West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) – Rolling into Ethiopia's bustling capital this Saturday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set for some weighty tête-à-têtes in Addis Ababa. This trip is all about giving a jolt of energy to the often rocky friendship between these East African neighbors. When President Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sit down, they ain't just gonna chat about the weather. Their main agenda? Breathing new life into the Ankara Agreement and hashing out Ethiopia's hand in Somalia's latest peacekeeping mission.…

Sure, let's reshape the content, capturing the essence with a fresh style and a genuine, conversational tone while maintaining the key points. --- In an intricate dance of diplomacy, Egypt is gearing up for crucial discussions with Somalia this weekend, aiming to collaboratively guide a fresh mission by the African Union slated for deployment in the Horn of Africa soon, sources informed The National. Egypt views its role in this new African Union (AU) mission in Somalia as pivotal—a game-changing move to solidify its…

Wildfires continue to rage around Los Angeles, wreaking havoc on the homes of several celebrities, among them Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton. As fierce winds fan the flames, California firefighters are engaged in a relentless battle. Their efforts are strained, with homes destroyed, roads choked, and tens of thousands forced to flee. By Wednesday, the fires raged on without repentance. In a poignant statement made that day, Crystal and his wife, Janice, lamented the loss of their cherished residence in Pacific…

Starting in July 2022, as described by farmers, a shadowy cartel emerged following a handshake agreement between Kenya's then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This deal marked the end of a chilling two-year miraa export ban. Under its terms, shipments resumed, but with a devil's catch—unrecorded, ‘under-the-table’ fees said to be tacitly approved by high-ranking honchos from both nations. Farmers are in a pickle. They’ve been thrown into a financial quagmire, already grappling with…

A rapper has landed in hot water for posting what the court deemed a "menacing" video aimed squarely at Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who many might recognize by his handle, Tommy Robinson. The clip, which quickly went viral, featured the rapper mimicking firearms and shouting, "pow, pow, pow!" Quite the spectacle, huh? Omar Abdirizak, a 31-year-old artist based in Birmingham, rebutted accusations of transmitting a menacing message, per the Communications Act of 2003. Yet, despite his denials, Birmingham Magistrates' Court found…

In the vibrant world of academia, the ambassador shone a light on the need to strengthen bonds between International Islamic University (IIU) and Somali educational establishments. The ambassador observed that this could open doors aplenty for young Somali minds. "IIU’s initiatives with international students are a benchmark for global academic outreach," he said with admiration, a sentiment that resonates with many in the educational sphere. Dr. Syed, with his usual verve, underscored IIU's unwavering pledge to embrace…

Celebrating Heritage: Language, Identity, and New Beginnings Before indulging in a traditional Karen porridge prepared by their instructor, Ehtalow Zar, a question lingered in the air. Why exactly is this dish emblematic of Karen culture?” she inquired, engaging her students. One eager participant ventured the guess that its origins traced back to a time when jungles were home. "Absolutely," Zar confirmed with a knowing nod. Back then, food choices like rice, meat, or vegetables weren’t bountiful. “Therefore, our…

Here's the requested rewrite, with a focus on conversational language, varied sentence length, and clear messaging: --- Word from Mogadishu reveals Egypt's gearing up to play host this Saturday for a high-stakes meeting with Somalia and Eritrea. Their mission? Bolster regional ties and step up security efforts across the Horn of Africa, as relayed by local Egyptian outlets. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's Foreign Minister, is set to lead this tri-nation powwow. Joining him around the table will be Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and Osman…

Galkayo (AX) — Early Friday morning witnessed a dramatic turn of events in Galkayo when armed clan vigilantes forcefully breached the central prison, focusing their assault on the area under Northeastern State's control. Their mission? To liberate inmates facing execution. This bold move exemplifies the ongoing escalation of clan-related hostilities that continue to shake the fragile peace in Somalia's Mudug region. The resultant chaos saw a firefight break out between the invaders and prison guards, leading to one…

In a whirlwind of political intrigue, Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan, the head honcho of North Western State of Somalia's Waddani party, flat-out denied any hush-hush chitchats with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during his jaunt to Djibouti. Setting the record straight, Hirsi was crystal clear about his party's dedication to openness and transparency. "I didn't have a pow-wow with President Hassan Sheikh while I was in Djibouti," he stated. "Heck, if there were talks to be had, they would stick to our party's principles—open…