In a report issued Wednesday, Human Rights Watch alleged that the Rwanda-supported M23 armed group has been forcefully recruiting thousands in Eastern Congo, detaining them under brutal conditions. Since its resurgence in 2021, this anti-government faction has captured significant territories in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region burdened by more than three decades of conflict. After securing control over key cities like Goma and Bukavu, M23 has engaged in extensive forced recruitment and…

PARIS — UEFA has handed Somali referee Omar Adan Artan one of the biggest appointments of his career, naming him to take charge of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, a notable milestone for Somali and African football. The match will be played on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, and will bring together Champions League winners PSG and Aston Villa, who earned their place as Europa League champions. UEFA said the decision came after talks with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which…

Thursday June 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, barred from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, has now been handed one of UEFA’s top assignments: the Super Cup in August, the confederation announced. Artan is set to referee the Aug. 12 showdown in Salzburg between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, UEFA said. “Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup! We’re pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated…

By Dr. Ali Said Faqi Thursday June 11, 2026 Somalia’s politics have a familiar pattern: failure is repackaged, then presented as renewal. That dynamic is again on display with Adan Mohamed Nur “Madobe,” whose installation as the so-called president of Southwest State has been widely denounced in the region as the product of a federal-orchestrated sham election. This account traces the background, political conduct, and legacy that have followed Adan Madobe throughout his long public life. From the outset, his career has…

By  OMAR FARUK and EVELYNE MUSAMBIThursday June 11, 2026 For Omar Artan, the road to soccer’s biggest stage seemed to end in triumph. Instead, the Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to work a World Cup match was turned away at the U.S. border — then returned home to a rousing welcome and a continental honor that underscored his standing across Africa. Artan, 34, had earned a place on FIFA’s final list of referees for the tournament, a milestone built on years of work in a nation of about 19…

Thursday June 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was blocked from taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, has now been handed one of European football’s biggest officiating assignments: the UEFA Super Cup in August, UEFA said. Artan will oversee the Aug. 12 meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, according to the European governing body. “Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup! We’re pleased to share that Somali referee…

Thursday June 11, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, newly elected president of Somalia’s Southwest State, formally assumed office on Thursday in a handover ceremony held at the presidential palace in Baidoa. He succeeds Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, who had been serving as interim leader of the regional administration. The ceremony brought together federal and Southwest State officials, representatives of government agencies, politicians, traditional elders and other dignitaries. Jibril transferred official…

By: Joshua FreemanThursday June 11, 2026 Mayor Olivia Chow speaks at an event on May 19, 2026. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says a Somali referee barred from entering the United States for World Cup duties would be welcome in Toronto instead, adding a new Canadian voice to a growing debate over the decision. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national scheduled to referee at the World Cup was found inadmissible for entry into the U.S. “During processing, the traveller underwent additional inspection, a…

MOGADISHU, Somalia – FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday described the reported denial of entry to the United States for Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan as “unfortunate,” while making clear that football’s world governing body has no power to override decisions made by governments or security agencies. At a press conference, Infantino said FIFA was handling the matter through dialogue and diplomatic channels after reports surfaced that the internationally recognised Somali referee had been blocked from entering…

By: Joshua FreemanThursday June 11, 2026 Mayor Olivia Chow appears at an event on May 19, 2026. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says a Somali referee blocked from entering the United States for World Cup duties would be welcome to officiate in Toronto instead. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national who had planned to referee at the World Cup was found inadmissible to the U.S. “During processing, the traveller underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers…