West Africa

President Bola Tinubu has undertaken a significant reshuffle of his 45-member cabinet, introducing seven fresh faces, dismissing five officials, and assigning new roles to another ten. This strategic move is intended to bolster the effectiveness of his administration as it strives to fulfill its commitments to the Nigerian populace. The shake-up saw the departure of key figures including the ministers of education, tourism, women's affairs, and youth development. Additionally, the junior minister responsible for housing was…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a move hailed as a remarkable humanitarian achievement, Somalia has brought back home 164 of its citizens from Libya, who arrived in Mogadishu on Thursday.The returnees were greeted by government dignitaries, among them Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Abdirizak Mohamed and Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Fartaag.Orchestrated by Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, this homecoming required a joint effort with the European Union (EU), the International Organization for Migration…

About 13,000 Ethiopian and allied troops will exit Somalia by year's end, making way for a revamped mission anticipated to commence the following year. “Ethiopia’s recent solo actions, like signing an illegitimate pact with Somalia's northern area, breach our sovereign rights and damage the trust needed for peacekeeping,” declared Somalia’s Foreign Ministry in a Wednesday pronouncement. Regional diplomats fret over escalating tensions related to troop involvement in the upcoming peacekeeping force, fearing it might…

FILE - Stacks of Khat, a plant sought for its stimulating effects in areas like East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Due to its status as an illegal substance in numerous nations, authorities are rigorously trying to stop its unlawful importation. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AX) — At the break of dawn on Monday, police in Johannesburg nabbed a Somali man following the confiscation of 100 kilograms of Khat, valued around $19,750, during a precise drug bust. The individual arrested, a 39-year-old named Mohamed Deeq Abdulahi…

Mohamed Omar makes history as the first Somali-American to head up the Board at Hennepin Healthcare — Minnesota’s leading safety-net hospital. CREDIT / Washburn MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — Stepping into uncharted waters, Mohamed Omar has achieved a groundbreaking moment by becoming the inaugural Somali-American Chair of Hennepin Healthcare, marking a turning point for Minnesota's preeminent public hospital. Omar’s new position follows three years of dedication on the board at Hennepin Healthcare, focusing his expertise on…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — As the investigation into the harrowing murders of three Somali women in Eastleigh intensifies, police have unearthed a car suspected to have been used in their kidnapping. This discovery marks a significant stride as mourners prepare to lay the victims to rest. The community grows restless, demanding justice as protests ignite throughout the neighborhood. Discoveries surfaced on Thursday when sleuths tracked down the vehicle amidst the bustling stalls of Ukulima Market in Kamukunji, Nairobi. It's…

When film director Mo Harawe mentioned his Somali roots, he observed certain stereotypes shaping people's views of the nation, a peculiar quirk he'd picked up on. Talking to Middle East Eye, his regular run-ins with these clichés fired up the inspiration for what would become a groundbreaking Somali film making waves at the Cannes Film Festival come May 2024. Harawe says, "Crafting the screenplay felt instinctual, mapping out diverse characters drawn from Somalia's everyday life." As Cannes stands pivotal in the cinematic…

MOGADISHU, Oct 24 (Reuters) - In an effort to track al Shabaab militants and provide residents with a sense of security, thousands of surveillance cameras have been installed throughout Somalia's bustling capital. However, this initiative has also sparked fear among business proprietors who dread retaliatory violence. Launched this year under the city government's directive, CCTV systems have, according to officials, bolstered the ability of law enforcement to monitor militant movements in Mogadishu while ensuring…

Mogadishu (AX) — Reports buzzing on social media about a supposed crash involving government aircraft were dismissed by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), dismissing them as sheer fabrications. The SCAA firmly stated that none of the newly acquired planes have faced such mishaps, rubbishing claims of them hitting the ground in off-limit locales.Releasing a detailed statement on Tuesday, the SCAA labeled these stories as part of a concerted effort to spread falsehoods by what they termed "Somalia's antagonists." As…

Families uprooted by crop failures are seeking sanctuary in makeshift camps on the fringes of Baidoa. A harsh drought in Southwest Somalia has compelled over 120 families to forsake their farms and way of life, enduring severe conditions in rudimentary shelters. Image: Radio Ergo Mogadishu (AX) — Jinay Isaaq Hassan spent her days in the quaint village of Mintaanyo, diligently working her six-hectare farm while raising her children. However, her life took a drastic turn earlier this year. The life-giving rains failed to…