West Africa

Hargeisa (AX) – In an audacious appeal, North Western State of Somalia’s Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin Ali Ayale, has made a heartfelt plea to the President of the United States, the inimitable Donald J. Trump, to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia as a fully independent nation. And you know Trump doesn't shy away from bold moves! "Donald Trump, a man celebrated for his forthrightness and strong-willed governance, now leads the United States. We urge him to recognize North Western State of Somalia to foster…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a city rich with history and the reverberations of eras long past, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud engaged in a significant tête-à-tête with Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, the esteemed Speaker of the Arab Parliament, against the backdrop of bustling Cairo on a sunny Egyptian Friday.Amidst the ancient pyramids and the bustling souks, the discourse unfolded like a captivating narrative, weaving threads of diplomacy and camaraderie. Their discussions circled the pivotal role of the Arab Parliament in…

People stroll along the sun-kissed sands as the ocean gently laps at their feet, but on this particular stretch of beach near Bosaso in Northeastern State, Northern Somalia, there's a somber sight—dolphins, nature’s cheerful navigators, are washed up on the coast. The date is January 24, 2025. REUTERS/Feisal Omar – An eye-catching photograph momentarily untangled from time. Picture this: over a hundred of these charismatic creatures have ended their journey here, painting a grim picture against the backdrop of Somalia's…

Picture this: A courtroom filled to the brim, emotions running high, and justice about to be served. It was a scene straight out of a gripping legal drama as over a hundred supporters sat in the U.S. District Court, filled with hope and trepidation, during the seven-week saga that was Shariff's trial in June 2024. With Judge Nancy E. Brasel at the helm, the verdict was as stern as it was unavoidable: guilty on all counts. Folks, this included conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud itself, conspiracy to engage in money…

FILE – Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Somali counterpart, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, share a moment in Cairo, August 2024 – Egyptian Presidency In a move that could stir the diplomatic waters of the region, the heads of state from Egypt and Somalia put pen to paper on Thursday, sealing a joint political declaration. This pact aims to forge a strategic partnership, elevating the bilateral ties to a higher echelon. The grand halls of Cairo saw President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi roll out a warm Egyptian…

Imagine, if you will, the heartfelt tale spun by Ilhan Omar, a congresswoman whose past dances through the tapestry of her narrative. Having sought refuge and sanctuary herself, Omar solemnly unveils the unique shade this issue paints her life. She observes with a melancholy timbre, "My kin and I lucked out with a golden ticket to these United States. Now, countless souls in teeming refugee camps won't be graced with that same twist of fate." What stories lie behind each weary face, yearning for a place called home? This…

Dear Esteemed Senators and Honorable Members of the House, Here’s the scoop: America's sway in Africa is on a slippery slope. Years of policy hiccups from the United States have whittled away its influence, leaving a wide-open avenue for China to stroll through with its infamous Belt and Road Initiative. While Uncle Sam focused largely on social changes and security blues, Beijing busied itself ringing Africa with shiny new infrastructure—roads, railways, and ports galore. It's like lending a fancy toolkit but with the…

Witnessed here, a poignant mother-son reunion, Billy Mwangi exudes an air of reticence, a shadow cast by his recent ordeal. In the bustling heart of Kenya, whispers echo through the streets. Over 80 individuals, known for their outspoken criticisms of government policies, have simply vanished over the last half-year. The public's reaction? A tempestuous uproar. With an air of determination, a judge has issued a stern ultimatum to top security brass: face imprisonment for contempt of court unless they present…

Garowe (AX) — In a dramatic twist unfolding under the shadows of the Ali-Miskat Mountains, Fu’aad Xanano, a valiant officer with the Northeastern State army, found himself in a dire predicament after a landmine detonation took him by surprise on a seemingly routine Friday. This incident, steeped in a storm of dust and chaos, altered the course of events and left Xanano gravely injured. It was during an operation with a fellow soldier that this unforeseeable calamity occurred — an operation initially embarked upon with the…

If you ever find yourself wandering the bustling streets of Beledweyne, Hiiraan, you might just catch a whisper about a vital movement afoot - a concerted effort to face the relentless threat posed by the notorious Al-Shabaab militant group. At the heart of this operation is none other than the Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, currently steeping in the bustling milieu of Buula Burte. Sanbaloolshe hasn't merely been skimming the surface in Buula…