Security failures blamed for Al-Shabaab’s deadly raid on Somalia intelligence prison

Security lapse exposed as Al‑Shabaab storms NISA detention centre near Mogadishu’s seat of power MOGADISHU — Grainy, extended video footage verified by Somali security agencies has revealed how Al‑Shabaab militants slipped into the capital and mounted a daring raid on Godka Jilacow, a detention facility run by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), underscoring fresh questions about gaps in urban security and the growing sophistication of the Islamist group. The footage, circulated by state media and checked…

Somalia to roll out Swahili across national school and university curricula

Analysis: Somalia bets on Swahili to anchor its East African future In Mogadishu this week, amid tight security and a self-assured regional mood, Somalia’s president reached for a tool as old as nation-building itself: language. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government will speed up the introduction of Swahili into Somalia’s schools and universities, a decision aimed squarely at deepening the country’s new place inside the East African Community (EAC). “The Somali National University, along with all Somali…

Mozambique Insurgency Continues as Military Strategy Deemed Ineffective

Why Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado remains a conflict zone eight years on: beyond bullets and boots October marks the eighth year since an insurgency erupted in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, transforming a once-quiet coastal region into one of Africa’s most persistent and destabilising conflicts. Attacks continue on a near-daily basis, villagers and analysts say, even as Maputo leans heavily on military responses — deploying national forces, foreign troops and private security contractors to regain control. A…

Israeli forces strike Gaza on war anniversary; Qatar says Trump plan needs work

Two years on, ceasefire talks shadowed by airstrikes and the weight of memory On the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks that plunged Israel and Gaza into an ever-expanding war, negotiators gathered in Sharm el‑Sheikh for what many describe as the most serious attempt yet to halt the fighting. Yet beneath the diplomatic fanfare, tanks rolled, jets and naval vessels struck and families on both sides marked the day with grief that a single negotiated text has so far failed to touch. The talks — cautious hope,…

Kismayo talks stalled: What’s next after the political impasse?

Stalled talks in Kismayo expose a deeper crisis for Somalia’s unity and security KISMAYO — A week of chest‑thumping and handshakes in this southern port city has done little to resolve the core question that has shadowed Somalia since the collapse of central authority three decades ago: who truly speaks for the places that sit on the line between clan, commerce and the state? President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Kismayo and his face‑to‑face with Jubaland strongman Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe produced the ritual…

Puntland State opposition rejects alleged North Western State of Somalia deal, dismisses reported accord

Puntland State’s opposition rejects reported North Western State of Somalia understanding — and the political ground shifts In Garowe, the political heart of Puntland State, four opposition parties walked into a hastily called meeting and walked out with a message sharper than usual for Somalia’s notoriously tempered political language: whatever “understanding” was reportedly reached between Puntland State and neighboring North Western State of Somalia, they want no part of it. The parties — Ifiye, Mustaqbal, Mideeye, and…

8 Foods to Target Visceral Fat in Just 30 Days

The 8 Essential Foods for Reducing Visceral Fat: A Holistic Approach When it comes to losing belly fat, the journey can feel daunting. But what if I told you that the key to shedding those stubborn inches could be found in your pantry? I recently spoke with Tara Collingwood, a renowned sports dietitian, who shared insights on key foods that can help reduce visceral fat in just 30 days. But remember, no single food is a miracle worker; success lies in a holistic approach, including mindful eating and balanced nutrition. 1.…

Jubaland Credits Kenya for Crucial Mediation with Somali Federal Government

Kenya’s quiet diplomacy in Kismayo underscores fragile balance between Mogadishu and Jubaland KISMAYO — When a federal delegation led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud traveled to Kismayo this month for talks with Jubaland’s leaders, the public language that followed was notably measured. Jubaland’s presidency thanked Kenya for its “constructive efforts” in facilitating the discussions, and Jubaland president Ahmed Mohamed Islam — better known as Ahmed Madobe — spoke of dialogue, compromise and unity. But the absence of an…

Police arrest two brothers in killing of Technical University of Kenya’s Prof Mboya

Kenyan Police Arrest Two in Killing of University Scholar Amid Mbita Land Dispute Nairobi—Kenyan police say they have arrested two brothers in connection with the killing of a university professor during a land boundary dispute in Mbita, Homa Bay County, a case that has rattled academic circles and revived debate over the country’s fraught relationship with land. The suspects were picked up Saturday in the lakeside town after a multiday manhunt, according to police. Authorities say they are seeking three additional…

South African Government Negotiates Release of Activists Detained in Gaza

South African activists held by Israel after Gaza aid attempt are “in good health and high spirits,” Pretoria says South Africa’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said a group of its citizens detained by Israeli authorities after attempting to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip are “in good health and high spirits,” and that efforts to secure their safe return are “advancing steadily.” The detained activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — a civil society initiative that sought to reach Gaza by sea amid a protracted…