issues

Somalia's Jubaland State Raises Alarm: A Call for Unity in Troubling Times KISMAYO, Somalia — In a bold and critical statement that echoes through the tumultuous landscape of Somalia's politics, the Jubaland state has voiced increasing concern regarding what it describes as the federal government's abandonment of pivotal national priorities, namely the fight against al-Shabaab militants and the promotion of national unity. As Somalia grapples with the weight of insecurity, economic struggles, and deepening political…

Somalia moves against online defamation. The bigger story is who decides what’s dangerous speech—and when In Mogadishu’s humming tea stalls and on the diaspora’s WhatsApp groups from Minneapolis to Mombasa, politics is now a permanent scroll. Somalia’s Office of the Attorney General stepped squarely into that stream this week, announcing a legal push against what it called online insults, defamation, social incitement, offensive images, immoral content, false information, and posts that “promote societal division.” Some…

A Crisis in Botswana: Health Emergency Amidst Economic Struggles In a stark televised address, President Duma Boko announced a public health emergency in Botswana, highlighting a dire situation that has been compounded by economic straits, dwindling international aid, and overwhelming shortages of essential medicines. The announcement comes at a time when this Southern African nation, known for its stability and diamond wealth, finds itself grappling with unprecedented challenges that threaten the well-being of its…

Embassy Shift: The Implications of the U.S. Visa Suspension in Zimbabwe In a poignant reminder of the intricacies of international diplomacy and the growing concern over security, the United States Embassy in Harare has abruptly halted all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services. This decision, driven by national security and public safety considerations, underscores the delicate balance governments must maintain between welcoming international visitors and protecting their own citizens. As the world watches, this…

In a significant development following the troubling events of October 7, 2023, involving both Hamas's attacks on Israel and the subsequent military actions in Gaza, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan revealed on May 20 his intention to pursue arrest warrants for alleged war crimes tied to the conflict. "The legal dynamics are shifting," remarked an expert on international law familiar with the situation. Despite the International Criminal Court's announcement that Israel's consent is not a prerequisite for acknowledging the…

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. This significant decision comes on the heels of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s announcement on May 20, calling for warrants tied to the events following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which prompted a fierce Israeli military response in…

In a groundbreaking moment for New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has issued a heartfelt apology to individuals who suffered abuse while under state care. This acknowledgment of the "unimaginable pain" experienced in child welfare homes and psychiatric facilities marks a significant step towards reckoning with a dark chapter in the nation’s history. The recent public inquiry revealed that approximately 200,000 vulnerable New Zealanders faced abuse throughout various decades of state care, labeling these findings…

Amid growing global concerns, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently had a heart-to-heart over a phone call about pressing issues in Haiti, Somalia, and Yemen. Their conversation was primarily focused on the ongoing challenges in these volatile regions, but you could say it was much more than a simple exchange of pleasantries. "Antony Blinken and Antonio Guterres have been talking turkey about the current affairs," remarked an international relations observer. They delved…

Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed did not hold back on Saturday, sharply critiquing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He raised serious doubts about the viability of the planned one-person, one-vote elections given the persistent security threats and condemned the government's harsh evictions in Mogadishu. Ahmed asserted that the dire security situation in Somalia renders individual voting unfeasible. He accused President Hassan Sheikh of pushing this electoral plan more for personal advantage…

Iqra Ismail, the former leader of Somalia’s women's squad in 2019, was barred from participating due to her choice of attire aligning with her spiritual convictions. (Instagram: coachiqra) LONDON, UK (AX) — A heartfelt apology has been issued by the Football Association of England to Iqra Ismail, a British-Somali footballer, after she was denied the chance to play in a Greater London Women’s Football League (GLWFL) match. The reason? Her decision to don tracksuit bottoms instead of the league-mandated shorts, as a reflection…