Eye on Africa

Somali journalist Abdihafid Nur Barre arrested in Mogadishu; opposition figures decry media crackdown Tuesday February 24, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali Cable TV journalist Abdihafid Nur Barre was arrested Tuesday in Mogadishu’s Waaberi district, the broadcaster said, prompting a wave of condemnation from prominent political figures who cast the detention as a blow to press freedom. Somali Cable TV said military forces carried out the arrest. Security agencies had not issued an official statement clarifying the…

The Trump administration is canceling humanitarian aid programs it previously identified as lifesaving, according to an internal State Department email obtained by The Atlantic, a move that could sharply reduce assistance to vulnerable populations in parts of Africa. The internal communication, made public by The Atlantic, says the new round of cuts will end all U.S. humanitarian funding in seven African countries. The report did not identify the countries by name in its initial coverage. The email marks a reversal from…

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is canceling humanitarian aid programs it previously identified as lifesaving, according to an internal State Department email obtained by The Atlantic, a move that could sharply reduce U.S. assistance to vulnerable populations abroad. The internal message, made public by The Atlantic on Tuesday, says the new round of cuts will reportedly end all U.S. humanitarian funding in seven African countries. The email characterizes the affected programs as lifesaving before notifying colleagues…

U.S. House Committees Urge Action on Religious Persecution in Nigeria U.S. House committees investigating the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria have formally submitted their findings to President Donald Trump. The report proposes a roadmap for curbing religious violence, enforcing accountability, and bolstering security cooperation between Washington and Abuja. The inquiry was ignited by Trump's decision to redesignate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) due to reports of rampant religious…

Chad Closes Eastern Border Amid Escalating Sudanese Conflict Chad has closed its eastern border with Sudan in response to escalating violence in the border town of al-Tina, as Sudan's ongoing civil war inches closer to its territory. The closure, announced by the Chadian government, comes amid heavy fighting involving Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and local militia groups. The government justified this decision as a critical measure to thwart repeated incursions by armed Sudanese groups and to safeguard civilian…

Puntland State backs federal-led local council elections, warns against interference MOGADISHU, Somalia — Puntland State’s Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation on Tuesday said local council elections in Somalia’s northeastern state will proceed under the leadership of the Federal Electoral and Boundaries Commission, signaling a renewed push for direct polls despite fraught federal–state relations. In a statement, the ministry said it fully supports implementation of the vote in line with Articles 104 and…

Cameroon Soldiers Sentenced for Ngarbuh Massacre In a landmark moment for accountability, three Cameroonian soldiers have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to ten years for their involvement in the brutal killing of at least 21 civilians in the Anglophone Northwest region of the country. The sentencing, delivered by a military court, followed a guilty verdict on charges of murder, arson, and destruction related to the harrowing attack on the village of Ngarbuh on February 14, 2020. This incident saw…

African Union, Somalia condemn deadly Zamfara attack in Nigeria; demand release of abducted women, children The African Union and Somalia on Monday condemned a deadly attack in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state that left at least 50 civilians dead and women and children abducted, urging the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all captives. AU expresses full solidarity with Nigeria, calls attacks grave human rights violations Somalia backs Nigeria’s efforts to pursue perpetrators and free abductees Assailants on…

JOHANNESBURG — The acting head of South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Thursday urged residents to report suspicious behaviour in their communities — singling out neighbours who suddenly drive “flashy cars” — as the unit released findings from a probe into corruption at the Department of Home Affairs. Leonard Lekgetho said the SIU’s investigation, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024 after a whistleblower complaint, uncovered syndicates operating inside the visa and permit system. Evidence indicates…

MOGADISHU — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and other international partners met Monday with senior representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia and the opposition-aligned Somali Future Council, hours after high-level political talks collapsed without agreement as constitutional deadlines approach. In a statement posted on social media, UNTMIS said it was disappointed the two sides had not reached a deal in the discussions held so far. “Along with other partners, UNTMIS…