West Africa

Jess Hallett remarked pointedly, "If you've been there and feel no empathy, there’s likely a deeper issue at play." Once a vocal opponent of UK immigration, a transformative journey from Somalia to the UK altered Jess Hallett's views. This journey recalibrated her perspective profoundly. Originating from Llanelli, Jess was among six assertive Brits chosen for Channel 4's compelling series, Go Back To Where You Came From. Traversing the perilous people smuggling routes, she experienced the dread of precarious boat…

Mogadishu (AX) – It's a sunny Saturday, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has a reason to beam with pride. This afternoon, he extended his heartfelt congratulations to Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who recently achieved the notable milestone of being elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. An occasion worth celebrating, no doubt. Imagine, for a moment, the intricate dance of diplomacy that played out at the bustling AU summit in Addis Ababa. Underneath the grandeur of the…

The face of American immigration policy has been transformed with proposals that have set off a chain reaction of debates and consternation. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stepped into the spotlight, touting the infamous Guantánamo Bay as a fitting detention location. "It's a perfect place," Hegseth stated, fortifying his support with assurances of practicality. Yet, the dispatch of additional U.S. troops to the site has signaled a disquieting preparation for what many anticipate as an unprecedented influx. "Sending…

The shadowed peaks of the Al-Miskaat mountains in the Bari region of Northeastern State conceal a tense drama. Here, far from the bustling towns below, a critical operation unfolds. Experienced military tacticians have joined Northeastern State's forces, charged with the daunting task of eradicating ISIS militants from these rugged terrains. It is no small undertaking and certainly not for the faint-hearted. General Mohamed Hirsi Morgan, a seasoned veteran of the Somali National Army, and General Bashir America, once at the…

Underneath the sun-scorched skies of Luuq, a town steeped in both history and hardship, a poignant narrative unfolds—a story of transformation, redemption, and perhaps, hope. Isn't it curious how one decision can forever alter the arc of a life once lost to extremism? In an eerie yet expectant silence, Somali security forces watched as Abuukar Aadan Buulle, a man once entrenched in the militant web of Al-Shabaab, emerged from the shadows to renounce his past. A figure who had navigated through the underbelly of terror,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Picture the halls of power veiled in silence, a silence heavy with the weight of political trepidation. Somali lawmaker Abdirashid Hidig offers a stark warning: if the House of the People stays shuttered, legislators might resort to holding their own sessions, parallel and unauthorized. A drastic measure, indeed, but Hidig has pointed fingers at certain political leaders, accusing them of intentionally crippling parliamentary operations. This dialogue invites us to ponder: in a land rife with challenges,…

In a notable stride against extremist encroachment in digital realms, Telegram has put a definitive end to Iclaam, a notorious channel infamous for broadcasting the sinister narratives of the Islamic State (ISIS). This move resonates profoundly in the ongoing endeavor to squelch the potent sway extremists wield via social media channels. Have you ever wondered how platforms designed for connection can also be harnessed as tools of division? If there’s one thing that stands out in this digital age, it’s the role of…

In a world where communication is increasingly dominated by impersonal emails and voicemails, have you ever wondered what it takes to deliver a message with the weight of personal presence? Recently, a delegation composed of some of Somalia's earnest auditors and legal experts chose the path less traveled. When their calls and emails fell into an abyss of silence, they decided to hand-deliver their crucial letters. Venturing into the heart of Somalia's Supreme Court, they sought out someone—anyone—willing to accept their…

Trapped, exploited, and finally freed—these are the stories of over 260 individuals believed to have been ensnared into working within the bowels of online scam centers. They are now on their way home, set to be repatriated after being rescued from Myanmar in a coordinated effort led by Thailand's army, as announced on Thursday. Who would've imagined Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos would become epicenters for such insidious activities? These nations, sharing borders with Thailand, have become…

Mogadishu (AX) – On a typical scorcher of a Saturday, under the merciless sun of El-Hero in the Mahaas district, a noteworthy arrest unfolded. Mohamed Rashid Abdi Hussein, once the chairman of the Ganuribad area in Somalia's Hiiraan region, found himself in handcuffs. The reason for his capture? A damning discovery: receipts from Al-Shabaab, the notorious militant group, left little room for doubt. These were not your ordinary receipts—they were felonious tokens, empowering a regime of illegal taxation on unsuspecting…