West Africa

Drone and Artillery Attack at Niamey Airport Raises Security Concerns Heavy security has been deployed around the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey following a suspected militia attack on Thursday. The incident, characterized by the use of drones and heavy artillery, has heightened tensions in a region already fraught with instability. Located approximately 10 kilometers from the presidential palace, the airport serves as a critical air force base and as the headquarters for the joint military force comprising…

Somalia court lifts arrest warrant for Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe, clearing path to Mogadishu talks MOGADISHU — A court in Mogadishu has annulled an arrest warrant for Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, removing a key legal barrier ahead of a national political dialogue that the federal government plans to open on Feb. 1. In a decision finalized Jan. 29 and communicated in an official letter released Thursday, the Banadir Regional Court revoked all arrest and production orders tied to a criminal case…

Türkiye deploys F-16s to Mogadishu as offshore oil push gathers pace MOGADISHU, Somalia — Türkiye has deployed three F-16 fighter jets to Mogadishu, deepening its military footprint in Somalia as Ankara advances plans for offshore oil exploration and broader strategic investments in the Horn of Africa. The jets arrived Wednesday and are believed to be part of Türkiye’s expanding security support for the Somali National Army (SNA), as well as preparations for the expected deployment of a Turkish offshore drilling platform…

At least five illegal miners were killed when an artisanal mine collapsed during heavy rains in Guruè district, Zambézia province, Mozambican authorities said Tuesday, underscoring growing safety and security concerns around unregulated mining across the country. District administrator Felisberto Ponta Vida said the landslide occurred amid torrential rainfall that swept through the area. Local officials have not released the identities of the deceased or provided details on whether more people were missing. The collapse in…

Military Government Dissolves Political Parties, Citing Unity and Stability The military-led government has taken the drastic step of dissolving all political parties by decree, effectively terminating their ability to operate, even internally. This bold move, announced by Interior Minister Emile Zerbo, is portrayed as a necessary action aimed at addressing the proliferation of political factions that, according to officials, have led to abuses, aggravated societal divisions, and ultimately weakened the nation's social…

Arkia awaits renewal to fly over Somalia, warns of possible reroute for Thailand flights MOGADISHU — Israeli carrier Arkia says it has not yet received renewed authorization to cross Somali airspace for February, a delay that could force the airline to reroute its Thailand services if approval does not arrive in time. In a statement Thursday, Arkia said the matter stems from routine international aviation procedures that require periodic renewal of overflight permits. “As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the…

MOGADISHU — Israeli carrier Arkia says it has not yet received renewed authorization to fly over Somali airspace when its current permit expires at the end of January, a delay that could force the airline to reroute Tel Aviv–Thailand services if clearance is not granted in time. In a statement Thursday, Arkia linked the issue to routine international procedures requiring periodic renewal of overflight permits. “As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the periodic permit for air transit over Somalia for…

In Minneapolis, confrontations between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and protesters have become a pressure point for something older and deeper than a dispute over deportations. For Somali Americans in Minnesota — home to more than 100,000 people of Somali descent — the scenes on the streets are the latest chapter in a generational experience of displacement, stigmatization and resilience. Across a tightly connected global diaspora, the anxiety is acute, but so is the resolve. Over much of his second term,…

Minneapolis — Federal authorities have arrested 16 people in Minnesota on charges of assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers amid protests tied to U.S. immigration enforcement operations, including a Somali American woman who went viral for describing her identity as “bananas and rice,” officials said. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests Wednesday as federal agents stepped up enforcement efforts in Minneapolis following days of unrest. The Justice Department said the individuals were charged…

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Scuffles and shouting erupted during a joint session of Somalia’s parliament on Wednesday after the speaker moved to advance a package of constitutional amendments that opposition lawmakers said would extend political mandates, forcing the session’s abrupt suspension. The confrontation underscored the high stakes surrounding long-delayed efforts to finalize Somalia’s provisional constitution. The country has operated under the temporary charter since 2012, and repeated attempts to…