Central Africa

Galkayo (AX) — Picture this: midnight drama on the high seas as airwaves crackle with urgent distress signals. In an audacious move reminiscent of a bygone era, the MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi cargo ship heavy with coal and dreams, was hijacked in March 2024, setting off a flurry of international whispers and nail-biting negotiations. Fast forward a few months, and the dust finally begins to settle. In a significant victory against maritime crime, Northeastern State authorities have successfully nabbed Ali Ahmed Ali Shirwa,…

Sure, let's reshape the content, capturing the essence with a fresh style and a genuine, conversational tone while maintaining the key points. --- In an intricate dance of diplomacy, Egypt is gearing up for crucial discussions with Somalia this weekend, aiming to collaboratively guide a fresh mission by the African Union slated for deployment in the Horn of Africa soon, sources informed The National. Egypt views its role in this new African Union (AU) mission in Somalia as pivotal—a game-changing move to solidify its…

Mogadishu (AX) — "The wind of change is blowing through Somalia," as the region witnesses ISS's intricate web of terror tighten its grip. On the brink of the new year, December 31 saw the Islamic State Somalia Province (ISS) launching a major assault on Northeastern State's security apparatus, illuminating the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by extremist factions. Through precision and coordination, attackers unleashed suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs) and suicide vests (SVESTs) on a…

On the fateful day of January 9, 2025, an unusual episode unfolded in Chad as government officials referred to an assault on the presidential palace as a "small incident," aimed at disrupting the nation’s stability. The capital, N'Djamena, reverberated with the sounds of intense gunfire when armed assailants reportedly breached the gates of the presidential grounds. This turmoil erupted right after President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno had concluded discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In the wake of the attack,…

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is on the rise across Africa, and health officials are sounding the alarm about the risks of becoming too relaxed. According to a recent update from the World Health Organization (WHO), numerous regions on the continent are grappling with outbreaks linked to several virus variants, or clades. As of December 1, 2024, WHO reported that over 13,000 cases have been confirmed in 20 distinct nations. This report sheds light on the fact that different clades have different modes of transmission. For…

Paris (AFP) - Despite his vivid orange beard and distinctive glasses, Abdul Qadir Mumin remains a shadowy figure, difficult to catch, and even harder to understand. This Somalian has likely climbed to the top tier within the Islamic State (IS) ensemble, potentially acting as the de facto big cheese without the official endorsement, according to experts. Some observers are puzzled about the mysterious figure Abou Hafs al-Hachimi al-Qourachi, IS's supposed caliph, speculating if he even exists. Meanwhile, it's plausible that…

Experts contend that the Congo Basin holds the title of the planet's most vital carbon sink, outpacing even the Amazon in its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Recent discoveries of extensive peatlands hidden beneath this lush expanse have solidified this view. As global appetite for minerals surges—especially those crucial to the ongoing energy shift—the effects on the region's forests are becoming increasingly alarming. According to Earth Insight, a staggering 27% of the intact forests are now encompassed within mining…

In a shocking event over in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, we find ourselves grappling with the tragic news of an attack on a Somali-owned shop. This isn't just a number; it's the loss of a community member, Sadaq Ahmed Hassan, who many knew better as Sadaq British. His life was snuffed out during a robbery that also left Mohamed Dahir nursing injuries. All this took place in the quiet suburbs of Pietermaritzburg—a reminder that even seemingly peaceful places aren't immune to turmoil. It's a gut-punch for the Somali…

Chad's electoral commission has put out a call for military support to safeguard election officials and candidates ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary, local council, and regional elections, all set for December 29. An impressive 8.3 million citizens have registered to cast their votes. In addition, over 1,000 election monitors have been authorized to oversee the electoral process. However, the campaign trail has been anything but smooth. Candidates and their rallies have faced significant disruptions, primarily from…

The second round of qualifying matches for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Countries like the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have successfully secured their spots in the much-anticipated final phase of the tournament. As sports enthusiasts tune in, they can't help but feel the excitement radiating from these tense encounters. Every kick, every pass, and every goal scored tells a rich…