Tensions in Kenya escalated on Friday as opposition leaders demanded President William Ruto’s resignation following his controversial remarks authorizing police to shoot protesters involved in looting or property destruction.

Speaking at the funeral of Boniface Kariuki—an unarmed civilian shot dead by police during a June 17 protest—opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka called Ruto’s statement “unconstitutional” and urged for his resignation or impeachment.

President Ruto, addressing the nation earlier in the week, warned against what he called “anarchy disguised as peaceful protests” and ordered police to “shoot and break the legs” of offenders during demonstrations. Human rights groups and civil society organizations have condemned the remarks as incitement to extrajudicial killings.

The protests were sparked by the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month and intensified following Kariuki’s killing. Footage showed Kariuki being shot in the head at close range as he walked away from police during a demonstration.

Thousands marched on June 25 to mark the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests, with demonstrators demanding justice and an end to police brutality. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, over 50 people have died in recent protest crackdowns, with more than 100 deaths linked to demonstrations since 2023.

At Kariuki’s burial in Murang’a County, mourners carried Kenyan flags and photos of his final moments. The absence of uniformed police at the venue was notable, though anti-riot units remained on standby nearby.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata declared that “the government must take responsibility” for the killings and pledged justice for the victims.

So far, four police officers face murder charges over recent deaths, including those of Kariuki and blogger Ojwang. A fifth officer, Klinzy Barasa, has been charged with murder and is set to enter a plea on July 28.

As political pressure mounts, Kenya finds itself at a crossroads—between public outrage over state violence and a government under fire for its harsh response to dissent.

The International Monetary Fund’s recent approval of a $10 million disbursement to Somalia underscores the precarious balance between progress and vulnerability that characterizes Somalia’s economic trajectory. The immediate disbursement, part of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, highlights Somalia’s determined pursuit of economic reforms amid persistent domestic and global challenges.

Somalia’s receipt of approximately $70 million under the ECF since December 2023 signals international recognition of its credible reform agenda. Yet, the IMF’s projected slowdown in Somalia’s economic growth to 3% in 2025, down from 4% in 2024, spotlights significant headwinds. Disruptions in foreign aid, climatic adversities, and global economic uncertainties collectively threaten to erode recent gains.

IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke praised Somalia’s commitment to economic transformation but underscored critical areas requiring urgent attention. Accelerating domestic revenue mobilization through comprehensive tax reforms, including the newly enacted Income Tax Law, modernization of customs procedures, and strengthening public financial management, remain imperative for long-term stability.

The IMF also stressed the significance of Somalia’s public sector reforms, notably the Pay and Grade system and the introduction of a sustainable pension regime for civil servants. Such structural reforms are crucial to bolstering governmental efficiency and attracting competent personnel essential for effective governance.

Moreover, advancements at the Central Bank, particularly enhancing financial inclusion and initiating the reintroduction of the Somali Shilling through a currency board arrangement, are positive developments that could strengthen monetary stability and foster confidence in Somalia’s financial institutions.

The recent establishment of a new legal framework governing the petroleum sector presents both an opportunity and a test of governance.

Transparent and accountable implementation will be vital in determining Somalia’s ability to attract international investment and ensure equitable economic growth. However, the success of these reforms hinges heavily on continued international donor support, emphasizing Somalia’s ongoing dependency and the fragility of its economic recovery.

Overall, the IMF’s latest engagement with Somalia paints a cautiously optimistic picture, recognizing genuine progress but acknowledging the substantial vulnerabilities that could undermine stability without sustained reforms and robust international backing.

UN warns of state collapse in Haiti as Kenya’s peacekeepers operate under capacity and critical shortages threaten mission’s future.

With just days before its mandate expires, the Kenya-led UN security mission in Haiti struggles against gang control in Port-au-Prince, facing severe funding and equipment shortages that jeopardize regional stability.

Haiti on the Brink: Kenya’s Struggling UN Peacekeepers Warn of State Collapse Amid Funding Crisis

Kenya Doubles Down in Haiti: 144 More Police Deployed to Crush Gangs

As Haiti spirals deeper into chaos, the Kenya-led Multi-National Security Support (MSS) mission faces a dire reckoning. Just ten days remain before the UN Integrated Office’s mandate expires, and the clock is ticking on a mission desperately under-equipped to push back sprawling gang control over Port-au-Prince.

