Mogadishu University

As a transcontinental global cooperation program, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims for policy coordination, unimpeded connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds. Following the International Cooperation theory of political economy, this study assesses the impact of BRI membership on global value chain (GVC) participation for African member countries. The study employed panel Random Effects (RE), Hausman Taylor (HT), and Instrumental Variables (IV) methods to empirically estimate the quantitative effects of BRI membership on forward, backward, and total GVC participation for 43 African countries from 2000 to 2022. The findings demonstrate that BRI membership boosted overall and forward GVC participation, despite the absence of empirical evidence for backward GVC promotion. Moreover, the heterogeneity analysis revealed considerable differences in BRI-GVC effects across countries, with geographic and trade-association factors. Nevertheless, the results were consistently robust across the RE, HT, and IV estimation models employed. Hence, the findings imply that African policymakers should increase GVC value additions, reform trade associations, enhance BRI trade facilitation, strengthen political stability, and address the impacts of COVID-19.

Recurrent climate and conflict shocks in Somalia perpetuate humanitarian crises and reactive responses, undermining long-term stability. Despite growing investments in early warning systems, the transition from prediction to proactive action remains weak. This study examines whether predictive preparedness breaks the cycle of recurrent shocks and whether adaptive governance mediates this relationship. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative data on shock events and response indicators in Somalia (2015–2025) with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 34 policymakers from national ministries, regional authorities, and humanitarian agencies. Mediation analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling. Predictive preparedness significantly reduced the recurrence intensity of shocks (β = 0.61, p < 0.01). Adaptive governance explained 42% of this effect, with key mediators including flexible financing mechanisms, cross-sectoral coordination, and institutional learning loops. Qualitative findings highlighted that adaptive governance enabled timely release of anticipatory funds and improved trust among fragmented governance bodies. The study concludes that predictive preparedness breaks the cycle of recurrent shocks in Somalia primarily through adaptive governance rather than merely through better forecasts. Strengthening adaptive governance—especially institutional flexibility, cross-sectoral coordination, and institutional learning—is essential for shifting from crisis response to systematic resilience-building. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, humanitarian actors, and development partners working in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has accelerated its adoption in workplaces worldwide. While prior research highlights its productivity enhancing potential, growing concerns remain regarding its impact on employee well-being, particularly job disruption and anxiety. This study examines the mechanisms through which GenAI influences both work productivity and employees’ intention to use such technologies, addressing a critical gap in individual level adoption. Drawing on Technological Determinism Theory, Disruptive Innovation Theory, Innovation Resistance Theory and Digital Divide Theory, a multi-dimensional research model was developed. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey, data were collected between December 2025 and February 2026 from 368 employees working in AI-enabled organizations in Somalia and analyzed using a hybrid Structural Equation Modeling–Artificial Neural Network (SEM–ANN) approach. The findings reveal that perceived GenAI intensity significantly enhances work productivity and directly increases employees’ intention to use GenAI. Work productivity also partially mediates this relationship. Conversely, perceived job disruption significantly increases employee anxiety, highlighting the psychological challenges associated with GenAI adoption. Furthermore, training support positively influences intention to use GenAI but negatively moderates the relationship between GenAI intensity and productivity. These results demonstrate the dual nature of GenAI as both a driver of productivity and a source of psychological strain. The study offers practical implications for organizations to balance performance gains with employee support mechanisms. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data and a single country context, suggesting opportunities for future research.

This paper examines why comparable levels of donor aid produce different outcomes in economic governance and public financial management across post-conflict African states. Focusing on Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Somalia, it addresses a key puzzle in development economics: why countries with high aid dependence and similar reconstruction goals follow different governance trajectories. Drawing on World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, IMF reports, and OECD-DAC aid statistics, the study develops the Donor-Institutional Alignment Model (DIAM). The model explains how state capacity, political ownership, and coordination coherence shape the translation of aid into governance outcomes. Using a qualitative comparative analytical approach, the paper finds that Rwanda's stronger donor-institutional alignment supported budget reliability, fiscal credibility, and regulatory predictability. Sierra Leone shows partial and uneven alignment, while Somalia remains constrained by fragmented institutions, parallel aid systems, and weak fiscal consolidation. The findings suggest that aid effectiveness depends less on aid volume than on the quality of institutional alignment. The study contributes to aid-effectiveness debates by explaining divergent post-conflict economic governance outcomes and offering policy-relevant lessons for fragile settings.

Background:Myocardial infarction (MI) commonly presents with chest pain, dyspnea, diaphoresis, and nausea; however, atypical and nonclassical presentations are increasingly recognized and may delay diagnosis and management. Persistent hiccups as the sole presenting manifestation of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are exceedingly rare, with only a few cases reported. Awareness of such unusual presentations is essential to avoid missed or delayed diagnoses. Case Presentation:A 60-year-old male presented to the outpatient clinic with a 1-month history of persistent hiccups without chest pain or other associated symptoms. He had no significant past medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, or prior medication use. Physical examination and vital signs were within normal limits. Laboratory evaluation revealed markedly elevated cardiac troponin levels (20 ng/mL), whereas creatine kinase, AST, lactate dehydrogenase, and B-type natriuretic peptide levels were within normal ranges. Electrocardiography showed normal sinus rhythm with ST-segment elevation and deep Q waves in the inferior leads, more prominent in Lead III than Lead II, suggestive of right coronary artery (RCA) involvement. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated preserved left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction 64%) with inferior wall hypokinesia. Urgent coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of the distal RCA, with no significant disease in the left anterior descending or circumflex arteries. The patient underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention with balloon angioplasty and drug-eluting stent implantation, resulting in restoration of coronary blood flow. His hospital course was uneventful, and he was discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy planned for 12 months. Discussion:The proposed mechanism of hiccups in inferior wall MI involves irritation of the phrenic or vagus nerves due to ischemia or inflammation near the diaphragm, particularly in RCA territory infarctions. Review of previously reported cases demonstrates a consistent association between persistent hiccups and inferior wall ischemia, most often related to RCA occlusion. This case reinforces the need to consider cardiac etiologies in patients with unexplained or refractory hiccups, even in the absence of classical ischemic symptoms. Conclusion:Persistent hiccups may represent a rare but important atypical presentation of inferior wall STEMI. Early cardiac evaluation, including electrocardiography and cardiac biomarkers, should be considered in such cases to enable timely diagnosis and intervention, potentially improving patient outcomes.