North Africa

Freedom in Africa: A Struggle for Expression What does it mean to be truly free? This question resonates deeply as we delve into Freedom In The World 2025, the annual report by Freedom House. Explicitly, it tells us that 21 African countries fall under the "Not Free" category. This highlights an ongoing battle against censorship, repression, and violations of human rights, painting a picture of a continent at a crossroads. Africa, the land of vibrant cultures and myriad voices, still struggles under the shadow…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring. Crises across the world often send ripples that dramatically affect the lives of countless people, leaving them grappling with uncertainties and challenges that most of us cannot even fathom. A prime example of human resilience and coordinated international humanitarian efforts is illustrated by the Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme, which strives to extend a helping hand to migrants trapped in crisis situations. This noble initiative recently facilitated…

Mogadishu (AX)—A stirring event unfolded on Thursday in Baidoa as hundreds of freshly trained Somali security personnel celebrated the completion of a demanding six-month training program. This training, meticulously conducted by Ethiopian forces, falls under the Africa Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The recruits endured intense military drills and mastered the complexities of weapons handling and counterterrorism strategies. Such rigorous training imbues them with the vital skills…

The announcement that Nigeria has become a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) marks a pivotal moment in its economic journey. This welcome news was shared by Nigeria's Finance Minister and Economic Coordinator, Wale Edun, as he accepted the country's membership certificate from the EBRD delegation led by Heike Harmgart in Abuja. Entering this new chapter, one can't help but wonder how this might reshape Nigeria's economic landscape — can this membership stir the growth needed to…

It's a well-worn narrative that most African economies lean heavily on farming, livestock rearing, and fishing. For many, these aren't just industries but are the heartbeats of a family's livelihood. Imagine the rhythms of life that these activities sustain across vast expanses of Africa—a continent rich in nature’s bounty and cultural vibrance. But have you ever pondered the weight these sectors bear in the larger economic context? Despite significant strides in technology and industry,…

Yasir Arman: A Sudanese Figure in the Eye of a Political Storm It seems that airports and border crossings have become unlikely stages for political theater in today’s world. Once again, the dissonance of international politics echoes through the hustle and bustle of an airport, this time in Nairobi. At the center of this fresh wave of diplomatic turbulence is Yasir Arman, a well-known Sudanese opposition leader firmly poised at an intersection of political intrigue. Yasir Arman, the man who heads the Sudan…

Across the vast and diverse landscapes of Africa, the specter of hunger casts a long shadow. It's a formidable challenge—one that sees millions of people grappling to secure enough food each day. Envision the plight of families who wake up each morning, unsure of their next meal. How did a continent so rich in resources find itself in such a predicament? Nations like Somalia, Chad, and Madagascar epitomize this struggle, confronting extreme levels of malnutrition and pervasive food shortages.…

A recent UN report has shed light on the alarming situation faced by Muslim communities and Sudanese refugees in the Southeast Central African Republic (CAR). Commissioned by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in conjunction with the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, this comprehensive inquiry has surfaced harrowing evidence of egregious human rights violations committed by various armed groups. The findings paint a grim picture: summary executions, acts of sexual violence, instances of torture, and treatment that can only…

Edited By Ali MusaAxadle Times International – Monitoring In an unexpected move that broke away from long-standing diplomatic traditions, the United States initiated clandestine discussions with Hamas to negotiate the release of American hostages in Gaza. This development, which has been confirmed by several sources to Reuters, comes amid stark warnings from former President Donald Trump, who has taken a hard-line approach towards the Palestinian militant group. Trump warned of severe consequences, declaring there…

Ethiopia, a large and diverse nation, is in pursuit of a goal many consider essential for its economic vision: a solid hold on maritime access. This aspiration took a noteworthy turn in 2023 when Ethiopia struck a deal with North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared republic. The deal, which found Ethiopia trading recognition of North Western State of Somalia's independence for a coveted 20-kilometer coastal stretch, soon sparked geopolitical unrest in the region. Not surprisingly, the course of this agreement has…