Stories from the Horn #155
August 30, 2022
Welcome back to Stories from the Horn after a short summer break. I missed sharing several big stories and will do my best to capture as much as possible without overwhelming you with links.
On to the news:
Kenya
Here is a good podcast recap of the election, the various candidates, and what it means for Kenya’s future and the broader region: The Horn.
This isn’t really news but it is stupid so I’ll link to it. Flights from Djibouti to Nairobi, Kenya used to be about $250 roundtrip and direct. They are now over $1,000 and require 1+ stops. I could fly to the USA and around again to Kenya for only a few hundred dollars more. What on earth?!
Djibouti
Djibouti striker Sabri Mohamed is banned from football for four years after a positive doping test
Infographic showing countries most in debt to China
Lovely Tourism video about Djibouti. They claim to want 1 million tourists. This is hard to imagine. The country is lovely and has a lot of potential but there is a long way to go. Case in point - the airport is currently the worst airport I have ever traveled through and the country receives around 60,000 tourists a year now, ranking 183rd internationally. I cannot fathom how 1 million tourists will be handled. Granted, the airport is under construction but construction is taking years and the situation has gotten worse in the meantime. Here’s hoping for a nice new airport eventually.
The World Bank approves massive funding to serve poor and vulnerable populations in Djibouti
152 Ethiopian migrates repatriated to Ethiopia from Djibouti
Somalia/Somaliland
US says airstrike in Somalia kills 13 terrorist members
Searching for gold in Somaliland
More than 20 dead after terrorists attack hotel in Mogadishu
The street cleaners of Mogadishu
Teen girls forced into early marriage during hunger crisis in the Horn
Violent protests in Somaliland, 5 killed and 100 injured
Hadrawi, one of the most famous Somali poets, died August 22nd
More on the widespread famine plaguing the Horn of Africa
Somaliland held its annual book fair in July and featured the theme “Solidarity”
Diaspora
Mo Farah reveals being trafficked as a child from Somalia. This was shocking to many, especially runners.
Mo Farah’s story draws shock and horror and understanding in Somalia
Where is Mo Farah’s birthplace?
Ethiopia
WHO chief says Ethiopia crisis is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, blames the lack of news reporting on skin color
Ethiopia government proposes a peace plan for the Tigray region
Ethiopia completes third refilling of the mega Nile dam reservoir
Happy week.