Communal conflict is endemic in the vast arid region on both sides of the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Fresh alarm has been sparked in both countries following a kidnapping and armed attacks on police and civilians in Kenya’s Marsabit county, in the extreme north of the country. Oscar Mwangi Gakuo, who has studied the roots of conflict in the border region, sets out the context.

What is the history of the tensions along the Kenya-Ethiopia border?

Marsabit County is Kenya’s largest, covering an area of of 70,961 square kilometres. This is roughly equivalent in size to Sierra Leone or the combined size of Rwanda, Burundi and Eswatini.

It is one of the four Kenyan counties bordering Ethiopia.

Situated in the Chalbi Desert belt, the county is mostly arid and semi-arid. The people who live there are mainly herders who move from place to place to graze livestock. Poverty levels are high and conflict over resources erupts frequently.

In July 2005, animosities between the majority Borana and Gabra communities led to the killing of 95 people in what became known as the Turbi Massacre.

The hostilities also have cross-border dimensions. The borderlands harbour armed rebel groups such as the Oromo Liberation Army, which has roots in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia.

Daily acts of violence in this remote region rarely catch national attention. But the highest levels of state security took notice in both Kenya and Ethiopia following the latest attacks. They are perceived to involve the Oromo Liberation Front and the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab group, raising concerns about transnational terrorism.

This frontier region is fragile. State institutions are weak and don’t provide citizens with minimum levels of security and well-being. Inter-ethnic conflicts among nomad pastoralists have led to the proliferation of small arms.

Security failures also stem from the fact that Kenyan and Ethiopian security policies don’t work together. For example, the Kenyan government strictly controls the licensing of weapons to civilians. But in Ethiopia civilians are permitted to own arms if they register with the federal government. Kenyans in the northern frontier region can still get illicit arms for self-defence and cross-border incursions.

The government’s efforts to disarm pastoralists are often futile because of the porous border.

What are the main drivers of insecurity in the region?

Conflicts in Marsabit are driven by scarce natural resources as well as ethno-political and cultural disputes.

Several related factors include:

• competition for grazing areas and water resources, owing to climate change and environmental degradation
• political devolution, ethnicity, local politics and elections
• militarisation of ethnic groups and nonstate armed groups
• large numbers of small arms and light weapons.

Resource-based conflicts arise over conflicting claims of ownership of grazing areas and water resources, especially during dry seasons. Conflicts between communities and the state also occur around protected areas such as national parks during dry seasons.

Another contributing factor to the violence is the way in which the region is governed.

Kenya has decentralised several state functions to the counties. But security governance remains centralised under the national government.

This top-down approach has left county governments feeling alienated.

New administrative boundaries have been created in Marsabit. This has worsened inter-ethnic conflicts between the Borana and Gabra over resources. Adding to the toxic mix is that both groups have militias which state security agencies have labelled as “bandits”.

There is also competition for new political and administrative positions.

The region is affected by the broader political atmosphere in Kenya, too. Conflicts are rife, fuelled by debates and differences being framed along ethnic lines. In particular, the country’s political elite focuses on the historical differences among ethnic groups and resource competition. This happens particularly during electoral periods. The result is the promotion of intolerance, suspicion, distrust and fear among ethnic groups.

What are the cross-border threats?

The Borana and Gabra communities share a common socio-cultural history with the Ethiopian Oromo. The communities belong to the larger linguistic Oromia community, which spans both countries.

Despite the shared culture, cross-border conflicts occur between the communities.

Cross-border incursions by Ethiopian forces and the Oromo Liberation Army also heighten inter-state tensions. The Oromo Liberation Army fights the Ethiopian government in Oromia, especially in the western and southern parts of the region. Its aim is self-determination for the Oromo ethnic peoples.

The Oromo Liberation Army, also known as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane, was originally the military wing of the Oromo Liberation Front party. It split from the party in April 2019.

Ethiopian armed forces are known to cross the Kenyan border in pursuit of Oromo fighters. The government in Addis Ababa regards them as terrorists. In November 2021, residents of the border town of Moyale in Kenya accused Ethiopian troops of crossing the border, looting neighbourhoods and taking away civilians accused of sheltering Oromo Liberation Army insurgents.

