fair

EU and South American leaders signed a landmark EU–Mercosur free trade agreement in Asuncion, Paraguay, establishing what officials called the world’s largest free trade area after 25 years of negotiations. The accord spans more than 700 million consumers and is billed as a decisive turn toward open markets even as it faces a contentious ratification fight in Europe. “This agreement sends a very strong message to the world. It reflects a clear and deliberate choice. We choose fair trade over tariffs. We choose a productive,…

Wednesday January 14, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s first direct local council elections in Mogadishu in nearly 60 years were peaceful and orderly, but they unfolded amid a surge of misinformation and political bias, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). The Election Observation and Media Monitoring Report reviewed the Banadir local council vote held Dec. 25, 2025, drawing on structured monitoring from Nov. 1 to Dec. 30. NUSOJ called the exercise a historic milestone,…

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…

Mogadishu paints a picture of extreme contrasts, where its ever-evolving skyline stands as both a mark of advancement and a glaring sign of widening inequality. This piece dives into the economic drivers and societal effects of the housing struggle remolding Somalia’s capital. / Credit Redit/r/Somalia Mogadishu, once famed for its vibrant culture and historical allure, now finds itself grappling with an ordeal that threatens to unravel its very economic and social fabric. The gap between the haves and have-nots is growing…

In Chad, a chorus of women leaders and activists has brought attention to a significant issue: the glaring scarcity of female candidates in the upcoming legislative, local, and district elections set for December 29. These elections are crucial as they signify the culmination of a transition journey from military to civilian governance. This shift kicked off when General Mahamat Idriss Deby took helm after the passing of his father, the long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno, in 2021. Ahmed Bartchiret, the head of…

On a sunny Saturday morning, President Muse Bihi Abdi from the Kulmiye party, Waddani's Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, and UCID's Faisal Ali Warabe officially secured their nominations, setting the stage for the upcoming election. Concerns are on the rise about possible electoral conflicts in the area, spotlighting the need for a tranquil and fair contest in Somaliland’s democratic journey. “The players are ready, and the game is on. We’ll compete and respect the commission’s decisions,” Irro stated with resolve.…

He had given himself a few days of rest after his return with great fanfare to the Ivory Coast last Thursday. And it is Sunday, June 20, that Laurent Gbagbo has chosen for his first public appearance. The former president created a surprise by attending Sunday Mass at the Cathedral on the Plateau, Abidjan's business district. An excursion that aroused many emotions among the faithful present.…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A stalemate ensues due to the delisting of 67 officials, spy agents and Farmajo supporters from the polling stations to ensure transparency in the forthcoming Somali elections. Sources revealed to Axadlethat the commission commissioned by Prime Minister Roble to verify the allegations is facing disturbances from leaders in Villa Somalia who want certain disputed members to be reinstated. The Prime Minister, who was widely credited with concluding a historic electoral agreement with the leaders of…

In Madagascar, a creativity fair to support small businesses ends after the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. as reported from Antananarivo, Laetitia BezainFrom 25 to 28 November, Antananarivo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the capital, gathered mostly rural companies. Crafts, delicacies, cosmetics or…