West Africa

Beledweyne (AX) – In the often tumultuous chessboard of Somalia, where tactics and survival mingle intricately, the ebb and flow of conflict has confounded yet again. Al-Shabaab militants, those elusive insurgents with their unslakable thirst for turmoil, have found a new haunt—nestled by the murmuring banks of the Shabelle River in the Mahaday district, they plan their next move. Local inhabitants mutter about seeing swarms of militants sweeping into the area, battered from recent fierce skirmishes in Hiiraan. It’s as if…

Just two days have passed since President William Ruto faced an unexpected chorus of boos during his recent four-day tour of the Northeastern region. In response, leaders from the Somali community have reached out with heartfelt apologies, seeking to mend any rift. It's often said that words have power, and it's evident that this community recognizes this timeless truth.Taking center stage at a press conference in Isiolo on a quiet Sunday afternoon, the elders, led by Abdulkadir Shariff—who wears the mantle of the…

Mogadishu (AX) – In the complex tapestry of international diplomacy, words can weigh heavily, sometimes stirring ripples across distant shores. Recently, an assertion by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has done just that, leaving political waves in its wake. Netanyahu mused about potentially creating a Palestinian state within Saudi territory—a notion that was not met with silence or acquiescence but with a firm reprimand from the Somali government. For those familiar with diplomatic exchanges, was this…

Baidoa (AX) – In a significant advancement for humanitarian aid management within Somalia, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the President of Southwest State, has ratified the Safeguarding of Humanitarian Assistance Law. At first glance, one might wonder how a single piece of legislation could tangibly influence the regions ravaged by recurring natural calamities. But then, isn't hope often planted by decisive steps, however small they may initially seem? Drafted meticulously by the Ministry…

FILE - A solider navigates through the aftermath of a harrowing attack. In the city of Mogadishu, amidst scattered wreckage and fallen dreams, the Afrik hotel stands as a somber reminder of an incident on February 1, 2021. Though the attack was eventually thwarted by security forces, the scars it left behind are a testament to the ongoing strife in Somalia. With a bold statement on Saturday, Somalia's government delivered a stark warning: those who pay extortion money to al-Shabab will face the gavel of justice. In a rare…

President Will Ruto addresses Wajir residents during his North Eastern tour on February 5th, 2025. President William Ruto's recent journey across North Eastern Kenya has stirred a complex array of questions and controversies, shaking the dusty plains where political ambitions converge with historical anomalies. Is this sojourn about redressing the historical marginalization of the Somali community in Kenya, or does it signal an opportunistic ploy to bolster electoral figures with potential foreign influence? As the 2027…

Mogadishu (AX) – Gathered in the vibrant city of Dar es Salaam, leaders from across East and Southern Africa came together in a pivotal summit, as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visibly immersed himself last Saturday. The extraordinary meeting was a collective endeavor by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bold attempt to untangle the turbulent web of conflict that has recently engulfed the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The…

Mothers' House Controversy in Mogadishu Mogadishu (AX) – A peculiar tension simmered in the heart of Mogadishu early Saturday morning. Somali police forces, in an orchestrated operation, took possession of the Mothers' House compound. You might wonder, what urgent matter requires such swift action? This iconic site, nestled opposite the Somali National Theater, has become the center of a heated property dispute. The operation unfolded quietly with the first light. As the city awakened post-prayers, the…

Mogadishu (AX) – Within the escalating tides of conflict, the Somali government has embarked on a formidable campaign to dismantle the financial underpinnings that sustain terrorist organizations like al-Shabaab and ISIS. This strategic move aims to erode their entrenched influence in the region, a task riddled with complexity and fraught with peril. On a typically bustling Saturday in Mogadishu, an animated press conference unfolded. Among its distinguished speakers were Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Adala,…

The unpredictable corridors of power opened their doors on February 4, 2025, as US President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into the Oval Office. An occasion captured in time by Evan Vucci's lens for the Associated Press, the meeting hinted at a controversial geopolitical chess move: relocating Gazans from their besieged enclave. But relocate to where? The eyes of Israeli and US officials are turning toward Morocco and two autonomous Somali regions—Northeastern State and North Western State…