West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) - The Somali government firmly declared its control over selecting which international allies will provide forces for the African Union's upcoming Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, set to succeed the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at the dawn of January 2024. On Wednesday, a formal communique from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the necessity for troop decisions to mesh with Somalia’s core interests and sovereign rights. The administration took a strong…

As Guinea-Bissau gears up for its forthcoming elections, a notable chill has fallen over the media landscape, prompting serious worries about the state of press freedom in the country. Many media outlets face insurmountable obstacles, particularly the hefty $5,000 licensing fees imposed by the government, which they must pay to continue broadcasting. Consequently, a significant number of radio stations have found it challenging, if not impossible, to muster the funds necessary to renew their licenses in time for the…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a surprising turn of events, Abdirahman Duale Bayle, who once held the position of Somali Finance Minister, alongside other notable political figures, has thrown his lot in with North Western State of Somalia’s opposition party, Waddani, with the November ballots just around the corner.Having distanced himself from his earlier campaign for a 'Greater Somalia,' Bayle made a homecoming to North Western State of Somalia after years in the federal quarters. "We’re jumping aboard this ship and teaming up with…

Mogadishu (AX) – Pulling in like a breeze on a Sunday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud landed in Djibouti as he continued his whirl through nations backing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). As the jet touched down, President Mohamud received a warm welcome from Djibouti’s Prime Minister, Abdikadir Kamil Mohamed, alongside a crew of top officials. It was a moment brimming with diplomacy and friendship. On this pit stop, he’s slated to chinwag with Djibouti’s big cheese, President Ismael Omar…

President Museveni spent time with his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In response to an invitation from Uganda's President Museveni, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud wrapped up a succinct visit to Uganda. The two leaders conversed about ways to enhance their countries' relationship, with an eye on bolstering regional security and boosting economic synergy. A key topic was Somalia's recent acceptance into the East African Community (EAC). While in Uganda, President Museveni expressed his…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Conservation enthusiasts are beseeching the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to bolster their efforts in safeguarding Somali giraffes and ostriches. These iconic creatures are teetering on the edge of extinction due to rampant poaching and ruthless droughts. The North-Eastern Wildlife Conservancies Association (Neca) has issued an urgent plea for action. This illicit hunting of precious wildlife is booming, with giraffe and ostrich meats making their way to marketplaces in northern Kenya and being smuggled…

In the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia, a police vehicle zipped through the bustling streets, heading toward a restaurant shaken by a recent explosion. On this particular date, October 17, 2024, the establishment is frequently visited by law enforcement personnel. On Saturday, the Ministry of Information in Somalia declared a significant military initiative aimed at quelling the al-Shabab militants entrenched in central Somalia's Galmudug region. The campaign is reportedly making headway in diminishing the group's operational…

At the African Defense Ministers Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, military brass from across the continent gathered to chat about pivoting from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the fresh African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Mogadishu (AX) — On October 16, 2024, amidst explicit disapproval from Somalia, Ethiopia hosted a confab of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) involved in ATMIS. The hoopla took place during the African Defense Leaders Conference in Addis…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Saturday, Hanad Ahmed Muse, a distinguished officer in the elite Haramcad police unit, tragically lost his life at his residence in Moalim Noor, Dharkenley district, Mogadishu. Witnesses from the neighborhood claim that government soldiers were responsible for the shooting, yet the reason remains shrouded in mystery. As of now, no official word has emerged from the nation's security agencies about this unsettling event. Recently, Mogadishu has experienced a drop in violent episodes linked to government…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — Wrestling with the surge of teen violence and drug-related antics in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Uncle Sam has teamed up with Somali elders to revive time-honored conflict resolution techniques in local neighborhoods. At the heart of this initiative is "nabadoonimo," a Somali tradition of peace-pampering through communal chatter and mutual respect. The game plan? Diverting Somali youth from the clutches of gang life and narcotics.The core of this alliance is the Somali Youth Link, a grassroots squad…