Stories from the Horn #172

June 27, 2023

A heat wave in Texas makes me think of May-September in Djibouti. We moved out of our house this past weekend so it could be painted before Djiboutian Independence Day, June 27. Moving and then cleaning the borrowed place meant we spent the day as soaking wet as if we’d jumped fully clothed in the ocean. Texas, you have my sympathy. Take it easy.

On Tuesday Djibouti celebrates Independence Day. Already for weeks there have been flags popping up almost every business place and many homes, little flags on cars, khat stands with fresh coats of paint in the Djibouti flag design. There will a big parade and much celebration and then the next day is Eid Al-Adha so this party week around here.

On to the stories

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Somali/land

Muslim Mother Teresa Wins Templeton Prize. It is interesting to me how Mother Teresa has become almost more symbol than human. I also compared Annalena Tonelli to Mother Teresa in Stronger than Death (though others said she would have hated that). I think I maybe shared this two weeks ago but it is always fun to read about Edna.

Somalis look for love online but don’t call it dating

The US ambassador to the UN met with Somalia’s president

Las Geel ancient rock art draws international visitors (video)

Young refugees from Somalia caught between open prison and unstable homeland

8 killed in violence in Puntland

Mogadishu’s vanishing heritage

A young Somali activist shaping Somalia’s future through environmental activism

Al-Shabaab attack and kill five civilians in Kenya border towns

Djibouti

Business and tax discussion in Djibouti

Is there a forgotten food and water crisis in Djibouti?

Djiboutian singer Yanna Momina passes away

Fascinating article on the economics of construction in Djibouti

See you next week.