Somalia’s Parliament greenlights creation of national human rights commission

Somalia’s Parliament Approves Long-Awaited Human Rights Commission, Signaling a New Chapter for Accountability Mogadishu — Somalia’s Federal Parliament on Saturday approved the country’s first independent Human Rights Commission, a long-promised institution meant to investigate abuses, advise government, and help align the nation’s laws with international standards after decades of conflict and fragile governance. The vote, taken in a packed session chaired by the Speaker, passed overwhelmingly: 142 lawmakers voted in…

FIFA Commits Over $1 Billion to Boost African Football Development

FIFA's Bold Commitment: Investing Over $1 Billion in African Football The world of football is changing, particularly in Africa, where the sport has become a powerful catalyst for unity, culture, and hope. This transformation was underscored recently by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his address at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) meeting in Kinshasa. Infantino proudly announced that since the initiation of the FIFA Forward Program in 2016, FIFA has poured over $1 billion into the development of African…

New York AG Letitia James Charged in Alleged Bank Fraud Case

New York Attorney General Letitia James Indicted on Bank Fraud Charges WASHINGTON — New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of former President Donald Trump's most visible legal foes, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, on criminal charges of bank fraud and making a false statement to a lending institution, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday. Summary of the charges The indictment, returned by a grand jury and announced by Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District…

Somalia’s Turning Point: Creating Lasting Solutions Beyond Emergency Aid

Somalia at a Crossroads: moving beyond emergency fixes to durable statecraft Somalia has achieved one of the landmark technical milestones of post‑conflict recovery—completion of HIPC debt relief in December 2023 and continued engagement with the IMF under an Extended Credit Facility—but the country’s deeper fractures are widening rather than closing. IMF staff forecasts for 2025 now point to growth near 3 percent, down from about 4 percent in 2024, and officials warn the economy is vulnerable to political paralysis,…

Somali Army warns civilians against wearing unapproved military uniforms

Somali Army Warns Civilians: Don’t Wear Uniforms, Don’t Touch Military Vehicles, After Militant Attack MOGADISHU — Somalia’s army has issued a sweeping warning forbidding civilians from wearing military uniforms, displaying insignia, or using vehicles tied to the armed forces, an emergency measure meant to choke off a well-known loophole exploited by militants and common criminals alike. The Somali National Army (SNA) said Saturday that anyone caught using military gear or vehicles without authorization will face “legal…

President Tinubu Offers Leniency to 175 Citizens in Nigeria

Rediscovering a National Hero: The Legacy of Herbert Macaulay and the Power of Presidential Mercy in Nigeria In a remarkable gesture aimed at reconciliation and acknowledgement of historical injustices, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has recently granted presidential mercy to 175 individuals. Among those honored is a name that resonates deeply within the annals of Nigeria's fight for independence: Herbert Macaulay. The Weight of History Herbert Macaulay, often hailed as Nigeria's foremost nationalist, played a pivotal…

Israel’s Cabinet Approves Ceasefire Agreement with Hamas in Gaza

A fragile pause, a political gamble: what the new Gaza ceasefire really means Israel’s cabinet has approved a deal that, if implemented, would halt fighting in Gaza within 24 hours and set in motion the release of hostages held by Hamas over the last two years. For U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped shepherd the talks, it is a diplomatic trophy he says he will celebrate in person. For families who have spent nights in Hostages Square and displaced Palestinians sheltering under tarpaulin, it is a moment of raw,…

Puntland State Naval Forces Impound Foreign Vessels Over Alleged Illegal Fishing

Puntland State seizes foreign trawlers in weeklong crackdown on illegal fishing BOSASO, Somalia — Puntland State authorities said Thursday that their maritime police have rounded up several foreign fishing vessels and support boats in a weeklong operation aimed at stamping out illegal fishing off Somalia’s northeastern coast — a flashpoint that has long fuelled tensions between local communities and foreign fleets. Multiple vessels detained, crews moved to Bosaso The Puntland State Maritime Police Force (PMPF), working…

Somali officials reject AFRICOM claims after U.S. airstrike kills tribal elder

Somalia airstrike controversy tests U.S. credibility — and a community’s trust On a baked stretch of road outside Ceel Buh, in Somalia’s Sanaag region, a car carrying a well-known clan elder was torn apart by an airstrike on a September afternoon. The U.S. military later said it had targeted an al-Shabab arms dealer in northern Somalia. Local authorities have a starkly different account: the man killed was a peacemaker, a bridge-builder, and their friend. In a place where the title “Caaqil” carries the weight of lineage…

Australia Denounces Lethal Assault on Police Headquarters in Benin

Benin Faces Growing Security Threats: A Call for Collective Action In a somber moment for a nation typically celebrated for its stability, Benin has found itself reeling from a deadly attack on a police station near its border with Nigeria. The incident, which took place on October 5, resulted in the tragic loss of several members of the security forces and sent ripples of fear and uncertainty through communities already grappling with rising violence. From Stability to Strain For decades, Benin has stood as a beacon of…