North Africa

The small-scale fishers of Africa are a lifeline for many communities, providing not only food security but also vital income sources for countless families. Yet, a recent study published in Nature reveals a troubling reality: their voices and contributions are often overlooked in the halls of policymaking. How does this oversight impact both these fishers and the broader societal goals we aspire to achieve? Inland and marine fisheries are more than just economic activities; they are interwoven with the cultural fabric of…

In a painful reminder of the desperate journeys undertaken by countless individuals seeking a better life, Libyan security forces have unearthed nearly 50 bodies from two mass graves located in the arid southeastern desert. This grim discovery shines a light on the tragic realities faced by those attempting to cross the Mediterranean in search of a new beginning. The recent unearthing of a mass grave containing 28 migrants in the city of Kufra aligns with the discovery of another grave just days prior, where 19 bodies were…

Libya, an unwitting waypoint for countless migrants and refugees hoping to navigate the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe, has again emerged as a focal point of tragedy and despair. The recent discovery of mass graves, punctuated by grim gunshot wounds on some bodies, paints a harrowing portrait of the dangers faced on these treacherous journeys. How did we come to this? The United Nations, in its latest report, has confirmed the alarming revelations about these graves, further intensifying the urgency with which…

Somalia Stands Firm Against Relocation of Gaza Refugees In recent days, whispers and murmurs have filled the airwaves, with talk of Somalia playing host to displaced Palestinians from Gaza—a notion reported by both Israeli and British media. Yet, Somalia has promptly drawn a line in the sand, firmly refusing to be swayed by such proposals. Was it audacity or merely political theatre? Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump unveiled a plan that many found hard to digest. The plan suggested…

Saudi Arabia Rebukes Netanyahu's Proposal on Palestinian State In an intensifying geopolitical landscape, the ever-complex dynamics between Israel and its neighbors have experienced yet another ripple, courtesy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks that have sparked controversy. On a somber Sunday morning, the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a firm response to Netanyahu's suggestion, accusing him of attempting to “divert attention” from what they describe as Israel's ongoing "crimes" in Gaza,…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the complex tapestry of international diplomacy, words can weigh heavily, sometimes stirring ripples across distant shores. Recently, an assertion by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has done just that, leaving political waves in its wake. Netanyahu mused about potentially creating a Palestinian state within Saudi territory—a notion that was not met with silence or acquiescence but with a firm reprimand from the Somali government. For those familiar with diplomatic exchanges, was this…

The unpredictable corridors of power opened their doors on February 4, 2025, as US President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into the Oval Office. An occasion captured in time by Evan Vucci's lens for the Associated Press, the meeting hinted at a controversial geopolitical chess move: relocating Gazans from their besieged enclave. But relocate to where? The eyes of Israeli and US officials are turning toward Morocco and two autonomous Somali regions—Northeastern State and North Western State…

Vaccination Against Mpox South Sudan has encountered its inaugural case of mpox, as confirmed last Friday—a grim milestone that has placed the nation on high alert. The discovery was made when a patient succumbed to the clutches of this rare virus, following a gauntlet of diagnostic tests. James Hoth Mai, serving as Acting Health Minister, illuminated the details during a press briefing held in the pulsating heart of Juba. On January 22, a patient first displayed harrowing symptoms, including fever, a…

In an unexpected twist on the global political stage, Israel is contemplating a plan that could potentially see Gazans relocated to Northeastern State, an autonomous region nestled within Somalia. This controversial proposal arose from Donald Trump’s rather bold initiative, promising to resettle Gazans in areas he depicted as “far safer and more beautiful.” Interestingly enough, last Thursday saw Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, instruct the Israel Defense Forces to gear up for the "voluntary" relocation of…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a dramatic turn of events, Algeria’s Coast Guard rescued at least 16 Somali migrants on a fraught Wednesday, their fragile boat discovered adrift amidst the often unforgiving waves, some 40 nautical miles north of the coastal town of El-Aouana in Jijel province. Can you imagine the quiet terror that grips the heart when the sea shows its indifferent face, miles from any hope? Commanded with precision by Algeria’s Naval Command, the swift operation was sparked by desperate distress signals, a clarion…