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Ma'awisley militia kills several al-Shabaab militants near Beledweyne in Dhoqor raid BELEDWEYNE, Somalia — Local clan militia forces known as Ma'awisley killed several al-Shabaab militants during a targeted operation Thursday in Dhoqor, an area along the Shabelle River about 25 kilometers from Beledweyne in the Hiiraan region, according to local sources. The strike, carried out by three militia members, also resulted in the seizure of weapons from two of the dead fighters, the sources said. News of the incident spread…

Nigeria’s government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted last month in Niger state, local media reported, marking a partial breakthrough in one of the country’s worst mass school kidnappings in recent years. The children were among those taken on Nov. 21 when gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri, a hamlet in Niger state. The Christian Association of Nigeria said at the time that 303 children and 12 school staff were seized in the raid. About 50 pupils managed to escape within hours,…

Windhoek — Namibia’s ruling Swapo party captured a decisive share of seats in Monday’s local authority elections, winning just over 52% of all seats nationwide, electoral authorities said, marking an increase of nearly 40% compared with the 2020 local polls. Officials also reported turnout was low, with fewer than 40% of registered voters casting ballots. The results reaffirm Swapo’s standing after three decades in national government, but analysts cautioned the party’s gains do not translate into uncontested control at the…

Mogadishu begins voter card rollout for local council elections Somalia’s electoral commission on Saturday began issuing voter cards in Mogadishu, a step the capital has seldom seen after years marked by conflict, displacement and political uncertainty. The process opened across multiple districts with steady turnout and orderly lines as residents prepared to participate in upcoming local council polls. Distribution started in Hamarjajab, Waberi, Shangani, Hamarweyne, Boondheere, Abdiaziz and Shibis districts. Officials…

Amid Stalemate and Struggle: Somalia’s Relentless Battle Against Al-Shabaab Mogadishu, Somalia – In the dense forests of the Galgaduud region, where the air is thick with tension and uncertainty, the Somali National Army (SNA) recently launched a decisive operation against the insurgent group Al-Shabaab. Backed by the locally celebrated Macawisley militia, they struck a significant blow, neutralizing dozens of militants in an area where Al-Shabaab’s influence runs deep. The Operation: A United Front The operation, led by…

Chapter One: Setting the Scene In federations, deciding the power equilibrium between national and regional entities is crucial. Federalism’s very essence is harmonizing centralized power with regional autonomy, knitting a nation together while catering to local needs. Somalia’s 2012 Provisional Constitution left major power-sharing questions open. Check Article 50: power is doled out to the level of government where it'll do the most good, aiming for fair resource chops and responsibilities between Somalia’s Federal…

Mogadishu (AX) — In an intriguing twist of the political narrative, Somalia's top brass have inked a deal to undertake municipal elections by June 2025, to be trailed by parliamentary polls in the September of the same year. This was unveiled in a statement from the National Consultative Council (NCC) this past Wednesday.Underscoring the significance of transparent polls sprouting from a multi-party framework, the NCC rallied for empowering Somali folks to handpick their own delegates. Urgency clings to legislation related…

Mogadishu (AX) — Sarah Mohamed Khalif, a Belgian with Somali roots, has once again secured a spot on Leuven's city council. Her election marks a continued path-breaking journey in the European political scene. Notably, she remains the first Somali, Muslim, and immigrant woman to achieve this milestone, winning a second term after a tenacious campaign. During her inaugural term, Sarah allied with the Vooruit party, aiming to cultivate a more inclusive Leuven. Her focus centered on enhancing social services for the…

Military bigwigs running the show reported that they tore down fortified spots and obliterated prime hideouts in the village, effectively throwing a wrench into Al-Shabaab's plans to launch attacks nearby. They said this capture is a turning point in the two-year mission to kick Al-Shabaab out of Mudug. Somali forces have been in the thick of action, constantly working to free areas from Al-Shabaab’s grip. Snagging Baraag Ali-Gaduud marks not just a tactical victory but also a strategic leap in the grand scheme of securing…

Muse Bihis Kulmiye on the verge of winning Somaliland's local votes HARGEISA, Somalia - The ruling Kulmiye party is on the verge of winning a majority in Somaliland's parliamentary and civic votes, based on the results released by the region's electoral commission . For the first time in history, at least 1 million voters got a chance to vote for their leaders in the secessionist region of…