West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) – In a whirl of political drama that's brighter than a winter carnival, the Somali Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hassan Moalim, took a bold stand against opposition groups, accusing them of monkey-wrenching the efforts to pass pivotal laws—the kind that would redefine the nation's electoral process. He’s made it clear: they are playing with fire! On a breezy Thursday in Mogadishu, with the hibiscus flowers trying to outshine the sun, Minister Moalim didn’t mince words in his address.…

(Minasse Wondimu Hailu - Anadolu Agency) In a world as tumultuous as a caffeine-fueled newsroom, where tensions flicker like a neon sign, there’s a brewing dose of hope. The recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas resistance group has drawn applause from the African Union, Somalia, and South Africa, a trio adding harmony to what has been an all-too-dissonant symphony. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the orchestrator and chief conductor of the African Union Commission, lauded the pivotal ensemble cast of…

In an unexpected turn of events that reads like a Hollywood script, the family of Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim, who had been believed to have vanished from this mortal coil during an Al-Shabaab incursion nine years ago, is now elated beyond words. It's the kind of news you don't expect. Photo: Citizen TV/Cornelius Ronoh. Source: Twitter. Hidden away in the serene locality of Maili Nne, Eldoret, a family that had long mourned is now celebrating the miraculous news that their beloved relative, Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim—a Kenya Defence…

Mogadishu (AX) — A startling revelation has emerged from ENACT Africa, an EU-initiated program focused on thwarting the scourge of transnational organized crime within the continent. The fresh data paints a grim picture, spotlighting how illicit fishing activities are wreaking havoc on Somalia's aquatic bounty, endangering the much-coveted yellowfin tuna, and unearthing glaring gaps in maritime management. It's a real fishy business, if you ask me! Could you imagine a more tantalizing prospect? Somalia, boasting the…

Mogadishu (AX) — an ominous September of 2024, where a helicopter's brief and eventful airborne jaunt in Somalia lands three senior Ugandan military officers in hot water. Much to the chagrin of those involved, what was supposed to be a routine sortie ended in a crash and a legal tailspin. The aircraft, nestled under the watchful gaze of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), met with adversity almost immediately after takeoff from Mogadishu. Miraculously, all four peacekeepers aboard, though shaken,…

Hargeisa (AX) — Streaming into living rooms like a whispered secret on a chilly February 10, Netflix unveils "Surviving Black Hawk Down," a riveting three-chapter docuseries that dusts off the old tales of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. This saga isn't just a flashback in time—it's immortal. Directed with the raw bravado of Jack MacInnes and birthed from the creative wells of RSA Films, the series decomposes one of the most intense urban skirmishes of our era, peeling back layers with a raw honesty that isn’t found in mere…

With the dawn of 2025, I found myself embarking on a nostalgic weeklong journey back to my roots – the small town of Buuloburte. The last time I set foot in this quaint dot on the map was back in August 2023, when a break from the daily grind led me here for a refreshing week. This time, however, I was playing the role of dutiful son, escorting my mother back home after a delightful, yet languorous, stay in the hustle and bustle of Mogadishu. Imagine our arrival at Buuloburte airport on January 2nd—an airstrip bustling with…

Political Dissonance and Repression in North Western State of Somalia Hargeisa (AX) — In the dusty echoes of North Western State of Somalia’s political landscape, a storm is brewing. The newly-minted administration of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, perhaps not as squeaky clean as a new pin, has already directed its gaze upon activists and journalists who dare to question or challenge the status quo. This recent crackdown has reignited worries about political oppression, even with new faces steering the…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a surprising twist of diplomatic fate, Tibor Nagy, the outspoken former US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa and one-time Ambassador to the colorful landscapes of Guinea and Ethiopia, has decided to temporarily hang his global affairs hat back at the US State Department. But here's the twist—his new role will sidestep his usual beat, expanding his diplomatic horizons beyond the African continent.Within the cacophony of social media, specifically on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), Nagy…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a spirited push towards financial transparency and accountability, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro of North Western State of Somalia has laid down the gauntlet, urging all government ministries and agencies to channel accrued revenues directly to the Ministry of Finance. It's a move designed to tighten the screws on financial operations and sniff out any fiscal hide-and-seek played in dark corners. At a cabinet gathering this Thursday, against the backdrop of Hargeisa's bustling…