West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) – In a charged statement that echoes a stormy sea of political discontent, former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has thrown down the gauntlet to the current leadership. He lambasts their decision to plough ahead with constitutional modifications and an electoral process that seemingly snubs Northeastern State, Jubaland, and other pivotal political players. If the national unity of Somalia were likened to a patchwork quilt, these actions, according to Farmaajo, threaten to rip it asunder,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a city buzzing with political anticipation and the scent of change on the breeze, Somalia's National Electoral Commission and Boundaries dropped a significant bombshell on Monday. They've flung open the doors for political groups to sign up for the much-anticipated one-person, one-vote election coming down the pike. Seated at the helm of this pivotal announcement, Commission Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan took the stage in Mogadishu, laying down the law amid camera flashes. "Political organizations,…

In a kaleidoscope of global diplomacy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty navigated the corridors of power as he conferred with European Council President Antonio Costa in the cosmopolitan heart of Europe, Brussels. They engaged in a tête-à-tête underscoring the instrumental role President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi has played in sculpting the Gaza ceasefire while orchestrating the symphony of peace and stability across the Middle East. Adams' son was quick to recognize Egypt as an indispensable confidant in…

In an era where every magnifying glass is trained on global security, President William Ruto is striking the chord for greater unity among Horn of Africa nations to square up against shared woes like terrorism and organized crime. Seems like a tall order, doesn’t it? After a tête-à-tête with Ethiopia's intelligence czar, Ambassador Redwan Hussien, at the prestigious State House, Nairobi, Ruto pulled out all the stops to reinforce Kenya's promise of working hand in glove with both regional and worldwide partners. His…

Mogadishu (AX) – Imagine a flight that stirs up more buzz than a beehive in springtime. The Somali government recently found itself swatting away reports faster than a short-order cook during breakfast rush. It quashed rumors that its ambassador to Kenya, Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle, had been called back home posthaste because of a kerfuffle involving a plane. This wasn’t just any old plane but a Kenya-registered one, which apparently waltzed into Somali airspace on January 18 without giving so much as a courtesy nod. The alleged…

In the hustle and bustle of Hargeisa, under the golden rays of a Sunday morning sun, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro took to the stage, radiating optimism and determination. With a fervor that could light up a room, he announced his ambitious blueprint to revitalize diplomatic and economic bridges with Ethiopia and Djibouti, envisioning a future of prosperity and collaboration—and perhaps, a little bit of brotherly love. In his florid proclamation, President Irro hailed Ethiopia not just as a neighbor, but as a…

In a tragic turn of events, at least 86 lives have been claimed and countless others injured following the catastrophic explosion of a fuel tanker in Niger State, nestled in northern Nigeria. The heartbreaking reality is that most of the victims were local residents, drawn to the scene like moths to a flame, desperate to collect the spilled petrol. It’s a stark and grim reminder of the struggles faced by impoverished communities where the lure of potential profit outweighs the looming dangers, as authorities have reported.…

Mogadishu (AX) – With a keen eye on bolstering national security, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took a leisurely yet crucial walk through the corridors of the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Mogadishu on a mellow Sunday afternoon. He was on a mission – not just any mission, mind you – but a mission to strategize the subtle art of defense enhancement. Here, it seems, every day is a day to imbibe the spirit of national defense. During his tour, President Hassan Sheikh wore his hat of diplomacy, engaging in…

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdel Aati - file In a bustling Cairo conference room, brimming with the energy of diplomacy and the aroma of richly brewed Egyptian coffee, Minister Badr Abdel Aati stood poised beside his Senegalese counterpart, Yassine Fall. The air buzzed with historical significance as he proudly proclaimed, "Egypt was the very first African nation to extend a gracious hand of recognition to Senegal." It was Saturday, January 18, 2025, a day marked not only by diplomatic…

Bosaso (AX) – In a twist of fate both intriguing and contentious, Northeastern State's regional leaders have turned down food aid supplied by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). This aid was intended to assist communities beleaguered by drought and conflict in Northeastern State. However, suspicions regarding both the aid's origins and its distribution process have cast a shadow over its intended purpose. During a no-holds-barred press briefing in Bosaso on the Sabbath, Northeastern State’s…