West Africa

The quiet offices of Mandera's administration were a crucible of tension, buzzing with rumors and suspicion. Whispers of nefarious activities floated through the town like an ill-wind, leaving dread in their wake. An Assistant Chief, a man who some might say epitomized trust, was now shrouded in alleged misdeeds. Was there truth in the accusations, or was this yet another shadow cast in the complex web of Mandera's security challenges? Kenyan police forces were especially vigilant, with their eyes glued to any movements…

The Liberian government finds itself grappling with a troubling fiscal landscape. Recent cancellations of key initiatives backed by USAID, the U.S. agency renowned for its global development efforts, have exacerbated an already precarious situation. With the current U.S. administration opting for a 90-day hiatus to reevaluate the agency’s initiatives, the ripple effects are being keenly felt in Liberia. Finance Minister Augustine Ngafua has been vocal about the ramifications of these funding cuts. He noted with palpable…

Mogadishu (AX) – It was an ordinary morning in Garowe when the news broke. The atmosphere, typically buzzing with the cadence of daily life, took on an air of urgency. This change emanated from a single pronouncement by Northeastern State’s regional President, Said Abdullahi Deni. Why now, and what prompted this decisive action, you might ask? In response to unsettling reports of foreign nationals finding their way into ISIS-Somalia, Deni decreed a stringent crackdown on illegal immigration. The influx, he warned, could no…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a city where the past often seems to echo into the present, security and peace hang by fragile threads. This reality endures in Mogadishu, where the pursuit of one man's shadow characterizes the urgency of an unending struggle. The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has set its sights on Abdullahi Hassan Abdi, a man alleged to have exploited fear and suffering to line his pockets. For the residents of the Banadir region, life takes on a particular rhythm. One part hope, one part…

Mogadishu (AX) – Under the sweltering rays of the Mogadishu sun, a group of anguished families protested on Wednesday. Their loved ones—Somali citizens—face death sentences in Saudi Arabia. With pleas that tug at the heart, these families called upon the Somali government to intercede on behalf of their imprisoned kin. The protesters, a tapestry of pain and resolve, claimed that 45 Somali nationals languish on death row in Saudi prisons. Their cry is simple yet profound: they demand negotiations with Saudi authorities to…

Mogadishu (AX) – The brisk air of anticipation electrified Mogadishu on Wednesday as the Somali government embarked on an ambitious journey to battle the increasing cancer burden gripping the nation. Cancer, an insidious foe, has steadily made its presence felt across the country, impacting lives and challenging the healthcare system. But is it not time we drew a line in the sand?At the heart of this significant initiative was an inaugural event, a gathering of minds and spirits, held in the bustling capital city. It drew a…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a seemingly tranquil February day off Somalia's economically ragged coast, under the shadow of the region's turbulent maritime history, another chapter unfolded. The circumstances forebode a familiar narrative, one that's as unsettling as the early-morning chill on Garmaal's coastline: a Yemeni-flagged fishing boat suspected of romantic yet perilous piracy. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) under Operation ATALANTA, engaged tirelessly in the complex chess game of maritime security, recorded this…

“As long as this system remains unchanged, our expectations from the federal government remain nonexistent. We do not recognize it as a true national administration serving Somalia's collective interests,” Madobe emphatically declared. Intriguingly, he likened it to "an enterprise operating in Mogadishu." His words were neither mere rhetoric nor isolated discontent; they reverberated the escalating discord between Somalia’s regional states and the central government. Consider Jubaland—a region…

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki (L) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (R) appear together during a past diplomatic sojourn. CREDIT / EPC Mogadishu (AX) — In recent developments, Eritrea has firmly rebutted allegations by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, who suggested that Eritrea is preparing for military conflict against Ethiopia. Eritrea swiftly labeled these claims as unfounded, attributing them to an attempt to deflect from Ethiopia's internal challenges. Teshome, speaking through Al Jazeera, pointed…

The national emblems flutter in the breeze, the vibrant colors of Somalia and China weaving symbolic narratives. It was against this backdrop that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in a dialogue with his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on a recent Tuesday. Their conversation, a delicate ballet of diplomacy and mutual interests, revolved around the ever-evolving ties between their two nations. What does it mean for China to stand poised, ready to extend its metaphorical hand to Somalia? Minister Wang, who also…