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Somalia Cabinet reviews security, lauds Mogadishu vote, approves Uganda, Saudi pacts MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Council of Ministers held an extraordinary meeting Monday to review the national security situation, assess recent operations against extremist groups and mark the completion of one-person, one-vote local council elections in the Banadir region, government officials said. Chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and attended by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the session signaled the political weight the…

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has highlighted three critical conflicts in Africa that are poised to carry into 2026, following a tumultuous year marred by violence and instability. The ICG's "conflicts to watch" report names Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the volatile situation in Mali and Burkina Faso as focal points that require immediate international attention. Having faced a devastating escalation in violence throughout 2025, these regions find themselves at a pivotal juncture. Sudan, under the shadow of a…

BRUSSELS — Ireland is expected to opt for a financial contribution to frontline migration states in emergency situations rather than take in relocated migrants, as European Union justice ministers meet in Brussels to sign off on elements of the EU Migration Pact. The pact’s central “solidarity mechanism” is designed to ease sudden pressure on countries such as Italy and Greece when arrivals spike. Under the plan, other member states would share the burden either by relocating some migrants for screening and processing or by…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A strategically vital bridge near the town of Afgoye has been rebuilt months after Al-Shabaab militants destroyed it, restoring a critical artery for security forces, trade and civilian movement in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region. The span, located by Sabiid and Anole villages about 35 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, was blown up in June as militants retreated amid intensified operations by Somali government troops backed by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The…

KISMAYO, Somalia — Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe pressed the United States to increase investment in Somalia’s federal member states during talks in Kismayo with a U.S. delegation led by Ambassador Richard H. Riley, as the region seeks to consolidate security gains against al-Shabab. In the engagement with the ambassador and senior diplomats, Madobe outlined a slate of priorities centered on security, governance and economic development, highlighting what his administration described as steady progress in…

Somalia meet Bahrain in a timely test ahead of regional fixtures Somalia face Bahrain in a friendly on Monday at 6:30 p.m. local time at Bahrain National Stadium, a tune-up with immediate stakes for the hosts and long-term value for the visitors. The match arrives two days before Bahrain’s Arab Cup qualifier against Djibouti in Doha, and offers Somalia a rare window to build cohesion and benchmark progress. Both staff groups see the fixture as an examination as much as a contest. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bahrain…

Super Eagles Aim for Glory in World Cup Playoff Final As the sun sets over Morocco, a palpable excitement fills the air, accompanying the bustling streets leading up to the grand showdown. The Super Eagles of Nigeria stand on the brink of history as they prepare to battle the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the 2026 World Cup Africa Playoff Final this Sunday. The stakes couldn’t be higher; the victor will secure a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Play-off Tournament, a gateway to the prestigious 2026 World Cup. A…

A new front in the climate battle: defending truth at COP30 Belem’s humid air this week carried more than the tang of the Amazon. At the UN Pavilion during COP30, delegates and activists gathered to talk emissions, finance and loss and damage — but one of the loudest pleas came from an unexpected corner: the newsroom. Omar Faruk Osman, secretary general of the National Union of Somali Journalists, used a high-level UNESCO panel to argue that the integrity of information is now a frontline issue for climate action. The…

As Puntland State claims new victories against ISIS in Cal‑Miskaad, deeper questions remain BOSASO, Somalia — For nearly a year, Puntland State’s security forces have been waging a gritty campaign against Islamic State-linked militants dug into the tangled ridges and cave networks of the Cal‑Miskaad mountains. Local commanders and officials now insist the offensive is paying off — with recent operations dislodging fighters from a strategic base and seizing several cave systems — but analysts and residents warn that military…

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…