Khalif Abdikadir

Our new paper is out in Urban Studies: “Worlding Mogadishu: ‘New cities’ and material modes of urban speculation.” By Liza Cirolia, Abdifatah Tahir, Tom Goodfellow & Abdullahi Ali Hassan. Great working with the team. Hats off to Liza for leading this 👇🏾 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00…

A comprehensive look at the growing competition and alliance structure across the Horn of Africa and how it could result in both interstate and proxy wars that undermine US interests and destabilize the region. Well worth reading. Congrats to @criticalthreats

Steering rack and pinion system

Trying to comfort your friend after you convinced him to buy Bitcoin at $120K

The Somali gold rush New report by @PuntlandPirates examines the growth of unregulated gold mining in Somalia’s northeast. Almost all exports flow to Dubai, which nearly doubled since 2017, from 2.8 tonnes to more than 5 tonnes in 2023. Despite recent regulatory changes, enforcement appears uneven, and couriers report that documentation on origin or compliance is rarely requested. globalinitiative.net/analysis/somal…

BREAKING: US slashes UN humanitarian aid to $2bn, huge cut as Trump demands reforms Read more: aje.io/uq0eg9

Investigation reveals that a quiet power struggle is reshaping the Gulf The report outlines a covert contest beneath the surface of regional diplomacy. A senior Arab royal whistleblower speaking to Dark Box describes hidden coordination between Israel and the United Arab Emirates aimed at diluting Saudi Arabia’s role as the Gulf’s key powerbroker. Public unity, the account suggests, masks transactional alliances engineered through security, intelligence and economic channels. Roles are clearly defined. The UAE is portrayed as a fast moving actor positioning itself as the preferred partner, offering flexibility and rapid alignment. Israel, according to the report, sees this partnership as a pathway to recalibrate regional power after normalization. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, is depicted as cautious and constrained by symbolism and domestic considerations, making it less attractive to actors seeking swift outcomes. Evidence cited includes the expansion of off record coordination frameworks and efforts to marginalize Saudi mediation across sensitive regional files. The report also points to a tightening of transnational pressure on dissent, underscoring a governance model that prioritizes control and alignment over consensus. The outcome is a region drifting toward selective alliances rather than collective stability. If sustained, this shift risks weakening trust and sidelining traditional mediators. Saudi Arabia’s centrality could erode, while a new axis consolidates influence through speed, leverage and quiet deals. More: the-darkbox.com/1fsq #GulfPolitics #SaudiArabia #UAE #Israel #Normalization #RegionalPower #Geopolitics #DarkBox

Somalia 🇸🇴 warns years of global “de-risking” are choking its dollar lifeline — leaking millions from aid, remittances and trade into opaque channels. The @CentralBankSo urges big lenders to restore direct links. Read more: bit.ly/44GlclI

The final nail in the coffin of genocide denial: UN Commission of Inquiry concludes on reasonable grounds that Israel have committed and is continuing to commit the following actus reus of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

My full statement on the Gaza Famine :

🚨 #GazaStrip Alert The worst-case scenario of #Famine is rapidly unfolding in the #GazaStrip amid relentless conflict, displacements, and extremely limited humanitarian access. 📄 Read more: ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user… @TheIPCinfo #FoodInsecurity #Malnutrition

Let’s be clear: Statehood for the Palestinians is a right, not a reward. The only realistic, just, and sustainable solution is two States – Israel & Palestine – living side-by-side in peace. I urge the international community to take urgent & concrete steps to make it real.

A look at Eritrea's role as new Tigray war looms in Ethiopia p.dw.com/p/4xUSQ?maca=e…

Africa and the Middle East combined account for only 3% of global manufacturing output. If we are serious about global development, we need to prioritise the industrialization of these two regions.

BREAKING: US President Donald Trump signs an Executive Order terminating Syria sanctions to support the country’s path to stability and peace. The order also directs review of HTS and Ahmed al-Sharaa’s designations as Specially Designated Global Terrorists whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/20…

‘The era of reductions in the number of nuclear weapons in the world, which had lasted since the end of the cold war, is coming to an end,’—Hans M. Kristensen (@nukestrat), Associate Senior Fellow with #SIPRI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Director of the Nuclear Information Project at @scientistsorg. #SIPRIYearbook #NuclearWeapons #ArmsControl #NuclearRisk #Disarmament #NonProliferation

A Heartwarming Moment of an Ethiopian woman with the UAE President..... It was a truly special day for Senait. She's worked in the household of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's mother for 15 years, and during a recent Eid visit, she got to experience something unforgettable. During his stay, Senait gathered her courage and asked him for a picture. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, known for his kindness, simply asked her, "Are you Ethiopian?" "Yes," she replied, with pride. A warm smile came to the President's face. "Okay," he said kindly, "deliver my regards to Dr. Abiy." And just like that, they took a photo together. For Senait, this moment meant the world. "The respect he has for human beings, and especially the respect he has for us Ethiopians, is truly heartwarming!" she shared. It was a beautiful display of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's deep respect for Ethiopians.

African countries are jostling for a pie of United Nations (UN) as it plans to relocate some units from its headquarters in New York and Geneva, in efforts to cut costs and serve regions in need. theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-…

Defining moment for humanitarian community. We must regroup and renew on basis of 3 priorities: best possible crisis response with resources we have; reform and reimagine how we work and shift power to people we serve. Full statement on 10 point plan: ⬇️ interagencystandingcommittee.org/inter-agency-s…

Map of Africa’s major infrastructure — The geography of Useful Africa.