West Africa

Struggle for Justice in Guinea: Remembering the Stadium Massacre Sixteen years after the tragic events of the 2009 stadium massacre in Guinea, where security forces brutally killed at least 156 people and perpetrated sexual violence against over 100 women during an opposition rally, the quest for justice remains fraught with challenges. Despite the passage of time, the echoes of that fateful day are still felt deeply through the lives of survivors and the broader fight for accountability in a country governed by military…

Soldier Killed, Civilians Wounded as Somali Government Units Clash in Beledewyne At least one Somali soldier was killed and five civilians were wounded on Sunday in a gunfight between two units of government forces in the central city of Beledweyne, residents and witnesses said, highlighting a fragile security climate in one of the country’s key regional hubs. The confrontation unfolded in and around Darawiishta Market after two members of the National Guard allegedly robbed a woman who sells khat, the leafy stimulant…

East Africa’s aircraft boom meets a maintenance bottleneck The new hangar doors at Ethiopian Airlines’ sprawling Addis Ababa maintenance base opened with a ceremony and a promise. Two bays large enough for widebodies, a fresh component repair shop, and a central warehouse—more than $150 million invested to keep the region’s aircraft flying. The carrier now counts eight hangars on site and says it is ready to take in more third-party work from around the continent. It’s a significant bet on a region where travel demand is…

At UN Week, Somalia and Allies Sound Alarm Over Funding Gap for AU Mission NEW YORK — Inside a packed conference room just off the United Nations General Assembly floor, Somalia and its closest partners issued an unusually blunt warning: if the world does not step up with reliable money, hard-won security gains against al-Shabab could begin to unravel within months. The urgency is not abstract. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) — the AU-led force that helps secure towns, main roads,…

Arab League’s classroom diplomacy lands in Mogadishu On a humid Saturday in Mogadishu, Somalia’s prime minister received a delegation from the Arab League with a familiar promise: help for the country’s classrooms, and a renewed push to strengthen the teaching of Arabic. The visit, led by Zayd Al-Sabbaan, who oversees the Horn of Africa and Sudan at the Arab League, came with warm words about deepening cooperation on politics, economics and development. It also arrived with few specifics—no dollar amounts, no timelines, no…

Guineans Embrace New Constitution: A Step Towards Elections Amidst Military Rule In a historic turn of events, Guinea has taken a significant step toward establishing a new political landscape, as citizens reportedly rallied in overwhelming support of a new Constitution. With more than 89% of ballots cast in favor of the proposed changes, Guineans have expressed their desire for a democratic reboot, paving the way for forthcoming elections in a nation grappling with the aftermath of a military coup. A Vote for Change in a…

Jubbaland’s stark warning over alleged abuses in Mogadishu exposes Somalia’s deeper struggle over land, law and power In a sharply worded statement from Kismayo on Thursday, the Jubbaland administration accused security forces in Mogadishu of beating two parents and seizing their property by force—allegations that, if confirmed, would add to a long and painful ledger of evictions and abuses in Somalia’s crowded capital. Jubbaland said the attack occurred on Wednesday and described it as “a tragic incident in which innocent…

Trump’s jab at Ilhan Omar isn’t just a feud. It’s a mirror of America’s anxieties. When former President Donald Trump told reporters he had asked Somalia’s president to “take back” Rep. Ilhan Omar, the line landed like a punchline in the room—and a gut punch across the Somali diaspora. Omar, the Somali-born Democrat from Minnesota and one of the most visible Muslim women in American politics, answered in kind, calling Trump “a lying buffoon” and urging the public not to dignify his claims. The exchange may sound familiar.…

West African Deportees Find Uncertain Futures After US Return In a swift turn of events, eleven West African nationals have returned to their home countries after being deported to Ghana by U.S. authorities. This decisive action is more than just a legal maneuver; it casts a long shadow on the ongoing conversation about human rights, immigration policies, and the fate of vulnerable individuals caught in the crossfire of international agreements. A Cautionary Tale of Deportation The group's saga began with a glimmer of…

The Blaze That Ignited Political Tensions: A Look at Weah's House Fire In the heart of Liberia’s capital, a fire that engulfed former president George Weah's home has sent shockwaves through a nation already grappling with political divisions. Although the flames are extinguished, the repercussions linger, casting a long shadow over the promise of peace and coexistence in a country that has long been haunted by the specters of past violence and instability. A Destructive Flame The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC),…