divisive

In Mogadishu’s tightening political season, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmaajo, has reemerged with a packed schedule: meetings with supporters, quiet conversations with media figures and political brokers, and visible outreach to segments of the opposition. His renewed profile is unmistakable. But it also reveals a telling split-screen in Somalia’s politics ahead of a potential 2026 presidential contest: the energy of a comeback bid versus the structural headwinds of coalition math, federal…

Ilhan Omar hits back at Trump, condemns his ‘hateful rhetoric’ WASHINGTON, Jan 21 — U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar on Tuesday condemned President Donald Trump’s remarks about her and Minnesota’s Somali American community, calling his language “hateful” and a deliberate attempt to divert attention from what she described as failures by his administration. Omar, a Democrat who represents a Minneapolis-area district and was born in Somalia, said Trump’s rhetoric amounted to “hatred, xenophobia and Islamophobia,” and accused him of…

On October 31, Mali's transitional national council approved a law that criminalizes homosexuality, a move that casts a long shadow over the nation’s LGBTQI+ community. This newly minted legislation heightens the dangers of stigma, discrimination, and violence against individuals identifying as part of this community across Mali. This isn't just a recent shift; Mali's human rights landscape has dramatically declined since January. The government has rolled out harsh measures targeting opposition groups, mainstream media,…

Fifty years since the death of Gamal Abdel Nasser, controversy over the legacy of the charismatic Egyptian president who fought for Arab unity is raging in Egypt as deep divisions found in the Middle East. Best known for his everyday charisma and pan-Arab populism, he caught up with listeners with his radio broadcasts and inspired immense pride inside the North…