What led to Haiti’s current unrest and gang violence?

Kenya’s contribution—marked by notable milestones like securing the presidential palace and reopening key infrastructure—stands in stark contrast to the grim reality described by UN officials. With 90% of the capital under gang control, the MSS operates at less than 30% of its intended strength: only 991 officers deployed against a planned 2,500, many without serviceable armored vehicles, proper air support, or adequate communication and intelligence capabilities.

UN highlights grim reality of Haitian children in armed gangs

UN leaders warn that without urgent replenishment of funds and resources, the fragile gains risk collapse. The absence of forward operating bases, currently only three instead of twelve planned, allows gangs to regroup swiftly after every operation. Private security groups and vigilante factions further complicate an already volatile security landscape.

Adding to the challenge, the United States signals reluctance to shoulder the mission’s financial burden under the Trump administration’s “America First” stance, leaving the UN Security Council’s decision on logistical support in limbo.

UN: Stronger Actions Needed to Curb Escalating Gang Violence in Haiti

For Kenya, this means making difficult decisions amid mounting pressure and insufficient backing. The future of Haiti’s security—and possibly its very statehood—hinges on whether the international community can mobilize resources fast enough to bolster the MSS mission before it’s too late.

In a bold pivot from past policy, the U.S. shifts its Africa strategy from aid to trade, focusing on commercial partnerships, strategic infrastructure, and critical mineral routes to counter Chinese and Russian influence. 

The Trump administration has declared an unapologetic shift in its Africa policy: “Trade, not aid” is no longer a slogan—it’s doctrine. This week, senior State Department official Troy Fitrell outlined a radical recalibration of U.S. strategy in Africa, one where diplomatic success will no longer be measured by aid disbursements, but by the number and value of commercial deals secured.

It’s a strategy rooted in pragmatism and great power competition. With China’s Exim Bank flooding African markets with loans for highways and ports, and Russia cultivating military alliances across the Sahel, the U.S. is positioning itself as a more credible and equal economic partner. Fitrell made it clear: “Assistance involves a donor and a recipient, but commerce is an exchange between equals.”

Already, U.S. ambassadors have brokered 33 agreements worth $6 billion in Trump’s first 100 days—an aggressive start to what the White House views as a new era of mutually beneficial engagement. Ivory Coast was selected as the symbolic launchpad for this policy—an emerging economic power hosting the continent’s next big investment race.

The U.S. isn’t just talking the talk. It has committed $550 million to the Lobito Corridor, a rail lifeline for Zambia and DRC’s critical copper and cobalt exports. This move is strategic: it cuts China out of key mineral routes, directly countering Beijing’s Belt and Road stronghold in the region.

Washington’s six-point benchmark before the upcoming U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit reflects this new thinking. It includes prioritizing “bankable” infrastructure over political vanity projects, fast-tracking blended finance tools to rival Chinese risk tolerance, and encouraging U.S. companies to see Africa not as a charity case, but as a commercial frontier.

The implication is clear: Africa is the next global battleground—not for charity, but for commerce, minerals, and influence. And Trump’s White House wants in, aggressively.

Critics warn that slashing aid budgets risks worsening humanitarian crises. But to Trump’s Africa team, the answer lies in lifting entire economies, not funding them into dependency.

Whether this approach breeds sustainable partnership or breeds new tensions remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: America has decided to stop writing cheques—and start writing contracts.

Historic Somaliland-Djibouti Summit Unlocks Strategic Path for Regional Integration and Stability.

President Irro’s return from Djibouti marks a breakthrough in Horn of Africa diplomacy, highlighting a new strategic axis with President Guelleh to champion regional peace, port development, and digital transformation.

President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro’s return to Somaliland from Djibouti marks the successful conclusion of a historic and symbolically rich state visit that redefined Somaliland’s regional engagement and elevated Djibouti’s role as a diplomatic anchor in the Horn of Africa. Over 48 hours, Presidents Irro and Ismail Omar Guelleh demonstrated not just political maturity, but a shared vision for rewriting the playbook of African regionalism.

From the moment Irro touched down at Ambouli International Airport to the moment he departed, the visit carried the weight of a purposeful diplomatic renaissance. He was welcomed with full honors by Djibouti’s Prime Minister and later hosted at the Presidential Palace for high-level talks with President Guelleh and senior ministers. The meetings were a masterclass in realpolitik, where the shared history of the two nations was fused with an ambitious blueprint for economic integration, security cooperation, and digital transformation.

