West Africa

Hargeisa(AX) — Recently, President Muse Bihi of North Western State of Somalia directed sharp criticism at the renowned band, Xidigaha Geeska. He accused them of belittling the valor of soldiers who faced incarceration defending North Western State of Somalia’s autonomy. Famous for their daring lyrics, the band has unleashed a string of tracks not only lambasting Bihi's government but also targeting his Kulmiye political faction.Addressing a gathering of constitutional law students at Hargeisa University, Bihi underscored…

 Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative at the UN (Photo: Foreign Ministry official website)On Thursday, a Chinese delegate appealed for Somali factions to maintain the progress by fostering dialogue and unity. They should remain dedicated to resolving their disputes through amicable discussion.During a UN Security Council meeting concerning Somalia, Dai Bing, China’s deputy envoy to the United Nations, acknowledged Somalia’s significant achievements in national rebuilding and peace initiatives. He pointed out…

Swan praised Turkey for its role in easing tensions over the Red Sea access agreement, a pact causing friction between Somalia and Ethiopia with North Western State of Somalia in the mix. "I appreciate Turkey's mediation efforts, particularly the dialogues hosted in Ankara during July and August," he commented. He urged Ethiopia and Somalia to approach diplomatic talks earnestly and steer clear of moves that could escalate matters. "This is vital given the possible negative fallout for the region's stability, especially…

Here's a snapshot of Türkiye's seismic research vessel, Oruç Reis, cruising through Türkiye on October 3, 2024. (AA Photo) Mogadishu (AX) – A grand send-off awaits Turkey’s cutting-edge Oruc Reis research ship this Saturday in Istanbul. Alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, key officials from Somalia will grace the farewell event. The Oruc Reis is embarking on a mission to explore seabeds off Somalia's shores, searching for hidden oil and gas. Somalia's Petroleum Minister, Abdirisak Omar Mohamed, Somali…

Renowned musician Ayodeji Balogun, more famously known as Wizkid, has recently set his sights on fellow artist David Adeleke, or as many call him, Davido, igniting yet another round of verbal sparring across social media platforms. There's been talk that Wizkid intended to drop the inaugural track from his eagerly awaited album, "Morayo," on the same day Davido teased his first single for the upcoming 2024 calendar. In a bold move, Wizkid took to his X account, unleashing a stinging critique against Davido. He described…

The celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has announced her forthcoming novel, titled *Dream Count*. This captivating tale follows Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer grappling with the complexities of life in the United States. Readers can mark their calendars for the official release on March 4, 2025. Adichie is not a stranger to literary acclaim. Her debut novel, *Purple Hibiscus*, earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Following that success, *Half of a Yellow Sun* garnered the Orange Prize…

Mogadishu (AX) – Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, sounded a sharp critique, pointing fingers at the Ethiopian government. He claimed they are masking a land grab under the guise of fighting terrorism. At a United Nations Security Council gathering on Friday, Fiqi revealed that Somali authorities had thwarted attempts of Ethiopian-origin arms sneaking into Somalia. They believed these weapons were meant to stir the local pot, which he labeled as a "shameless breach" of…

Mogadishu (AX) — Friction over Somalia's governance and upcoming electoral strategies dominated the discussions at the National Consultative Council (NCC) assembly in Mogadishu, marked by notable tensions and absentees influencing the discourse.A confidential insider from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) whispered to AX that Khatumo State wasn't even on the docket. Further, this source remarked that at least one Federal Member State (FMS) fancies sticking with the moniker "President" for their leaders, despite earlier…

Mogadishu (AX) — As Israel's airstrikes rage across Lebanon, countless Somali students find themselves ensnared in Beirut, caught in the turmoil. The bombings, honing in on Hezbollah's lairs, have laid waste to Lebanon's capital, claimed thousands of lives, and shattered vital infrastructure. The plight of Somali students, alongside other foreigners, grows grimmer as flights remain halted and escape routes choked. An enormous Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon, close to Syria's border, blasted a 12-foot-wide crater,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the home stretch before the African Union forces exit, global partners are scrambling to lock down plans for a fresh strategy in Somalia. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is on deck to succeed ATMIS come January 2025. It’s a linchpin effort aimed at resisting the relentless Al-Shabaab insurgency threatening Somalia’s fragile peace.The African Union's Peace and Security Council has given two thumbs up to AUSSOM's strategic playbook, known as CONOPs. This mission’s…