West Africa

Jigjiga, Ethiopia (AX) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has recently raised serious allegations against Ethiopian security forces, accusing them of violently disrupting a women's meeting in Jigjiga on April 24. These claims assert that not only were numerous participants arrested, but several also sustained injuries during the incident. The ONLF contends that this attack is emblematic of a broader crackdown on dissent within the Somali Region, curtailing freedoms and silencing voices that challenge the status…

When we delve into the economic health of a nation, one term invariably rises to the top of the conversation: Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. This seemingly simple acronym encompasses a wealth of information about a country’s financial landscape. At its core, GDP represents the total value of all goods and services produced within a country over the span of a year. Imagine it as the price tag that reflects the sheer scale of a nation’s economic prowess. It’s akin to looking at the collective effort—the hard work,…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has sounded the alarm, urgently calling for the rapid deployment of an additional 8,000 peacekeepers. This plea is made against the backdrop of escalating Al-Shabaab attacks, which have cast a long shadow over years of stabilization efforts in Somalia. The situation is becoming increasingly precarious, jeopardizing the hard-earned progress of the nation. During a ministerial meeting held in Kampala on Thursday, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu…

A New Dawn for Child Health in Somalia In a remarkable advancement for public health, Somalia has officially integrated two vital vaccines—pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and rotavirus—into its national immunization program. This transition is a significant milestone aimed at curtailing child mortality rates attributed to pneumonia and diarrhea, two leading causes of death in the region. The timing of this monumental launch coincides with a nationwide measles catch-up campaign, targeting millions of…

President Irro's First 100 Days: A Commitment to Progress in North Western State of Somalia Hargeisa (AX) — As the sun rose on Thursday, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro celebrated a significant milestone—his administration’s first 100 days in office. This occasion was marked by an official ceremony at the presidential palace in Hargeisa, where he passionately outlined the strides his government has made in several key areas, including security stabilization, defense restructuring, anti-corruption efforts, and an…

MTN Group Addresses Recent Cybersecurity Incident In an era where digital security is paramount, MTN Group, a leading telecommunications giant, has recently found itself at the center of a significant cybersecurity event. The company's spokesperson emphasized that “our core network infrastructure, billing systems, and financial services platforms are safe and fully functional.” However, they did not disclose specifics regarding the number of countries affected or the scope of the incident,…

A Call to Action for Somalia’s Future Mogadishu (AX) — In a stirring address delivered recently, the African Union Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, made an impassioned plea to member states and international partners to reaffirm their commitment to Somalia. With the nation teetering on the brink of a critical juncture, he cautioned that the hard-won victories against Al-Shabaab are at significant risk of reversal without continued support from the global community. Speaking at a high-level summit of Troop Contributing…

The landscape of cryptocurrency is rapidly evolving, and Nigeria stands at the forefront of this digital revolution, as highlighted by the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index published by Chainalysis. Securing a notable position just behind India, Nigeria has adopted cryptocurrency fervently for various purposes, including transactions, investments, and remittances. But with this remarkable leap in adoption comes a complex web of challenges and risks, casting a shadow over its promising future. With decentralized…

Turkey's Ambitious Initiative to Enhance Energy Independence In a move that promises to reshape the energy landscape of the region, Turkey is gearing up to initiate a robust series of oil and natural gas exploration projects in Libya, Iraq, Somalia, and Azerbaijan. This strategic initiative, heralded by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, aims to significantly diminish Turkey's reliance on imported energy sources. Announced during a recent event in Istanbul, this plan reflects Turkey’s commitment to…

In an exciting development for global economic collaboration, the President and CEO of Dangote Group, alongside several distinguished industry leaders, has been appointed to the World Bank's Private Sector Investment Lab. This initiative represents a significant effort to foster sustainable economic growth and job creation in emerging markets. In his response to the appointment, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote expressed his profound respect for this new role. He regards it as an esteemed opportunity to…