Wednesday June 10, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — In a dramatic turn on Wednesday, Southwest State presidential candidate Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden pulled out of the election in Baidoa, saying the process had been compromised by what he described as breaches of an agreement meant to safeguard ballot secrecy and the credibility of the vote. At a news conference, Sharif Hassan said he, the electoral commission and the acting president had previously agreed that lawmakers would not be allowed to take mobile phones into the election hall.…

Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election, setting the stage for a closely watched contest with implications far beyond the constituency. Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee is understood to have shortlisted only the Greater Manchester mayor, removing the need for a vote by local party members. That decision tees up a battle between Mr Burnham and Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, a local plumber who fought the seat for the party in 2024. Mr Burnham has presented his candidacy as…

Europe’s bid to reclaim the top job at the United Nations food agency has hit an early obstacle, with the Cyprus presidency of the EU conceding there is still no agreement on a single European contender. Ireland has put forward former EU Commissioner Phil Hogan for the role, but his candidacy is facing determined challenges from both Italy and Spain. The stakes are significant. Europe has not occupied the leading post at the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for five decades, and EU agriculture ministers,…

Wednesday April 29, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — South West State’s elections for the House of Representatives and local councils have been pushed back after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission granted political parties more time to complete candidate submissions. In a statement released Tuesday, the commission said parties had requested an extension on April 23 to finish the registration process for candidates. It added that it met with party leaders on April 25 at its headquarters to discuss the request. The…

BAIDOA, Somalia — Aden Madobe, Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, landed in Baidoa on Sunday, setting the stage for a closely watched push to capture the South West State presidency, with what is widely seen as support from Villa Somalia. Madobe, a seasoned politician and senior member of the Justice and Social Partnership (JSP) party, was greeted by local officials in the heavily secured regional capital. Although he has not publicly announced his candidacy, his arrival is being read by political observers as a clear…

Jubaland frees opposition Senator Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after 16 months, signaling reconciliation push KISMAYO, Somalia — The Jubaland administration on Sunday released federal senator and opposition figure Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after nearly 16 months in detention, a move officials cast as an attempt to defuse tensions and promote political reconciliation in the semi-autonomous region. Gaboose, who had been under house arrest since 2024, was freed in Kismayo. Hours later, Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe convened…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Several Somali political organizations have rejected the National Electoral Commission’s announcement that 20 groups are registered for the December 25 local council elections in the Banadir region, accusing the commission of violating electoral law and operating under political influence. Representatives from the organizations told reporters in Mogadishu on Sunday that five rounds of talks with the National Electoral Commission (NEC) “ended in vain,” arguing the body lacks the independence required to…

MOGADISHU — Several Somali political organizations said they are not part of the 20 groups the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has listed for the December 25 local council elections in Banadir region, alleging violations of electoral law and undue government influence over the process. Representatives of the organizations spoke at a Sunday press conference in Mogadishu, warning that the dispute threatens to derail the first-phase vote in the capital. “Five rounds of talks with the commission ended in vain because there…

Disqualified candidate arrested after fatal election clashes shake Somalia’s northeast LAS ANOD, Somalia — Security forces in Somalia’s northeast have arrested a wealthy businessman who was disqualified from a regional presidential race, accusing him of mobilizing armed supporters who battled police during an August 29 vote at a hotel in Las Anod. The violence left several people dead, according to local elders, and delayed burials as families spar over where and how to lay their loved ones to rest. What happened Police…

In a swift move following the withdrawal of his previous nominee, Donald Trump, the president-elect, has tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role of US Attorney General. This decision comes amid significant scrutiny surrounding Trump’s prior pick, Matt Gaetz, who stepped back from the nomination process. Gaetz's tenure was mired in controversy. Facing accusations that included an inquiry by the House Ethics Committee regarding alleged relations with a 17-year-old and claims of drug use, he staunchly…