West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) – In a heartfelt plea echoing through the bustling lanes of Mogadishu, Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamse Abdi Barre, called for a united front in the face of ominous threats. With a tone as grave as storm clouds over the savannah, he addressed the peril that Al-Shabaab and ISIS pose to the heartbeat of the nation: its people, its cherished land, and the hopes of tomorrow. Under the sweltering sun of a Mogadishu Thursday, Barre took center stage to spotlight terrorism as a beast needing taming. He painted a…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a bustling corner of Hargeisa, amid whispered conversations and warm cups of Somali tea, pivotal talks unfurled on an otherwise ordinary Thursday. The rooms were full of gravity, as representatives from both North Western State of Somalia and Ethiopia gathered to hash out ways to bolster their military and security collaboration. Gathering under the auspices of a shared goal, the dynamic North Western State of Somalia Minister of Defense, Mohamed Yusuf Ali, flanked by Ethiopian Ambassador to North…

The ink was barely dry on the freshly signed agreement when a wave of optimism swept through the room, coloring the atmosphere with a renewed sense of hope. This came after Director of Qatar Charity's office in Somalia, Mr. Abdul Fattah Adam Maalim, and Galmudug's Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Abdulwali Abdullah Jama, joined hands to announce a groundbreaking collaboration. This was no ordinary handshake; it marked a partnership set to breathe life into Somalia's health sector. A fitting testament to altruism…

Picture this: a sun-drenched morning in Somalia, a land of resplendent landscapes and cultural riches, where the air buzzes with a spirit of renewal and hope. Against this vibrant backdrop, a meeting unfolded that could very well shape the country’s future like the brushstrokes on a canvas. On Wednesday, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre sat down with Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the dynamic Chief Executive of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). Their rendezvous was not just a gathering of formal belts and ties but…

The dusty streets of Hargeisa, the bustling capital of North Western State of Somalia, are abuzz with talk of change. For years, this self-declared republic has existed in a unique state of limbo—unrecognized by the world, yet functioning with a surprising degree of independence since breaking away from Somalia over three decades ago. Enter Donald Trump. The man whose name has become synonymous with unpredictability, for better or worse, is now fueling rumors and hopes that the United States might be first to formally…

Mogadishu (AX) — A balmy Wednesday evening in Halaalay quickly turned into a harrowing scene of battle, leaving at least six people dead by the time the dust settled. This tiny village, nestled near Halgan in Somalia's Hiiraan region, became the latest stage in the enduring drama of power struggles between local defense forces and the relentless Al-Shabaab militants. It seems Somalia's battle with the militant group shows no signs of ending, as accusations, skirmishes, and whispers of turmoil continue to echo across…

Kismayo Tragedy Unfolds: The Tale of Poison, Love, and Betrayal Kismayo — There are tales that grip the heart, refusing to let go, weaving their threads of intrigue tighter around every unraveling detail. Such is the gripping saga unfolding in the normally quiet neighborhood of Farjano in Kismayo. Once a bustling, colorful town, this tragic incident has turned all eyes toward it once more. Like a scene scripted from a crime drama, a woman stands accused, not of theft or fraud, but of a much darker…

FILE - Mohamud Aydid Dirir, Northeastern State's Minister of Information, making waves during a public address.Kismayo (AX) - In a tale as old as time, the clash between Northeastern State and the federal government of Somalia has rekindled, this time over a torrent of words unleashed by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. The Prime Minister, in a recent display of commendation, hailed Northeastern State’s military forces for their valiant anti-ISIS operations in the rugged terrains of the Bari region. However, what was…

In the heat of Beledweyne’s bustling streets, under the watchful eyes of locals, a defining moment unfolded in a tale as old as time—justice seeking its course against the tide of lawlessness. A Somali Military Court, in a move that sends ripples across the Hiiraan region, handed down 10-year prison sentences to five men on Thursday. Their crime? Brazenly running illicit roadblocks and robbing innocent travelers on a critical highway—a lifeline in this part of the world. These men, apprehended by the vigilant forces of the…

Mogadishu (AX) — Imagine the kaleidoscope of creativity that could unfold when the diverse, colorful palette of East African arts meets the dynamic rhythms of Australia's cultural scene. That's not just a far-off dream but an emerging reality, as the Australian High Commission in Kenya throws open the doors to an innovative partnership program. Targeting regions as eclectic and vibrant as Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, this initiative promises to spin a rich tapestry of creative collaboration from…