West Africa

Kampala, Uganda — Uganda has halted the granting of refugee status to asylum seekers from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, citing an absence of active armed conflict in those countries and a steep decline in donor support that officials say is straining the country’s capacity to assist new arrivals. Hilary Onek, Uganda’s minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, said he has instructed officials to stop processing new claims from citizens of the three countries. The move comes even as Uganda continues to receive…

Ever-increasing security challenges in Nigeria, such as the mass school abductions of hundreds of students and staff in Kebbi and Niger states, have sparked national outrage and urgent calls for action. These tragic incidents have not only highlighted the vulnerabilities of educational institutions but also raised pressing questions about the government's ability to protect its citizens. The Kebbi civil society coalition condemned the abductions as direct attacks on education, a fundamental right for all children. Their…

Puntland State police officer and rickshaw driver killed in Garowe crash; presidential guard arrested after attempting to flee GAROWE, Somalia — A Puntland State police officer and a rickshaw driver were killed late Monday in a collision in central Garowe involving a vehicle driven by a presidential guard reported to be a close relative of the Puntland State president, authorities said. The crash occurred around 11 p.m. when the guard’s vehicle struck a rickshaw, according to a statement from the Puntland State Police…

Somali prime minister heads to Morocco for Medays International Forum MOGADISHU — Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre departed Tuesday morning for Morocco to attend the 17th Medays International Forum, where he is expected to outline Somalia’s priorities and the government’s agenda on security and governance as the annual gathering convenes leaders and experts from more than 120 countries. Hosted under the patronage of the King of Morocco, Medays will run Nov. 26–29 under the theme “Fractures and Polarization: Reinventing…

West Africa Media and Development Conference Kicks Off in Abuja The third edition of the West Africa Media and Development Conference (MDC 3.0) is underway in Abuja, bringing together approximately 300 journalists, policymakers, researchers, diplomats, and technology leaders from across more than a dozen African countries. In his opening remarks at the conference on Monday, Dapo Olorunyomi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES,…

MINNEAPOLIS (AX) — Minnesota officials, immigration attorneys and Somali American leaders urged calm Monday and denounced “dangerous misinformation” after former President Donald Trump claimed in a social media post that he had immediately terminated Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals — a move legal experts said he cannot make and that has not occurred. TPS for Somalia remains in effect through March 17, 2026, under a Department of Homeland Security designation that shields eligible Somali nationals from…

GALKAYO, Somalia — A Puntland State court on Monday sentenced Hodan Mohamud Diiriye to death for the murder of 14-year-old Sabiriin Saylaan, a case that gripped Somalia’s central city of Galkayo after an hours-long hearing was streamed live on social media and drew widespread public attention. The First Instance Court of Mudug Region found Diiriye directly responsible for the girl’s death, concluding proceedings that had been closely followed both online and in the streets amid mounting public anger. The court also sentenced…

Students Escape from Kidnapping in Niger State Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations In a harrowing incident that has sparked national outrage, fifty out of more than 300 students and 12 teachers kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State have successfully escaped and have been reunited with their families. The escape comes amidst an intensifying military-led search and rescue operation aimed at locating the remaining victims, who are still held captive by their abductors. This kidnapping incident follows a troubling…

Mass Kidnappings in Nigeria: A Growing Crisis The recent abductions of over 300 children from a Catholic school in Niger state highlight the persistent threat of kidnappings in Nigeria. Despite escapes and appeals for resolution, the crisis continues amid growing international concern. 303 children and 12 teachers were abducted from St Mary's co-education school. Fifty children have managed to escape, leaving 251 primary school pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers still missing. Abductions in Nigeria…

Somali Teacher’s Day is a moment to honor lecturers whose reach stretches far beyond classrooms — educators who guide, inspire and shape generations. For me, this year carries a deeply personal weight: it marks 10 years since I first stood at a chalkboard and began the work that would define my voice, my discipline and my purpose. My path into education began as a teenage girl helping young learners and unfolded across primary schools, secondary schools, universities and, eventually, a graduate program in Japan. A decade…