West Africa

Somalia, EU sign €102 million budget-support deal to sustain reforms MOGADISHU — Somalia and the European Union on Friday signed a €102 million ($110 million) financing agreement that provides direct budget support and development funding to help stabilize public finances and keep reforms on track, Somali officials said. The deal, finalized in Mogadishu after high-level talks, signals continued European confidence in the government’s state-building agenda after decades of conflict and institutional collapse. EU officials…

Mogadishu — Yemen’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has accused Eritrean forces and Somalia’s Puntland State administration of deadly attacks, arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions targeting Yemeni fishermen operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In a statement issued Monday, the ministry said Eritrean forces carried out a direct armed assault on civilian fishermen working in Yemen’s territorial waters in the Red Sea. The incident, according to the ministry, involved multiple types of…

Somalia parliament descends into chaos as opposition blocks constitutional debate in Mogadishu MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house erupted into chaos Monday as opposition lawmakers shut down the opening of a debate on sweeping constitutional amendments, occupying the speaker’s seat, blocking entrances to the chamber and forcing the suspension of proceedings. The confrontation came as Parliament prepared to take up proposed changes to chapters five through nine of the provisional constitution — a politically charged package…

High Court Adjourns Prosecution of Ex-Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta The High Court in Ghana has formally adjourned the prosecution of former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta and nine co-accused individuals. The decision was made to facilitate the "service of summons" on several fugitives residing in the United States, highlighting the complexities of international legal proceedings. During a session held recently, the court announced that the next hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2026. The delay arises from…

Burkina Faso's Political Dismantling: A New Path to Unity? Burkina Faso's military government has dissolved all political parties in a move to restructure its political landscape. This significant step comes amid ongoing challenges and aims to harmonize governance and cohesion in the country. The decree was issued during a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing national unity. All political party assets are to be transferred to the state for reform purposes. A draft law will repeal existing party financing and operational…

Jubaland frees opposition Senator Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after 16 months, signaling reconciliation push KISMAYO, Somalia — The Jubaland administration on Sunday released federal senator and opposition figure Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after nearly 16 months in detention, a move officials cast as an attempt to defuse tensions and promote political reconciliation in the semi-autonomous region. Gaboose, who had been under house arrest since 2024, was freed in Kismayo. Hours later, Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe convened…

Somalia blocks planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security teams from landing in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Monday blocked two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, citing national security concerns ahead of planned political talks in the capital. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the arrival of a heavily armed contingent tied to the two regional leaders posed an…

Return of Worshippers After Abduction in Kajuru In a significant development, 80 worshippers who escaped abduction during the attack on Kurmin Wali in the Kajuru Local Government Area have returned home after spending approximately two weeks hiding in neighboring villages. Village Head Ishaku Dan'azumi provided an update on the situation, revealing that while initial reports indicated 177 individuals were abducted, further investigations clarified that 80 had successfully fled to safety. Unfortunately, 86 worshippers…

Somalia bars planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security from Mogadishu ahead of talks MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Sunday defended its decision to block two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing in Mogadishu, citing strict protocols in place for the capital ahead of a planned national consultative meeting. The Ministry of Interior said the aircraft were transporting armed personnel and weapons in violation of security rules governing…

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 Mogadishu — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia urged the federal government and regional leaders to prioritize dialogue on elections and other national issues after a security dispute prevented advance teams from Puntland State and Jubaland from arriving in the capital for a planned consultative forum. In a brief statement posted on social media, UNTMIS said it regretted that preparatory delegations from the two semi-autonomous regions were unable to reach Mogadishu because…