West Africa

On February 26, an unsettling clash erupted between the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia and police officers, sending shockwaves through the streets of Monrovia. The incident unfolded at a checkpoint when a group of soldiers reportedly retaliated against police officers after several of their comrades, dressed in civilian clothing, were arrested and roughly handled. Panic ensued, casting a shadow over the day as bystanders watched the turmoil unfold. Both factions quickly summoned reinforcements, escalating tensions…

Enhancing Bilateral Ties: A New Chapter for Somalia and Ethiopia In the bustling city of Mogadishu, where history whispers through every corner and the sea laps gently against its shores, a significant meeting paints a hopeful picture of regional cooperation. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have taken a decisive step forward in fortifying the relationship between their countries. As the Somali sun kissed the horizon last Thursday, these leaders shook hands…

Nigeria's Sweet Future: The Cocoa Revolution Nigeria's cocoa industry is standing at a crucial juncture, teetering on the brink of transformation. Leading the charge in this dynamic shift is Johnvents Group, a beacon of innovation and sustainability in agriculture. With inclusivity and a laser-focus on strategic growth, Johnvents is masterminding a new era for Nigerian cocoa, a story vividly unfolding through its budding alliance with British International Investment (BII) in Premium Cocoa Products (Ile-Oluji), a proud…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring. Imagine being greeted by the soft whispers of dawn, only to be jolted by the chaos of conflict. Such was the experience early Thursday morning on the outskirts of Bal’ad district in the Middle Shabelle region, where the Somali National Army (SNA) found themselves face to face with a grim adversary: Al-Shabab. The morning's tranquility was shattered as the militants launched a brazen attack on military bases during the sacred hours of prayer. Yet, in this…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring. Mogadishu (AX) – It was a momentous day on Thursday when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed touched down in the heart of Mogadishu, stepping onto Somali soil for discussions that promise to reshape the relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia. With Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud by his side, this meeting signals a crucial turning point after months of tension and uncertainty between the neighboring nations. The welcome was a grand affair. At Aden Adde…

Mogadishu (AX) – The rhythmic hum of helicopter blades slicing through the air above Mogadishu heralds a new chapter in regional cooperation against the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab. In a remarkable display of unity and purpose, five African nations, each carrying the weight of their own hopes and histories, are contributing a formidable force of 11,900 troops to the African Union's recently unveiled Somalia Mission, aptly named AUSSOM. It's interesting to note that three of Somalia's immediate neighbors—Uganda,…

Libya and Somalia Forge a Path to Collaborative Growth In the vibrant city of Tripoli, a series of strategic agreements were recently inked, casting new light on the burgeoning partnership between Libya and Somalia. These agreements, encapsulated in several Memoranda of Understanding, aim to fortify collaboration across key domains such as investments, educational exchanges, and training opportunities. But what does this mean for the socio-economic fabric of these two nations?…

In an era characterized by fluctuating alliances and high-stakes diplomacy, the role of military forces in stabilizing tumultuous regions like Somalia becomes a complex symphony of negotiations and strategic maneuvering. Consider the intricate dance playing out between African nations and the African Union in crafting a new mission in Somalia—a nation that has, for years, been the battleground for competing interests and ideologies. The backdrop is Mogadishu, a city that has seen its fair share of turmoil, where a soldier…

Addressing Somalia's Overlapping Crises There are times when we find ourselves confronted by crises that weave themselves together, creating challenges that are daunting yet demand immediate action. As we cast our gaze upon Somalia, this narrative of intertwined emergencies unfolds—its fragility laid bare by nature's whims and the pressure of humanitarian needs. A Warning That Cannot Be Ignored "These overlapping crises demand immediate, collective, and well-coordinated action to strengthen Somalia’s resilience and…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a pivotal twist of regional dynamics, Burundi has commenced the withdrawal of its troops from Somalia. This move marks the end of an 18-year era of military involvement under the auspices of the African Union's peacekeeping initiatives. But what's driving this significant change? The roots trace back to a contention over troop contributions to the recently minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, which took the baton from the African Union Transition Mission in…