Friday May 22, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s intelligence service says it and international partners have killed 26 al-Shabab fighters in a series of coordinated military operations in the Hiiraan region, striking what officials described as key militant hideouts and support sites. The National Intelligence and Security Agency said Friday that the operations hit al-Shabab positions in Mahaas, Mukayle and Shaw, areas where the group had been assembling fighters, stockpiling weapons and preparing attacks. NISA said the…

Supporters of President Joseph Boakai are heralding a proposed piece of legislation as a landmark move toward accountability in post-conflict Liberia. This crucial initiative, which includes the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, aims to tackle the grave injustices faced during Liberia's tumultuous period of political instability and armed conflict from 1979 to 2003. In addition to addressing wartime offenses, the legislation outlines the creation of a dedicated national anti-corruption court that will focus…

In a significant twist to a long-running legal saga, Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi said Home Affairs would lift the five-year entry ban on Nigerian evangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso if the National Prosecuting Authority succeeds in its attempt to appeal his acquittal on sexual offences charges. Omotoso was declared an undesirable person in South Africa and handed a five-year ban in May 2025, after which he left the country voluntarily. The move came on the heels of his acquittal following a seven-year trial on…

Friday May 22, 2026 Pretoria (AX) — Somalia’s Embassy in South Africa has warned Somali citizens to stay alert after fresh xenophobic attacks in parts of the country targeted African and Asian foreign nationals. In its advisory, the embassy urged Somalis to remain vigilant, steer clear of areas where violence or security threats have been reported, and avoid any gatherings that could escalate into unrest. It also advised Somali business owners to consider closing their shops during periods of heightened tension in order to…

Friday May 22, 2026 Photo courtesy of Egypt's ministry of foreign affairs. Egypt on Thursday sharply denounced the opening of what was described as an “embassy” for the self-declared “Republic of North Western State of Somalia” in occupied Jerusalem, saying the move violates international law and multiple resolutions tied to international legitimacy, the foreign ministry said. In a statement, the ministry described the step as “illegal and rejected,” adding that the mission’s inauguration in occupied Jerusalem amounted to “a…

Thursday May 21, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) has hailed a major advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice that says the right to strike is protected under a core international labor treaty. In a statement released Thursday, FESTU described the ruling as an important win for workers, trade unions and the wider cause of social justice. The ICJ said the right to strike is covered by the 1948 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, also…

Thursday May 21, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) has hailed a landmark advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice that confirms the right to strike is protected under a core international labor convention. In a statement issued Thursday, FESTU described the ruling as a significant win for workers, trade unions and the broader cause of social justice. The court concluded that the right to strike falls under the 1948 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to…

Sundus AbdiThursday May 21, 2026 BBC short Proper Ladies has struck a nerve online, winning praise for its manic humour and sharply drawn schoolgirl dynamics, while also prompting fresh debate about how Black and Muslim characters are written for television. Its creator says that, at its core, the show is an attempt to do something different. Its creator opens up about trying to reshape the way Black and Muslim characters are used in TV L-R: Kosar Ali (Hani), Sabrina Ali (Munira), Ebada Hassan (Yasmin) and Samira Tahlil…

Thursday May 21, 2026 Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, secretary-general of the League of Arab States, on Wednesday issued a sharp condemnation of any plan by North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared authorities in Somalia’s northwestern region, to open an embassy in occupied Jerusalem. In a statement, Aboul-Gheit said such a step would have no legal standing and would amount to a blatant provocation to the Arab and Islamic worlds. "Such rapprochement seeks to solicit illegitimate recognition of Israel from entities and regions…

A defendant embroiled in the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu in late 2025 has disclosed a chilling tactic: plans to cut off electricity to the Presidential Villa during the assault. Another accused individual shared insights on a recruitment strategy targeting personnel within the villa, aiming to enlist soldiers and officials from the State Security Service. Multiple defendants, including high-ranking army officers, are facing trial in a federal court located in Abuja. They confront a serious 13-count…