A month after the 2021 incursion by Ethiopian troops, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited the Kenyan side of the border with Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta. Abiy claimed then that the Oromo Liberation Front had an alliance with al-Shabaab. He called for both to be “eliminated”.

Since 2010 Kenya and Ethiopia have shared intelligence on the Oromo Liberation Front, resulting in arrests and deportations. But the Oromo Liberation Front has in the past emphasised that stirring up ethnic conflict between the Borana and Gabra communities along the Kenya-Ethiopia border is a counterinsurgency technique by Ethiopian governments to discredit it.

Ethiopian officials have claimed that the Oromo Liberation Front and the Somali-based jihadist group, al-Shabaab, work together. However, there is no substantial evidence to support this.

Oscar Gakuo Mwangi, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Rwanda

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post Violence at Kenya-Ethiopia border: What’s driving insecurity in region appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

During the meeting, Kamel and Abdelatty delivered a message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to President Afwerki. The message focused on strengthening and developing bilateral relations between the two countries in all areas, as well as discussing regional political and security developments.

The Egyptian officials also heard Afwerki’s views on the situation in the Red Sea, with a focus on the need to create favourable conditions for restoring normal maritime traffic and international trade through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. They also discussed developments in the Horn of Africa and the challenges facing the region, as well as ways to enhance security and stability.

The visit comes as Somalia has been locked in a dispute with Ethiopia over the latter’s involvement in the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the illegal memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somalia’s region of Somaliland .

The illegal MoU grants Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of the Red Sea coastline in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence. Somalia has condemned the MoU as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Somalia has rejected Ethiopian involvement in AUSSOM, arguing that the host country should have the final say in member selection.
Somalia has received support from its allies, including Egypt and Djibouti, who have expressed concern about the Ethiopian government’s involvement in the peacekeeping mission.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has also received support from Eritrean President Afwerki, who affirmed his support for Mogadishu’s unity and territorial integrity.

The post Egypt, Eritrea pledge support for Somalia’s unity, Sudan’s stability appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

In a related context, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Wednesday that the Israeli occupation committed four massacres against civilians in the Strip during the past 24 hours, leaving 64 dead and 104 injured, raising the toll of the Israeli aggression on Gaza since 7 October to 41,084 dead and 95,029 injured.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicated that 82.5% of the children (aged one day to ten years old) received the first dose of the polio vaccine. According to a statement by the ministry, the number of children who received the first dose was 527,776 children; 49% females and 51% males.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the continuation of the third round of the vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip and the North, noting that the teams of the Ministry, UNRWA, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF worked bravely in the vaccination campaign, despite the ongoing aggression on the Strip, and the great danger posed to their lives.

In another context, the Israeli occupation army announced that two soldiers were killed and seven others injured in a helicopter crash in the Salah Al-Din axis, south of the Gaza Strip. The army said that the helicopter crashed during a mission to transport an injured soldier.

The post At least 9 killed in Israeli attack on school in Al-Nuseirat Camp appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

The meeting was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to address financial entanglements between various government entities and enhance the role of the NIB as a key economic and investment arm of the state, vital for supporting development efforts.

Representatives from both entities attended the meeting, including Ashraf Negm, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the NIB; Dalia Mostafa, NIB’s Assistant Managing Director for Investment and Resources; Ahmed Samir, Head of the Infrastructure Budgets and Economic Affairs Sector from the Ministry of Finance; Magdy Mahfouz, Head of the Financing Sector from the Ministry of Finance; Abu Bakr Abdel Hamid, Advisor to the Minister of Finance for Finance; Abdo Elwan, Acting Chairperson of Egypt Post; Khaled Emam, Vice Chairperson for Financial Inclusion from Egypt Post; Mohamed Abu Ayad, Assistant Chairperson for Investment and Treasury from Egypt Post; and Mohamed Aboud, Legal Advisor to Egypt Post.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying consultations among the relevant entities and expediting measures to resolve the financial entanglements between Egypt Post and the NIB. The effort is expected to have significant benefits for the national economy, in line with the directives of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

They emphasised the importance of resolving financial entanglements between government entities, as it provides reassurance to the business community, enhances the financial efficiency of these entities, and positively impacts various sectors of the national economy.

The government has made considerable efforts to address the entanglements between the NIB and other national entities, which has led to the settlement of social insurance debts and the signing of a protocol regarding the mechanism for resolving financial entanglements between the NIB and the National Bank of Egypt.

The post Al-Mashat, Kouchouk review efforts to resolve financial entanglements between NIB, Egypt Post appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

The meeting comes as part of the minister’s ongoing efforts to engage with development partners and international institutions, outlining her ministry’s vision and priorities for the coming period.

Al-Mashat highlighted her ministry’s key role in supporting the government’s development efforts, including managing public investments at the governorate level, linking the investment plan with international partnerships, and mobilising development partners and various programs to bridge the financing gap.

During the meeting, Jay Collins, Vice Chairperson of Banking, Capital Markets, and Advisory at Citibank Global, underscored the bank’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Egyptian government. He emphasised Citibank’s willingness to support economic and structural reform efforts, contribute to actions aimed at encouraging foreign direct investment, attract private investment, and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The Citibank team, which included Joaquin J. Jojo, Managing Director and Head of Global Sovereign Solutions; Mohamed Abdel Kader, Country Manager of Citibank Egypt; Hanan Salem, Managing Director and Head of Global Sovereign Advisory; and any Tawfik, Head of Corporate Banking in Egypt, presented potential solutions and policies that could be implemented to enhance macroeconomic stability, manage country-owned enterprises effectively, finance development, support the transition in the energy sector, and capitalise on the global momentum around renewable energy.

The team also discussed mechanisms to accelerate foreign direct investment in Egypt, encourage green investments, and drive further efforts towards developing the business environment. They highlighted the importance of Egypt’s Country Platform “NWFE” program, which aims to enhance climate ambition, encourage green investments, and advance the government’s efforts in the field of green transformation.

The meeting focused on efforts to localise sustainable development in the governorates and increase the efficiency of local investments. The meeting also addressed government plans related to implementing the country ownership document and empowering the private sector.

The post Egypt’s Al-Mashat meets with Citibank to strengthen cooperation appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

According to a report from the Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Support Fund, 22 participating banks have injected around EGP 70.626bn, benefiting approximately 564,102 clients, accounting for 96.6% of the initiative. Meanwhile, mortgage companies contributed EGP 2.465bn to around 19,500 clients, representing 3.4% of the total.

The report highlights that the National Bank of Egypt topped the list of participating banks, with financing of EGP 18.553bn for 151,234 clients, capturing 25.4% of the initiative’s total funds by the end of August 2024.

Banque Misr ranked second with EGP 17.375bn, benefiting 136,551 clients (23.8%), while the Housing and Development Bank came in third with EGP 7.452bn for 74,301 clients (10.2%).

In fourth place was Banque du Caire, providing EGP 6.572bn to 52,229 clients (9%), followed by QNB ALAHLI in fifth place with EGP 4.388bn for 27,340 clients (6%).

CIB came sixth, financing EGP 3.705bn for 26,279 clients (5.1%). Industrial Development Bank followed in seventh place with EGP 1.964bn for 17,600 clients (2.7%).

In eighth place, United Bank contributed EGP 1.930bn to 14,246 clients (2.6%), while the Arab African International Bank financed EGP 1.277bn for 10,592 clients (1.7%). Arab Investment Bank rounded out the top ten with EGP 1.220bn for 8,182 clients (1.7%).

On the corporate side, Al Tameer Mortgage Finance led the companies, providing EGP 946.870m to 7,262 clients, followed by Contact Mortgage with EGP 838.7m for 6,167 clients.

In third place was Al Ahly Mortgage Finance, with a portfolio of EGP 284.307m for 2,534 clients, followed by Amlak Finance, which financed EGP 252.133m for 2,320 clients.

Tamweel Mortgage Finance took fifth place with EGP 68.6m for 602 clients, followed by Egyptian Mortgage Finance with EGP 43.042m for 429 clients. Al Ahly Mortgage Finance provided EGP 19.97m to 200 clients, and Arab African International Mortgage financed EGP 12.2m for 109 clients.

The Central Bank of Egypt launched the Affordable Housing Initiative in February 2014, offering subsidized interest rates ranging from 5% to 7% for low- and middle-income individuals. The Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Support Fund handles housing unit allocation for low-income beneficiaries and sets unit prices based on construction costs.

In 2021, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi instructed the Central Bank to launch a new mortgage programme aimed at helping low- and middle-income families acquire housing units. This programme offers long-term loans of up to 30 years with a simplified, reduced interest rate of 3%.

In November 2022, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly assigned the Ministry of Finance to manage and oversee all ongoing initiatives with below-market interest rates, replacing the Central Bank’s role.

This decision includes initiatives like the Affordable Housing Initiative for low- and middle-income groups, tourism support, vehicle replacement programs, and modern irrigation projects. The Ministry of Finance now oversees decision-making, cost management, beneficiary eligibility, and funding, with all costs and resources reflected in the state budget, subject to approval by the Cabinet based on recommendations from the Finance Minister.

For the Affordable Housing Initiative, EGP 100bn has been allocated with a 3% interest rate, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will compensate banks for the difference in interest rates.

The post Banks, companies offer EGP 73.09bn under ‘Affordable Housing Initiative’ until August appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

Under the new measures, small and micro enterprises, startups, freelancers, and professionals with an annual turnover of less than EGP 15m will benefit from a simplified and integrated tax system.

“The government aims to broaden the tax base to ensure the interests of both the state and investors, while also improving services for citizens,” Kouchouk said during the press conference attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

To encourage businesses operating in the informal economy to formalize, the government will offer a range of incentives, including allowing taxpayers to submit or amend tax returns for the years 2021 to 2023 without incurring penalties. Additional measures include simplifying tax returns, expanding sample audits to all tax centers, and implementing a risk-based approach to tax audits. Late payment penalties have been capped at the original tax amount, and the government will work to expedite the resolution of tax disputes. The threshold for international companies required to submit a transfer pricing study has been raised to 30 million Egyptian pounds.

Furthermore, a centralized settlement mechanism for investors will be introduced, and the value-added tax refund process will be simplified. The government will also adopt a tiered approach to legal penalties for non-compliance, with the severity of penalties tied to the size of the business.

To enhance the efficiency of the Egyptian Tax Authority, the government will invest in training and development programs for its employees. A new performance evaluation system will be implemented to measure employee productivity and the quality of services provided to taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Madbouly acknowledged the recent rise in inflation, attributing it to the increase in fuel and petroleum product prices. “But we are committed as a country, according to our plan with the Central Bank of Egypt, to reduce inflation to less than 10% by the end of 2025, and this is what the state and all its institutions are working to achieve,” he said.

The post Egypt unveils tax incentives to boost economy, simplify processes appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

Minister Farouk emphasised Egypt’s leadership’s commitment to bolstering bilateral ties with India, particularly in utilising India’s advanced agricultural technologies, which offer high-quality, productive crop varieties. He highlighted the importance of expanding trade and investment between the two countries, particularly in agricultural exports. This includes facilitating market access for key products such as Egypt’s high-quality citrus fruits, grapes, and mulberries, already exported globally.

The minister directed the foreign agricultural relations department to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Cairo to organize business meetings between Egyptian and Indian agricultural entrepreneurs and investors. This initiative was in line with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s directives to increase agricultural cooperation, especially with friendly nations like India.

Indian Ambassador Gupta praised the existing collaboration between Egypt and India, noting the strong political ties and joint trade and agricultural committees. He highlighted India’s investments in Egypt across various sectors, including the chemical industry, energy—particularly renewable energy—and food production and seed companies operating within Egypt.

The ambassador also showcased India’s cutting-edge agricultural technologies, including the use of drones in farming and pest control operations.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the importance of cultivating alternative crops like millet, which could be mixed with wheat flour in bread production. This crop, which can be grown in marginal lands, is currently being evaluated by Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture to assess its economic feasibility compared to other crops under Egyptian conditions.

Both parties underscored the significance of agricultural processing and the value chains in olive cultivation, highlighting its substantial economic benefits for farmers and its successful cultivation in Egypt.

