West Africa

U.S. Airstrikes Target Islamic State in Somalia WASHINGTON — In the enigmatic expanse of Somalia's Golis Mountains, a U.S. military operation unfolded earlier this month with precision and strategic acumen. The airstrikes, orchestrated against the ever-elusive Islamic State, have achieved a significant milestone, according to the latest assessment from U.S. military officials. Late Tuesday, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced the demise of Ahmed Maeleninine, a notorious architect of terror,…

On a brisk morning in February, the azure skies over Baku embraced a new chapter in diplomatic relations. February 11 marked the arrival of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, esteemed President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as he embarked on a significant journey to Azerbaijan. Why, one might wonder, is this trip momentous? The answer might lie in the potential collaboration between these two nations, charting a path toward economic and political cooperation. As President Mohamud's plane touched down at Heydar Aliyev…

Mogadishu (AX) – The vibrant heart of commerce in Somalia, Bakara Market, flung open its doors again on a sunny Tuesday morning, following its temporary closure for four exhausting days. This decision emerged from critical negotiations between the nation's federal officials and the indomitable spirits of the business community. A glimmer of hope appeared as a precursor to the bustling days ahead. Productive dialogues between the esteemed Banadir Regional Business Council and the voice of the people, Speaker of the House…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the heart of the bustling city of Addis Ababa, where the air hums with anticipation and the scent of spiced coffee mingles with the vibrancy of the market, the African Union’s Ministerial Committee on Candidatures convened for its routine yet crucial biannual meeting. This day was not merely another tick on the calendar but a moment for Africa to unite in its quest to carve a more pronounced space on the world's stage. As delegates shuffled into the grand hall, the walls resonated with the…

In a poignant announcement, Somalia's Minister of Finance, Bihi Iman Egeh, heralded a defining achievement: the nation has successfully cleared approximately $4.5 billion in debt. This monumental accomplishment, attained through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative spearheaded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), perhaps turns a promising page in Somalia’s ongoing narrative. Who would have thought that such reformative strides could bring a country closer to financial stability? Egeh spoke…

It's not every day that two nations, bound by geography and shared aspirations, amplify their bonds on the global stage. Yet, the recent signing of a joint communiqué between Uganda and the Federal Republic of Somalia marks such an occasion. This accord, anchored in defence cooperation, is a testament to the burgeoning ties between these East African neighbors.The formal signing unfolded with understated grandeur at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala. It was here that Jacob…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a move as monumental as it is symbolic, the Somali government has resolved a debt dispute with the Abu Dhabi Development Fund (ADFD) originating from the ill-fated Juba Sugar Factory project. This triumph sees $257 million etched off the slate, an encouraging milestone in Somalia's ambitious economic revival plan. Amid the opulence of Dubai and the stimulating atmosphere of the World Government Summit, a simple yet momentous act took place. Somalia’s Finance Minister, Bihi Iman Igeh, alongside ADFD’s…

It's always a fascinating journey when cultures and ideas intersect, isn't it? Such was the atmosphere when Sheikh Noor Mohammad Hassan, serving as Somalia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, engaged in a pivotal meeting with Ibrahim Hasan Murad, President of the University of Management and Technology (UMT) and a former Minister. The setting? UMT’s verdant Johar Town campus in the bustling city of Lahore. This meeting was not your run-of-the-mill diplomatic dialogue. Instead, it was a conduit for sparking innovation and bolstering…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant stride towards bolstering national security, Somalia’s federal government recently dispatched elite units from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) to invigorate ongoing military operations against the looming threats of Al-Shabaab and ISIS. This move, brimming with both hope and resolve, marks a new chapter in Somalia’s long-standing struggle against insurgency. The day was Tuesday, when the ceremonial drums beat in Mogadishu as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stood before…

BALIDHIDIN, Somalia — A lone figure lay on the sun-drenched ridge, a fallen Islamic State combatant, as Somali soldiers, heavily armed and determined, wound their way to a distant cavern. Their progress brought them to a new frontier against the global menace of the Islamic State. In the semi-autonomous region of Northeastern State, the threat has been growing. Foreign militants arrive in torrents, and these hostile infiltrators have turned Somalia into a pivotal launching pad for radical operations. By their side, money…