West Africa

Envoys from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sudan attend Las Anod inauguration, signaling support for Somalia’s unity LAS ANOD, Somalia — Ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sudan arrived in Las Anod on Saturday to attend the inauguration of Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, known as Firdhiye, the newly elected president of Somalia’s Northeastern Regional State, in a show of diplomatic backing for the region’s evolving political order. The envoys’ visit underscores international support for Somalia’s federal institutions and…

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 LAS ANOD, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened a high-level, closed-door consultation Friday night with traditional elders from the Northeastern State, urging them to anchor reconciliation and grassroots security as the federal government moves to consolidate authority in the long-contested region. The meeting in Las Anod — part of the president’s landmark visit to the city — centered on reconciliation, security and the consolidation of the state-building process after years of conflict…

Armed Puntland State troops storm Garowe police station in bid to free detained soldiers; at least 3 injured Garowe attack underscores discipline and reintegration strains after anti-ISIS campaign in Calmiskaad mountains GAROWE, Puntland State — At least three soldiers were injured Friday when armed members of Puntland State’s Duufaan Brigade attempted to force their way into the central police station in Garowe to free two comrades detained earlier for possession of alcohol, according to police and security sources. The…

Egypt, Djibouti back Somalia’s unity, condemn Israel’s move on North Western State of Somalia, deepen economic ties CAIRO — Egypt and Djibouti reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and pledged to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure during talks between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Abdulqader Hussein Omar in Cairo on Wednesday. The meeting, held on the sidelines of a fifth consultative gathering focused on improving…

‘It’s never been like this’: Minneapolis’ Somali Americans under sweeping federal scrutiny On an icy Friday morning in south Minneapolis, Mahad Omar watched armed federal agents sprint past his window and tackle a neighbor to the pavement. They cuffed the man and loaded him into a black SUV. “Minneapolis is a great city,” said Omar, 28, an Uber driver who came from Somalia as a child. “It’s never been like this.” Across a metro area known for its immigrant roots and East African cultural hubs, Somali Americans say…

Friday January 16, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Saudi Arabia is in advanced talks with Somalia and Egypt to establish a new Red Sea military and security partnership, a step that would deepen Riyadh’s role in the Horn of Africa and sharpen competition with the United Arab Emirates, according to people familiar with the discussions. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks to finalize elements of the agreement, the people said. The proposed pact would expand coordination on…

LAS ANOD, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre arrived in Las Anod on Friday, a highly symbolic visit to the administrative capital of the Northeastern Regional State that underscores Mogadishu’s expanding political and security engagement in Somalia’s contested northern regions. The federal leaders are in the city to attend the inauguration of Abdulqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, known as Firdhiye, who was elected president of the Northeastern Regional State last year. The ceremony has drawn…

KISMAYO, Somalia — An improvised explosive device killed two Kenyan police reservists and wounded two others Thursday near a border patrol position in Mandera County, close to the frontier with Somalia, Kenyan police said. The blast struck at Kulun Border Point Four along the Bulla Hawa–Mandera crossing, about 100 meters inside Kenyan territory in Mandera East Sub-County, according to a police report. The officers, attached to the National Police Reserve, were on routine patrol when the device detonated in a remote section…

EU Removes Several African Countries from High-Risk Money Laundering List Several African nations, including Nigeria, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, and Tanzania, have recently been removed from the European Union's list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and financing terrorism. This significant decision follows comprehensive reforms made in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks. The delisting by the EU is expected to have a positive ripple effect, facilitating…

U.S. names Justin Davis chargé d’affaires in Somalia amid regional tensions Friday January 16, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States has appointed veteran diplomat Justin Davis as chargé d’affaires ad interim at its embassy in Somalia, putting him in charge of one of Washington’s most complex and high-risk diplomatic missions at a politically sensitive moment for the Horn of Africa. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu said Davis formally assumed the role this week, taking over day-to-day leadership following the departure of…