Recent Clashes in Somalia

Introduction to the Conflict

Mogadishu — Al-Shabaab fighters are engaged in a fierce battle with Somali troops and allied forces for control of a strategic army base in central Somalia. The al-Qaeda linked militants are attempting to extend their recent gains in the region. The base, located in Wargaadhi town in the Middle Shabelle region, houses soldiers, special forces, and clan fighters.

The Importance of the Base

Capturing the base would enable al-Shabaab to sever an important trunk road between the capital Mogadishu, 200km to the southwest, and Galmudug state. This would give the militants a significant advantage in terms of controlling the flow of people and goods in the region.

The Battle for Control

Al-Shabaab claimed in a statement that its fighters had captured the base and Wargaadhi town, but the government denied this. The information ministry said that government forces had killed more than 40 jihadists after they attempted to attack the base on Thursday morning. However, army officer Hussein Ali said that the militants had taken the town of Wargaadhi after “fierce fighting”. According to Ali, the government forces lost 12 men, mostly clan fighters, and about 20 al-Shabaab fighters were also killed.

Challenges Faced by the Government

The government is struggling to send reinforcements to the area because they would need to use routes passing through areas held by al-Shabaab. Two soldiers said that the government forces, backed by air strikes, had managed to recapture part of the town by midmorning. However, the situation remains uncertain, and it is difficult to verify the claims made by either side about the fighting.

Background to the Conflict

Al-Shabaab has been waging an insurgency in Somalia since 2007 to seize power. Last week, the group attacked the town of Adan Yabal, about 245km north of Mogadishu, which the military had been using as an operating base for raids on the group. The attacks are part of an offensive by the group launched last month. Al-Shabaab briefly captured villages within 50km of Mogadishu, raising fears among residents of the capital that the city could be targeted.

International Support

Somali forces have since recaptured those villages, but al-Shabaab has continued to advance in the countryside. The future of international security support to Somalia appears increasingly precarious. A new AU peacekeeping mission replaced a larger force at the start of the year, but its funding is uncertain, with the US opposed to a plan to transition to a UN financing model.

Conclusion

The situation in Somalia remains volatile, with al-Shabaab continuing to launch attacks and gain control of strategic areas. The government and international community must work together to provide support and stability to the region. The fate of Somalia hangs in the balance, and it is crucial that the international community takes action to prevent the spread of extremism and promote peace and stability in the region.

Introduction to Bonobos

Male domination is often seen as the natural order of things, but bonobos, our closest living relatives, challenge this notion. Bonobos are great apes that live in female-dominated societies, a rarity among mammals. They share nearly 99 percent of their DNA with humans and offer a unique perspective on social dynamics.

The Social Structure of Bonobos

Bonobos live in communities where females reign supreme, despite being smaller than their male counterparts. Scientists have long been fascinated by how female bonobos maintain their dominance. A recent study published in the journal Communications Biology provides the first evidence-based explanation. The study found that females form coalitions to overpower males, resulting in higher social ranks for the winning females.

How Female Bonobos Maintain Power

When a male bonobo steps out of line, nearby females will band together to attack or intimidate him. Males who cower in the face of such conflicts lose social rank, while their female adversaries gain it. This coalition-building strategy allows females to access better food and secure mates for their sons. The average female bonobo outranks approximately 70 percent of the males in her community.

Studying Bonobos in the Wild

Bonobos are endangered and found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, making them difficult to study in the wild. Researchers spent thousands of hours tracking six bonobo communities over nearly 30 years. They observed 1,786 instances of males starting conflicts with females, and in roughly 61 percent of these fights, the females emerged victorious.

Challenging the Stereotype of Peaceful Bonobos

Bonobos are often stereotyped as peaceful and loving, but observations by researchers challenge this notion. Conflicts between the sexes can be severe, with males losing fingers and toes, and even suffering more severe injuries. The idea that bonobos are the "hippies of the ape world" is an oversimplification of their complex social dynamics.

The Importance of Female Coalitions

The study’s findings support the "female coalition hypothesis," which suggests that females work together to overpower males during conflicts. This strategy is key to maintaining female dominance in bonobo society. The data collected by researchers affirms what scientists have suspected for decades about the source of female power in bonobo society.

Lessons from Bonobos

The study of bonobos offers valuable insights into social dynamics and challenges the idea that male dominance is a biological inevitability. By protecting bonobos and their habitats, we can continue to learn from them and gain a deeper understanding of our own evolutionary past.

Conclusion

The study of bonobos provides a unique perspective on social dynamics and challenges traditional notions of male dominance. By examining the complex social structures of bonobos, we can gain a deeper understanding of our own evolutionary past and the importance of cooperation and coalition-building in maintaining social balance. As our closest living relatives, bonobos offer a valuable mirror for humanity, and their protection is crucial for preserving our shared evolutionary heritage.

Trade Row Escalates Between Tanzania, South Africa, and Malawi

Tanzanian traders have been ordered to halt all shipments to South Africa and Malawi in the latest episode of a growing trade row. The move comes after Malawi temporarily blocked imports of flour, rice, ginger, bananas, and maize from Tanzania, while South Africa has prohibited the entry of bananas from Tanzania for years.

Background of the Trade Dispute

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the trade issues have so far failed, but fresh talks are ongoing. The row comes at a time when Africa is supposed to be moving towards greater free trade through the establishment of a continent-wide free-trade area, which began operating four years ago. Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister, Hussein Bashe, confirmed the move, stating that "we are taking this step to protect our business interests. This is business – in business, we must all respect each other."

Impact on Trade

South African exports of various fruits, including apples and grapes, to Tanzania will be hit. Meanwhile, landlocked Malawi, which has relied on Tanzanian ports to carry its exports such as tobacco, sugar, and soybeans to the rest of the world, will have to reroute its goods. Malawi’s ban on the import of certain produce, announced in March, was designed as a temporary measure covering goods from all countries to protect local producers, according to the authorities in Lilongwe.

Tanzania’s Response

Tanzania’s agriculture minister said Malawi’s move had "directly affected" his country’s traders and described the restrictions as "unfair and harmful." While confirming the import ban, Bashe assured Tanzanians that it would not threaten their food security. "No Tanzanian will die from a lack of South African grapes or apples," he said, adding that "we are taking these actions to protect Tanzanian interests."

Effects on Border Trade

On Thursday, the usually busy Kasumulu border post linking Tanzania and Malawi remained quiet, with only a handful of lorries transporting cargo such as fuel spotted on the Tanzanian side. On a normal day, more than 15 lorries loaded with agricultural produce would cross the frontier between the two countries, drivers told BBC. On the Malawian side, many lorries that should be transporting bananas and tomatoes through Tanzania were parked and empty.

Alternative Routes

Malawi has become an increasingly important market for Tanzanian goods in recent years, with exports trebling between 2018 and 2023, according to official Tanzanian figures. But while Tanzania can seek alternative markets such as in Kenya, Namibia, and South Sudan, Malawi may find it harder to get its goods out of the country. Much of its exports go through the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, as well as essential imports such as fuel and machinery. Losing access to Dar es Salaam would likely force Malawi to move shipments through the Mozambican ports of Beira and Nacala – options that may be more expensive.

Conclusion

The trade row between Tanzania, South Africa, and Malawi has significant implications for the region’s economy and trade relationships. While Tanzania’s move is intended to protect its interests, it may lead to a trade war that could harm all parties involved. The situation highlights the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve trade disputes and promote regional cooperation. As Bashe argued, "Tanzania will not continue to allow unequal market access to persist at the expense of its people." The outcome of this trade row will be closely watched, and its impact on the region’s trade and economic development will be significant.