Is the U.S. Preparing a Plan to Partition Somalia?

Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia has lit a geopolitical fuse in the Horn of Africa. On Dec. 26, 2025, Israel became the first country to officially recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, challenging Somalia’s territorial integrity and colliding head-on with a core African norm: that borders inherited at independence should remain intact. The move drew immediate regional and international pushback and opened a new chapter in great‑power maneuvering along one of the world’s most…

Judge says ICE obstructed Minnesota detainees’ access to attorneys

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to immediately restore detainees’ access to lawyers in Minnesota and to halt rapid out-of-state transfers that sever legal contacts, finding the agency’s recent practices “all but extinguish a detainee’s access to counsel.” U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel, appointed by President Donald Trump, issued a 14-day temporary restraining order in a class-action lawsuit filed Jan. 27 on behalf of noncitizen detainees. The order requires the government…

UNICEF: No Child Should Have to Escape Violence

Escalating Crisis in South Sudan: 280,000 Displaced Amid Violence The ongoing violence in South Sudan has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, particularly affecting children and vulnerable populations. With at least 280,000 people displaced in Jonglei State alone, the situation is becoming increasingly grave. Majority of those displaced are women and children, many fleeing multiple times. Health services are collapsing, with critical facilities attacked and looted. Urgent need for humanitarian access and…

Somalia Struggles with Severe Drought Due to Lack of Funding

Drought in Somalia: A National Emergency in the Making The ongoing drought in Somalia has escalated into a crisis affecting millions, prompting fears of famine without urgent intervention. This section outlines the immediate impact of the drought, including the number of people affected and the infrastructure in disrepair. 4.61 million people affected, with over 490,000 displaced. 171 boreholes are non-functional nationwide, disrupting basic needs. Many schools have closed due to migration and resource…

China Rejects Allegations of Backing Illegal Mining and Terrorism in Nigeria

China Responds to US Lawmakers’ Allegations of Illegal Mining in Nigeria The Chinese government has vehemently rejected allegations made by five US lawmakers claiming that it sponsored illegal mining activities in Nigeria and provided financial support to militias for protection. The embassy in Nigeria characterized the accusations as baseless and unfounded. In a statement, the Chinese embassy expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed as false claims, underscoring that Chinese nationals are required to adhere to…

African Union Reaffirms Somalia’s Unity, Condemns Foreign Interference in Sudan

AU peace and security council rejects North Western State of Somalia recognition, reaffirms Somalia’s territorial integrity, condemns external meddling in Sudan The African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Thursday reaffirmed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejected any recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, and condemned external interference fueling Sudan’s war, following a ministerial-level meeting in Addis Ababa. In a strongly worded communique, the council said it…

Opposition Warns of Power Shift in Namibia’s Contested Oil Bill

Opposition parties in Namibia on Thursday united in opposing a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer regulatory authority over oil and gas from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to the Presidency, saying the move risks political interference, corruption and weakened parliamentary oversight. The bill, tabled in the National Assembly by Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse, has prompted an acrimonious debate as lawmakers weigh whether control of the country’s hydrocarbon sector should be…

Namibia Opposition Warns of Power Shift from Controversial Oil Bill

Opposition parties in the National Assembly have united to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer oil and gas regulatory authority from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to the President, saying the change risks political interference, corruption and weakened parliamentary oversight. The move, tabled by Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse, prompted sharp objections from a cross-section of opposition groups. The Affirmative Repositioning movement, the National Unity Democratic…

Court Rules Ex-Liberian Finance Minister Has No Immunity

Supreme Court Ruling Clears Path for Corruption Trial in Liberia The Supreme Court of Liberia has ruled that former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and several other former officials are not shielded from prosecution by claims of national security. This landmark decision effectively removes a major legal obstacle that had temporarily stalled one of the country's most politically sensitive corruption trials. The case centers around the former officials' assertion that those serving on or alongside the National Security…

Russia and Ukraine schedule Geneva negotiations for next week

Russia and Ukraine will hold U.S.-brokered talks on Feb. 17-18 in Geneva, the next step in negotiations aimed at ending the four-year war, both governments said. The discussions, in a trilateral Russia-U.S.-Ukraine format, follow two U.S.-mediated rounds in Abu Dhabi that produced no sign of a breakthrough even as President Donald Trump pushes to end the conflict. Despite public assurances that earlier meetings were productive, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on the core issue of territory. “The next round of talks on the…