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The United Nations' Special Envoy for Somalia, Catriona Laing, delivered a grim message to the Security Council regarding the alarming rise in civilian casualties in the troubled Horn of Africa country during the past year. The situation is primarily attributed to the ongoing insurgency led by jihadist group Al-Shabab and the conflicts in the breakaway province of Somaliland. In this article, we delve into the details of this concerning issue and the efforts being made to address it. The Ongoing Crisis: Somalia has been grappling with a protracted and brutal insurgency by the extremist group Al-Shabab since the start of the 21st century. Despite being driven out of major cities in 2011 and 2012, Al-Shabab continues to operate in vast rural areas, particularly in central and southern regions. The group consistently carries out attacks targeting government officials, civilians, and security forces, contributing to the rising civilian casualties. President's Pledge: Somali Preside...

In a significant development, the Ugandan military has initiated a court martial trial for two of its high-ranking army officers accused of "cowardice" in the aftermath of a deadly attack on peacekeepers by the militant organization Al Shabaab in Somalia. The trial is currently taking place in Mogadishu, Somalia, temporarily serving as the location for this court martial. The accused officers, Major Steven Oluka and Major Zadock Obor, who were commanding officers of military bases in southwest Somalia, are facing two counts of cowardice following an Al Shabaab attack that led to the tragic deaths of 54 peacekeepers. The General Court Martial (GCM), presided over by Brigadier General Robert Mugabe, is conducting this trial. According to the official statement issued by the Ugandan military in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, the two senior commanders are alleged to have failed to inspire the military officers and soldiers under their command to fight bravely when confronted b...

The UAE has again manifested unparalleled devotion and commitment to the international humanitarian agenda, notably in support of women affected by conflict situations. In one such latest display of goodwill, the UAE announced new humanitarian initiatives in Chad, along with a handsome contribution of $10.25 million to the United Nations, with a focus on extending requisite succor to Sudanese women refugees severely hit by the crisis engulfing Sudan at the moment. UAE: A Holistic Approach in Humanitarian Aid Contributions by the UAE are more than just financial; they work to focus on a holistic approach that underlines healthcare, psychosocial support, and sustainable empowerment of the affected communities. This contribution indeed shows that the UAE does not only look at relief but at long-term community resilience. It certainly is a reflective approach toward humanitarian aid, whereby resources are used effectively to target immediate and future needs of women and children in any cr...

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has demonstrated remarkable progress in 2024, underscoring its commitment to development, innovation, and cultural advancement through a series of forward-thinking initiatives. These efforts aim to bolster the UAE’s global standing, enhance its soft power, and establish leadership across multiple sectors. Here’s an overview of the UAE’s strategic projects and plans that define its roadmap for sustainable growth and long-term governance. Transformative National Initiatives Among the UAE’s key projects this year is the "Unified UAE Numbers" project , a groundbreaking national initiative designed to advance the country’s statistical capabilities. This collaboration between federal and local entities aims to optimize data usage in economic, demographic, social, and environmental fields, positioning the UAE as a global leader in data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the UAE introduced the "Young Government Leaders Programme 2024" du...