West Africa

UAE airlifts equipment from Mogadishu after Somalia cancels security, defense pacts MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United Arab Emirates has begun flying out equipment and supplies from Somalia, with three cargo planes carrying UAE government materials departing Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport on Thursday, according to people familiar with the operation. Government and aviation sources said the departures marked the opening phase of a broader withdrawal following Somalia’s decision this week to annul security and…

Somali, AU and Ugandan troops kill 30-plus al-Shabab fighters in Lower Shabelle operation MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali government forces, backed by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and Uganda’s military, killed more than 30 al-Shabab militants during a joint operation in the Lower Shabelle region, authorities said Thursday. The fighting erupted near the Bulunagaad Forward Operating Base when militants attacked Somali National Army units and AUSSOM troops conducting pursuit operations in the area,…

North Western State of Somalia’s president says Israel has recognized the breakaway republic, a move he casts as both a moral reckoning and a strategic recalibration in one of the world’s most contested maritime corridors. In a statement published Thursday, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Cirro) wrote that Israel extended recognition on Dec. 26, framing it as a response to shared history and aligned security interests along the Gulf of Aden. The claim, originating from the president’s account of events, puts fresh…

US Immigrant Visa Suspension Sparks Outrage and Relief Across Africa The processing of U.S. immigrant visas for nationals from dozens of African countries has been indefinitely suspended, a sweeping decision announced by the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday. This move affects a total of 75 countries, including several longtime allies in the African region. In Liberia, one of the nations caught in this new policy, reactions have varied. Some citizens voiced anger and frustration as the announcement reverberated…

New Leadership in U.S. Africa Bureau Faces Complex Challenges Nick Checker, who stepped into the role of head of the State Department's Africa Bureau earlier this month, brings a unique perspective to the position after spending most of the past decade at the CIA. Unlike his two predecessors—career diplomats who served under President Trump—Checker has only four months of experience at the State Department. As the 'Senior Bureau Official,' a title currently used for acting positions across numerous agencies, Checker is…

Somalia deploys former Puntland State forces to Sool front lines as president plans landmark Las Anod visit Units from Danab Brigade and Puntland State Security Force bolster positions near Gumays as Mogadishu consolidates authority in newly recognized Northeastern Regional State. LAS ANOD, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has deployed former Puntland State regional forces — including units of the elite Danab Brigade and the Puntland State Security Force — to front-line positions in the Sool region, regional officials…

DUBAI (AX) — DP World said Tuesday its operations at Berbera Port are continuing as normal, brushing aside immediate disruption concerns after Somalia’s federal government declared it was canceling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port, defense and security deals. The Dubai-based ports operator said it remains bound by its existing agreements with North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared republic that Somalia considers part of its territory. The company declined to comment on what it…

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AX) — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency, working with international security partners, carried out an airstrike on a high-level meeting of al-Shabab commanders in the Middle Juba region on Wednesday, targeting a safe house in the Bu’aale district, security officials said. Authorities described the mission as intelligence-led and designed to fracture the al-Qaida-linked group’s senior leadership. The compound, identified as a venue for strategic consultations among senior figures, was…

In a thrilling climax to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-finals, Morocco and Senegal have booked their spots in the final, setting the stage for a showdown rife with historical significance and national pride. The contrasting victories of both teams showcased not just their tactical prowess but also their resilience under pressure, enhancing the narrative leading up to the coveted championship match. Senegal secured their place in the final by narrowly defeating Egypt 1-0 at the Grand Stade de Tanger. The…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s abrupt decision to cancel port management and security cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates caps years of friction and crystallizes a new geopolitical split in the Horn of Africa. Triggered by Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state — the first by any country — the rupture threatens to reorder alliances, stress Somalia’s fragile federal compact, and unsettle maritime security along one of the world’s most strategic coastlines. The move,…