West Africa

Nigerian pride was evident as the Super Eagles displayed a stellar performance, yet couldn't clutch an away victory against Rwanda. The home squad owes much to their goalkeeper for maintaining a stalemate. Despite the game concluding in a nil-nil deadlock, Nigeria comfortably remains perched atop Group D. Over in South Africa, the football drama peaked as Bafana Bafana clinched a narrow 3-2 victory over South Sudan. The match's tense finale saw substitute Mbatha net the winning goal in the dying moments of added time.…

"Dahomey," a groundbreaking documentary crafted by Mati Diop, delves into the echoes of royal artifacts pilfered from West Africa by European colonial powers. These treasures have only recently made their way back to their homeland—modern-day Benin. In a candid conversation with RFI, Diop expressed her hope that the film will trigger deep introspection on pressing themes like displacement, exile, and the elusive notion of return—not only for objects taken but also for the people affected by these historical injustices. Of…

In a bold move, three West African nations—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—governed by military juntas, are set to unveil new biometric passports as they distance themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow has reached out, seeking the support of ex-President George M. Weah in the pursuit of a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. In a formal letter, Beysolow emphasized Weah's noteworthy "global standing as a peace ambassador" and highlighted the solid groundwork his administration laid on this matter, deeming it "essential for our campaign." The initiative is poised to garner backing from other influential figures in Liberia, including former President Ellen Johnson…

Inundating rains have unleashed a wave of flooding and destruction across various cities and towns in West and Central Africa, affecting millions of lives. This deluge has ignited humanitarian emergencies in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Mali, Ghana, and Liberia, with a staggering estimate of four million individuals, most of whom are children, caught in the turmoil.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reports that fortifying bouillon cubes in Nigeria with iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B12 could prevent up to 16,6 million cases of anemia and save 11,000 children from neural tube defect-related deaths by 2050. The foundation calls on world leaders to increase investments in global health, focusing on child nutrition and well-being amid the growing climate crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that 148 million children are stunted, while 45 million are affected by…

Nairobi (AX) — The plot thickens in the legal wrangle between Somalia's Nairobi embassy and a Kenyan builder following the court's decision to keep the embassy's bank accounts frozen. An insider shed light on the origins of the relationship between the Somali embassy and Kingsley Construction Limited, which brought a lawsuit against the Somali government for breaching their contract. Back in 2015, figures such as Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid and Former Somali Ambassador Gamal Mohamed Hassan, along with…

Mogadishu (AX) — CAF recently revealed the officiating lineup for the eagerly awaited Super Cup match pitting Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly against Zamalek. Notably, Somali referee Abdulkadir Artan has been named the match's fourth official. Artan's selection shines as a significant step in his burgeoning career, underscoring his progress in football officiating. Scheduled for September 27 at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia, the match kicks off at 9 PM CET. Leading the officiating crew is Libyan referee Moataz Ibrahim, with…

Ertugrul Karaferiyeli, Human Resources Manager at Favori LLC, working at Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport, finds himself ensnared in allegations of labor misconduct within Somalia. Credit: LinkedIn Mogadishu (AX) — The Banadir Regional Court has mandated the detention of Ertugrul Karaferiyeli, a Turkish national and HR manager at Favori, after serious claims of workplace misconduct against Somali employees. The Office of the Attorney General outlined charges encompassing immorality, threats, and the abuse of…

The Turkish seismic research vessel, Oruc Reis, is ushered by Turkish naval ships in the Mediterranean Sea, off Antalya on 10 August 2020. (Courtesy of Turkish Defence Ministry) Turkey has strategic plans to dispatch frigates to Somali waters to safeguard a Turkish energy research vessel, according to sources privy to the matter, shared with Middle East Eye. A pact inked earlier this year between Turkey and Somalia grants Ankara the authority to shield Somali waters from external threats and permits the exploration and…