Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia persist due to the MoU signed with Somaliland. Speaking before the parliamentary assembly, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that "Ethiopia does not intend to cause any harm to its friend, Somalia." These statements come after a unified response from the international community in support of Somalia, with the US, China, and the European Union expressing their support for Mogadishu. Despite Addis Ababa's attempt to ease tensions, relations between the parties remain strained, as demonstrated during the African Union General Assembly on February 17th and 18th. The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Ethiopian security forces of attempting to prevent President Hassan Sheikh from participating in the Assembly's proceedings. This accusation was rejected by the Addis Ababa government, which claimed that the Mogadishu delegation had tried to enter the AU headquarters armed. Hassan Sheikh, who participated in the proceedings as usual, stated that his delegation had been subjected to intimidating behavior due to his government's denunciation of the MoU with Somaliland for access to the port of Berbera. The latest twist in the matter was the Somali parliament's rejection of the agreement's ratification. The Hargeisa parliament rejected the deal, labeling it "illegal" and calling it a "threat to the unity of the people of Somaliland," urging the executive to withdraw the MoU and halt the ratification process. Meanwhile, internal tensions in the country show no signs of abating. The Ethiopian parliament extended the state of emergency in the Amhara region, and the crisis in Tigray has worsened. The Tigrayan population denounces livestock theft and kidnappings conducted by the Eritrean army. The federal government has met with the Tigray regional executive in the context of the humanitarian crisis affecting the northern region. The Tigrayan delegation, led by interim president Getachew Reda, accused Addis Ababa of deliberately ignoring the famine affecting the region, accusations rejected by Addis Ababa, which states that the deaths in Tigray cannot be attributed to a humanitarian crisis.Inizio modulo
The war in Sudan shows no signs of abating. According to reports from the RSF and SAF commands, high-ranking officials from both factions allegedly met in Bahrain three times during January in the presence of representatives from the United States and Saudi Arabia. Details regarding the progress and the subject matter of these meetings have not been disclosed. Meanwhile, the US has imposed new sanctions against the belligerent entities. The US Department of the Treasury has announced sanctions on Alkhaleej Bank and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, both owned by RSF's Hemedti, and Zadna International, associated with the Sudanese regular army. The conflict also continues on the propaganda front. The head of the RSF, General Hemedti, declared that his forces are ready to militarily resolve the conflict in a matter of weeks in an audio message addressed to army generals: "We do not seek war, but as long as it is your choice, you must be prepared." In this context, the de facto leader of the Sudanese government, General Al-Burhan, has blocked humanitarian aid access to areas controlled by the RSF, warning that deliveries will not resume until the RSF is defeated. The month concluded with reports from the SAF on the advancement of their forces in the strategic center of Omdurman, which were denied by the RSF.
Kenya continues to grapple with its financial crisis. President Ruto has announced plans to repurchase a portion of treasury bonds during the February-March period, and then seek coverage for the remaining portion of public debt from private partners in the markets. The government's privatization process is also progressing, with the announcement of the sale of seven state-owned enterprises, including the Development Bank of Kenya. The rest of the companies being put on the market are all in the hospitality sector. Positive data has also emerged regarding the revenues of the Port of Mombasa, which have increased by 6.23% annually, demonstrating how the infrastructure can withstand competition from the Port of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Meanwhile, Kenyan Secretary of Defense Aden Dualey, during a visit to Washington, declared that Nairobi will continue to stand by the United States in the mission to secure maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Nairobi's decision is influenced not only by its privileged relationship with the USA but also by the risks stemming from the economic implications on maritime transportation costs following Houthi attacks. President William Ruto has been invited by President Biden to the White House to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations in May, coinciding with the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Download the February 2024 reportThe visit of Italy’s President of the Republic to Kenya comes at a historic moment when the eyes of the world are on the region. Between symbolic and pragmatic, the visit puts Africa back at the heart of Italian foreign policy.
Head of state | Isaias Afewerki |
Head of Government | Isaias Afewerki |
Institutional Form | Presidential Republic, strong authoritarianism |
Capital | Asmara |
Legislative Power | Legislative Assembly, unicameral (150 Members of Parliament) |
Judicial Power | High Court |
Ambassador to Italy | Fessahazion Pietros Menghistu |
Total Area kmq | 117.600 Km² |
Land | 101.000 Km² |
Weather | Tropical-desertic on the coast and arid on the mountains |
Natural resources | gold, potassium, zinc, copper, salt, oil, natural gas and fish |
Economic summary | Eritrea has a planned economy and the finance is totally controlled by the State. About 80% of population works in the subsistence agriculture field, a small part of the total production of the country. Most of the gains come from mining (gold, copper, silver, potassium and zinc). The economy of the country depends, also, on the remittances of Eritreans who emigrated abroad. |
GDP | $2.9 billion (Dec. 2021) |
Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $642,5 (Dec. 2021) |
Exports | $596 million (2020) |
Export partner | UAE 44.6%, China 44.3%, South Korea 7.64%, Malaysia 2.48% (2020) |
Imports | $361 million (2020) |
Import partner | UAE 21.4%, Egypt 21.7%, China 19.4%, Italy 8.34%, Türkiye 2.74%, India 2.4% (2020) |
Trade With Italy | $13,9 million (2021) |
Population | 6.209.262 (2022 est.) |
Population Growth | +1,03% (2022) |
Ethnicities | Tigrinya 55%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Kunama 2%, Rashaida 2%, Bilen 2%, others (Afar, Beni Amir, Nera) 5% (2010) |
Languages | Tigrinya, Arabic, English, Tiger, Kunama, Afar and other cushiitic |
Religions | Christians (Coptic, Catholics, Protestants) 62.2%, Muslims 36.6%, other religions 1% |
Urbanization | 42,6% (2022) |
Literacy | 76,6% (2022) |
Eritrea has existed as an independent state since 1991, following a referendum that marked its secession from Ethiopia. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and it borders to the north and west with Sudan, to the south with Ethiopia and to the southeast with Djibouti. Eritrea covers a strategic position on the Red Sea with more than 100 islands that overlooks Saudi Arabia and Yemen and 1200 km of coast. The population is about 6 million and the official languages are Tigrinya and Arabic.
Italy exports several products to Eritrea and it has been a partner for the country in the agricultural, commercial and productive sectors. Italy has a long-term presence in Eritrea, linked to the colonial period and subsequent business ventures in the construction, infrastructure and textile sectors.