Somalia’s electoral process continues to move forward through voter registration efforts run by the national electoral authorities, but participation remains uneven in parts of the country. Recent registration drives, including new and mobile registration points in central Somalia, highlight both the push to expand the voter roll and the practical barriers that can keep eligible citizens from registering or voting. For voters, the next steps are often simple in theory—show required documents, get recorded, and receive…

Somalia has made visible steps toward increasing women’s participation in politics, helped in part by a legal quota for female lawmakers. Still, women seeking elected office face obstacles linked to security risks, social pressure, and limited decision-making power once in parliament. This explainer reviews what has changed, what remains difficult, and why women’s political inclusion is now central to discussions of governance and peacebuilding in Somalia. What Happened Over the past decade, Somalia’s political…

In a gathering that could signal a shift in Liberia's political landscape, opposition leaders convened at the private residence of former President George M. Weah for the reburial ceremony of his late father. This event was attended by notable figures, including Senator Amara Konneh, a prominent supporter of the ruling Unity Party, alongside other influential lawmakers. The ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of growing discontent with the government, particularly in light of its recent demolition operations, soaring…

The aspirations of former Senegalese President Macky Sall to ascend to the role of UN Secretary-General have hit an impasse following the African Union's (AU) decision to withhold formal endorsement. On March 27, the AU announced that 20 out of its 55 member nations either opposed Sall's candidacy or sought an extension on the tightly constrained 24-hour deadline. Djiby Sow, a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), emphasized that this outcome does not reflect discord among African nations. Instead,…

Somalia is moving step by step toward one-person, one-vote elections, a shift from decades of clan-based and indirect voting. In 2026, the process is no longer only a political promise: local voting has started, electoral laws have advanced, and Somalia's election institutions are working to widen the model beyond pilot areas. Still, disputes over inclusion, security, and political consensus remain central to whether the 2026 timetable can hold. Somalia's election reform effort has followed a phased approach: building…

In a dramatic turn of events, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is under scrutiny following its recent decision to revoke Senegal's hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a mere 58 days after the tournament concluded. Leading the charge for accountability, the Guinean Football Federation (FGF) has formally requested that CAF apply uniform disciplinary measures, drawing attention to a pivotal moment in AFCON history: the contentious 1976 match between Morocco and Guinea. In that encounter,…

Caf Overturns Controversial Final Outcome Played in Rabat The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed a prior decision regarding the outcome of the contentious final held in Rabat. CAF confirmed in a statement that the decision was taken in line with its regulations, overturning the earlier outcome of the controversial final played in Rabat. Details surrounding the match and the specific reasons for the reversal have not been disclosed. The previous decision sparked widespread debates among fans and…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's (FAAN) newly launched cashless payment system has triggered massive congestion at the country's major airports, leaving motorists and travelers stranded for hours. The policy, which took effect on March 1, aims to curb revenue leakages but has instead resulted in significant delays and frustration. Heavy gridlock was reported at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as drivers scrambled to obtain the new toll payment…

ANKARA, Türkiye — Türkiye on Thursday denounced Greece’s new agreement with U.S. energy major Chevron to explore for hydrocarbons south of Crete, calling the move unlawful and contrary to good-neighborly relations in the Eastern Mediterranean. “We oppose this unlawful activity, which is being attempted in violation of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Jurisdiction between Libya and our country,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said at its weekly briefing. The ministry added that while the work does not directly…

Starmer’s 18-month slide: From landslide to crisis as Mandelson fallout empties No. 10 Keir Starmer marched Labour back into Downing Street in July 2024 with a commanding majority and a promise of sober, competent government. Eighteen months later, the prime minister is fighting for authority after his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and communications chief, Tim Allan, resigned in the wake of a deepening Peter Mandelson scandal. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged him to quit, saying the “distraction needs to end and…