West Africa

Emerging Somali-Swedish artist Salad Hilowle captivates the art scene with his vibrant examination of Afro-Swedish identity and diaspora, weaving together the realms of video, sculpture, and photography. His anticipated showcase at the American Swedish Institute explores profound themes of identity and resilience. / Photo courtesy of Göteborgs KonsthallMINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — Salad Hilowle, an artist of Somali origin nurtured in Sweden, is poised to unveil his first U.S. solo exhibit at the American Swedish Institute (ASI)…

The African School of Governance (ASG), a visionary initiative spearheaded by H.E. Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, alongside H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, has officially opened its doors in the vibrant city of Kigali. This remarkable undertaking is bolstered by a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which aligns with its Young Africa Works Strategy. At the helm of ASG is Professor Kingsley Moghalu, who serves as its inaugural president. He is supported by a diverse and…

Türkiye is gearing up to kick off oil and natural gas exploration in Somali land areas, thanks to a brand-new agreement inked between Turkish Petroleum and the Somali Petroleum Authority, announced Türkiye's energy and natural resources minister on the delightful day of Friday.Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, speaking at the bustling Port of Mogadishu where the Oruc Reis ship triumphantly docked after a 20-day voyage from Istanbul, revealed that the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and the Somali Petroleum Authority have sealed a…

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) is steadfastly extending its helping hands to those in dire need across Yemen, Chad, and Somalia.KSrelief brought together 1,039 families in Yemen’s Al-Dhale Governorate by handing out an equal number of food boxes, as reported by SPA.Meanwhile, in Chad, the Guera Region received 600 food parcels, part of KSrelief’s mission this year to bolster food security and support struggling communities.In Somalia, a range of health and environmental initiatives…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali National Army, along with Jubbaland's finest Dervishes, orchestrated a mission to topple a high-ranking al-Shabab figure last Friday in the northern regions of Lower Jubba, according to comments from government insiders.This concerted military effort zoned in on the hotbeds of al-Shabab activity around Dharkeen Urur and Orgiyow in Lower Jubba.Mohamud Ali Hussein, often tagged as "Qayliyow" within his circle, found his end during this strike. He was the mastermind behind surveillance, intelligence…

Mogadishu (AX) – On a momentous Tuesday at its 40th meeting, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) embraced a $100 million endeavor aimed at boosting Somalia’s efforts against climate chaos through the "Climate Resilient Agriculture in Somalia" (FP246) project. Somalia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, flanked by fellow government representatives, hailed the GCF's backing. Minister Khadija hailed the move as a pivotal stride in strengthening Somalia’s agricultural defense against erratic…

MSF counselors gather women at a nutrition center inside Bay Regional Hospital, Baidoa. © Alberto Macin/MSF Meet Alberto Macin, the spirited maestro of mental health initiatives with MSF for the better part of a decade. His globe-trotting missions span Mexico, El Salvador, and South Sudan, right through to Ukraine, the perilous routes from Libya to the Mediterranean, not to forget Mozambique, Kenya, and his latest haunt, Somalia. Macin’s gig? Crafting mental health blueprints, embedding vital services into MSF’s action…

Out of 197 delegates from 57 different nations attending the event, only 21 were men. Earlier this week, the event's group photo sparked a wave of skepticism online from Somalis. Many argued that women's issues aren't prioritized by the government. Social media brimmed with snapshots from the conference: General Jama appeared alongside his adviser, former MP Abdullahi Godah Barre, and in another image, they conversed with another gentleman, identified by the BBC as an aide. "He wasn't the sole male minister; the…

“If the Somali language were to vanish, we would lose its vibrant culture and profound oral history," she remarked earnestly. "The initiative, Sing-Again, represents my hope for relishing and rejoicing in the language. The narrative isn't solely about somber displacement or becoming a refugee; that’s not a tale we wish to dwell on constantly." Hassan secured a notable Minnesota Legacy Cultural Heritage Grant amounting to $121,394. She mentioned that a significant portion will fuel the book's publication, while some funds…

WATCH: American Somalis Vote Early by Mail in U.S. Election On Africa 54: Somali-based Americans send their absentee votes while keeping a close watch on the presidential race back home. Meanwhile, Mozambique's electoral board announced Daniel Chapo from the ruling party as the victor of their presidential election. Over in Sierra Leone, hip-hop artist Kao Denero sat down with VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi to chat about his tunes. Tune in for these stories and more on today's Africa 54.