West Africa

CAF Awards 2025: Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir Artan named Best Male Referee Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was named CAF Best Male Referee for 2025 on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, underscoring a landmark year for officiating in the Horn of Africa. The honor was announced at the CAF Awards ceremony hosted at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Uganda’s Nabadda was also recognized, taking the CAF Best Female Referee award. The awards spotlight the continent’s top football officiating talent. Artan’s win highlights…

Somalia’s Upper House approves national human rights commissioners Somalia’s Upper House has approved the appointment of nine commissioners to the National Independent Human Rights Commission, a key step in formalizing the country’s human rights oversight architecture. The commissioners were sworn in immediately after the vote, completing the parliamentary endorsement process. Twenty-eight senators voted in favor during Wednesday’s session; one abstained. The House of the People approved the creation of the Commission on…

Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Denies Genocide Claims Amid UN Controversy Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has firmly rejected ongoing international claims alleging the Nigerian government’s complicity in the genocide of Christians. This statement comes in the wake of accusations regarding the government's inability to safeguard its citizens, particularly those of the Christian faith, amidst escalating violence in parts of the country. Tuggar's remarks were made following a gathering at the United…

North Western State of Somalia declares coordinated internet price hike illegal North Western State of Somalia’s government has ruled that a recent, simultaneous internet price increase by telecommunications companies was unlawful and incompatible with the region’s free‑market system. A ministerial committee said the coordinated move lacked legal basis and was reversed within days after public backlash across major towns and online. Officials said prices must reflect competition and market forces, not joint action by service…

Somalia’s space ambitions meet environmental realities Somalia’s coastline and equatorial latitude have thrust Bashaqle, in Middle Shabelle, into conversations about an African launch site. The prospect promises strategic access to orbit and a pathway into the global space economy. It also brings complex environmental, health, and governance questions that must be addressed before ignition. Equatorial launches reduce fuel needs and enable heavier payloads to orbit, making Bashaqle geographically attractive. Turkey’s…

Gunmen Strike Despite Security Presence in Kebbi State In a shocking incident that has left a community shaken, armed assailants launched a raid in Kebbi State, Nigeria, resulting in multiple casualties. Reports indicate that the attackers infiltrated the area via the densely wooded Zamfara forests, demonstrating their ability to bypass military checkpoints that were supposed to ensure safety in the region. Fatalities and Community Impact The violent raid resulted in the tragic deaths of a school teacher and a local…

Breaking News: 25 Schoolgirls Abducted in Northwestern Nigeria In a shocking and distressing event, armed attackers raided a boarding school in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, early Monday morning. The raid resulted in the abduction of 25 female students and the death of one staff member, while another was injured. This adds to the growing list of mass abductions plaguing the region. Details of the Attack Police spokesperson Nafi'u Abubakar Kotarkoshi confirmed the incident, which took place at 4:00 a.m. in the town of…

Puntland State officials visit newly liberated Dhaadaar to assess security and morale A senior Puntland State delegation traveled to the newly secured town of Dhaadaar on Monday to meet frontline commanders and gauge the security picture after recent operations. The visit aimed to lift troop morale and align the next steps on stabilization, humanitarian access and the return of services for residents. The delegation was led by Interior Minister Abdi Farah Juxa and included State Minister of the Presidency Abdifatah Abdinur…

Somalia meet Bahrain in a timely test ahead of regional fixtures Somalia face Bahrain in a friendly on Monday at 6:30 p.m. local time at Bahrain National Stadium, a tune-up with immediate stakes for the hosts and long-term value for the visitors. The match arrives two days before Bahrain’s Arab Cup qualifier against Djibouti in Doha, and offers Somalia a rare window to build cohesion and benchmark progress. Both staff groups see the fixture as an examination as much as a contest. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bahrain…

Reinstating English in Nigerian Education: A Policy Shift Sparks Debate The Nigerian government has officially scrapped a three-year-old policy that mandated the teaching of indigenous languages in early education, reinstating English as the medium of instruction from pre-primary all the way to university levels. This sudden policy reversal has ignited a spirited discourse among education specialists, parents, and analysts alike. The Original Policy and Its Challenges Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced the…