West Africa

In the heart of Mogadishu, a hotspot of brewing strategies, the Somali Council of Ministers recently convened in a swift and decisive meeting held on Sunday night, a meeting that led to reshuffling some top military brass. Their resolution? Welcome back General Odowa Yusuf Raage as the head honcho of the Somali Armed Forces, sending General Ibrahim Muhyiddin to the sidelines. Straight from the chambers of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's office came the announcement, stamping the ministry's approval for General Raage's…

As North Western State of Somalia gears up for its presidential election, each day brings a vivid display of party colors with various political groups hosting campaign events across the region. From the bustling streets of Borama in the west, to the majestic Erigavo mountains in the northeast, and the vibrant heart of Hargeisa, towns and cities are wrapped in a kaleidoscope of political fervor.Today, you might see the green and yellow of the incumbent president Muse Bihi's Kulmiye party. Tomorrow might be the orange parade…

In an important move for Somalia, the nation's two-chamber parliament gave the nod to essential electoral laws on Monday. These regulations, covering election procedures, political parties, and organizations, as well as the foundation of an electoral commission, came to life. Minister of Interior, Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh, brought these laws to the table. All 170 lawmakers in attendance said yes, in unison. As reported by Sadia Yassin Haji Samatar, the House of the People's second Deputy Speaker, the measures sailed through with…

Security experts in Nigeria are on high alert following warnings from defense officials about an emerging insurgency linked to a group known as the Lakurawas, predominantly active in the northwest region. Major General Edward Buba, who serves as the military's spokesperson, has been tight-lipped about any significant attacks that may have been conducted by this group. Reports from local news outlets, however, have surfaced indicating that Lakurawas have been demanding cattle in return for so-called "protection." This…

In a surprising twist in North Western State of Somalia's political scene, Vice President Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail Saylici threw his weight behind the Waddani Party, a move that could stir up quite the ripple in the upcoming elections slated for November 13. After being in the vice-presidential saddle for what feels like a solid 14 years, Saylici stepped into the limelight in Hargeisa, where he took a shot at President Muse Bihi's regime during a news conference with Waddani's president wannabe, Abdirahman Mohamed…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a decisive operation on Monday, Somali government forces managed to eliminate at least six al-Shabab militants, including two prominent leaders, near Qansah Dhere in the Bay region. The confrontation occurred in Weel-Manas, which is a rustic hamlet about 15 kilometers from Qansah Dhere. This small village often finds itself amidst the conflict due to its strategic location. Military spokespersons shared with local media outlets that the deceased key figures of al-Shabab were identified as Nur Keerow…

In the bustling city of Riyadh, an urgent summit has convened under the auspices of Saudi Arabia, bringing together voices from across the Arab and Islamic sphere. Among the distinguished attendees is Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has traveled to Saudi Arabia to address the rising turmoil in Gaza and Lebanon. CREDIT/ Villa Somalia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AX) — With a backdrop of heightened tension, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from Somalia touched down in Riyadh this Monday. He joins an assembly of prominent…

In the heart of Mogadishu, a troubling situation unfolds in Somalia (AX) as the nation grapples with alarmingly low immunization and treatment rates for pneumonia and diarrhea. These two maladies are the leading killers of children under the age of five. A recent analysis by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights that Somalia is painfully lagging in delivering essential healthcare measures, putting countless young lives at stake. The study titled "Tracking Progress Toward Pneumonia and Diarrhea…

"I want to get the hell out of this country." This sentiment takes us directly into the heart of Abdiwali's predicament. After enduring a deeply traumatic event in 2014, Abdiwali contends his motivation for committing a significant crime was a desperate bid to be deported back to Somalia. A decision influenced by advice from his uncle suggested that such drastic measures might expedite his removal. "I'm not proud of it. I hurt someone," he reflects with regret. What remained unreported until now, thanks to a…

Amid growing global concerns, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently had a heart-to-heart over a phone call about pressing issues in Haiti, Somalia, and Yemen. Their conversation was primarily focused on the ongoing challenges in these volatile regions, but you could say it was much more than a simple exchange of pleasantries. "Antony Blinken and Antonio Guterres have been talking turkey about the current affairs," remarked an international relations observer. They delved…