West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — A tragic explosion shook the Deyniile district in Mogadishu on Tuesday night, claiming the lives of at least three Somali government soldiers, according to intel from military insiders. The landmine detonated beneath a vehicle transporting troops from the 77th military battalion, a unit stationed at the Urur Howled camp in Deyniile. As of now, there's radio silence from the Deyniile district's administration and local security forces—they haven't divulged any details or issued official statements about…

Top brass of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) recently converged at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-TC) in Singo. Their mission? To unpack strategies and beef up the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with fresh insights and tactical savvy. This powwow, taking place over four intense days, is dubbed the “Lessons Learned” workshop. Its goal is to amplify UPDF’s victories in bringing stability to Somalia, while also tackling the uphill battles still on the horizon.…

Polling places in North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared republic, swung open wide for a crucial presidential election. This slice of the Horn of Africa is making headlines as residents cast their votes to decide who will steer the ship for the next half-decade. The incumbent boss, President Muse Bihi Abdi from the Kulmiye party, hopes to stick around. However, he's got some serious competition breathing down his neck. There's Abdirahman Irro, frontman for the main opposition crew, Waddani, and not to be outdone,…

The Nigerian government recently expressed its approval of a report that concluded there was "no evidence" to support claims that military personnel engaged in illegal abortions targeting Islamist insurgents in clandestine operations. The Nigeria Human Rights Commission, which operates with governmental oversight, undertook a thorough investigation after three reports by Reuters surfaced in December 2022. These reports made serious allegations against the Nigerian military, suggesting the existence of a covert, systematic…

Hargeisa (AX) — A staggering one million-plus voters in the self-proclaimed Republic of North Western State of Somalia turned out early on a Wednesday morning to participate in presidential and parliamentary elections, catching the eye of both local and international onlookers.The current head honcho, President Muse Bihi Abdi of the ruling Kulmiye party, faces competition from Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of the Waddani party and Faisal Ali Warabe from UCID. Bihi, who has been captaining the ship since 2017, recently…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a shocking incident in Guriel, a town in the Galgaduud region of Somalia, two Ethiopian nationals lost their lives on Monday. It all started with a clash reportedly involving an individual clad in the uniform of the Somali federal forces, which has triggered a wave of fear and prompted many Ethiopian workers to flee the area. Eyewitnesses recounted that one of the Ethiopian men was shot dead on the spot, while the other, severely wounded, succumbed later in the day. This violent episode has stirred…

Hargeisa (AX) — A Critical Vote in the Horn of Africa In the rugged landscape of the Horn of Africa, North Western State of Somalia, a self-styled republic, stands at a crucial point in history. The region is preparing for a momentous event: the dual election scheduled for this Wednesday. Citizens will engage in selecting their leader and defining the political parties that will guide the region's governance over the next decade. Combining a presidential race with a political party ballot, this election is pivotal for North…

In the sun-whipped regions of Somalia, where the ground rarely sees rain, date palm trees have become indispensable allies for rural folks. They’re not just green life in the dry, they’re a lifeline, putting food on tables and coins in pockets. It’s been nearly ten years since the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) rolled out its initiative to boost these trusty trees here, and guess what? They’re still standing strong against climate’s curveballs, offering a smidgen of stability where it's needed most. CREDIT/…

In Kismayo, a significant announcement is expected soon from the Jubaland Election and Boundaries Commission, which plans to unveil a novel approach to selecting its parliamentary members. This marks another chapter in the ongoing tug-of-war between the federal government of Somalia and the semi-autonomous Jubaland region. The new selection procedure, set to be detailed today, highlights Jubaland's push for increased self-governance, further straining its relationship with Mogadishu.Under the leadership of President Ahmed…

Qatar Charity, teaming up with UNICEF, has kicked off a vital nutrition initiative aimed at alleviating hunger among children in Somalia's displacement camps near Mogadishu—a region heavily impacted by drought-related displacement. This project, a beacon of hope, is set to aid more than 3,000 young ones in dire need of nutritional support. The primary goal here? To nourish children aged 6 months to 5 years, addressing malnutrition head-on and ensuring their basic dietary needs are met. As of now, the initiative has already…