West Africa

Back in January 2012, German-American journalist Michael Scott Moore found himself in dire straits when he was kidnapped in Galkayo, Somalia. That's quite a ways, roughly 400 miles, northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, huh? It's a wild world we live in. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Fast forward to today, two Somali fellows—prosecutor lingo for pirates—got slapped with 30-year prison sentences. Who are these dudes, you ask? Well, they played starring roles in the dramatic 2012 abduction of Moore, and he…

"As a voter gaze at a ballot in hand, poised to make a mark, he gets ready to participate in a pivotal moment for North Western State of Somalia," reports Luis Tato from AFP.The presidential election is afoot in Somalia's aspirant state of North Western State of Somalia, attracting a wave of civic energy and political ambition.Anticipating a turnout of over a million, voters will flock to upwards of 2,000 polling stations on this significant Wednesday.Candidates carry hopes of navigating North Western State of Somalia to…

North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared state seeking to carve its own niche in the African political landscape, recently headed to the polls under a cloud of intrigue stemming from a contentious Ethiopia-Somalia port agreement. This developing situation has quickly garnered attention, not just within the region but also on the international stage. The stakes are high, adding a thick layer of tension to what would otherwise be a straightforward exercise in democracy. "Elections are a pivotal moment for any…

Hargeisa (AX) — On a bright Tuesday morning, the buzz in North Western State of Somalia was palpable as voters gathered for an election that has the potential to fundamentally transform their political landscape. Incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi from the leading Kulmiye Party is seeking another term, facing off against Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of Waddani and Faisal Ali Warabe from UCID. This election isn't just about picking a leader; it's a critical moment that will define which three parties gain official status…

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Following Donald Trump's election, African leaders expressed enthusiasm about forging stronger partnerships with the United States. However, many remain skeptical that his presidency will significantly impact the continent's 1.4 billion-strong population. After Trump clinched victory, Kenya's William Ruto affirmed readiness to enhance relations with Washington, while Nigeria's Bola Tinubu looked forward to "earnest and mutually rewarding" collaborations. Despite these greetings, whispers abound that…

Sure, here's a revised version of your text with varied sentence lengths, conversational tone, and additional background and context where applicable: --- On a bustling Monday, the stage was set for some serious talks. Badr Abdel Aty, Egypt's bigwig in foreign affairs and immigration, had a pow-wow with Ahmed Moalem Feki, Somalia’s Foreign Minister. They were hashing out the progress on agreements from two crucial summits— one bilateral, another bringing Eritrea into the mix— held back in the scenic Asmara on October 10.…

Doctors Without Borders, an esteemed international medical charity, is urgently appealing to major pharmaceutical companies and every manufacturer of insulin to dramatically improve access to diabetes treatments in low- and middle-income nations. They’re advocating for the availability of insulin pen injection devices at a price point of just $1. In their recent announcement, they underscored a staggering fact: approximately 80% of individuals living with diabetes are found in low- and middle-income countries. These regions…

North Western State of Somalia's President, Muse Bihi Abdi, recently touched down in Addis Ababa for a pivotal moment—the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia. This agreement potentially unlocks access to a North Western State of Somalia port for Ethiopia. REUTERS/Tiksa Neger/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights On Wednesday, the voters of North Western State of Somalia were out in full force, participating actively in a presidential election. This political event carries significant weight as the…

Mogadishu (AX) — The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) of Somalia has taken two individuals into custody suspected of being responsible for the slaying of two entrepreneurs in Darussalam, a district in Mogadishu.On Wednesday, a NISA spokesperson released a statement indicating that the arrested pair are connected to the deaths of notable businessmen Hilowle Ibrahim and Ahmed Samatar Ali. They added that a third person suspected of involvement is currently at large and actively being hunted by…

By the year 2025, Nigeria could see a staggering 33 million individuals grappling with severe food scarcity—almost double the current figures for those in dire need. This dire situation stems from a confluence of economic challenges, soaring inflation, the effects of climate change, and the ongoing violence that plagues the northeastern regions of the country. In the northwest, specifically in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, over five million people currently experience acute food insecurity, and the crisis is anticipated to…