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Somalia’s Danab Forces Arrest Two Suspected al‑Shabab Militants in Lower Shabelle
Somali Danab commandos arrest two suspected al-Shabab members in Lower Shabelle raid One detainee identified as son of senior militant commander as operation near Tooratoorow targets extortion network, officials say File photo: Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers ride on a military vehicle during a security patrol in southern Somalia. The SNA’s elite Danab commandos have intensified operations in Lower Shabelle as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt al-Shabab activity across the region. MOGADISHU — Somali Danab…
RSF Captures Sudan’s Biggest Oil Field as Tensions Escalate
Sudan's Escalating Conflict: Rapid Support Forces Seize Key Oil Field The recent takeover of the Heglig oil field by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict. This move highlights the strategic importance of the region's resources. The RSF's capture of Heglig demonstrates their increasing control over resource-rich areas. This development follows the RSF's recent successes against the regular army in South Darfur and Kordofan. The capture has serious implications…
Analysis: Somalia’s debt relief milestone masks a risky push toward new borrowing
Somalia’s long campaign for debt relief culminated in December 2023, when the IMF and World Bank certified the country had reached the HIPC “Completion Point.” In March 2024, Paris Club creditors followed with sweeping cancellations, clearing much of the stock of legacy obligations. On paper, the breakthrough restores Somalia’s access to concessional finance and signals confidence in the government’s economic direction. Yet the core domestic underpinnings that are supposed to safeguard a post-relief economy remain uneven…
South Africa’s Ramaphosa Calls for Palestinian Support
South African President Ramaphosa on Middle East and Global Conflicts South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed pressing international conflicts during the ANC's 5th National General Council. His statements focused on the Israel-Palestine situation, Sudan, and Ukraine. Stressed Israel’s violation of Palestinian rights Voiced concern over humanitarian tolls in Gaza and Sudan Highlighted peace efforts in Ukraine Israel-Palestine Conflict and Ceasefire Violations President Ramaphosa emphasized…
Puntland State bolsters Al-Miskaad front as forces hunt remaining ISIS militants
Puntland State deploys new forces to Al-Miskaad as campaign against ISIS-Somalia enters ‘closing phase’ BOSASO, Somalia — Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 Puntland State has deployed new military units to the Al-Miskaad mountain range in the Bari region as its yearlong campaign against the Islamic State group’s Somali branch moves into what officials describe as its closing phase. Regional authorities said Monday that hundreds of recently assigned soldiers were sent to the Baallade valley and surrounding areas to reinforce and…
Somalia’s Passport Ranks 100th on 2025 Henley Index, 33 Visa-Free Countries
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s passport has climbed to 100th place on the 2025 Henley Passport Index, giving Somali travelers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 33 destinations, according to data released by Henley & Partners in October 2025. While labeled “2025,” the latest Henley ranking reflects travel-access conditions measured during 2024, a methodological detail that underscores how passport power often lags behind diplomatic change by a year. Even so, the new standing marks one of Somalia’s strongest positions in more…
Honouring Mthunzi Gxashe, Desmond Tutu’s Longtime South African Aide
Mthunzi Gxashe, a close aide and son-in-law to Archbishop Desmond Tutu who served as the clergyman’s spiritual companion during his retirement, has died in Johannesburg, his family and associates said. Gxashe was widely regarded at home and abroad for his long association with Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and moral voice of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement. In retirement years, Gxashe was described by those around Tutu as a constant presence — helping to manage daily affairs, offering spiritual support and…
IMF Approves $40 Million Boost for Somalia’s Credit Program, Fourth Review Cleared
IMF approves additional $40 million for Somalia, releases $30 million in immediate budget support MOGADISHU — The International Monetary Fund has approved an additional $40 million for Somalia after completing the fourth review of the country’s Extended Credit Facility, authorizing an immediate $30 million disbursement for budget support. The decision lifts Somalia’s total access under the program to about $140 million and brings cumulative disbursements to roughly $100 million under the arrangement approved in December…
Somali Influencer’s U.S. Deportation Questioned as AFP Finds No French Spy Kidnapping Link
MOGADISHU — The man at the center of a viral deportation saga stepped into Mogadishu last month to cheers, ululations and a crush of cellphone cameras. For many Somalis online, Mahad Maxamud — a TikTok creator with a following now exceeding 450,000 — returned a folk hero. For others, he was the face of a bruising fight over truth, power and the politics of migration. In late October, the official White House account on X labeled Maxamud a “criminal illegal scumbag,” alleging he helped kidnap two French intelligence officers…
Nigerian Air Force Provides Clarity on Landing in Burkina Faso
Nigerian Air Force Clarifies C-130 Landing in Burkina Faso Amid Controversy The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that the landing of its C-130 aircraft in Burkina Faso was a precautionary measure due to safety concerns stemming from a "technical issue" encountered during its operations. This clarification follows reports suggesting that the aircraft’s landing had sparked tensions between Nigeria and the Burkinabe government, raising accusations of airspace violations. The incident occurred on Monday and quickly…