conflicts

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is gathering a slate of foreign leaders in the U.S. capital to inaugurate the “Board of Peace,” a new initiative he casts as a vehicle to consolidate a fragile calm in Gaza and project an alternative model of U.S.-led crisis management far beyond the Middle East. About two dozen heads of state and senior officials are expected, including several of Trump’s closest ideological allies — among them Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Argentina’s President Javier Milei — but few of the…

Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Rising Tensions Gabon’s media regulator has announced a sweeping suspension of all social media platforms, a drastic measure attributed to the escalating conflict and deepening societal divisions within the country. This decision reflects the government's increasing scrutiny of online content, deemed damaging to public order. In a televised statement, the High Authority for Communication highlighted several factors leading to the suspension, citing the pervasive spread of false…

AU intensifies push for ceasefires in Sudan and eastern DRC, says Commissioner Bankole Adeoye The African Union has sharpened its diplomatic drive to secure ceasefires in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye outlining a renewed, African-led strategy to stem escalating violence and restore stability. Briefing reporters after the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Adeoye said AU leaders reaffirmed…

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has highlighted three critical conflicts in Africa that are poised to carry into 2026, following a tumultuous year marred by violence and instability. The ICG's "conflicts to watch" report names Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the volatile situation in Mali and Burkina Faso as focal points that require immediate international attention. Having faced a devastating escalation in violence throughout 2025, these regions find themselves at a pivotal juncture. Sudan, under the shadow of a…

This afternoon, the Taoiseach engaged in a conversation with President-elect Donald Trump, with pressing matters like the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine taking center stage. Simon Harris, while on the move between canvassing events in the country’s northwest, participated in this significant dialogue. Trump, who previously served as President from 2017 to 2021, secured a return to the White House last week after emerging victorious in the elections. He is set to officially assume office on January 20, 2025,…

Mogadishu (AX)—On Monday, a stern caution resounded from Salah Ali Mohamud, the presiding judge of the Banadir Regional Court, aimed squarely at the district leaders of Mogadishu. His message was clear: stay out of court matters pertaining to land and property squabbles. Only the judicial system, not local district bigwigs, has the clout to handle and enforce legal verdicts in these disputes. Making his stance crystal clear, Mohamud put out a potent statement directed at the district officials who lately seemed to imply…

Beledweyne (AX) - A soldier perished while another sustained injuries in a skirmish involving forces from the Hiiraan State and Hirshabelle State in Beledweyne, nestled in the Hiiraan region, on a bright Friday morning.The fracas broke loose at Lamagalay camp, which serves as the nerve center of the Hiiraan region. Reports suggest that troops from Hirshabelle tried to throw a wrench in the works of the impending celebrations marking the first year of Hiiraan State's existence, slated for Saturday, as noted by Hiiraan…

Somalia at a Crossroads: Choosing Its Own Path Amidst Global Power Plays EDITORIAL | As Somalia makes strides towards emerging from the dark days of state failure, we are reminded of an age-old wisdom—not to get entangled in alliances that could bind us to the ambitions of others. The Horn of Africa, with its deep historical roots and strategic value, has become a playing field for both regional and global powers each eager to further their interests through a complex dance of diplomacy. At the center of this storm is…

**Analysis: The Financial Burden of Israel's Ongoing Conflict in Gaza and Rising Tensions in the Middle East** As the year mark approaches in the conflict in Gaza, Israel finds itself grappling with unprecedented economic strain. The surge in military expenditure and soaring government debt has cast a shadow over the nation’s financial landscape. With potential escalations into surrounding territories, a crucial question arises: can Israel sustain this level of financial commitment, and from where will the necessary funds…

In Somalia's Bay Territory, Hunger Sparks New Disputes A Somali woman traverses the parched and barren lands of Bay, where ongoing strife alongside climatic shifts have crippled farming activities, leaving communities with little choice but to lean on humanitarian relief. (Credit: Islamic Relief/SIDA) Mogadishu (AX) — According to a detailed examination by Islamic Relief Somalia, the scarcity of food is exacerbating unrest in the Bay region. Various calamities, including prolonged dry spells, deluges, alongside relentless…