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.