West Africa

In a sweeping view, the Mogadishu Sea Port stands with an Egyptian warship having recently docked, unloading a significant cache of weapons. This event took place in Mogadishu, Somalia, on September 23, 2024. © REUTERS/Feisal Omar. For licensing, visit Purchase Licensing Rights. On Tuesday, Somalia angrily pointed fingers at Ethiopia, accusing it of secretly smuggling arms. The backdrop of this accusation involves fears that these weapons might fall into the hands of Islamist militants amid the turmoil in the Horn of…

Amid growing military camaraderie with Mogadishu, Cairo has issued a travel alert citing security fears.Egypt has cautioned its citizens against traveling to North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared but internationally unrecognized region of Somalia, due to mounting safety concerns. The tension in the Horn of Africa continues to escalate.Cairo has been backing Somalia politically and militarily amid its clash with North Western State of Somalia, which proclaimed independence in 1991 but hasn't been recognized…

Borno State is grappling with one of the most devastating floods it has seen in three decades, wreaking havoc on agricultural lands, essential infrastructure, and countless residences. According to government reports, around 30 individuals tragically lost their lives due to this calamity; however, local inhabitants contend that this figure likely underreports the actual toll, suggesting that more fatalities exist that haven’t been officially acknowledged. The impact of this deluge has been catastrophic, displacing over…

Tensions have significantly intensified between Ethiopia and Somalia, particularly following Ethiopia's formal engagement earlier this year with the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland—an entity that Somalia adamantly contests. The deal grants Ethiopia access to Somaliland's ports in exchange for a nod of political recognition from this landlocked regional power. In response to this maneuver, Somalia expressed vehement opposition, labeling Ethiopia's actions as an unwelcome intrusion into its internal matters.…

In addition to the weapons charge, Aden faced allegations of being in Kenya illegally, without a proper visa or pass, which violated the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011. He was released on a bond of KSh50,000 (USD 387.39) or had the option of a cash bail set at KSh30,000 (USD 232.43). The judge set his case to be mentioned on October 23, with the full hearing scheduled for April 24, 2025. Police reports linked Aden and his crew to several robbery and stabbing incidents in Eastleigh. Three of his partners in…

Somali Security Forces and African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officers banded together for a five-day course designed to up their game in coordinating joint efforts against Al-Shabaab. The training zeroed in on bettering communication, strategic planning, and info-swapping at the Joint Operations Centres (JOCs), which are key to smashing mission goals. CREDIT/ ATMISMogadishu (AX) — Twenty-six officers from Somali Security Forces (SSF) and ATMIS wrapped up a five-day training last week, polishing their skills to…

Tanzanian cops nab a bunch of top opposition brass to scuttle an anti-government demo. Meanwhile in Guinea Conakry, authorities have re-captured a central figure linked to the brutal stadium massacre of 2009. Senegal is realigning its political landscape as it gears up for legislative elections set for November 17. Across in South Sudan, some lawyers are contesting the legality of the transitional government extending its term by two years. In Mauritania, demonstrators are urging the UN to enforce human rights…

The shipment reinforces "Egypt's lasting commitment to bolstering Somalia's national capabilities, aligning with the Somali people's aspirations for security, stability, and development," the ministry stated in its declaration. Back in August, Egypt dispatched its first batch of military aid to Somalia in over forty years. This year, the relationship between Egypt and Somalia has strengthened, largely due to their mutual suspicion of Ethiopia. This led Cairo to send multiple plane loads of weapons to Mogadishu, Somalia's…

Sharmake Amin during an interview. Credits: Hubaal TV Mogadishu (AX) — Sharmake Abukar Amin, once a Somali journalist and now a refugee in Finland, carries the aspiration of returning to journalism thanks to a newly-launched Somali-language news service by Finland's national broadcaster, Yle. Set to debut on Tuesday, this program promises concise news bulletins focusing on Somali and global happenings, alongside segments on acquiring Finnish citizenship and topics pertinent to refugees. Abdiwali Hashi, a journalist at…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi recently engaged in diplomatic talks with Egypt and Eritrea during the UNGA, aiming to fortify alliances amid escalating regional tensions with Ethiopia. North Western State of Somalia—a territory that has proclaimed independence—sits at the epicenter of ongoing diplomatic strife between Somalia and Ethiopia. Despite its lack of international recognition, North Western State of Somalia's prime position along the Gulf of Aden captures the interest of regional…