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By the time you hear about an internet shutdown, the damage has often already set in, like ripples spreading across a pond. According to a report from the vigilant watchdogs at Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition, Africa saw an unsettling record of 21 internet shutdowns across 15 of its nations last year—a stark increase from the previous records of 19 in both 2020 and 2021. This begs the question: what compels governments to flip the switch in times of turmoil? Among the affected…

Freedom in Africa: A Struggle for Expression What does it mean to be truly free? This question resonates deeply as we delve into Freedom In The World 2025, the annual report by Freedom House. Explicitly, it tells us that 21 African countries fall under the "Not Free" category. This highlights an ongoing battle against censorship, repression, and violations of human rights, painting a picture of a continent at a crossroads. Africa, the land of vibrant cultures and myriad voices, still struggles under the shadow…

Food inflation looms as a profound challenge for numerous African nations, exacerbating existing economic hardships and amplifying food insecurity for millions of citizens. Life in various parts of Africa is already mired in complexity, as many countries grapple with systemic issues. With the spike in food prices, the situation is akin to salt on an open wound—undermining not only household well-being but threatening the broader economic landscape. Consider a family struggling to make ends meet, now facing the relentless…

Inflation, a relentless specter haunting the African continent, burdens both individuals and enterprises. Though inflation is not unique to Africa, the continent's fragile economies, heavy import dependence, and capricious global influences exacerbate its impact manifold. This situation makes it exceedingly arduous for citizens to afford essentials and maintain business sustainability. But why does this happen with such intensity in Africa? Several factors contribute…

The world's prosperity gap, a measure of the disparity between average incomes and a target of $25 per person per day, has stagnated ever since the pandemic began. Why, you might ask? The culprit seems to be a dual assault of dwindling economic growth and an uneven income distribution among countries. While it’s easy to blame this on external shocks, could it be a call for introspection on how intertwined our economies really are? Achievements are not made overnight. Here's a compelling statistic: between 1990…

Mogadishu (AX) – Under the sweltering rays of the Mogadishu sun, a group of anguished families protested on Wednesday. Their loved ones—Somali citizens—face death sentences in Saudi Arabia. With pleas that tug at the heart, these families called upon the Somali government to intercede on behalf of their imprisoned kin. The protesters, a tapestry of pain and resolve, claimed that 45 Somali nationals languish on death row in Saudi prisons. Their cry is simple yet profound: they demand negotiations with Saudi authorities to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a dramatic twist, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has come forth with an impassioned plea for unity in the ongoing war against ISIS militants, mere weeks after conspicuously sitting on the sidelines. While the news may seem ordinary, the ramifications are anything but trivial. You may wonder, why now? What sparked this sudden shift in their stance? According to Ali Hosh, Somalia's Minister of Interior and Reconciliation, the answer lies in the commendable bravery displayed by the Northeastern…

In the crisp fall of 2022, Waris Mohamed was brimming with joy. She had just signed her three children up for what seemed to be a complimentary after-school tutoring program. Living in Savage, the 44-year-old had been nudged into enrolling by a considerate teacher at her children's weekend school, known as dugsi, where they honed their grasp on Islamic teachings. Assured her eligibility for free tutoring due to her household's income under $35,000, Waris took the plunge. Waris quipped, "What mom isn't gonna jump at the…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has brought General Odowaa Yusuf Rage back to the fore, a youthful officer molded in Turkey. Rage had previously made headlines by cracking down on opposition figures in Mogadishu during the tumultuous 2021-22 elections. This reappointment unfolds against the backdrop of a political storm swirling around Villa Somalia's attempts to tweak certain constitutional passages for timing extensions—moves that might derail the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab. Rage steps into the…

Mogadishu (AX) — Donald Trump's return to the presidency has sent shivers through immigrant groups across America, especially among Somali communities now wrestling with fresh anxieties over deportation. His campaign emphasized a stringent approach toward undocumented migrants, pledging historic levels of deportation. This has stirred alarm particularly among Somali families who view North America as a sanctuary and now fear their settled lives might face upheaval. Many are considering the possibility of relocating to…