North Africa

Hargeisa — Former North Western State of Somalia President Muse Bihi Abdi has urged the current administration to publicly release the full text of its agreement with Israel, warning that any pact must be balanced and protect religious sensitivities as diplomatic tensions surge across the Horn of Africa. In remarks delivered this week in the North Western State of Somalia capital, Bihi said the government has not clarified the legal nature of its arrangement with Israel — whether it is a treaty, a memorandum of understanding…

Sunday February 22, 2026 HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Former North Western State of Somalia President Muse Bihi Abdi has urged the current administration to publicly disclose the terms of its agreement with Israel, pressing for transparency and caution over any provisions that could affect religion. Speaking in Hargeisa this week, Bihi said the government has yet to clarify the nature of the arrangement — whether it is a treaty, a memorandum of understanding or another form of legal agreement. “The government…

The Bab al-Mandab Strait is fast becoming the world’s most consequential test case for managing great-power rivalry on a narrow, fragile stage. As consensus-based multilateralism stalls and selective enforcement of international law undercuts confidence in global rules, the Red Sea corridor has turned into a live experiment in how to handle competition in an increasingly multipolar world—without breaking the arteries of trade that connect Europe, Asia and Africa. This is not an abstract debate. An estimated 10–15 percent of…

Arab states condemn U.S. envoy Mike Huckabee for ‘take it all’ remark on Israel’s biblical borders Arab governments on Saturday condemned as “absurd,” “reckless” and contrary to international law remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee endorsing Israeli control from the Nile to the Euphrates — a span that would encompass swaths of multiple sovereign states, including the occupied West Bank. Huckabee made the comments in a podcast interview released Friday with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson. Citing “divine…

Somalia launches East African Community passport, signaling push for regional mobility MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has officially begun issuing the East African Community (EAC) passport, a step the federal government cast as historic for regional integration and a boost to global mobility for Somali citizens. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Thursday that the introduction of the EAC passport will expand opportunities in travel, trade and education while strengthening Somalia’s engagement within the regional bloc.…

ANKARA, Türkiye — Türkiye on Thursday denounced Greece’s new agreement with U.S. energy major Chevron to explore for hydrocarbons south of Crete, calling the move unlawful and contrary to good-neighborly relations in the Eastern Mediterranean. “We oppose this unlawful activity, which is being attempted in violation of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Jurisdiction between Libya and our country,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said at its weekly briefing. The ministry added that while the work does not directly…

UN Report Highlights Genocide Indicators in Sudan’s el-Fasher The United Nations has identified significant indicators of genocide following the RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher. Investigations reveal widespread atrocities, urging global responses. The UN's independent mission described the RSF's operation as deliberate and coordinated. Tens of thousands have died in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, with millions displaced. UN urges accountability for war crimes and pressure for humanitarian access. Violence and Human…

The World Health Organization announced that Libya has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, a milestone that clears the country of a disease long linked to poverty and limited access to hygiene and eye care. The validation makes Libya the 28th country worldwide and the eighth in its region to reach this specific target for trachoma, the WHO said. Trachoma is an infectious eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through contact with infected eye discharge on hands, clothing or by…

Thursday, February 19, 2026 MOGADISHU — Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir will launch the first direct Muscat-to-Mogadishu flights on Sept. 3, 2026, establishing a new nonstop air link between the Gulf and the Horn of Africa via Aden Adde International Airport. The airline said it will operate two weekly services between Muscat International Airport and Mogadishu, positioning the route as an affordable short-haul option for travelers across the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Somali diaspora. One-way Lite fares will start…

Somalia cleared to issue East African Community passports, boosting regional mobility Wednesday February 18, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has received formal approval to issue East African Community (EAC) passports, a key step in the country’s regional integration and a move officials say will ease cross-border travel for Somali citizens across the bloc. The authorization was conveyed in an official letter presented by Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania and permanent representative to the EAC, Ilyas Ali Hassan. He handed…