Tuesday 22, April 2025 {HMC} Las Anod officials confirmed the death of Farah Aydiid Jama, who is reported to be an Ethiopian Consulate official in Garowe, the capital of Puntland state in Somalia.

The officials attributed his killing on Sunday 20 April to the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, according to Somaliland local media reports.

A letter purportedly written by the Ethiopian Consulate General Office in Puntland, dated 13 January 2025, and circulated by local media outlets, mentioned Farah Aydiid’s designation as a community coordinator and supporter of Ethiopian citizens in the region.

The letter, signed by Yidnekachew Tekele, Chargé d’affaires, stated his mission was to “coordinate and support Ethiopians, because of the current conditions, at boarder areas and report back to the consulate.” Addis Standard did not verify the authenticity of the letter.

As of now, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not officially confirmed the death of Farah Aydiid Jama, nor if he was an official on active duty at the Ethiopian Consulate in Garowe at the time of the killing.

The Eastern Sool authorities have not released a full statement on the matter, either, and investigations into the assassination are ongoing.

But speaking to a local media, the Attorney General of the Eastern Sool Administration, Avv Cabdillaahi Xirsi, confirmed that Farah Aydiid Jama was killed in Las Anod by unidentified gunmen, whom he identified as suspected members of Al-Shabaab. The attackers have not yet been apprehended.

According the Attorney General, Farah was abducted from his residence in Las Anod, “brutally tortured, and then executed”. His body, bearing severe signs of physical abuse, was discovered dumped in the Ceelka Goojacade valley on the outskirts of the city.

“He was badly beaten and then shot. His body shows signs of torture,” Horn Diplomat quoted the Attorney General Avv Cabdillaahi as saying.

SOURCE 

Tuesday 22, April 2025 {HMC} Climate Scientists at the Igad Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC) are predicting that more than usual rainfall expected over most parts of Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, eastern Kenya, northern South Sudan and southern Sudan.

“Moderate rainfall of between 50-200millimeters is expected in most parts of Rwanda, Burundi, northwestern and southern Tanzania, western Uganda, coastal, northeastern and western Kenya, parts of western Ethiopia, northern South Sudan and southern Sudan,” says the Igad Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC).

The specialized institution of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is warning that “the expected heavy rainfall over parts of north-eastern Kenya and some regions in southern and northern Tanzania could trigger isolated flooding. Communities in low-lying areas should stay cautious.”

In the weekly forecast by ICPAC, light rainfall of less than 50 millimetres is expected over most parts of central to southern South Sudan, southern Sudan, western and southern Ethiopia, central to southern Somalia, central Tanzania, central Kenya and central to eastern Uganda.

Temperatures in the region are also expected to be warmer than average over most parts of the region apart from north-eastern parts of Kenya, and cross border areas of Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

“High temperatures of above 32℃elsius is expected over parts of Sudan and Afar region in Ethiopia,” says the statement and adds, “Moderate to high temperatures of between 20-32℃elsius are expected over most parts Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, northern, western and eastern Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.”

Mild temperature conditions of less than 20℃elsius are expected over most parts of Burundi, Rwanda, central to western Kenya, and central Ethiopia.

The Climate Scientists at ICPAC are warning that heat stress levels are expected in most parts of South Sudan, Sudan, eastern Kenya, eastern Tanzania, central to southern Somalia, and coastal regions of Eritrea.

SOURCE 

By Judith Akolo

Tuesday 22, April 2025 {HMC} Garissa County government has launched a ten days’ free vaccination campaign targeting over 600,000 in the sub-counties of Dadaab and Fafi.

The campaign that is partly funded by the Danish Refugee Council will see camels, cows, goats and sheep vaccinated against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Addressing the press in Dadaab after the launch, Livestock Executive Member Milgo Dubow said the exercise is giving priority to the two sub-counties because the areas face constant threats from Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADS). Dadaab and Fafi sub-counties border the neighbouring Somalia republic.

“An outbreak of the deadly animals’ diseases could lead to huge losses. Livestock rearing is the backbone of over 90 percent of our people in these sub-counties and that’s why we embarked on this very noble exercise,” Dubow said.

She said the vaccination would go a long way in building immunity of livestock, hence increasing productivity and income, adding that another round of the vaccination programme would resume in June 2025.

“The first phase will focus more in refugee camps and the surrounding host communities, while the second phase will focus more in the host community areas,” she said.

The Executive Member urged livestock owners in the targeted areas to avail their animals for vaccination.

The exercise will also include parasite control and treatment for clinical cases, conducting site-level disease surveillance using KABS mobile application, and delivering on-the-job training to community disease reporters (CDRs).

The chairman of the Fafi Development Committee, Ali Hared, thanked the county government for coming up with the vaccination campaign, noting that livestock disease outbreaks were common during rainy seasons.

“This vaccination campaign has come at the right time given that we are experiencing rains. It will go a long way in reducing livestock loss after the rains,” he said.

On his part, the chairman of the Hagardera Refugee Community, Khalif Jelle, also welcomed the exercise, saying it was the first of its kind for the refugees.

“Despite being in the refugee camp, majority of the refugees keep livestock as a source of livelihood. This is a kind gesture that will not go without being appreciated,” Jelle said.

He appealed for the extension of the vaccination period if all the animals would not have been covered at the lapse of the 10 days period.

Livestock in Garissa County is the main economic mainstay of over 80 percent of the area residents.

By Jacob Songok