disputes

Somalia opens high-level talks with opposition Future Council on elections and constitution MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Future Council formally opened high-level talks in Mogadishu on Wednesday, launching a long-anticipated push to resolve deep disputes over elections and constitutional reform amid weeks of rising political tension. The meeting marked the first structured engagement in recent weeks between Villa Somalia and the opposition alliance, following a conciliatory luncheon hosted…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Three federal member states — South West, Jubaland and Galmudug — have withdrawn from Somalia’s Federal Member States football tournament, accusing the Somali Football Federation of mismanagement, a lack of accountability and failing to provide basic technical support for a credible national competition. The coordinated boycott threatens Somalia’s flagship domestic showcase and lays bare a deeper governance crisis at the heart of the game. Tuesday December 16, 2025 FILE — Spectators fill the stands…

Resurgence of Female Genital Mutilation in Liberia Raises Alarm Liberia is witnessing a troubling resurgence of female genital mutilation (FGM). Recent footage has unveiled that 502 girls and young women were initiated during a combined Sande ceremony across Lofa, Maryland, and Sinoe counties. This alarming trend affects half of Liberia's rural women aged 15 to 49, according to data from UN Women. Health advocates are raising urgent concerns that this latest mass initiation indicates a deteriorating situation amidst…

Kebbi Officials Dispute Claims of Religious Context in Schoolgirls' Abduction Local officials in the northwestern Nigerian state of Kebbi are vehemently contesting statements made by U.S. lawmaker Miley Moore regarding the recent abductions of schoolgirls in the region. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Moore claimed that the attack occurred in a "Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria," calling for prayers for the twenty-five schoolgirls kidnapped in this incident. He also urged the Nigerian government to take more…

Violence erupts as social-media-fuelled gold rush swamps northwestern Zambia Hundreds of police clashed with thousands of informal miners this week in northwestern Zambia after viral posts claimed gold lay just beneath the surface across a wide rural swathe. The sudden influx — tens of thousands of people by local estimates — overwhelmed local authorities, sparked allegations of bribery and violence, and prompted a delegation of senior ministers to the scene in a bid to restore order. Officials said security forces had…

Somalia’s Parliament Opening Postponed as Electoral Battle Deepens MOGADISHU — What began as a procedural delay has rippled into a broader political crisis in Somalia, revealing the frictions inside a fragile federal system trying to move from clan-based power sharing to direct elections. Lawmakers were told at the last minute that the Federal Parliament would not open as scheduled on Saturday — a pause President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s office has tied to changes in his travel plans — and the leadership said the 7th session…

In a bustling week peppered with captivating headlines, a noteworthy claim has emerged regarding the Yemeni Houthis and their purported financial activities involving the Red Sea. Maritime lawyer Stephen Askins from Tatham & Co is casting a critical eye over these claims, raising a skeptical eyebrow at the notion that the Houthis are banking $180 million a month from maritime companies seeking safe passage through these waters.Mogadishu (AX) — The swirling rumors suggest that hefty payments are navigated through an…

This past Sunday, a mortar attack rocked a military base in central Mogadishu, frequented by officials from the African Union (AU), United Nations, and various international entities, tragically ending the lives of at least two individuals and injuring several others. The terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, highlighting their unyielding aggression in destabilizing Somalia’s government and infrastructure. Despite some headway in the federal government’s offensive to subdue…

Mogadishu (AX)— In an intriguing turn of events, the former head honcho of the Somali intelligence agency, Fahad Yasin, is urging PM Hamza Abdi Barre to roll up his sleeves and tackle the brewing political discord with Jubaland's top dog, Ahmed Madobe. According to Yasin, this situation is a pivotal moment for Hamza's administration—a "crucial test" if you will. For those unfamiliar with Yasin, he's been a bit of a lightning rod in Somali politics, known for his close ties with ex-President Farmajo. But he's dropping some…

 Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative at the UN (Photo: Foreign Ministry official website)On Thursday, a Chinese delegate appealed for Somali factions to maintain the progress by fostering dialogue and unity. They should remain dedicated to resolving their disputes through amicable discussion.During a UN Security Council meeting concerning Somalia, Dai Bing, China’s deputy envoy to the United Nations, acknowledged Somalia’s significant achievements in national rebuilding and peace initiatives. He pointed out…