West Africa

Kebbi Officials Dispute Claims of Religious Context in Schoolgirls' Abduction Local officials in the northwestern Nigerian state of Kebbi are vehemently contesting statements made by U.S. lawmaker Miley Moore regarding the recent abductions of schoolgirls in the region. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Moore claimed that the attack occurred in a "Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria," calling for prayers for the twenty-five schoolgirls kidnapped in this incident. He also urged the Nigerian government to take more…

SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa faces what health researchers call a “vaping crisis” among adolescents while a long-promised overhaul of the country’s tobacco laws sits largely dormant. The draft Tobacco Bill published in 2018 — designed to extend smoke-free public spaces, introduce plain packaging and ban point-of-sale displays for both cigarettes and electronic cigarettes — has yet to clear the long road from proposal to law, leaving regulators and public-health advocates alarmed as youth nicotine use climbs. A 2024 study of…

BRUSSELS — Somalia’s foreign minister urged deeper multilateral coordination to safeguard maritime routes, bolster digital resilience and keep the Indo-Pacific open and stable, speaking Friday at the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, where ministers from more than 60 countries convened to address global security and economic challenges. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, underscored his country’s support for peaceful dispute resolution and stronger…

Security Concerns Mount Following Distressing School Abduction in Niger State Authorities in northern Niger State are grappling with the fallout from a "distressing" abduction of students and staff from a local school. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, underscores the increasing volatility in the region. A senior government official confirmed that the abduction took place after a violent attack in the area. This distressing event unfolded in the context of previously reported intelligence…

EACJ lifts injunction, reinstates Somalia’s nine EALA delegates after months-long dispute NAIROBI, Kenya — The East African Court of Justice has reinstated nine Somali delegates to the East African Legislative Assembly, ending months of suspension tied to allegations that their selection in Mogadishu was flawed and politically influenced. The Arusha-based court on Friday lifted an injunction imposed earlier this year after a group of Somali academics and politicians challenged the delegates’ election. The petitioners alleged…

Nnamdi Kanu Convicted of Terrorism and Treason in Nigeria Separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has been convicted of terrorism, treason, and other charges in Nigeria after a decade-long trial. He has been sentenced to four life sentences, along with additional terms to be served concurrently. The prosecution had sought the death penalty; however, Judge James Omotosho stated that executions are now "frowned upon." Omotosho’s ruling emphasized that Kanu used a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings in support of his…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Police in the Somali capital arrested a woman Thursday on suspicion of fatally stabbing her husband in the city’s Dayniile district, according to the Banadir Regional Police Command. The suspect, identified as Fadumo Mohamed Osman, was taken into custody shortly after the killing of her husband, Hassan Mohamed Nur. Authorities said Nur died of severe injuries sustained in a knife attack allegedly carried out by his wife. The police command said investigators are working to determine the motive and…

Portland police arrest third suspect in 2022 killing of Uber driver and father of eight PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police have arrested a third suspect in the 2022 shooting death of Shaani Mohamed, a Somali immigrant, Uber driver and father of eight whose killing rattled the city’s Somali community. Police said 41-year-old Shaperryia L. Lambert was taken into custody Wednesday in Northeast Portland and charged with second-degree murder. According to court records, investigators allege Lambert was involved in an attempted…

Nigeria's Internal Challenges: A Call for Non-Interference from China The Chinese government has reiterated its stance that Nigeria must be allowed to navigate its own internal issues without external intervention. In a recent statement, the Chinese foreign ministry emphasized its role as a strategic partner, asserting opposition to any foreign nation that leverages religion or human rights as pretexts for sanctions or military threats against the West African nation. This declaration follows remarks by U.S. President…

Mogadishu — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been named the CAF Best Male Referee for 2025, a landmark honor announced Wednesday evening at a ceremony at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, Morocco. The award marks a historic breakthrough for Somali football and its match officials, drawing swift congratulations from the nation’s top leadership. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called the accolade “historic” and said Artan’s rise reflects the talent and professionalism of a new generation of Somali officials…