West Africa

The Role of Egyptian Troops in Somalia’s Fight Against Terrorism In an increasingly interconnected world, terrorism knows no borders. Somalia, a nation long tormented by the extremist group al-Shabab, is now bolstering its defense forces with a fresh wave of support from Egypt, marking a significant development in the African Union’s ongoing peace and stabilization efforts. A New Chapter in Somali-Egyptian Collaboration At the heart of this strategic alliance is the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission…

The Ripple Effect of Fraud: Three Nigerian Men Sentenced in U.S. Unemployment Scheme In an unsettling yet revealing chapter of the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a U.S. court has sentenced three Nigerian men for their direct involvement in a sprawling unemployment fraud scheme. This case not only shines a spotlight on the lengths individuals will go to during times of economic uncertainty but also underscores the ongoing vulnerabilities in international cybersecurity and fraud prevention systems. The Crime…

Baidoa (AX) — On Monday, Ambassador James Swan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, sat down with South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ and his team. Their chat revolved around some big-ticket items like security, election prep, and the pressing humanitarian concerns. Regional bigwigs filled in the UN envoy on safety measures being beefed up across South West State. They particularly pointed out the recent wins in Sabiid and Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region.…

The government of Liberia is dialing up its fight against illegal drug use by enforcing a sweeping ban on hookah in both public and private spaces. Alongside this, the authorities have placed strict limitations on the use of Tramadol, allowing it solely in "licensed hospital settings" under the watchful eye of qualified medical professionals. "Liberia is grappling with a significant drug crisis," emphasized Health Minister Louise Kpoto. She pointed out that the government is ramping up efforts to implement the nation’s…

The Nigerian armed forces, as part of Operation Hadin Kai, recently dealt a significant blow to terrorist factions, obliterating over 35 militants in a series of precision airstrikes. This decisive action came on the heels of an attempted assault near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, where insurgents had convened in Kumshe, Borno State, ostensibly gearing up to target a Forward Operating Base manned by the elite 21 Special Armoured Brigade. According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the militants had organized themselves into…

In Kismayo, a new chapter of political drama unfolds as the Jubbaland legislative body votes to retain Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe as their regional leader for a third stint. Though controversy brews around this decision, opposition factions are not backing down, opting to host their own election and stirring the pot of dissent. By collecting 55 ballots in his favor, Madobe secured his position against rivals. His nearest competitor, Faisal Mohamed Mataan, managed to secure just 16, while Abubakar Abdi Hassan lagged behind…

In the bustling city of Kismayo, the seat of Jubbaland’s interim government in the Lower Jubba region, the stage is set for a dramatic political showdown. Despite a cloud of controversy hanging over the proceedings, the regional presidential election is scheduled for Monday. The central government, however, is up in arms, outright dismissing the election's legitimacy. I ain’t whistling Dixie! The stakes are sky-high as four ambitious contenders throw their hats into the ring. Among the hopefuls, we’ve got the seasoned Ahmed…

In an engaging rendezvous in Ankara, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Somalia's Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur convened to amplify military and security cooperation between their two nations. Their conversation revolved around supercharging their collective endeavors in defense and counterterrorism, directly tackling the regional security hurdles, notably Somalia’s ongoing tussle with Al-Shabaab. A lot of time was also spent tossing ideas for extending ties in trade, energy, and humanitarian assistance.…

Over the course of Barack Obama's presidency, roughly 54,000 Somali refugees found new homes in the United States, a far cry from the widely circulated but inaccurate claim that he relocated 70,000 Somalis to Minnesota. Contrary to some eyebrow-raising social media posts, this was not a cunning plan to manipulate future elections in favor of Ilhan Omar, the Somali-American Congresswoman representing Minnesota. Around the time of the U.S. presidential election on November 5th, messages floating around Facebook declared,…

In the heart of a courtroom where the echoes of past actions linger, a poignant inquiry unfolds, delving into the tragic events surrounding Abdirahman Abdi. The story, a complex tapestry of mental health challenges and law enforcement decisions, is laid bare, painting a picture that compels us to question and understand. Abdi, a Somali Canadian, found himself amid a severe mental health crisis, a state often misunderstood and mishandled. The authorities sprung into action, led by Constable Daniel Montsion, whose decisions…