West Africa

Friday March 27, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) - A fierce clash in southern Somalia left more than 40 al-Shabab militants dead after the group tried to claw back control of a recently captured town, officials said Thursday. The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), said in a statement that the fighting erupted in Mubarak, a strategic town in the Lower Shabelle region that joint Somali National Armed Forces and African Union troops seized earlier this month. According to AUSSOM, the militants struck a…

In a significant move towards enhancing its digital landscape, Burkina Faso is prioritizing local languages in its Artificial Intelligence development strategy, underscoring a commitment to digital sovereignty. The initiative was unveiled in Ouagadougou during an event hosted by the Ministry of Digital Transition. Officials introduced a program focused on formalizing local languages and establishing a "comprehensive data corpus for Large Language Models." This session gathered an array of stakeholders—including…

Thursday March 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — A sudden shake-up at the top of Somalia’s prison service has taken a new turn, with former Somali Custodial Corps Commander General Mahad Abdirahman Aden reportedly placed under house arrest without a court order just days after being removed from his post, according to sources familiar with the matter. Those sources said General Mahad’s personal security detail has been pulled and that his movements are now being watched. Federal authorities have not released any public statement to…

In a call to action, Human Rights Watch (HRW) is pressuring Nigerian officials to prioritize civilian safety in high-risk areas and to improve early warning systems in response to the tragic bombings that recently shook Maiduguri. The deadly attacks on March 16, 2026, targeted bustling public spaces—including a market, a post office, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital—resulting in the loss of 23 lives and leaving 108 others injured. HRW highlighted that the indiscriminate nature of these…

Thursday March 26, 2026 Nairobi (AX) — An intelligence-driven security operation near Kenya’s border with Somalia left two suspected al-Shabab militants dead and several others wounded, police said Tuesday, as authorities tightened precautions ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday period. The Counter Terrorism Policing Unit said officers from the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) conducted the operation on the outskirts of Sarira in Mandera County, days before Eid al-Fitr celebrations last week on Friday. According to a…

Thursday March 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Tensions flared at Mogadishu’s Bakaara Market on Wednesday as hundreds of traders poured into the streets, accusing Somalia’s federal government of preparing to sell part of the market’s land to wealthy businessmen they say have close ties to those in power. The demonstrators blocked major roads leading into the sprawling market, denouncing what they described as an impending eviction that could wipe out their livelihoods. Many traders said the plan amounts to transferring public…

In a landmark decision, the United Nations General Assembly has formally acknowledged the enslavement of Africans during the transatlantic slave trade as an unparalleled crime against humanity. Proposed by Ghana, the resolution not only recognizes this profound injustice but also encourages member states to contemplate issuing apologies for their roles in the slave trade and to contribute to a reparations fund. Notably, the resolution does not specify a financial amount. It passed with a significant majority, garnering 123…

Thursday March 26, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Drivers and businesses across North Western State of Somalia are facing fresh fuel price hikes after authorities on Wednesday rolled out new official pump rates, pointing to surging global oil prices and tighter supply conditions. The revised pricing sets gasoline at 12,500 North Western State of Somalia shillings per liter, while diesel will sell for 10,500 North Western State of Somalia shillings per liter. Officials said the new rates were agreed after consultations involving the…

Thursday March 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — A sweeping protest gripped Mogadishu’s Bakaara Market on Wednesday as hundreds of traders flooded the streets, accusing Somalia’s federal government of moving to shut down the country’s largest commercial hub so the land can be transferred to wealthy businessmen with connections to officials. Demonstrators cut off major routes leading into the market, denouncing what they said was an impending eviction that would wipe out livelihoods built over years. Traders alleged the authorities…

Wednesday March 25, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s cabinet has named a new head of the Somali Custodial Corps, a leadership change that comes as tensions deepen between the federal government and the Southwest administration. During its weekly session chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved the appointment of General Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud as commander of the Somali Custodial Corps, replacing General Mahad Abdirahman. The Ministry of Justice put forward the…