In his editorial of December 2024 edition of the CAJ International Magazine, Chief Editor Michael Adeboboye expressed the gratitude of the magazine’s team to their esteemed readers. 

He wrote: “In the coming prosperous year 2025, we shall welcome you to reading more exciting and interesting stories from our stable. Sincerely, we surely owe you a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you for your unalloyed loyalty. Of course we are in a very short voyage into 2025, however, this last edition for the closing year shall never left your reading appetite in territory of sour and bad taste.“

In this edition, the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) correspondent in Somalia, the East African country of over 18 million people spread the magazine’s fishing net in the ocean of the populace. No doubt, it caught a big fish: Hon. Ibrahim Moalimuu. Moalimuu is a journalist turned politician, who can be described as personality wearing the strength of a lion and also, regalia of a dove. 

Abdiaziz Hassan Ibrahim is the ears and eyes of CAJ magazine in Somalia and he conducted an interview with the Senior Journalist of the BBC World Service, Former Senior Media Adviser to Somali Prime Minister, Former Spokesperson of the Federal Government of Somalia and now elected Member of Somali Parliament representing Hirshabelle state in the country’s Federal Parliament. This interview with the cat with nine lives graces the cover of the this edition:

“Moalimuu is a survivor. He had been attacked by terrorists in huge bomb blasts 5 times. And as a journalist, the  thickness of his passion for the pen profession is stupendous.”

I could feel that even in his voice when he discussed with me on matters relating to journalism, Africa and the importance of building a stronger bridge linking Africa journalism to the rest of the world in a unique way during a visit to Finland.

Also in this edition, the Egyptian writer residing in Tunisia, Khalid Soliman writes “The Chinese Silk Road Comes to Tunisia via a performance across land and sea to space and the world's containment that emphasizes the Chinese identity through philosophical ideological symbols and the famous red Chinese flag, accompanied by a high-quality and capable vocal performance that confirms the extent of the hard training exerted by the owners of those very distinctive voices. It is a special report by Arab critic on Khalid Soliman on “Carthage Theater Days" International Festival.

In Egypt we know that the heart of the god Osiris was buried in Atrib, and an artifact was found in the Temple of Dendera in Qena (south of the River Nile) with an inscription depicting some forms of the god Osiris in his various forms... and pictures of people, each carrying a wooden box with the phrase "I carried the heart of the god from Atrib to Dendera" written under each one. Ashraf Aboul- Yazid pays a visit to Atrib which retains its name to this day, and is an excavation area that yields hundreds of artifacts whenever construction and excavation work is renewed under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt.

In his opinion, Robert Nestrooy Kayongo wrote: “It is clear that Gaddafi's legacy still looms large in Libya, serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of authoritarian rule and the challenges of rebuilding a nation torn apart by internal strife. Only time will tell if Libya can overcome the shadows of its past and emerge as a united and stable country once more.”

Dr Wale Okediran (Nigeria), Secretary General of Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), writes his memoirs of Algeria and the Thrills of CANEX 2024. The art section also covers the exhibition of the Egyptian artist Mamdouh Anwar in Paris, and his travels across three continents.

Other interesting stories from Africa, and other continents are crafted by Mutayoba Arbogast (Tanzania), ​Vicyor Klykov (Austria), Elmaya Cabbarova (Azerbaijan), and Dr. Ana Stjelja (Serbia)

Photos

CAJ Magazine Cover

Robert Nestrooy Kayongo, Elmaya Cabbarova, Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, Dr Wale Okediran, and Ibrahim Moalimuu (top line from left) Vicyor Klykov, Herve Alexandre, Michael Adeboboye, Dr. Ana Stjelja and Khalid Soliman