West Africa

In the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia, a police vehicle zipped through the bustling streets, heading toward a restaurant shaken by a recent explosion. On this particular date, October 17, 2024, the establishment is frequently visited by law enforcement personnel. On Saturday, the Ministry of Information in Somalia declared a significant military initiative aimed at quelling the al-Shabab militants entrenched in central Somalia's Galmudug region. The campaign is reportedly making headway in diminishing the group's operational…

At the African Defense Ministers Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, military brass from across the continent gathered to chat about pivoting from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the fresh African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Mogadishu (AX) — On October 16, 2024, amidst explicit disapproval from Somalia, Ethiopia hosted a confab of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) involved in ATMIS. The hoopla took place during the African Defense Leaders Conference in Addis…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Saturday, Hanad Ahmed Muse, a distinguished officer in the elite Haramcad police unit, tragically lost his life at his residence in Moalim Noor, Dharkenley district, Mogadishu. Witnesses from the neighborhood claim that government soldiers were responsible for the shooting, yet the reason remains shrouded in mystery. As of now, no official word has emerged from the nation's security agencies about this unsettling event. Recently, Mogadishu has experienced a drop in violent episodes linked to government…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — Wrestling with the surge of teen violence and drug-related antics in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Uncle Sam has teamed up with Somali elders to revive time-honored conflict resolution techniques in local neighborhoods. At the heart of this initiative is "nabadoonimo," a Somali tradition of peace-pampering through communal chatter and mutual respect. The game plan? Diverting Somali youth from the clutches of gang life and narcotics.The core of this alliance is the Somali Youth Link, a grassroots squad…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — In the heart of Nairobi on Saturday evening, Geoffrey Mosiria, the county's Chief Officer for Environment, swooped down on the Somali-owned Fay Bistrow lounge situated in Kilimani. This operation was a response to continuous clamor from the locals about escalated noise levels. It's all part of Nairobi's ongoing hustle to shush the city's residential zones, and the episode sure stirred the pot. Despite several advisories given to the nightclub's management to dial back on the decibels, they seemed to…

The “Goodness Vessel” brimming with 3,000 tons of vital humanitarian supplies dispatched by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has finally reached Somalia’s bustling capital, Mogadishu. (AA Photo) A Turkish ship jam-packed with necessities docked in Mogadishu on a balmy Saturday, delivering life-saving relief to Somalia. Dubbed “The Vessel of Kindness,” it set sail from Mersin, Türkiye, on a cool morning of Sept. 29, finally tying up at Mogadishu’s port where a formal reception awaited. High-level…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali government is under fire for naming 17 diplomats recently, with just a single one boasting prior experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.According to the Foreign Service Act, diplomats are required to have clocked in at least two years at the Somali Foreign Ministry before snagging foreign postings.The Upper House Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs threw a few tough questions this week at the Ministry leaders. They wanted answers about how these new diplomat choices were made and the…

  Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud touched down in Bujumbura, the heart of Burundi, for a diplomatic shuffle around the neighborhood, aiming to bolster ties and teamwork on security issues. Cozying up at the Presidential Palace, President Hassan Sheikh and President Évariste Ndayishimiye swapped thoughts on safeguarding their nations and boosting economic bonds. While there, Hassan Sheikh tipped his hat to Burundi for stepping up in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). President…

Mogadishu (AX) – Nations involved in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have pledged their continued support for peacekeeping efforts as ATMIS concludes in December 2024.During last week's African Defense Ministers Conference in Addis Ababa, defense chiefs from these countries confirmed their backing for the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), starting January 2025.They highlighted financial hurdles challenging both ATMIS and AUSSOM. Emphasizing the importance of…

Here's a fresh take on the content you provided:   An alarming situation unfolds as Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, a Somali journalist, is reportedly snatched from his home and held captive, a move that sparks concern for freedom of the press, as voiced by the media union. Advocates for press freedom have raised alarms over the incident occurring early Friday morning, claiming Nur was taken by intelligence agents. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), an organization representing journalists, blasted the detention of Nur as a…