routes between the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean and lies just across the Red Sea from the Middle East. … The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the most visible — and most criticised — presence in eastern Africa. Its support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries in Sudan is widely documented, albeit officially denied. … The competition is forging new alliances. There are rumours of a military agreement in the works between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Somalia in order to counter Emirati influence. Somalia already cancelled all existing agreements with the UAE last month. Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country with some 130 million people, is also being drawn into the power plays. … The mega-rich Gulf monarchies have a dangerous amount of influence over the poor, conflict-ridden countries of east Africa, said Ethiopian researcher Biraanu Gammachu. “It’s an asymmetric relation between emerging middle power countries and donor-dependent states… The Gulf countries’ influence in the Red Sea sustains the instability in the region,” he said. AFP

A bond ladder is a portfolio of fixed-income securities in which each security has a significantly different maturity date. The purpose of purchasing several smaller bonds with varying dates of maturity rather than one large bond with a single maturity date is to minimize interest-rate risk, increase liquidity, and diversify credit risk.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in partnership with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), announces the publication of the 12th edition of the Africa Sovereign Credit Rating Outlook. This edition provides a comprehensive review of rating actions by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and Fitch Ratings across African economies, outlining how global financial conditions, fiscal pressures, and governance reforms shaped sovereign credit trajectories throughout the year.

According to the report, during the second half of 2025, several African countries experienced sovereign credit rating upgrades driven by improved macroeconomic performance, fiscal consolidation, and progress in debt restructuring. As an example, Côte d’Ivoire was upgraded by Fitch based on strong political stability, sustained growth above 6%, and proactive debt management strategies, including Eurobond buybacks and diversification into Samurai bonds. On the contrary, Botswana’s rating was downgraded both by Moody’s and S&P, following a sharp fall in diamond revenues, which weakened fiscal balances and exposed vulnerabilities linked to limited economic diversification. However, the country has maintained its investment grade status. Outlook changes across the continent were mixed, signalling evolving risks and opportunities. For instance, Cape Verde, has received a positive outlook revision by S&P, indicating the potential for future upgrades if current improvements are sustained.