West Africa

Here's a snapshot of Türkiye's seismic research vessel, Oruç Reis, cruising through Türkiye on October 3, 2024. (AA Photo) Mogadishu (AX) – A grand send-off awaits Turkey’s cutting-edge Oruc Reis research ship this Saturday in Istanbul. Alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, key officials from Somalia will grace the farewell event. The Oruc Reis is embarking on a mission to explore seabeds off Somalia's shores, searching for hidden oil and gas. Somalia's Petroleum Minister, Abdirisak Omar Mohamed, Somali…

Renowned musician Ayodeji Balogun, more famously known as Wizkid, has recently set his sights on fellow artist David Adeleke, or as many call him, Davido, igniting yet another round of verbal sparring across social media platforms. There's been talk that Wizkid intended to drop the inaugural track from his eagerly awaited album, "Morayo," on the same day Davido teased his first single for the upcoming 2024 calendar. In a bold move, Wizkid took to his X account, unleashing a stinging critique against Davido. He described…

The celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has announced her forthcoming novel, titled *Dream Count*. This captivating tale follows Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer grappling with the complexities of life in the United States. Readers can mark their calendars for the official release on March 4, 2025. Adichie is not a stranger to literary acclaim. Her debut novel, *Purple Hibiscus*, earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Following that success, *Half of a Yellow Sun* garnered the Orange Prize…

Mogadishu (AX) – Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, sounded a sharp critique, pointing fingers at the Ethiopian government. He claimed they are masking a land grab under the guise of fighting terrorism. At a United Nations Security Council gathering on Friday, Fiqi revealed that Somali authorities had thwarted attempts of Ethiopian-origin arms sneaking into Somalia. They believed these weapons were meant to stir the local pot, which he labeled as a "shameless breach" of…

Mogadishu (AX) — Friction over Somalia's governance and upcoming electoral strategies dominated the discussions at the National Consultative Council (NCC) assembly in Mogadishu, marked by notable tensions and absentees influencing the discourse.A confidential insider from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) whispered to AX that Khatumo State wasn't even on the docket. Further, this source remarked that at least one Federal Member State (FMS) fancies sticking with the moniker "President" for their leaders, despite earlier…

Mogadishu (AX) — As Israel's airstrikes rage across Lebanon, countless Somali students find themselves ensnared in Beirut, caught in the turmoil. The bombings, honing in on Hezbollah's lairs, have laid waste to Lebanon's capital, claimed thousands of lives, and shattered vital infrastructure. The plight of Somali students, alongside other foreigners, grows grimmer as flights remain halted and escape routes choked. An enormous Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon, close to Syria's border, blasted a 12-foot-wide crater,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the home stretch before the African Union forces exit, global partners are scrambling to lock down plans for a fresh strategy in Somalia. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is on deck to succeed ATMIS come January 2025. It’s a linchpin effort aimed at resisting the relentless Al-Shabaab insurgency threatening Somalia’s fragile peace.The African Union's Peace and Security Council has given two thumbs up to AUSSOM's strategic playbook, known as CONOPs. This mission’s…

MOGADISHU, (CAJ News) – Somalia stands poised to become the trailblazer for China’s freshly unveiled "Action for a Mine-free Africa" mission. President Xi Jinping announced this ambitious plan amid much fanfare during his pivotal address at the commencement of the Beijing Summit, part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). A key milestone for Somalia was marked by discussions between Wang Yu, the Chinese Ambassador, and Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag), Somalia's Minister of Internal Security. The purpose is to…

(Bloomberg) -- The Islamic State faction in Somalia, linked to the notorious worldwide terrorist network, has ramped up its operations in the Horn of Africa this year, according to a top military figure from US Africa Command. "I've got my eye on the northern stretch of Somalia where ISIS is swelling in size," expressed Africom Chief Michael Langley during a chat on Voice of America, expressing concern over the increased influx of foreign fighters into the region. Abdulkadir Mumin helms the IS-Somalia division. Born from a…

The Horn of Africa continues to grapple with aftershocks from Ethiopia’s agreement with North Western State of Somalia in January. This pact, which bestowed Ethiopian naval units access to North Western State of Somalia’s coastline, has sparked strife and intrigue across the region. In a twist, Hargeisa claims Ethiopia is mulling over acknowledging North Western State of Somalia’s boundaries, stirring the pot further. Fast forward nine months, and tensions escalate with new forces entering the fray, like Egypt making chummy…