Minister Farouk stressed the need for collective efforts to achieve mutual trade interests, particularly in boosting agricultural trade between Egypt and India. The goal is to increase the export potential between the two nations, countering the environmental challenges posed by climate change and enhancing food security for both populations.

The post Agriculture Minister meets Indian ambassador to foster bilateral cooperation appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

The tour provided a comprehensive overview of Naia Bay, highlighting its unique features, diverse amenities, and progress on various construction fronts.

The project’s Pelagio Townhouse unit within the first phase of ‘Naia Bay,’ showcasing fully completed townhouses.

Naia has also partnered with Accor, one of the top three global leaders in the hospitality industry, to operate the first two hotels in Ras El Hekma within Naia Bay. This collaboration further enhances the project’s appeal and ensures world-class hospitality services for residents and guests.

Mohamed Farag, Vice Chairperson of the Commercial Sector at Naia Developments, emphasized that Naia’s construction arm capabilities enable year-round operations and efficient project execution, even amid challenges such as climate change and economic fluctuations.

Farag pointed out that Ras El Hekma area will experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by modern infrastructure and advanced projects that will solidify its position as a premier investment and residential hub.”

Naia Bay was built on an area of 470,400 sqm and offered a diverse range of villas, townhouses, and chalets. The project units featured stunning waterfront views, whether beachfront villas or directly overlooking the crystal lagoon, along with a variety of recreational amenities, providing residents with a luxurious and relaxing lifestyle.

The company also collaborated with international partners such as crystal Lagoons, a global leader in crystal lagoon technology, and renowned architectural firms like Ökoplan Engineering Consultations and El Ghoniemi Architects. These partnerships ensure that Naia Bay incorporates the latest innovations and design trends.

Ashraf Saeed, Head of Engineering at the company, highlighted the completion of all infrastructure works, including cables, supply and irrigation pipes, drainage, handrails, transformer boards, and ballasts.

He stressed that the company was committed to delivering the highest quality standards and adhering to the project’s timeline.

Saeed highlighted that the master plan, spanning 112 feddans, will feature 720 residential units and 250 hotel units. Constructed on terraced levels with a 3-meter elevation difference between each, the units are spaced 6 meters apart. The project offers a unique combination of a 300-meter beachfront with a depth of 200 meters and expansive Crystal Lagoons totaling 45,000 sqm.

The post NAIA accelerates construction pace at North Coast project by 70% appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.

The meeting discussed several proposals aimed at advancing the work of the real estate development companies that are members of the association in various districts of the New Administrative Capital (NAC).

During the meeting, Abbas emphasized ACUD’s commitment to overcoming all obstacles facing the New Capital’s developers.

He highlighted that the company has already offered multiple facilitations, the most notable being the extension of the implementation deadline and the rescheduling of payments for companies that request it. He also noted that ACUD assesses each case individually, considering the seriousness of the company before making a decision.

Mohamed Al-Bustani, Chairperson of the New Cairo and New Administrative Capital Developers Association, emphasized that the NAC has witnessed significant developmental progress over the past two years, along with great flexibility in addressing developers’ demands.

He elaborated that the strong and balanced performance during this period has significantly impacted the real estate market, leading to increased interest from development companies in seizing various opportunities within the capital.

For their part, members of the association’s board presented several key demands, most notably the need to promote the New Administrative Capital project globally and target new customer segments, in addition to attracting investors from various countries.

The board members also called for a review of parking garage fees within the designated projects, as well as the swift connection of electricity and completion of roads in several districts.

ACUD leaders assured them that these developments are nearing completion and will be finished by the end of the year. Additionally, they announced the availability of temporary construction electricity meters for companies that wish to obtain them.

The ACUD’s Chairperson affirmed that the company is taking a firm stance against those who delay the execution of their projects, and will take all necessary measures against them.

He highlighted that the NAC has now become a focal point of global attention, hosting international events, particularly in the field of sports, leaving no room for leniency. He also noted that all the demands presented by the Developers Association will be studied and addressed promptly. Furthermore, the company welcomes any proposals that serve investors in the NAC.

The post ACUD chief meets NAC developers to discuss sector challenges, facilities appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.