West Africa

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…

FILE - A solitary figure, a security officer, traverses through Balidhidin village, nestled in the rugged terrain of Northeastern State’s Bari region, Somalia, on an unusually cool January 26, 2025. A mere fortnight later, on February 11, 2025, Somali officials somberly announced a catastrophic attack by the Islamic State on a Northeastern State military base that claimed nearly 100 lives. Imagine the chaos: Almost 100 individuals meeting an untimely demise, and around 60 others bearing injuries, as the notorious Islamic…

Impact of Aid Withdrawal on Somalia’s Vulnerable Populations The United States Agency for International Development, better known as USAID, invested a substantial sum of $369 million in Somalia during 2021. This funding supported a spectrum of vital initiatives—from sanitation projects to emergency nutritional programs—implemented through both governmental and non-governmental channels. Yet, amid this significant humanitarian endeavor, an unexpected halt threatened to unravel the fragile threads holding numerous…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AX) — Picture this. A courtroom in Minneapolis bustling with intense emotion and dramatic declarations. This week, the trial of Aimee Bock, the alleged architect behind one of the most audacious fraud schemes of the pandemic era, captivated the city — and the nation. Dubbed a scam of monumental proportions, her case is tangled in claims, counterclaims, and a ponderous $250 million scandal. At the heart of this unfolding legal drama lies Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit intended to nourish low-income…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a striking gesture of solidarity and commitment, Somali legislator Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame has dedicated his entire monthly remuneration to bolster Northeastern State's security forces. But what drives a man to part with his earnings in such a fashion? Is it sheer patriotism, a call of duty, or something deeper in the heart of Somalia's political labyrinth? Whatever the motive, Warsame has set the gauntlet before his peers and the populace, encouraging both citizens and fellow parliamentarians to…