African

CAIRO — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Egypt’s defense minister, Gen. Abdel Mageed Saqr, on Wednesday attended a military formation ceremony for Egyptian troops preparing to deploy to Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The event, held in Egypt, was also attended by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa and senior commanders, according to a statement from the Egyptian military spokesman. During the visit, officials received a detailed briefing on the preparation…

MOGADISHU — Somalia has won a seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council for the 2026–2028 term, a diplomatic milestone that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday cast as proof of the country’s renewed standing on the continent and beyond. In a national address, Hassan Sheikh said the election reflects Somalia’s growing credibility and the reemergence of its voice in regional affairs after years of rebuilding state institutions. “This victory demonstrates the significant progress of Somalia’s diplomacy and…

Strategic Alliance: Somalia and Egypt solidify military ties ahead of AU mission deployment CAIRO — Somalia and Egypt deepened their military partnership Tuesday as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Egypt’s defense minister reviewed Egyptian troops ahead of their deployment to a new African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, according to Cairo’s military spokesperson. The inspection by Mohamud and Gen. Abdel Mageed Saqr, Egypt’s commander in chief and minister of defense, signals a significant step in the…

The African Union is facing a legitimacy test. Across social media and public forums, Africans are asking whether the AU has moved beyond symbolism to deliver the integration and security it promises. The recurring questions are blunt: If the AU cannot advance a single currency, a unified military or a common passport, what, exactly, is the union for? Those questions may sound harsh, but they capture a growing frustration. In one widely shared post, commenters joked that the AU should be rebranded “Western Union,” a jab at…

Ghana Pauses Citizenship Applications to Enhance Accessibility for Diaspora Ghana has announced a temporary pause on citizenship applications for members of the African diaspora, aiming to simplify and make the process more user-friendly for applicants. Since 2016, individuals able to demonstrate African ancestry, particularly descendants of those impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, have been eligible to apply for Ghanaian nationality. This initiative has seen over 1,000 individuals, including notable figures like…

South African singer Tyla has won her second Grammy, taking the Best African Music Performance award for "Push-to-Start," a track from her debut album, the Recording Academy announced Monday. The victory makes Tyla the first artist to win the category twice after her 2024 win for the global hit "Water." The award caps a rapid rise for the Johannesburg-born performer, whose blend of pop, R&B and South African township sounds has found a wide international audience. The Recording Academy recognized "Push-to-Start" amid a…

Egypt Assumes AU Peace and Security Council Leadership, Vows to Prioritize Sudan and Somalia CAIRO — Egypt on Sunday took over the rotating monthly leadership of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, pledging to prioritize efforts to address the conflicts in Sudan and Somalia. The one-month presidency, which began Feb. 1, comes as the continent confronts overlapping crises, including armed violence, fragile political transitions, food insecurity and climate-related pressures, according to Egypt’s Ministry of…

Egypt takes helm of AU Peace and Security Council, puts Sudan and Somalia atop agenda CAIRO — Egypt on Sunday assumed the rotating presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, pledging to focus its one-month term on the crises in Sudan and Somalia while advancing a broader agenda linking peace, security and governance across the continent. The presidency, which began Feb. 1, comes amid what Cairo described as escalating and overlapping challenges in Africa — from protracted armed conflicts and fragile…

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s government accused Israel on Tuesday of multiple diplomatic violations, alleging that official Israeli channels launched “insulting attacks” against President Cyril Ramaphosa and that Israeli officials failed to inform the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) about visits by senior Israeli representatives. The allegations were set out in a government statement that cited two specific breaches: the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to attack…

IShowSpeed Gains Ghanaian Passport Amid Tour Celebrating African Culture Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known globally as IShowSpeed, has officially received his Ghanaian passport following a significant visit to the West African nation. This milestone not only marks a personal achievement for the acclaimed content creator but also symbolizes a deeper connection to his roots, as he revealed that his mother is Ghanaian. Ghana served as the penultimate destination on IShowSpeed's extensive African tour, which encompassed 20…