The symbolism of Irro’s first regional visit being to Djibouti cannot be overstated. It sent a clear message that Somaliland is aligning itself with pragmatism, economic diplomacy, and regional interdependence. President Guelleh’s administration, long seen as the geopolitical broker in the Horn, embraced Irro with political warmth and strategic sincerity. The visit transcended protocol to deliver concrete engagement.

Highlights included Irro’s visit to Djibouti-Telecom’s submarine cable landing station, a keystone in East Africa’s digital connectivity. Djibouti’s telecom minister called it “an open gateway for shared prosperity,” and Irro’s presence there symbolized Somaliland’s intention to plug into the digital economy and interconnect with the region’s technological future.

The Somaliland delegation also held strategic dialogues with top foreign ambassadors including those of France, the UK, and Ethiopia—discussing regional security, Red Sea stability, and infrastructure investment. Irro used this platform to assert Somaliland’s proactive role in security architecture while pressing for deeper economic ties and humanitarian engagement.

Perhaps most crucially, the visit reaffirmed a mutual interest in upgrading port infrastructure and logistics coordination. Somaliland’s ports of Zeila, Bullaxar and Toqoshi, and Djibouti’s Doraleh terminal represent complementary logistics hubs that could jointly reshape the Red Sea trade corridor. Irro and Guelleh now stand as co-architects of an integrated maritime strategy.

What emerged from this landmark visit is the quiet formation of a new strategic axis between Somaliland and Djibouti—a brotherhood based on shared geography, history, and future goals. Both Presidents emerge as winners: Irro, for elevating Somaliland’s diplomatic posture with statesmanlike finesse, and Guelleh, for affirming Djibouti’s regional leadership while welcoming a neighbor often sidelined by the international system.

In a Horn of Africa often rocked by instability, this visit showcased what bold, strategic diplomacy can achieve. It marked the beginning of a deeper regional alliance built not just on politics, but on ports, people, and progress.

Brotherhood at the Palace: Irro and Guelleh Forge New Horn Alliance

Somaliland and Djibouti Forge Strategic Port Partnership

President Irro Meets Ambassadors of France, UK, and Ethiopia in Djibout

Somaliland President Irro Visits Djibouti’s Submarine Cable Hub, Eyes Digital Future for the Horn

Djibouti and Somaliland Reignite Historic Brotherhood with President Irro’s Landmark Visit

President Irro’s tour of Doraleh Terminal and talks with Djibouti Ports Authority mark turning point for regional trade and infrastructure cooperation.

President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of Somaliland, accompanied by key members of his delegation, was welcomed on Thursday by Mr. Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (APZFD), for a high-level meeting at Red Sea World—the heart of Djibouti’s maritime power.

The encounter signaled a pivotal advancement in regional port integration, with both sides eyeing a new era of joint infrastructure development, cross-border logistics optimization, and maritime economic cooperation.

Joining the meeting were Djiboutian Cabinet heavyweights Hassan Houmad Ibrahim, Minister of Infrastructure and Equipment, and Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon, Minister of Communications, along with senior executives from APZFD. The discussions focused on reviving strategic port projects in Somaliland—particularly Zeyla, Toqoshi, and Bullaxar—and aligning them with Djibouti’s world-class logistics network.

In a powerful symbol of connectivity and vision, President Irro and his delegation toured the Doraleh Container Terminal (SGTD), regarded as one of Africa’s most technologically advanced seaports. There, they witnessed firsthand the high-efficiency operations, cutting-edge handling systems, and seamless maritime-land integration that have made SGTD a linchpin in Red Sea trade.

SGTD officials showcased Djibouti’s port infrastructure and its capacity to serve as a critical hub not only for East Africa but for the wider global shipping community. The visit sparked conversations around harmonizing port standards and building shared logistics corridors that can turbocharge Somaliland’s emerging trade potential.

This landmark engagement positions Somaliland as a serious regional partner in the Horn of Africa’s rising maritime economy. This cooperative momentum between Djibouti and Somaliland could reshape supply chains and create a new axis of economic power in East Africa.

President Irro’s visit to Djibouti’s port authority is not just diplomatic—it’s transformational. It reflects his administration’s commitment to leveraging infrastructure for economic independence, forging practical partnerships, and placing Somaliland at the core of regional integration.

