Thursday May 28, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Saadiq Omar Hassan Joon, a Somali lawmaker and former Banadir police chief, has cautioned President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud against meddling in the coming election in Galmudug, as political tensions sharpen in Dhusamareb. Writing on Facebook on Wednesday, Saadiq Joon linked peace in Dhusamareb, the Galmudug capital, with calm in Mogadishu’s Wardhigley district, home to the presidential palace. “Oday Hassan, the peace in Dhusamareb and the peace in Wardhigley are interconnected, you…

Wednesday May 27, 2026 Somali minister says partnership with Türkiye could support economic growth and energy security Somalia is anticipating encouraging developments before the end of this year from offshore oil and gas drilling with Türkiye, while also seeking to broaden cooperation with Ankara in mining, Somali Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed said. Speaking to Anadolu, Mohamed said Somalia and Türkiye have entered a new stage in their energy partnership after completing seismic…

By Faisal AliWednesday May 27, 2026 A flower-decked swing at Lido Beach offered a cheerful backdrop for young women marking Eid in Mogadishu, where the holiday brought a rare, bright pause from the city’s harsher realities. Mogadishu, Somalia- Across the Muslim world, Eid al-Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice — was observed on Wednesday, closing out the Hajj pilgrimage season with prayer, family gatherings and acts of charity. The holiday is the second major celebration in the Islamic calendar, coming after Eid al-Fitr, which…

Wednesday May 27, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s political standoff has entered another waiting period, but mediators say the effort to bring the federal government and opposition back to the table is still alive. On Tuesday, traditional elders involved in the process met with leaders of the Somali Future Council, saying the talks have been slowed by logistical and procedural hurdles rather than derailed. Garaad Jamac Garaad Ali, who is part of the mediation team, said the main setback has been the incomplete formation of…

In a troubling revelation, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported that around 30,000 armed Fulani militants are currently active in Nigeria, exacerbating issues of insecurity and threatening religious freedoms throughout the nation. The USCIRF's latest report, titled "Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants," characterizes these armed groups as among the most lethal non-state actors engaging in violent activities, particularly in the Middle Belt and…

Wednesday May 27, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s National Independent Human Rights Commission has launched a preliminary probe into reports that civilians were killed in the Lower Juba region. In a statement issued Tuesday, the commission said the incident occurred on May 20 in the Diigta Margoos area of Kamjiroon, where armed men were reported to have killed civilians. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. “The commission is gathering information on what happened and the circumstances surrounding the…

With tensions simmering in South Africa and protesters demanding tougher action on immigration, Ghana has started flying home its nationals in a move aimed at heading off the threat of xenophobic violence. Ghanaian authorities began repatriating the first group of citizens from South Africa as fears grew over anti-immigrant demonstrations and the possibility of attacks on foreigners. Around 300 people were expected to depart from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, and 800 Ghanaians have registered to return…

Wednesday May 27, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s top leadership joined worshippers in the capital Wednesday morning as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre attended Eid al-Adha prayers alongside government officials and hundreds of others at the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity in Mogadishu. After the prayers, Mohamud extended holiday greetings to Somalis and offered prayers for peace, prosperity and lasting development in every part of the country. “We will never forget to remind ourselves of…

In a groundbreaking move for regional connectivity, the Republic of Congo has declared that, starting January 1, 2027, all African citizens will enjoy visa-free entry into the country. This initiative aims to simplify cross-border travel and enhance regional integration across the continent. This new policy is set to facilitate travel for various purposes, including business, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges. It embodies the Republic of Congo's commitment to the African Union's broader integration agenda and…

Wednesday May 27, 2026 Bosaso (AX) — Grief and anger swept through Buruc in Somalia’s Bari region on Tuesday as residents gathered for the mass burial of a pregnant woman and her three children, who were killed in an airstrike in the Haysimo mountains of Qandala district, according to officials and local residents. Puntland State military officials said the strike struck a rural family in the area. Local accounts said the mother and two of her children died at the scene, while a third child later succumbed to wounds. The…