West Africa

Somalia's Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, addressed the nation from Mogadishu on December 21, 2022, amid the arrival of Somali soldiers who had been training in Eritrea. This event sparked significant discussions concerning the future of peacekeeping in Somalia. On a recent Saturday, a high-ranking official from Somalia made a firm statement: Ethiopia is not welcome in the upcoming African Union peacekeeping operation starting January. The roots of this tension trace back to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia finds itself entangled in a thorny political conundrum, with rising tensions between the federal government and the southern state of Jubbaland over contentious electoral reforms. This firestorm has forced Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to call for an urgent cabinet meeting on Sunday, aiming to tackle what has become a seriously divisive cause. Jubbaland's leadership is vehemently opposing federal election plans and champions regional self-governance instead. At the crux of this simmering discord…

Burkina Faso is currently in talks about potentially bringing back the death penalty, a practice that was abolished back in 2018. Justice Minister Rodrigue Bayala recently mentioned that the subject is very much on the table. He noted that this topic "will be incorporated into the draft criminal code." It appears there might be additional changes on the horizon, aligning with the "vision and guidelines set forth by the head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traore," who took control of the nation following the coup in September…

In a bustling week peppered with captivating headlines, a noteworthy claim has emerged regarding the Yemeni Houthis and their purported financial activities involving the Red Sea. Maritime lawyer Stephen Askins from Tatham & Co is casting a critical eye over these claims, raising a skeptical eyebrow at the notion that the Houthis are banking $180 million a month from maritime companies seeking safe passage through these waters.Mogadishu (AX) — The swirling rumors suggest that hefty payments are navigated through an…

In Kismayo, voices of discord rang out as lawmakers from Jubaland took center stage, hurling stark criticism at Somalia's federal government on a Saturday. The heart of this fiery clash lies in accusations: actions that amplify political chasms and threaten the fragile unity of Somalia as a nation. As they gathered for strategic talks, these representatives aired grievances, warning that federal maneuvers are not merely steps but leaps toward deepening divisions and halting conversations essential for healing the rift…

In an intriguing turn of events, the ECOWAS Parliament has decided to send a delegation to Monrovia. Their mission? To tackle the ongoing political gridlock surrounding attempts by certain lawmakers to unseat Fonati Koffa, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Now, it's worth noting that while those aiming to displace the Speaker haven't managed to muster the necessary 49 votes as mandated by law, their actions have nonetheless halted legislative activities. They've effectively disrupted the usual proceedings by…

"Oh, the political temperature is rising in North Western State of Somalia!" exclaimed a supporter of the opposition Waddani party, captured by the lens of LUIS TATO. In the heart of a diplomatic firestorm, North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared independent region splintered from Somalia, gears up for a Wednesday presidential showdown during a tumultuous spell in the Horn of Africa. Perched at Somalia's northwest tip, this territory broke free in 1991, maintaining a level of tranquility and calmness that its…

During the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum held in Sochi, African ministers received a clear message: Russia stands firmly behind the continent, promising "total support" across various sectors. This assurance was conveyed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, representing President Vladimir Putin. It’s noteworthy that this support comes at a pivotal moment when several African countries are reevaluating their relationships with Western nations, amid allegations of interference and neocolonial practices, as noted by…

In the heart of Mogadishu, a hotspot of brewing strategies, the Somali Council of Ministers recently convened in a swift and decisive meeting held on Sunday night, a meeting that led to reshuffling some top military brass. Their resolution? Welcome back General Odowa Yusuf Raage as the head honcho of the Somali Armed Forces, sending General Ibrahim Muhyiddin to the sidelines. Straight from the chambers of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's office came the announcement, stamping the ministry's approval for General Raage's…

As North Western State of Somalia gears up for its presidential election, each day brings a vivid display of party colors with various political groups hosting campaign events across the region. From the bustling streets of Borama in the west, to the majestic Erigavo mountains in the northeast, and the vibrant heart of Hargeisa, towns and cities are wrapped in a kaleidoscope of political fervor.Today, you might see the green and yellow of the incumbent president Muse Bihi's Kulmiye party. Tomorrow might be the orange parade…