West Africa

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…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a heartfelt plea echoing through the bustling lanes of Mogadishu, Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamse Abdi Barre, called for a united front in the face of ominous threats. With a tone as grave as storm clouds over the savannah, he addressed the peril that Al-Shabaab and ISIS pose to the heartbeat of the nation: its people, its cherished land, and the hopes of tomorrow. Under the sweltering sun of a Mogadishu Thursday, Barre took center stage to spotlight terrorism as a beast needing taming. He painted a…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a bustling corner of Hargeisa, amid whispered conversations and warm cups of Somali tea, pivotal talks unfurled on an otherwise ordinary Thursday. The rooms were full of gravity, as representatives from both North Western State of Somalia and Ethiopia gathered to hash out ways to bolster their military and security collaboration. Gathering under the auspices of a shared goal, the dynamic North Western State of Somalia Minister of Defense, Mohamed Yusuf Ali, flanked by Ethiopian Ambassador to North…

The ink was barely dry on the freshly signed agreement when a wave of optimism swept through the room, coloring the atmosphere with a renewed sense of hope. This came after Director of Qatar Charity's office in Somalia, Mr. Abdul Fattah Adam Maalim, and Galmudug's Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Abdulwali Abdullah Jama, joined hands to announce a groundbreaking collaboration. This was no ordinary handshake; it marked a partnership set to breathe life into Somalia's health sector. A fitting testament to altruism…