West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — Marking its initiation into hosting major defense discussions, Ethiopia is holding its inaugural African Defense Ministers' Conference in Addis Ababa, a crucial gathering during a tumultuous period for the continent. Kicking off on Tuesday, the event unfolds at the historic Adwa Victory Memorial Museum under the theme "Africa: United in Peace, Strong in Security." Orchestrated by Ethiopia's Ministry of Defense, the conference draws military heads from the length and breadth of Africa to deliberate on…

In Golweyn, a town deep in the Somali heartland, Omar Hassan Warsame was known for his generosity and leadership. His vast farm provided not only a bounty of corn and bananas but also a lifeline for locals, offering jobs and sheltering the community from the harsh seasons. At 65, Omar and his team, up to a dozen strong, busied themselves with tending to their fields. Located in the Lower Shebelle region, about 110 kilometers from Mogadishu, his farm often stood as a beacon of stability against the regular droughts that…

Mogadishu (AX) — Picture this: A nightmare that hundreds of Somali migrants face while stranded in Libya. Dreaming of thriving in Europe, they flee home to escape conflict and poverty, yet find themselves ensnared in a grim landscape coated with violence and scarcity instead.Entrapped in Tripoli, these wayfarers have fallen into the hands of infamous human traffickers known as the "Magafe." These unscrupulous smugglers make life surreal with daily nightmares—extortion, torture, and the gnawing presence of starvation. As…

Bishop Samuel J. Quire, the prominent leader of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, has recently expressed deep concerns regarding reports of several congregations pondering a split from the denomination. Their contemplation of such a move stems from the heated discussions surrounding the acceptance of same-sex marriage within the church. Quire firmly emphasized that no congregation under the Methodist banner is entitled to sever ties, highlighting that those contemplating such a decision are straying from the…

Mogadishu (AX) — A whirlwind of bureaucratic hurdles has prompted Italy to suddenly slam the brakes on issuing visas to Somali citizens, leaving many in a state of confusion. Ambassador Pier Mario Daccò Coppi, in a rare departure from diplomatic parlance, squashed speculations of political motives, pointing instead to administrative hang-ups that have choked the visa machinery. He reassured that the Italian authorities are busy untangling red tape, aiming to get the situation back on track swiftly.From the heart of Rome,…

Tragedy struck in the northwestern region of Nigeria’s Jigawa state, where a catastrophic fuel tanker explosion has claimed the lives of over 90 individuals. Eyewitness accounts reveal that crowds had gathered around the tanker in the aftermath of the accident, driven by desperation to siphon off fuel when disaster struck. “It's concerning that, despite repeated warnings from law enforcement urging the public to maintain a safe distance from fuel tanker mishaps, people continue to jeopardize their safety,” expressed a…

Baku (AX) — Anar Najafli, who leads the State Protocol Department at Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, met with Somalia's non-resident ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, earlier this week to officially receive his credentials.Ambassador Fathudin, doubling up as Somalia's representative to Turkey, engaged in discussions with Najafli to explore avenues for boosting ties between the two nations, focusing particularly on trade, education, and development partnerships. Interestingly, Fathudin's journey to Azerbaijan…

The government has announced an ambitious 25-year development strategy designed to enhance competitiveness, promote sustainable resource management, and uphold exemplary governance, establishing a foundation for economic autonomy. Dubbed "Senegal 2050," this initiative aspires to raise per capita income by an impressive 50% over the next five years. There’s also a goal to extend the average life expectancy by three years and to mitigate national debt and fiscal deficits. The overarching intention is to diminish reliance on…

Mogadishu (AX) — Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, and a posse of Egyptian business folks are gearing up for a jaunt to Somalia soon. Their mission? To suss out promising chances for investment. Mahmoud Abdirahman Farah Benebene, the big cheese over at Somalia’s Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, mentioned the crew’s visit is a springboard for yakking about and kicking off big infrastructure ventures. They’re especially keen on eyeing the nation’s ports for investments. Minister…

Yet again, Nigeria's national electricity grid has taken a nosedive, leaving citizens in the dark just a day after power was reinstated. Numerous distribution companies, such as the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, have alerted their customers about the latest outage. Although these power firms are reportedly scrambling to restore electricity, the exasperation among the populace and local businesses is palpable, stemming from a…