denounces

President Donald Trump on Friday condemned but declined to apologize for a video posted from his social media account that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes — a dehumanizing trope that drew swift, bipartisan backlash and forced the White House into an unusual retreat. The minute-long clip, shared late Thursday on Trump’s Truth Social account, amplified false claims that his 2020 defeat stemmed from election fraud. Near its end, the video spliced in what appeared to be an…

Trump condemns but won’t apologize after White House deletes racist video depicting Obamas as apes President Donald Trump on Friday condemned but declined to apologize for a video posted to his Truth Social account that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes — an AI-style clip that drew swift, bipartisan outrage before the White House deleted it roughly 12 hours after it appeared. The minute-long video, shared late Thursday, amplified false claims that Trump’s 2020 defeat was the result of election fraud. Near its end, a…

DOHA, Qatar — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday condemned Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia, calling it a “clear violation of international law” that threatens African unity and regional stability and further fuels tensions from Gaza to the Horn of Africa. Speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, Mohamud said Israel’s move — announced in late December, making it the first U.N. member state to formally recognize North Western State of Somalia — amounted to…

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday rejected Israel’s decision to recognize what it called the independent state of North Western State of Somalia, denouncing the move as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability in the Horn of Africa. Meeting in an emergency 22nd extraordinary session at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, foreign ministers said Israel’s recognition undermines Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders. The organization…

Arab League condemns Israeli foreign minister’s Hargeisa visit as violation of Somalia’s sovereignty MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Arab League on Tuesday condemned the visit by Israel’s foreign minister to Hargeisa, calling it an illegitimate attempt to advance recognition of North Western State of Somalia and a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the Jan. 6 trip to Hargeisa — North Western State of Somalia’s capital — formed part of what…

The African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Tuesday condemned Israel’s unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia and urged the decision be immediately revoked, warning it threatens Somalia’s sovereignty and risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa. In a communiqué issued after its 1324th meeting, held Jan. 6 at ministerial level, the council rejected any action undermining the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and stability of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It called on AU member states and…

Somalia’s president has condemned Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia as a “naked invasion,” warning that Mogadishu will not allow its territory to be used as a base for Israel to pursue regional conflicts. Addressing an emergency joint session of parliament on Sunday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing the “greatest abuse” of Somalia’s sovereignty in the nation’s history and referred to Israel as an “enemy.” Lawmakers…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s main opposition coalition, the Somali Salvation Forum, on Thursday condemned the Banadir Regional Council elections scheduled in Mogadishu, calling the process neither free nor fair and accusing the government of staging a one-party vote. Speaking at a press conference in the capital, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said the planned Banadir elections lack constitutional grounding and fail basic democratic standards. He argued that what began as a competitive process had narrowed to a lopsided…

Somali opposition denounces Banadir council vote as one-party exercise Somali Salvation Forum says Thursday’s Mogadishu election lacks constitutional basis, warns of unrest MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s main opposition coalition, the Somali Salvation Forum, has condemned the Banadir Regional Council elections scheduled for Thursday in Mogadishu, calling the process neither free nor fair and accusing the government of engineering a one-sided contest. At a press conference in Mogadishu, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire…

KISMAYO, Somalia — Jubaland’s regional administration on Saturday condemned the federal government for airlifting National Intelligence and Security Agency troops to Garbaharey, a move it labeled provocative amid ongoing counterterrorism operations and delicate political talks with Mogadishu. Multiple reports said the federal forces were flown into the southern town on Friday. Footage circulating on local channels showed armed personnel disembarking at the Garbaharey airstrip. Mogadishu has not issued an official…