In a significant step towards Somalia’s security transition, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has officially handed over the Abdalla Birolle Forward Operating Base in Jubaland to the Somali National Armed Forces (SNA).

The handover ceremony, held on June 29, 2024, was attended by the AU Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Sivuyile Bam, along with ATMIS Kenya Defense Forces and SNA military officers.

In his remarks, Sivuyile Bam noted the historical ties between Somalia and other African nations, stating, “Unknown to many, Somalia provided sanctuary to freedom fighters from other African countries during the struggle for independence. It is our duty to reciprocate that favour and appreciate the sacrifices made by the Somali people to ensure our own countries gained freedom.”

Bam also reassured that the African Union will continue to support the Somali-led peace and security process, saying, “Although we are handing over security responsibilities, the African Union will not abandon Somalia and will continue supporting a Somali-led peace and security process.”

Space science is a driving force for human advancement, offering profound benefits that include technological advancement, scientific knowledge, economic benefits, environmental monitoring, and humanities long term survival.  To engage stakeholders and share U.S. expertise in space science, the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia brought Dr. Kate Fickas, Director of Imagery and Remote Sensing Solutions at Esri, to the country.  

During her weeklong visit, Dr. Fickas conducted lectures, workshops, and discussions with a range of space science audiences including universities, space societies, and other stakeholders. She spoke about the ways in which modern space science and remote sensing are contributing to development in agriculture, water management, disaster response and mitigation, climate, and other fields.  Dr. Fickas gave lectures at Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, and Adama Science and Technology University.  She also met with scientists and officials at the Space Science and Geospatial Institute and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology.   

Many urban refugees in Nairobi rely on proxies to be able to access any semblance of a financial service, and most are completely cut off from the conventional banking services…To get a bank account from most banks in Kenya, refugees are required to have a PIN Certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), a Refugee Card, and sometimes a recognition letter from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or even a work permit, all of which they cannot immediately access…This essentially means that as a registered asylum seeker in Kenya, there is no way you can open a bank account to enable you transfer assets or receive money from abroad…According to [Teddy Kinyoro, a senior programmes manager at GiveDirectly in Nairobi], the problem is rooted in the difficulty accessing the required documentation, especially the alien ID card, which mainly stems from administrative challenges due to the huge backlog of asylum seekers in the country at any given time. (The EastAfrican)

Sudanese Journalist Abu Aagla Amasa has been released after a 48-hour detention by the Sudanese Army Intelligence Service at the headquarters of the Third Infantry Division in Shendi, River Nile State. Amasa, who was set free on Sunday, posted on his Facebook page that his detention was due to his longstanding friendship with Mak Ubayd Mohammad Suleiman Abu Shotal, the leader of the Hamaj community in the Blue Nile…Amasa’s detention sparked a wave of criticism regarding the press freedom in Sudan. The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate condemned the detention, calling it a blatant violation of the press and media freedom. The syndicate warned against the continued infringement on journalists’ rights and the relentless targeting of the press, urging all parties to cease using detention to silence and intimidate independent voices. The Syndicate noted that over 40 journalists, including five females had been detained by the Army Intelligence, RSF, and other entities, since the war broke out on April 15, 2023, jeopardizing the core principles of free press in the country. (Radio Tamazuj)