Anita Pettit, a supposed investigative reporter with a significant following, was revealed to be a fictitious persona created by the Israeli private intelligence company Percepto International. This 'deep avatar' was part of a disinformation campaign to influence elections and smear organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross in Burkina Faso. Percepto's CEO, Royi Burstien, admitted to using such avatars for intelligence gathering and manipulation. The exposure of Pettit and similar bots was the result of a six-month undercover investigation by the #StoryKillers consortium, which includes 30 newsrooms and the European non-profit Forbidden Stories. The investigation also uncovered another Israeli company, Team Jorge, which operates thousands of fake social media profiles to spread propaganda. Social media platforms have begun removing these fake profiles after being alerted to their existence.

During the Saba Saba demonstrations in Nairobi on July 7th, which call for an end to corruption and more public investment, protesters were arrested under COVID-19 lockdown measures before the event started. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds, and the number of police brutality cases has risen significantly in recent years. Julie Wanjira, co-founder of Mathare Social Justice Centre, was arrested without charge and later spoke about her brother's death in police custody. The protests, marking their 30th anniversary, originated under President Daniel Arap Moi's regime and have since been a catalyst for Kenya's multi-party democracy. Current issues include human rights and inadequate housing, with recent forced evictions exacerbating vulnerability to coronavirus. Despite the historical significance of Saba Saba, police brutality remains a concern, with arrested protesters placed in crowded cells, contradicting the pretext of enforcing social distancing.

The article discusses a U.S. airstrike in Somalia that resulted in the death of Ibrahim Hirei and two others, who were allegedly mistaken for terrorists. The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) claimed the strike targeted terrorists, but evidence suggests the victims were civilians. The incident adds to the growing concern over civilian casualties in U.S. operations in Somalia, which have increased under President Donald Trump's administration. Despite Africom's claim of only two civilian deaths since 2017, Amnesty International reports at least 14. The article highlights the lack of on-the-ground investigations and transparency in the U.S. military's process for assessing civilian casualties, raising doubts about the accuracy of their targeting and the designation of individuals as terrorists. The families of the victims and organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights First criticize the U.S. for its opaque procedures and the difficulties in challenging the terrorist label assigned to civilians killed in such strikes.

The article investigates the impact of the US air campaign in Somalia, particularly under the Trump administration, which has seen a significant increase in air strikes. The author interviews victims, officials, and experts to uncover unreported strikes and civilian casualties that challenge the official AFRICOM claim of zero civilian harm. The investigation reveals a lack of transparency and accountability in the US military's counterterrorism operations, with questions about the definition of 'terrorist' and the processes for selecting and verifying targets. The cooperation between the US and Somali governments is also scrutinized, with concerns raised about the Somali government's capacity to investigate strikes and the potential involvement of other US agencies, such as the CIA, in conducting air attacks. The article highlights the human cost of the air strikes and the difficulty in obtaining information or justice for those affected.

The U.S. is set to open a renovated diplomatic facility in Mogadishu, Somalia, marking a significant step in U.S.-Somalia relations since the 1993 Black Hawk Down incident. The new facility, which is not officially an embassy or consulate, will be inaugurated by Ambassador Donald Yamamoto. The U.S. has increased its diplomatic and military presence in Somalia, despite security concerns and the presence of the militant group Al Shabaab. The U.S. has not had an embassy in Somalia since 1991 and has been cautious in its approach to reinstating a permanent diplomatic presence due to past incidents and ongoing security threats.

Begoto Miarom, the chairperson of the AU advisory board on corruption, faces significant challenges in combating corruption across the continent with limited resources and widespread issues within the African Union itself. Despite attending the Transparency International’s International Anti-Corruption Conference in Copenhagen, Miarom acknowledges deep-rooted corruption within the AU and the difficulty in enforcing the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. With 40 signatories to the convention, many countries fail to submit annual corruption reports, and Miarom's capacity to investigate is further hampered by a constrained budget. High-profile cases such as the embezzlement by General Paul Malong and controversial legislation in Tanzania highlight the complexities of addressing corruption in Africa. Miarom's pragmatic view acknowledges that Africa is not uniquely corrupt, but the fight against corruption on the continent is far from being won.

Somalia is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in five years, with over 71,663 cases and 1,098 deaths. The outbreak is exacerbated by nearly three decades of conflict, a non-existent public health system, and unsanitary conditions caused by drought and insecurity. Despite the severity, the response from the humanitarian community and Somali Diaspora has improved the situation compared to past disasters. The WHO and other organizations are working on preparedness and response, but the long-term outlook remains bleak due to ongoing war and drought.