West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — As the sun lazily dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Mogadishu, a gathering unlike any other took place. Survivors, heartened activists, and earnest government officials came together to honor the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Their voices joined in an impassioned plea urging the swift establishment of a national ban in Somalia. Orchestrated by the Ifrah Foundation, this pivotal event was held in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Family,…

In a candid discussion on February 10, 2025, Owino's words laid bare an unsettling truth: the vetting procedure imposed on Somalis had inadvertently fostered corruption. "We just created an opportunity for people to eat," he remarked, encapsulating the sentiment that this process was more a bureaucratic charade than a necessity. Isn't it ironic how measures intended to strengthen can instead unravel at the seams? Kenya's existing ID registration process, according to Owino, is robust enough, encompassing thorough…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — In a move aimed at breathing new life into Mogadishu's arterial roads, Somalia has inked contracts with four top-tier construction firms. These agreements, part of an ambitious infrastructural facelift, underscore a pivotal step in the nation's quest for economic vitality and development. The bustling Banadir Regional Administration headquarters hosted the signing ceremony on Tuesday. It was here that the intricacies of the Nagaad Project were brought into the limelight, courtesy of the Ministry of…

Hargeisa (AX) — In a setting where the glimmer of the Gulf meets the vibrancy of ambition, North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro conferred with UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday. Yet, is any meeting truly ordinary when it dances around the themes of economic cooperation and regional stability? This rendezvous, set against the backdrop of the illustrious Global Government Summit held in Dubai, served as a beacon of…

In an unprecedented diplomatic endeavor, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud embarked on his inaugural state visit to Azerbaijan, moments marked by engaging dialogues with President Ilham Aliyev. This historic encounter took place on a nondescript Wednesday, yet its implications for Somali-Azeri relations could be profound. Could this be the dawn of a transformative partnership between the two nations? The office of the Azerbaijani president seemed to suggest so, revealing ambitious talks aimed at enhancing cooperation…

Could justice really be tangible, a force acting in real-time rather than a theoretical construct? In the heart of Somalia's Bay region, this question found an answer in the rapid administration of justice on a recent gripping occasion. The gritty streets of Baidoa witnessed a somber yet decisive chapter as a military court enforced the law in a bold and unyielding manner. Over the course of two consecutive days, three men met the ultimate penalty for their heinous acts against innocent civilians—an…

Mogadishu (AX) — Like characters in the dynamic theater of geopolitics, nations vie for influence on the African stage, painting the canvas of history with choices and alliances. Recently, Ethiopia emerged as a pivotal protagonist by securing a seat on the African Union's Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for a three-year tenure. But how did this happen? And what significance does this hold for the continent? Ethiopia's triumph at the 46th Executive Council meeting, held under the imposing shadows of Addis Ababa's…

In a bold move to combat corruption in Liberia, President Joseph Boakai has escalated his administration's efforts by suspending over 400 officials who neglected to declare their assets to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission. This significant action encompasses a broad array of individuals, including ministers, heads of state-owned enterprises, and ambassadors. These officials will not only lose a month's salary but are also required to relinquish control of government assets until they fulfill the mandatory declaration…

Certainly, let's delve into the intricate tapestry of this issue with a more nuanced, professional tone. --- As the sun rose over the verdant landscape of central Kenya, painting ethereal hues on the horizon, thoughts weighed heavily on the mind of Jackson Karuiru. A man seasoned by the struggles of agriculture, Karuiru, the chairman of the Kenyan Khat Farmers Association, finds himself at the crossroads between tradition and the unforgiving march of modern economics. “How can we carry on under these circumstances,” he…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a case that seems almost torn from the pages of a modern cautionary tale, a Somali court has sentenced a married couple to two years in prison. Their offense? Creating and distributing sexually explicit videos—a decision that has set off a national dialogue about digital privacy and the evolving landscape of personal security in Somalia. Is it an outcry against modern technology or a wake-up call for digital discretion? The court in question, the Waberi District Court of Mogadishu's bustling Banaadir…