Eye on Africa

MOGADISHU — Somalia and the United Nations on Wednesday signed a 2025 Implementation Guide, a strategic “Roadmap” to strengthen the protection of children affected by armed conflict, marking a fresh milestone in the country’s effort to prevent grave violations and reinforce accountability across its security sector. The agreement was formalized in Mogadishu by Somalia’s defense minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi; the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan; and UNICEF Representative Sandra…

South West regional security forces say they have seized 10 landmines allegedly bound for Mogadishu, thwarting what authorities described as an Al-Shabaab plot to hit the capital ahead of local council elections. Lieutenant Colonel Abdirahman Mohamed Munye, commander of the October 14 Brigade, said Wednesday that his unit intercepted the explosives in the area known as Number 50 after receiving actionable intelligence. “Thank God, we were able to thwart the Khawarij’s plot to harm civilians. Our forces intercepted 10…

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia — Somali intelligence forces, backed by international partners, carried out a planned operation in the Tardo area of central Hiiraan region on Tuesday afternoon, killing up to nine Al-Shabaab fighters and destroying an illegal checkpoint, authorities said. In a statement released Wednesday, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said the strike targeted a roadblock allegedly operated by the militant group to extort money from public transport vehicles using the route. “The operation…

Somali university group warns against using schools as polling stations Union cites student safety, disruption to learning and political neutrality as key risks in election planning MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Union of Somali Universities on Tuesday urged authorities to drop plans to use schools, institutes and university campuses as polling stations in upcoming elections, warning the move could jeopardize student safety, disrupt learning and erode the political neutrality of education. In a statement, the union called on the…

GABORONE — Botswana has urged farmers and other stakeholders along its border with South Africa to be on high alert after an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) was reported in Limpopo Province, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement. The ministry called on livestock owners and the public to report any signs of the viral disease — including drooling and ulcers in the mouth, on the muzzle or on the hooves — to the nearest veterinary office or to the Botswana Police Service. “Reports of suspect animals should…

Historic Sentencing of Congolese Rebel Leader in France A French court has sentenced former Democratic Republic of Congo rebel leader and politician Roger Lumbala to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity committed more than two decades earlier during the Second Congo War. The 67-year-old, who led the Uganda-backed Rally of Congolese Democrats and Nationalists, was convicted of ordering or aiding and abetting a variety of heinous acts, including torture, inhumane treatment,…

Former radio DJ Warrick Stock, known professionally as DJ Warras, was shot and killed outside the Carlton Centre in central Johannesburg, police said Monday. Johannesburg police said Stock was approached by three unknown suspects after parking his vehicle in the area. The attackers opened fire after he stepped out of the car, and then fled on foot. No arrests have been made and the motive remains under investigation, authorities said. According to police, Stock was reportedly inspecting a building he had contracted to a…

Former radio DJ Warrick Stock, known on air as DJ Warras, was shot and killed outside the Carlton Centre in central Johannesburg, police and witnesses said. Police said Stock was approached by three unknown suspects after parking his vehicle and was shot before the attackers fled on foot. Initial accounts circulating on social media and among colleagues said he had been inspecting a building guarded by his security company and was fired on after stepping outside. The shooting, which occurred in a busy commercial area of…

ANKARA, Turkey — Somalia finalized a wide-ranging cooperation pact with Turkish industrial group OYAK on Tuesday, launching a program to expand and modernize the Horn of Africa nation’s fisheries while strengthening maritime security and creating jobs along its coast. Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Ahmed Hassan Adan signed the Cooperation and Marine Production Development Partnership at a ceremony in Ankara, calling it a step-change for the country’s blue economy. The agreement, he said, will channel direct…

TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan authorities have deported a group of Somali migrants detained in the capital, the country’s Anti-Illegal Migration Agency said Monday, underscoring an intensified campaign against irregular migration that has swept up foreign nationals across the North African state. In a statement, the agency said the migrants were held at a detention center in eastern Tripoli and removed from the country after court orders and verification of travel documents. Officials said the deportations were carried out in…