West Africa

The Nigerian music landscape has been graced with numerous talents, but few have soared as high as Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems. Recently, she claimed the prestigious Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance during the 67th annual ceremony. Her triumph marks a significant milestone, as she outperformed a formidable lineup that included renowned artists such as Burna Boy, Asake, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, and the dynamic collaboration of Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay. This accomplishment is a testament not…

Gobonimo Market Blaze Underlines Ongoing Vulnerabilities in Hargeisa's Commercial Centers Hargeisa (AX) — The tranquil evening air of Hargeisa was ruptured by a blaze, a fire that engulfed Gobonimo Market on Saturday. This incident starkly highlighted the underlying weaknesses of the city's vital trading zones. Are these catastrophic events becoming all too commonplace in a city heavily reliant on its markets? The North Western State of Somalia Police, through a succinct press release, confirmed the deployment of…

In a spirited and rare display of unity, the foreign ministers of five Arab countries have come forth with a resolute joint statement, unequivocally denouncing any efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their ancestral lands. It’s a strong, collective rebuke to the controversial proposal laid out by none other than the former US President, Donald Trump. The document, released over the past weekend, took aim squarely at Trump's suggestion that Egypt and Jordan should open their doors to Palestinians from the…

Mogadishu (AX) — The recent return of Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe to Kismayo marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of his strained dealings with Somalia's federal government. Imagine the tumultuous dynamics of a family feud, where each member grapples with deep-seated grievances yet yearns for some semblance of harmony. Upon Madobe's arrival in Kismayo, the semi-arid interim capital of Jubaland, state media and confidants released a brief video capturing his return. It is a stark contrast to the…

Why do we need institutions? It's a question that beckons a dive into the less navigable waters of human society. The world, a vast and intricate puzzle, continually shifts under our feet, always perplexing, forever unpredictable. Humans, in their solitary states, find themselves overwhelmed by this chaos. Enter institutions—not mere constructs of civilization but the anchors of order and progress. These entities, ranging from governmental bodies and educational establishments to religious congregations and legal frameworks,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a remarkable denunciation, Somali lawmaker and opposition figurehead Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame has chastised the Somali government. Why? For a glaring oversight—failing to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Northeastern State in the nation's military campaign against ISIS militants in the windswept, rugged terrain of the northeastern Bari region. Warsame's words weren’t just a casual rebuke; they brimmed with a palpable sense of frustration and urgency. To him, Northeastern State's…

Northeastern State Forces Strike at the Heart of ISIS in Somalia "Verification of the identities of those killed is ongoing, and we will release the names once the process is complete," Faadhigo revealed with a resolute tone. Among the casualties, he noted, were senior ISIS leaders, though their identities remain under wraps for now. The world will likely know the key figures lost in the shuffle within a matter of days. In a strategic decision, Northeastern State forces have been tasked…

The intricate tapestry of geopolitics in the Horn of Africa unraveled a new thread on Monday, as North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Defence issued a firm rebuttal to recent claims made by AFRICOM. According to the ministry, U.S. military operations have not encroached upon their territory. But isn’t geography more an art than a science sometimes? The ministry specifically challenged assertions linked to U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, asserting airstrikes were falsely attributed to the Golis Mountains…

Mogadishu — In the bustling heart of Somalia's capital, a significant discussion unfolded on a sun-drenched Sunday. The United Kingdom reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to aiding Somalia's battle against the shadowy specters of terrorism. This pivotal meeting brought together Major General Asad Osman Abdullahi, the distinguished Somali Police Chief, and Mike Nithavrianakis, the resolute UK Ambassador. The dialogue dipped into critical questions: How can further cooperation be harnessed to counter the looming threats…

What do a leader of a North African nation and the foreign affairs minister of a small East African country have in common? Quite a lot, it seems. On a recent Sunday in the bustling heart of Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, convened to deliberate on the pressing issues facing Somalia and the collective endeavors required to restore tranquility and stability in the Horn of Africa. A communiqué from the Egyptian presidency underscored the…