Saturday May 2, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has rejected Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab’s move to dismiss district commissioners in parts of the capital, saying the decision has no legal basis. In a statement, the commission said the Banadir Region’s local councils were duly elected in the December 25, 2025 polls and formally took office on April 2, 2026, after being sworn in. The electoral body said the Federal Constitution and the National Electoral Law…

By Shola LawalFriday May 1, 2026 A fresh wave of hijackings off Somalia is rattling shipping lanes and reviving memories of the piracy crisis that once made the Horn of Africa one of the world’s most dangerous maritime corridors. At least three vessels have been targeted this week, according to reports, prompting fears that the region may be sliding back toward the turmoil that plagued global trade in the early to mid-2000s before an international naval response helped bring the threat under control. According to the World…

Somalia’s economy is entering 2026 with improving reform momentum, but growth plans remain tightly linked to political decisions, security funding, and the stability of external support. International assessments point to a central theme for 2026: when politics disrupts institutions and public finance, it can slow investment, weaken revenues, and reduce social spending—affecting household demand and jobs. This explainer reviews what major official forecasts say about 2026, and why political…

Ismail DilawarFriday May 1, 2026 The collage created on April 30, 2026, shows (left) Syed Hussain Yousuf’s daughter looking at his photo on a mobile phone, pleading for his safe return, and (right) a photo of Syed Hussain Yousuf. (AN Photo) A family in Karachi is living through every parent’s worst fear after a pirate assault off Somalia stranded a Pakistani tanker crew member at sea and pulled his 12-year-old daughter out of school. Syeda Masooma Batool has not been attending classes since the MT Honour 25 was seized on…

by STAR REPORTERFriday May 1, 2026  Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame  Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame has been nominated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for appointment to the Supreme Court of Kenya, ending a competitive process launched to replace the late Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim. The Commission said the decision followed deliberations on applicants who had sought the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya, with the selection exercise now complete. The nomination now proceeds to the President for…

Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sharply condemned the recent expulsion of Representative Yekeh Kolubah from the House of Representatives, characterizing the action as a serious infringement on free expression. She emphasized the importance of upholding the Liberian Constitution, calling on lawmakers to adhere to the rule of law, which she highlighted as vital for "good governance." This contentious expulsion stemmed from allegations against Kolubah, including breach of duty, official misconduct, and a violation…

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation has sounded the alarm over a widening wealth gap across the continent, warning that economic gains are increasingly captured by a small elite while large numbers of workers grapple with rising living costs and shrinking opportunities.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said at least 17 Sudanese refugees have drowned after a boat sank in the Mediterranean, in one of the latest deadly attempts to reach Europe. The craft reportedly held 33 people; authorities have confirmed seven survivors and listed nine others as missing. Since the 2023 outbreak of war in Sudan, over 500,000 Sudanese have crossed into Libya in search of safety. Experts caution that for many migrants, Libya functions less as a destination than as a "waiting room" before attempting the hazardous…

Echoing through the streets of Johannesburg and Pretoria, wave after wave of self-styled civic groups has marched in recent years with near-identical grievances. The banners and leaders may rotate, and the slogans get a fresh coat of paint, yet the refrain rarely shifts. From Operation Dudula to the more recent Put South Africans First, along with the Fiyela Movement, the All Truck Drivers Foundation, and several predecessors, the pattern endures. The labels evolve; the message persists, writes Jan Bornman for Our City News…

Friday May 1, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali National Army units have taken part in a multinational military exercise held in Turkey over the past several days, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. The expansive drill drew troops from a wide roster of countries, including Somalia, the United States, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Cameroon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. According to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, the exercise highlighted a broad spectrum of…