Concerns

Every four years, an eerie shadow looms over Somalia as elections, instead of heralding a new dawn, often lead to political turmoil and strife. The outcome of these elections should ideally reaffirm the federal government's authority through peaceful and legitimate processes, yet, more often than not, the opposite occurs. The last election cycle (2021-2022) put the very fabric of the Somali state at risk. Despite this, there was a palpable sense of relief among the populace when newly elected parliamentarians pledged to…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Monday, Somalia gave the boot to a top Ethiopian envoy, accusing the diplomat of actions that clash with his official duties and breach Somalia's sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs broke the news, spotlighting the incident's significance. Ali Mohamed Adan, who held the position of Counselor II at Ethiopia’s embassy in the Somali capital, faced the label of persona non grata. This term demands he exits Somali territory within 72 hours. The move raises the bar in the already bumpy relationship…

Mogadishu (AX) — Canada has revealed a substantial rollback in its immigration strategy, scaling down the influx of newcomers amid escalating challenges in housing and social services. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the revamped plan, adjusting Canada’s permanent residency target for 2025 from a half-million to 395,000. That’s slicing it down by a hefty 21%. Trudeau confessed that his team “misjudged the balance” between filling job vacancies and managing immigration levels.Public mood is swaying these days. Recent…

Somalia: Opposition MP Flown to Nairobi Amid "Suspected Poisoning" Concerns MOGADISHU, Somalia - Mohamed Abukar Jafar, an outspoken opposition MP, urgently flew to Nairobi, sparking fears of potentially sinister political maneuvering due to a suspected poisoning. A staunch critic of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's rule, Jafar's abrupt health decline thrust him into an immediate medical journey to foreign lands. Before his transfer to Kenya's bustling capital, Jafar had been under treatment at Mogadishu Hospital…

In a significant escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah militants, Israel has broadened its military targets across Lebanon, leading to the deaths of at least 21 individuals in a recent airstrike in the northern region. Health officials reported this casualty figure, while millions of Israelis took refuge, protecting themselves from retaliatory projectiles launched from the Lebanese side of the border. The focal point of Israel's military endeavors has primarily been the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, along with the…

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces have intensified their operations around the enclave of Jabalia, tragically resulting in the loss of at least ten lives as food-seekers stood in line, according to reports from Palestinian medical personnel. Moreover, the military has issued evacuation orders while advancing against Hamas combatants. For nearly ten days, Jabalia has been under heavy Israeli bombardment. The military has encircled the camp, deploying tanks into adjacent towns like Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun with the overt…

Somalia Pulls Plug on Drones Near Mogadishu Airport Due to Al-Shabaab Threat MOGADISHU, Somalia - Worried about potential trouble stirred by Al-Shabaab, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) slammed the brakes on drone operations within a stone's throw—9 kilometers—of Aden Adde International Airport (a.k.a. Mogadishu Airport). Fingers pointed at caution, given the militants' pesky attacks. The move aims to keep this bustling air hub—Somalia's top dog in airports—safe from sinister plots. It's no secret that…

Harris Voices Grave Concerns for Lebanon While Engaging with Herzog The geopolitical spotlight has once again turned to the Middle East, as escalating tensions in Lebanon become increasingly alarming. In a recent conversation, Ireland's Taoiseach, Simon Harris, underscored his "serious concern" regarding the rapidly deteriorating conditions in Lebanon during his phone dialogue with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The ongoing situation not only raises eyebrows globally but also sparks fears of broader instability in the…

In recent days, government representatives have reassured the public that President Paul Biya, who is 91 years young, is in good health, quelling the swirling rumors on social media platforms. Since his attendance at the China-Africa forum in Beijing earlier this September, Biya has largely disappeared from the public eye. His conspicuous absence from significant events, such as the United Nations General Assembly in New York and a summit in France, has fueled speculation regarding his well-being. People are genuinely…

In a move egged on by Western allies, Kenya's leadership has nudged the International Monetary Fund to dive deep into examining its murky corridors of power riddled with graft, as revealed by a couple of folks in the know to Reuters. This kind of probe, tagged officially as a "governance diagnostic," can only kick off with the asking of the respective country. It's the IMF's way of sniffing out how corruption and shaky governance might be sapping a nation’s coffers dry or wreaking havoc on the financial commonwealth. "In…