West Africa

Navigating the Storm: Violence and Democracy in Nigeria's Political Landscape Ahead of 2027 As Nigeria gears up for its 2027 elections, a palpable tension hangs in the air, reverberating through the streets of a nation rich in culture but strained under the weight of political machinations. The fear of violence looms large, echoing the troubling cycles of electoral conflict seen in 1999, 2019, and most recently, in 2023, when hired thugs, gangs, and political militias turned polling stations into battlegrounds. Scholars and…

Somalia’s government swats down ‘New Jubaland’ talk — but the rumor reveals deeper strains Somalia’s federal government has moved to tamp down rising chatter about a breakaway “New Jubaland” in the country’s southwest, a rumor that ricocheted through community meetings and WhatsApp groups long before officials stepped in. The denial is clear. The politics behind it are anything but. What the deputy minister said In an interview with the Somali outlet Arlaadi Media, Deputy Interior Minister Sadad Aliyow dismissed claims…

Zimbabwe’s ruling party fractures: treason charge exposes a widening succession battle President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accused his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, of incitement and treason after Chiwenga reportedly circulated a dossier to the Zanu PF politburo alleging party capture and corruption. The confrontation — played out through a newly appointed legal affairs secretary and a thick, contested memo — marks a striking public rupture inside the movement that has governed Zimbabwe for more than four decades. What…

Somalia’s cabinet meeting signals a push to turn battlefield gains into public services Mogadishu’s message: accountability, services, and a long game In Mogadishu on Thursday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sat at the head of the long table in the Council of Ministers and offered his cabinet a familiar charge with a sharper edge: make the machinery of government move faster, cleaner, and closer to the people. The weekly meeting, officials said, looked beyond the security front lines to the hard work of…

Africa’s Historic Football Surge: Nine Nations Gear Up for 2026 FIFA World Cup The thrill of African football is poised to reach unprecedented heights as the continent prepares for a historic representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With nine African nations already securing their spots and one more potentially joining through a challenging intercontinental playoff, this upcoming tournament promises to showcase the rich talent and fervent passion that defines African soccer. Championing the Continent Among the nine…

Somalia elects nine EALA lawmakers, taking its full seat in East Africa’s regional house Somalia’s parliament has elected nine lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), a procedural step with outsized symbolism. Less than a year after joining the East African Community (EAC), Mogadishu now has a voice in the bloc’s lawmaking chamber in Arusha, Tanzania — where rules on trade, movement, and regional cooperation are hammered out. The joint sitting of both Houses at Villa Hargeisa in Mogadishu capped months…

The Complex Journey of Migrants: Navigating New Challenges in Ghana In an era marked by heightened migration and shifting geopolitical alliances, the arrival of a recent group of migrants at Kotoka International Airport in Accra underscores the complexities facing both the deportees and the welcoming nation. A Boeing 767-200 from Baltimore touched down, bringing with it 14 West African nationals, a somber reminder of the struggles many endure in pursuit of safety and stability. While the specific nationalities of these…

Burkina Faso's Human Rights Crisis: The Detention of Aid Workers Raises Alarm In the heart of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital, a troubling storm is brewing that threatens not only the humanitarian efforts crucial to the nation but also the very fabric of its governance. Recently, several aid workers from a Netherlands-based non-governmental organization (NGO) found themselves enveloped in a web of serious accusations, as the government detained them on charges of spying and treason. This incident has raised serious…

Puntland State’s quiet experiment: What a restive Somali state can teach a nation At daybreak in Bosaso, the trucks rumbling down from the Cal Miskaad mountains carry fish, frankincense and the unvarnished news of the day. In this corner of northeastern Somalia, where the mountains meet the sea, Puntland State has spent years testing an idea that feels almost radical in a country long defined by outside interventions: that security, politics and dialogue work best when they are owned, designed and led by communities…

Global Antibiotic Resistance: A Growing Threat to Public Health As the world grapples with a myriad of health crises, a silent but deadly phenomenon is emerging from the shadows—antibiotic resistance. A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that a staggering one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 was resistant to commonly used antibiotic treatments. Over a 40% resistance rate of bacteria-drug combinations from 2018 to 2023 paints an alarming picture of a public health…