West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — Reports buzzing on social media about a supposed crash involving government aircraft were dismissed by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), dismissing them as sheer fabrications. The SCAA firmly stated that none of the newly acquired planes have faced such mishaps, rubbishing claims of them hitting the ground in off-limit locales.Releasing a detailed statement on Tuesday, the SCAA labeled these stories as part of a concerted effort to spread falsehoods by what they termed "Somalia's antagonists." As…

Families uprooted by crop failures are seeking sanctuary in makeshift camps on the fringes of Baidoa. A harsh drought in Southwest Somalia has compelled over 120 families to forsake their farms and way of life, enduring severe conditions in rudimentary shelters. Image: Radio Ergo Mogadishu (AX) — Jinay Isaaq Hassan spent her days in the quaint village of Mintaanyo, diligently working her six-hectare farm while raising her children. However, her life took a drastic turn earlier this year. The life-giving rains failed to…

On a lively Saturday, a flotilla of boats darted around MV Ruen during a daring Indian military raid, as captured by Ministry of Defence/PIB and relayed through CNN. Mogadishu (AX), famed for its vibrant markets and historical allure, has resumed its piracy saga. After a lull lasting five months, Somali pirates have re-emerged, casting shadows over global shipping routes that stretch across the vast oceans. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), under the vigilant watch of Operation ATALANTA, sounded the alarm when a…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali government announced Thursday that its esteemed Danab Commando Force successfully executed a strategic operation in the Galgadud region, taking down a dozen al-Shabab militants and injuring 12 more. This meticulously planned strike occurred in the Gerile area within the Eldher district, a known hideout for fighters plotting their next moves, as they lurked, "fangs sharpened," ready to strike. The government's statement triumphantly noted, "Twelve insurgents met their end, while 22 others…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has taken a dim view of the Burkina Faso government’s recent submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, highlighting its glaring omissions regarding human rights abuses. Various organizations advocating for human dignity have urgently appealed for enhanced protections for civilians amidst the ongoing armed struggles. They emphasize the necessity of lifting restrictions placed on journalists, dissenters, and political opponents, while also demanding that those responsible for…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Wednesday night, the Somali Council of Ministers gave the green light to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for defense collaboration with Tanzania.Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre chaired the gathering, emphasizing the significance of this accord even though the nitty-gritty wasn't revealed. In recent times, Somalia has inked comparable deals with nations like Egypt, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to boost defense ties with regional and international allies.This fresh defense alliance surfaces amid rocky…

In a significant turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has decided to drop all legal allegations against Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance Holdings. Gambaryan, who had been held in custody since April, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. According to the anti-corruption agency, the focus will now shift to advancing the ongoing money laundering case against Binance itself, as they determined that Gambaryan merely served as an employee and did not play a role in pivotal business…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — An enormous wave of sadness has swept through Eastleigh, Nairobi, as the Somali community grapples with the tragic murders of three females from one family, found in separate parts of Kenya. Discovered on a Monday, the lifeless bodies of Waris Daud, her 22-year-old daughter Amina Abdirashid, and her 12-year-old niece Nuseiba Dahir, have left a trail of grief and unanswered questions. The trio vanished from their Eastleigh abode late Sunday night, never to return. The grim event has captured nationwide…

Kenya and Somalia: Building Bridges on Security and Cooperation In a recent pow-wow at Nairobi's State House, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Kenyan President William Ruto rolled up their sleeves to hash out a seamless handover for regional security. This pivotal transfer, set to launch in January 2025, will see the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) morph into the newly minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Monday saw President Mohamud touchdown…

A lone figure sits silently, her sorrow unmistakable, as loved ones and neighbors gather to pay respect to three Somali women unjustly slain in Kenya. This poignant assembly underscores the deep ache rooted within Nairobi's Somali community. Credit/ Citizen Digital TV NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Authorities in Kenya are on the case, delving into the heinous murders of three Somali women, all kin, tragically discovered at disparate locales across the land earlier this week. The trio, known as Waris Daud, her young daughter Amina…