West Africa

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…

In a city echoing with the paradox of hope and tension, Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, witnessed an unsettling episode. As preparations were underway for the arrival of a significant guest—Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed—several mortars were launched toward the airport. This event unfolded against a backdrop of heightened anticipation and meticulous security measures in the city. According to reports from Somali Stream, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was already stationed in the VIP section of the airport,…

The journey towards lasting prosperity for a nation is a multifaceted one, where national sovereignty and economic stability are crucial actors in the play. All these aspirations are harmoniously entwined by a singular thread: the necessity to keep national debt under control. Quotes often attributed to ancient wisdom remind us, "The art of living lies in the fine mingling of letting go and holding on." Similarly, managing a country's debt isn't just a balancing act; it's a dance between strategic…

On February 26, an unsettling clash erupted between the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia and police officers, sending shockwaves through the streets of Monrovia. The incident unfolded at a checkpoint when a group of soldiers reportedly retaliated against police officers after several of their comrades, dressed in civilian clothing, were arrested and roughly handled. Panic ensued, casting a shadow over the day as bystanders watched the turmoil unfold. Both factions quickly summoned reinforcements, escalating tensions…