Horn of Africa Weekly Brief
Date: 9 August 2025
Alijabiye.com
Somalia: Security Success and Political Transition
Military victory: Somali National Army (with Uganda forces) retook Bariire town of Lower Shabelle. Over 100 al-Shabaab militants deaths.
Justice served: Three convicted members of al-Shabaab who carried out targeted assassinations were executed in Mogadishu.
Political transition: Newly proclaimed federation on July 30th in federal government has raised hopes and tensions.
International interest: Reports indicate the Boston Consulting Group is looking at Somalia/Somaliland in potential Gazan resettlement options.
Sudan: Humanitarian catastrophe and geopolitical shocks
Massacre revealed: More than 1,500 civilians killed in April at Zamzam refugee camp.
Airstrike fallout: SAF destroys UAE aircraft in Darfur and kills an estimated 40 suspected foreign mercenaries.
Fragmentation risk: Country may become further fragmented as competing administrations consolidate authority.
Starvation: El-Fasher is on the verge of near-famine levels of starvation after sustaining a year-long siege.
Health crisis: Experience a cholera outbreak with Sudanese refugees in Chad.
Djibouti: Diplomacy and Resilience
Russia Talk: Djibouti has discussed trade and infrastructure cooperation with Moscow.
Troop Wellness: The Camp Lemonnier hosted a Wellness Expo Week for U.S. and allied forces.
Eritrea: Pride and Innovation
Cycling: Tour de France cycling star, Biniam Girmay was welcomed home like a national hero.
Tech: Daniel Gebre, founder of an offline AI product, developed due to unreliable Internet connections in Eritrea.
Ethiopia: Mega-Projects and Strong Policy Positions
Major infrastructure project: The African Development Bank is financing 7.8 billion dollars on what will be the largest airport in Africa, by 2029 to be located near Addis Ababa.
Policy position: The Prosperity party reaffirms its position on the Red Sea and Nile.
Legal: Five Eritrean nationals, sentenced to death for human trafficking.
Digital: The national transformation strategy was pitched on the international stage.
Food Security: The UNDP works with private financing in connection to setting the food systems reform agenda.
Compliance with sanctions: The Addis Ababa government rejected a proposal to lease aircrafts from entities connected to the Kremlin.
Outlook for the Region
The Horn of Africa is at a crossroads, with military victories in combination with economic ambitions in a region that is beset by humanitarian crises and political uncertainty. How these issues are resolved will play a big role in regional stability in the months ahead.
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