West Africa

Egypt backs Somalia’s unity, rejects unilateral recognition at AU summit Friday February 13, 2026 Photo courtesy of Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Egypt reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and rejected any unilateral steps that could fragment the country, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during talks with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Abdelatty “categorically” rejected any unilateral…

Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia has lit a geopolitical fuse in the Horn of Africa. On Dec. 26, 2025, Israel became the first country to officially recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, challenging Somalia’s territorial integrity and colliding head-on with a core African norm: that borders inherited at independence should remain intact. The move drew immediate regional and international pushback and opened a new chapter in great‑power maneuvering along one of the world’s most…

China Responds to US Lawmakers’ Allegations of Illegal Mining in Nigeria The Chinese government has vehemently rejected allegations made by five US lawmakers claiming that it sponsored illegal mining activities in Nigeria and provided financial support to militias for protection. The embassy in Nigeria characterized the accusations as baseless and unfounded. In a statement, the Chinese embassy expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed as false claims, underscoring that Chinese nationals are required to adhere to…

AU peace and security council rejects North Western State of Somalia recognition, reaffirms Somalia’s territorial integrity, condemns external meddling in Sudan The African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Thursday reaffirmed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejected any recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, and condemned external interference fueling Sudan’s war, following a ministerial-level meeting in Addis Ababa. In a strongly worded communique, the council said it…

Supreme Court Ruling Clears Path for Corruption Trial in Liberia The Supreme Court of Liberia has ruled that former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and several other former officials are not shielded from prosecution by claims of national security. This landmark decision effectively removes a major legal obstacle that had temporarily stalled one of the country's most politically sensitive corruption trials. The case centers around the former officials' assertion that those serving on or alongside the National Security…

Somali opposition says ex-president, ex-PM blocked from Mogadishu airport meeting; government cites security breach Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s opposition-aligned Somali Future Council on Friday accused security forces of preventing former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Rooble from entering Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport to attend a scheduled political meeting, escalating tensions ahead of anticipated talks with the federal government. In a…

Somali opposition says security forces blocked former leaders at Mogadishu airport; government cites security breach MOGADISHU — Somalia’s opposition-aligned Somali Future Council on Friday accused federal security forces of preventing former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Rooble from entering Aden Adde International Airport to attend a scheduled political meeting, escalating tensions ahead of anticipated electoral talks with the government. In a statement, the Somali Future…

Nigerians Identified Among Russian Forces in Ukraine Conflict Ukrainian military intelligence has reported the identification of two Nigerian nationals who died while fighting for Russian forces in the ongoing conflict. According to a statement released by the Ukrainian military, the bodies were recovered in the Luhansk region of Eastern Ukraine, a critical frontline area. The Ukrainians assert that the men were allegedly recruited in mid-2025, indicating a troubling trend of foreign fighters being drawn into the…

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan police arrested a 37-year-old dual citizen of Somalia and Australia, Nasir Egeh, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation, authorities said Thursday. The Kenya Police Service said Egeh was intercepted at Terminal 1A after arriving from Australia via Johannesburg on a Kenya Airways flight. He was flagged by an active immigration control alert issued on Jan. 30, 2026, linked to a case of obtaining money by false pretenses, according to a police…

Kenya to reopen Somalia border in April after 15-year closure, Ruto says MANDERA, Kenya — Kenya will reopen its border with Somalia in April, President William Ruto said Thursday, pledging tight security as his government moves to revive formal cross-border trade after years of closures tied to al-Shabab attacks. Speaking at the NYOTA Capital Disbursement event in Mandera, Ruto said he will personally officiate the reopening of the Mandera Border Post, which has been shut since 2011. “We cannot trade with closed borders. For…