As talks progress on shared port development and streamlined trade routes, one thing is clear: Djibouti and Somaliland are rewriting the map of African logistics—together.

President Irro appoints Colonel Khadar Mohamed Issa as Deputy Commander of the Coast Guard—marking a generational shift in Somaliland’s maritime security leadership. 

In a landmark move signaling Somaliland’s strategic pivot toward youth-led reform and maritime modernization, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has appointed Colonel Khadar Mohamed Issa as the new Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Somaliland Coast Guard.

Colonel Khadar, who becomes the youngest officer ever to assume such a senior command in the force, is widely seen as a rising star in Somaliland’s security establishment. His elevation is not just symbolic—it’s strategic.

Trained in the UK, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Philippines, and Seychelles, Colonel Khadar represents the new breed of internationally-trained Somali officers capable of applying global best practices to local realities. His background in maritime security, naval operations, and coast guard interoperability is expected to bring fresh energy and rigor to one of Somaliland’s most critical frontline institutions.

This appointment comes at a decisive time. The geopolitical stakes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are higher than ever. Piracy, arms trafficking, illegal fishing, and strategic foreign rivalries have turned the waters around Somaliland into a contested maritime corridor. Strengthening coastal defense and asserting maritime sovereignty is no longer optional—it’s existential.

President Irro’s decision to appoint a next-generation officer speaks volumes about his administration’s vision. Rather than recycling worn-out commanders or appeasing traditional networks, Irro is staking the future of Somaliland’s maritime power on youth, merit, and international credibility. This aligns with his broader reformist agenda—emphasizing competence, innovation, and long-term security architecture.

Colonel Khadar’s pending return from an official mission abroad only adds to the anticipation. Insiders suggest he is already in talks with international partners about technical capacity building, equipment modernization, and digital surveillance enhancements for the Coast Guard.

In a region where military appointments are too often political, Colonel Khadar’s selection stands out. It reflects a forward-leaning, results-oriented strategy that prioritizes maritime security not just as defense, but as an economic and geopolitical imperative.

If the Somaliland Coast Guard succeeds under this youthful leadership, it may become a model not just for Somali territories—but for other unrecognized or under-resourced nations looking to assert themselves in strategic waters.

Suspect shouted “Free Palestine” before being arrested; FBI launches terrorism probe into targeted killing near U.S. capital’s Jewish landmark.

Two Israeli embassy staffers, a young couple engaged to be married, were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington during a cultural event. Authorities are investigating it as a possible act of terrorism.

The streets of Washington D.C. were once again shaken by violence as two young Israeli embassy staff members were brutally gunned down on Wednesday night in front of the Capital Jewish Museum—just steps away from an American Jewish Committee cultural event meant to celebrate Jewish heritage, not mourn it.

Eyewitnesses say the suspect, now identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, had been pacing outside the building before the shooting and yelled “Free Palestine” as he was apprehended by police. The motive, while still under investigation, appears tragically clear: this was a targeted political act masquerading as protest, carried out against unarmed diplomats attending a peaceful gathering.

The victims—an engaged couple who served as rising members of the Israeli diplomatic corps—represent more than personal tragedy. They are the latest casualties in a dangerous global trend: the targeting of Jews and Israeli officials under the banner of politicized rage. That it occurred in the heart of the American capital, at a museum devoted to Jewish memory and education, is a sobering testament to how far the line of tolerance has been pushed.

Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department has handed the case to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. In a time when embassies and consulates worldwide brace for increased threats, the killing of Israeli diplomatic staff on American soil marks a chilling escalation. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed federal investigators are treating the shooting as a potential terror act, vowing to “pursue justice with unrelenting resolve.”

Israeli Ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, described the slain diplomats as “a young couple building a future together,” whose promise was extinguished by “an act of cowardly hate.” His statement underscored the diplomatic fragility now hanging over U.S.–Israeli relations and the heightened fear pulsing through Jewish communities across the country.

While American officials have not confirmed whether the shooting qualifies as a hate crime or a politically-motivated assassination, the optics are deeply troubling. The fact that this attack occurred in proximity to a pro-Israel gathering has reignited calls for increased protection of Jewish institutions and foreign missions.

If confirmed as terrorism, this shooting will not only mark a dark day in Washington’s security record but could also become a flashpoint in an already volatile global discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is no longer a line between political disagreement and bloodshed—at least not for those tasked with building peace on foreign soil.