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Burkina Faso's Bold Move: Visa-Free Travel for African Citizens In a significant stride towards Pan-African integration, Burkina Faso has announced the elimination of visa fees for all African travelers. This refreshing decision, articulated by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, aims to foster the free movement of people and goods across the continent—a dream long cherished by many as a pillar of the African Union's agenda. The Vision Behind the Decision Burkina Faso's new policy envisions a continent less shackled by…

Somali students touch down in Baku as scholarships cement a new South–South bridge When the doors slid open at Baku’s modern glass-and-steel airport, a small group of Somali students in winter jackets stepped into a new chapter. They paused for a group photo—smiles wide, eyes a little overwhelmed by the cold and the cameras—and were met by embassy officials and university representatives, a scene captured by Somali state media. For many, it was their first time in the Caucasus. For all, it was the beginning of a bet on…

A Culinary Triumph: Hilda Baci's Record-Breaking Jollof Rice Amidst the rich tapestry of Nigerian culture, marked by lively music, vibrant colors, and mouthwatering cuisine, chef Hilda Baci has made a mark that resonates beyond borders. Her latest achievement, recently confirmed by Guinness World Records, secures her place in the culinary world not just as a chef but as an ambassador of Nigerian culture. Baci expertly orchestrated a monumental cooking event, crafting the largest serving of Nigerian-style Jollof Rice,…

Insurgency in Cabo Degaldo: A Struggle for Survival In the heart of Cabo Degaldo province, Mozambique, a chilling echo of violence reverberated through the quiet of a Sunday night. Insurgents armed with lethal intent knocked on doors, summoning their victims one by one, leaving a trail of fear and despair. Among the fallen were police officers, once protectors now turned targets, underscoring the alarming evolution of this violent insurgency, which has claimed over 6,000 lives since its onset in 2017. The Human Toll of…

Congo's Tragic Waters: A Tale of Bereavement and Neglect In the heart of Africa, where the Congo River snakes through lush provinces and communities depend on its waters for survival, tragedy has struck once again. Nearly 500 people were aboard a wooden boat when it caught fire and capsized, adding another chapter to a grim series of maritime disasters in the northwestern part of Congo. In the wake of this calamity, authorities have somberly reported 107 dead and 146 missing. A Disastrous Week on Congolese Waters This…

Somali Woman Sentenced Over $1.2 Million Transfers: A Case That Raises Hard Questions About Remittances, Terror Finance and Justice Mogadishu — A rare court ruling and the broader stakes A Mogadishu court on Monday handed a 15-year prison sentence to Nadiifo Hassan Abdulkadir Abdulle after prosecutors said she routed $1,237,010 through her bank account to finance Al-Shabaab, launder money and support terrorist activities. The Banaadir Regional Court also fined her $20,000, ordered the closure of the account and ordered…

Somalia’s Public Embrace of Qatar Signals Shifting Alignments in the Gulf–Horn of Africa Nexus DOHA — When Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stepped into the Amiri Diwan in Doha on Monday, he did more than pay a diplomatic courtesy call. In a terse, unequivocal statement — “The Somali government and its people stand in full solidarity with our Qatari brothers. We will not accept any violation of the sovereignty or stability of the State of Qatar” — Mohamud signalled a wider intent: to knit Somalia closer to a Gulf…

Arab League’s proposed joint force: an attempt to turn talk into hard power DOHA — The Arab League’s revival of a long-talked-about idea — a joint military force under a central command — is less a sudden pivot than the latest sign of a region wrestling with the limits of its collective muscle. The plan, reportedly first tabled by Egypt, would stitch together land, sea, air and special operations units from member states into a standing capability the league says could respond quickly to crises across the Middle East and…

Somali premier’s public vow of loyalty to president rekindles debate over power and principle From a town hall in Mogadishu, a simple line set off a storm MOGADISHU — When Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre told a packed town hall that he “respects the president and will not act in a way that contradicts his leadership,” the words landed as both balm and warning. To some in the room they were a sign of cohesion at a fraught moment; to others they echoed a deeper question about the balance of power in Somalia’s fragile state.…

No democracy without a free press: Somalia’s fragile transition under threat On the International Day of Democracy this year, Somalia’s journalists — battered, detained and censored — were given a blunt reminder of what is at stake. The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) recorded 59 incidents of assaults on media freedom across the country in 2025 alone, and warned that Somalia’s long-promised democratic transition will be hollow if those who inform the public cannot work without fear. That message should…