Eye on Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the capital late Thursday to protest Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of North Western State of Somalia, waving Somali flags and chanting patriotic songs in a show of national unity. The rally at Taleh Square in downtown Mogadishu condemned Israel’s move as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Protesters held placards rejecting what they called foreign interference in the Horn of Africa nation’s internal affairs. It was…

Somali, U.S. forces destroy al-Shabab explosives factory in Middle Juba, kill 18 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali National Army forces, working in coordination with U.S. troops, carried out a planned overnight operation in Middle Juba that destroyed what officials described as al-Shabab’s largest explosives production facility and killed 18 militants, the Defense Ministry said Saturday. The strike took place late Friday in the Saakow district and targeted a factory used by the al-Qaida-linked group to manufacture and prepare…

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco marched confidently into the semi-finals of the tournament after a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon under the Rabat lights on Friday night. Goals in either half from Brahim Díaz and Ismail Saibari sealed a memorable triumph for the Atlas Lions in front of a raucous, sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The victory showcased Morocco's tactical prowess and solid team dynamics. Diaz opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box in the 20th minute, sending the…

China postpones Wang Yi’s Somalia visit, cites ‘friendly negotiations’ on new date Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 MOGADISHU — China has confirmed that Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s planned stop in Mogadishu has been postponed, saying the change came after “friendly negotiations” with Somali counterparts and that both sides are working on a revised schedule. In a statement posted late Friday by the Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu, Beijing said it had adjusted the itinerary for Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party…

MOGADISHU — China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, postponed a planned visit to Somalia’s capital on Friday after authorities imposed sweeping security restrictions across Mogadishu ahead of his expected arrival, Somali officials said. Wang Yi’s visit to Mogadishu was postponed Friday; no reason was given and no new date announced. Parts of the city were sealed off, with checkpoints and major road closures including routes to Aden Adde International Airport. The trip was slated to be the first visit by a Chinese foreign…

Trump Threatens Continued Military Action Against Nigeria Amid Unrest U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning regarding potential military strikes against Nigeria, emphasizing a readiness to escalate military action if the killing of Christians continues. "I'd love to make it a one-time strike," he stated in an interview with the New York Times. "But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike." This declaration follows a decisive military operation conducted by the U.S. Africa…

Somalia’s unity and constitutional legitimacy are entering a perilous phase. With the mandates of the federal parliament and president set to expire in April and May 2026, respectively, the country has no agreed electoral framework—and no margin for political brinkmanship. In a forceful public statement, opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame warns that the stakes now transcend routine power struggles: the survival of the Somali state as a cohesive, credible entity is on the line. Warsame argues that a cocktail of…

Former Ghana Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta Detained in U.S. Amid Corruption Allegations U.S. immigration authorities have detained Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana's former Finance Minister, who is currently wanted in his home country on corruption allegations. According to his legal team, the former official has been in the United States since January 2024 to receive treatment for prostate cancer. Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian authorities shortly before being formally charged in November 2025. In December,…

U.S. halts some Somalia aid after WFP warehouse demolished; Mogadishu disputes theft as 75 tons recovered MOGADISHU/WASHINGTON — The United States said it is pausing further assistance that benefits Somalia’s federal government after a dispute over the demolition of a World Food Programme warehouse at Mogadishu Port, escalating tensions with a key partner battling hunger and insecurity. The State Department’s top foreign assistance official said on X that Somali government officials destroyed a U.S.-funded WFP facility and…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government on Thursday denied a U.S. allegation that authorities in Mogadishu destroyed an American-funded World Food Program warehouse and seized food aid, as Washington suspended assistance to the federal government over concerns about possible diversion of relief supplies. The State Department said Wednesday it had halted all U.S. assistance to Somalia’s federal government, citing “a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft and diversion of life-saving assistance.” The move immediately…