Central Africa

Somalia’s Oil Gamble: Promise, Pitfalls and a Narrowing Window In a region where new oil and gas frontiers can redraw maps and fortunes, Somalia has long carried a paradox: abundant potential beneath the ground, and little to show above it. Today, with fresh licenses signed and seismic boats in the water, the country stands at another inflection point. The question is not whether hydrocarbons lie under Somali soil and sea—the geological hints are there—but whether the politics, contracts and institutions can finally bring…

In Exile but Unbowed: Somalia and Guinea Chase Pride and Direction in Kampala A match far from home On a breezy Friday evening in Kampala, Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium will stand in for Mogadishu. Somalia “hosts” Guinea there in a World Cup qualifier that won’t change the group’s balance of power, but still holds weight in ways a scoreboard can’t always measure. It is a low-stakes fixture, perhaps, but one heavy with pride, patience and the hope of forward motion for two teams searching for a foothold. Somalia’s…

The Fragile Landscape of Cameroon's Upcoming Presidential Elections Amid the lush landscapes and vibrant cultures of Cameroon, a pivotal moment looms on the horizon: the impending presidential elections, set to be held soon under the long-standing reign of President Paul Biya. With nearly 43 years in power, Biya's ruling Cameroon People Democratic Movement (CPDM) is widely anticipated to secure another term, a common expectation that has gripped political observers since 1992. Yet, with the specter of rising ethnic tensions…

A New Hope for Democracy in the Central African Republic In a bold move that resonates with the spirit of civic nationalism, former Central African Republic Prime Minister Anicet-Georges Dologuélé has publicly renounced his French citizenship, signaling his intention to challenge President Faustin Touadéra in the upcoming December 2025 presidential elections. This gesture not only underscores Dologuélé's commitment to the nation but also reflects a growing sentiment among Central Africans yearning for genuine representation…

Somalia Executes Two Convicted al-Shabaab Members as Military Court Steps Up Death Sentences Somalia’s military court on Monday executed two men convicted of belonging to al-Shabaab and participating in targeted killings and ambushes in Mogadishu, in the latest sign that authorities are accelerating capital punishments amid an ongoing offensive against the extremist group. The men were identified by the court as Ibrahim Adan Madeey and Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known by the noms de guerre “Maaxi” and “Yoonis.” The…

Breaking: Sudan’s RSF chief Hemedti sworn in to lead parallel government as drones hit Nyala What happened Sudan slid deeper into a dangerous split this weekend as Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo — better known as Hemedti — was sworn in as head of a rival government backed by his Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The oath-taking was announced from Nyala, a major city in Darfur that has served as the RSF’s hub during the war. The ceremony could not be independently verified, and Hemedti has rarely been seen inside Sudan since fighting…

Morocco edges Madagascar 3-2 to clinch CHAN 2024 crown in Kasarani thriller Morocco became champions of Africa’s home-based talent once again, outlasting Madagascar 3-2 in a breathless African Nations Championship (CHAN) final at Kasarani Stadium on August 30. In a match that swung like a metronome, the Atlas Lions twice surrendered a lead before Oussama Lamlioui’s late strike handed them their third CHAN title and a new piece of African football history. A final that swung like a pendulum The night began with a dart of…

Opinion | Mogadishu’s New Port Terminal Is a Bet on Trade, Trust, and a Different Future The cranes at Mogadishu’s seafront swung into motion this week with a confidence that felt new. Somalia inaugurated a modern container terminal—lifting capacity from roughly 150,000 to 250,000 twenty-foot equivalent units—and launched work on a new harbor headquarters to tighten management. For a city where the port once evoked images of conflict and relief shipments, the sight of fresh steel and bright paint is its own kind of…

Shot dead in a township: how extortion and xenophobia leave Somali shopkeepers exposed in South Africa Late on a Thursday in Booysenpark, a low-rise neighbourhood of Port Elizabeth, the staccato of gunfire ended the life of a shopkeeper who had been trying, like many migrants, to make a modest living in South Africa. Sharmaarke Aadan Mohamed was killed inside his spaza shop — one more body on a long list of Somali traders who say they live under the constant threat of violence, robbery and organized extortion. The killing…

The Fall of a Prominent Nephew: Engonga’s Tumultuous Journey from Power to Prison In a dramatic turn of events that has rippled through the political landscape of Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzlement. Once a figure of influence and power, Engonga’s downfall serves as a compelling narrative of betrayal and political maneuvering in a country long ruled by one family. A Legacy of Wealth and Scandal Engonga, often…