West Africa

Embracing a New Era: Somalia's Security Transition In the bustling atmosphere of Addis Ababa, African defense ministers recently convened to take a pivotal step forward for Somalia's future. They meticulously crafted a blueprint for the deployment of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), marking a momentous phase in Somalia’s journey towards self-reliance. But what does this transition mean for Somalia, a nation that has weathered turbulent storms over the last two decades?…

Global Brands: Nations Beyond Borders Imagine a world where countries are more than just landmasses; they are vibrant brands with a heartbeat and personality. Some nations are instantly recognizable, wield immense influence on the global stage and attract investments like a powerful magnet. But what makes a country a powerhouse brand? It's not just economic clout but also a blend of culture, innovation, and a generous dash of goodwill. Take the United States, for instance. An economic juggernaut that, come 2025,…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali: A Visit of Significance to Somalia On a bright Thursday morning, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali touched down in Somalia, signalling an intriguing chapter in the evolving relationship between these two neighboring nations.This visit is more than a ceremonial gesture; it's a testament to our shared future, declared a Somali official, hinting at the importance of this gathering.It's not every day that leaders meet under such auspicious circumstances, where both parties are…

Unveiling the Human Mosaic Beyond Borders In the quiet corners of Ogun State, nestled amidst the clamor of daily lives, a discreet yet significant operation unfolded. The The Punch reported on a multi-faceted immigration sweep carried out with precision and purpose by officers from both the Ogun State Command and Zone A headquarters. Their mission? To address the lacunae in border management and the movement of undocumented individuals seeking an elusive place in the Nigerian sun. At the…

In what could be likened to a scene from a suspense-thriller, Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) unearthed a significant stockpile of USAID-funded medications and expired drugs during a recent sweep in Lagos State, a bustling epicenter of commerce in Nigeria. Imagine the sight: 87 truckloads laden with banned, expired, and subpar medicinal products were intercepted. Included were antiretroviral drugs as well as male and female condoms, many of…

A Hopeful Liberty: The Case of Roble Ahmed Salad Edited By Ali MusaAxadle Times International – Monitoring A recent ruling at the Anchorage federal courthouse has unfolded another layer of the complexities entwined in U.S. immigration policy. Within its walls, a federal judge made a significant decision regarding a Somali asylum seeker that could leave one pondering the intricacies of immigration norms and laws. Isn't it human nature to seek refuge and hope for safety—thus raising the question of how…

The Economic Strain of Fragile Currencies Consider this: you're a business owner looking to expand your operations, but the currency in your country is notoriously unstable. Every day, volatile exchange rates threaten to undercut your profits and inflate your costs. This is the daily reality for many businesses across African nations grappling with weak currencies in comparison to the U.S. dollar. "Economies are like delicate ecosystems; any disturbance, particularly a depreciating currency, sends ripples through the…

The impact of recent funding cuts by the Trump administration reverberates through South Africa. Specifically, organisations benefitting from the PEPFAR (The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) initiative, which is funded through USAID, have received troubling news: their financial support has been terminated permanently. This development signifies a dramatic shift in the landscape of HIV prevention and treatment efforts across the nation. According to a report by Bhekisisa's Mia Malan, this grim notification is not…

Reclaiming Bal'ad: A Testament to Somalia's Resilience Mogadishu (AX) — Bal'ad, a town with stories woven into its very soil, became the arena of a determined and rigorous military operation early Thursday morning. As dawn kissed the horizon, Somali government forces endeavored to recapture Bal'ad from the grip of Al-Shabaab, an endeavor marked by courage and strategic prowess. One wonders, what sustains such endurance in the face of adversity? The assault began with a nerve-wracking precision. Al-Shabaab militants,…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring. In a move that has reverberated across the fuel market, the Dangote Refinery made headlines on Wednesday by announcing a significant reduction in the ex-depot price of petrol. The price has been slashed by N65, bringing it down from N890 to N825 per liter. At first glance, this may appear as just another business decision, but as with many things in life, the ripple effects reach far and wide. Starting…