West Africa

Nairobi (AX) – The Italian government has urgently put a halt to processing Schengen visas for applications made through its embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia. The news broke on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday, through a statement from the Italian Embassy in Nairobi. The embassy revealed, "We wish to inform you that the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi has immediately ceased the issuance of entry Schengen visas for all applications processed by the Embassy of Italy in Mogadishu. For more details, please get…

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani had a rendezvous with Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, on a Tuesday. Their tête-à-tête took place during the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

New York (AX) – Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, had a pivotal conversation with U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Catherine Molly Phee, during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday.During their discussion, Minister Taye underscored Ethiopia's unwavering devotion to fostering lasting peace and security, spotlighting the nation's significant efforts in battling terrorism, particularly within Somalia.The Minister indicated the necessity for thorough…

MANDERA, Kenya (AX) — Prominent elders from Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia are making an earnest appeal for unity among Northern Kenya's communities, in the wake of deadly upheavals in Banessa. Authorities caution that the infiltration of illegal arms from neighboring territories exacerbates the region's turmoil. During the assembly, leaders called on Northern Kenya inhabitants to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to tackle the smuggling of small arms — a significant contributor to the area’s escalating insecurity.…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Auditor General Ahmed Issa Gutale has rallied substantial global support, particularly from Norway and leading audit institutions worldwide, to enhance the country's financial scrutiny. The 'Peer Support Project,' a collaborative initiative involving Somalia and global audit powerhouses like INTOSAI and AFROSAI-E, targets the enhancement of the country's financial oversight. Running through 2024, this project is geared towards solidifying governance through more robust audits and heightened…

The North African state didn't detail their aid, but it's geared towards bolstering the Somali army, honoring Egypt's commitments under a military collaboration agreement from August. That deal surfaced after Ethiopia, a landlocked country, planned to officially acknowledge North Western State of Somalia's independence from Somalia, declared 30 years ago, in exchange for port access and a military base on the Gulf of Aden. Somalia, viewing North Western State of Somalia as its own, rejected the offer. Last month, Egypt…

Though the United Kingdom and Somalia share robust diaspora connections, their trade relationship is surprisingly frail and erratic. A noticeable reflection of this relationship is seen in the Somali federal parliament, where around 15 MPs boast dual British citizenship. Additionally, the UK hosts a significant Somali diaspora—109,000 people identified as Somali in the last census, though some estimates surmise a community of around 500,000. To dive deeper, this article follows up on my earlier work, "Unlocking the Untapped…

"Peace goes beyond just ending wars. It is about nations respecting one another's sovereignty and territorial boundaries," echoed John F. Kennedy, the 35th U.S. President. Viewed as a foundational tenet of global diplomacy, countries worldwide aspire to these principles. However, Ethiopia's recent assertive stance towards Somalia challenges these ideals. Their attempt to annex a key Somali port is not just an economic move but a direct affront to Somalia's sovereignty and a precursor to potential regional turmoil.…

Amadou Mahtar M'Bow, a trailblazer in global governance and the inaugural African to take the helm of an international organization, left a remarkable legacy that is being fondly honored following his passing in Dakar on September 24 at the age of 103. During his impressive tenure as the Director-General of UNESCO, which spanned 13 transformative years starting in 1974, M'Bow significantly uplifted the organization’s stature. As the guiding force behind a body committed to advancing education, science, culture, and…

ABU DHABI, September 23, 2024 (WAM) — Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, the Speaker of Somalia's Senate, had the pleasure of exploring the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. He was joined by Federal National Council (FNC) members, Mohammed Al Yamahi and Mohammed Al Dhohori. The group, accompanied by Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, roamed the mosque’s halls and delightful outdoor corridors. Dr. Al Obaidli shared insights into how the mosque embodies coexistence, tolerance,…