Author: Ahmed J. Yassin

Africa could be the winner as the US attempts to stifle Huawei

The adoption of 5G technology, powered by Chinese tech giant Huawei, has become a game of international geopolitical football with Donald Trump as the self-appointed referee. Africa is set to become an early adopter – but there are political, economic and security risks attached. Continue reading “Africa could be the winner as the US attempts to stifle Huawei”

Somaliland: Kill All but the Crows

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To much of the world, Somalia has a fearsome reputation. It is seen as one of the most dangerous places on the planet – a failed state that is widely believed to be home to warlords, pirates and terrorists. But in the north of the country, at least, the reality is different. Continue reading “Somaliland: Kill All but the Crows”

Sovereign wealth funds in Africa

Summary:

  • The existence of the ‘resource curse’ in Africa has meant that large natural resource endowments often correlate with lower-than-expected economic growth as well as weaker, more authoritarian institutional development.

Continue reading “Sovereign wealth funds in Africa”

Unlocking Somaliland

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On the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, sits Somaliland’s Berbera port. It occupies a strategic position in the Horn of Africa and lies on a busy shipping route for traffic to and from the Middle East and eastern Africa Continue reading “Unlocking Somaliland”

Somaliland Sees Rise in E-Money Services

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Hyperinflation and economic isolation have pushed the internationally-unrecognized republic of Somaliland closer to a cashless economy. Mobile-money services have taken off, over the past decade in Africa; with 1 in 10 adults across the continent using them. CGTN’s Alexandria Majalla tells us how e-money services have become more convenient in Somaliland.

Ethiopia says US plans ‘substantial financial support’

America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop on Tuesday discussed dramatic political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support” to strengthen them, Ethiopia said. Continue reading “Ethiopia says US plans ‘substantial financial support’”

Somaliland: Key to Winning America’s Longest War

On February 7, 2019, Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, AFRICOM commander, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that U.S. airstrikes alone would not defeat Al-Shabaab, the Al Qaeda-affiliated militant group with deep roots in Somalia. Instead, he said, local forces need to “step up.” He is right, so it is especially unfortunate that when local forces step up to rebuff Al-Shabaab, AFRICOM ignores them. Continue reading “Somaliland: Key to Winning America’s Longest War”

Somaliland: A Success Story Without the Billions and Bombs

Somaliland is a success story in a part of the world where those are rare. For 27 years, the self-declared state—with little outside assistance—has defied the odds. In contrast with Somalia, from which it declared its independence in 1991, Somaliland has enjoyed years of relative stability and democratic governance. Continue reading “Somaliland: A Success Story Without the Billions and Bombs”

Somaliland President Turned Down Farmaajo’s Visit

In his annual constitutional speech before a joint session of the two houses of Somaliland parliament, President Muse Bihi Abdi gave a lengthy account of his recent official visit to Addis Abba where has met the Continue reading “Somaliland President Turned Down Farmaajo’s Visit”

Edna: A Woman of Firsts

Edna Adan Ismail is used to counselling patients to a healthy mind in the hospital ward. As a midwife and administrator at her own hospital in Somaliland, the self-declared and breakaway state of Somalia, she has seen her fair share of patients distressed by their afflictions. Continue reading “Edna: A Woman of Firsts”