ongoing

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels, known for their ties to Rwanda, have declared a ceasefire in the eastern regions of the country. This agreement will remain in effect until peace negotiations, facilitated by Qatar, are brought to a close. It’s a significant development in the ongoing conflict that has claimed an estimated 7,000 lives since M23 escalated its military campaign in January. In a joint statement, representatives from both factions characterized their recent discussions as "frank and…

A Call to Action for Somalia’s Future Mogadishu (AX) — In a stirring address delivered recently, the African Union Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, made an impassioned plea to member states and international partners to reaffirm their commitment to Somalia. With the nation teetering on the brink of a critical juncture, he cautioned that the hard-won victories against Al-Shabaab are at significant risk of reversal without continued support from the global community. Speaking at a high-level summit of Troop Contributing…

Struggles and Resilience: The Ongoing Fight Against Al-Shabab In recent months, the landscape of Somalia's fight against militant Islamist groups has shifted once again. Al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda-affiliated organization, has regrouped and is now launching a series of counter-attacks, underscoring the complexities of the conflict that has persisted for almost two decades. In a significant show of military strength, the United States and Somali forces executed a carefully planned airstrike targeting these militants. This…

Top officials from Ukraine and the United States are gathered in Paris for crucial discussions with an EU delegation, focusing on various pressing matters, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the possibility of a ceasefire. Upon their arrival, Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, shared on social media, “I have just landed in Paris. We arrived together with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.” He also mentioned that they would be meeting with representatives…

Birmingham Garbage Workers Refuse Offer, Strike Enters Sixth Week Refuse workers in Birmingham have voted overwhelmingly to reject an offer intended to resolve a strike now in its sixth week, leaving thousands of tonnes of garbage piling up throughout the city's streets, union officials confirmed today. This latest development comes as military logistics experts have been called in to help tackle the ongoing rubbish accumulation crisis. The Unite union described the proposal presented to its members as…

Voter Registration to Commence in Mogadishu Amid Diverging Opinions in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - It seems President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is ready to advance without engaging in extensive political dialogues. While some might question the efficacy of such a move, he is set on initiating a voter registration exercise. This decision, however, surfaces amidst palpable tension and disagreements with some federal states. Slated for May 2025, the National Consultative Council (NCC) posse…

US President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs on numerous countries have now taken effect, imposing hefty duties of 104% on Chinese goods and 20% on products from the European Union. This move escalates his global trade dispute even as he prepares for negotiations with several nations. As President Trump himself noted, “We have a lot of countries coming in that want to make deals.” However, these punitive tariffs have disrupted a trading order that has been in place for decades, leading to heightened recession fears and…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring In the heart of Sudan's political whirlwind, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, more popularly known as Hemedti, stands resolute. As the deputy head of Sudan's sovereign council, he commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and on a brisk February day, Hemedti faced the inquisitive eyes of the press at their headquarters in Khartoum. Recalling the pressing nature of the challenges faced, a famous adage comes to mind: "It does not matter how slowly you go as…

In a striking display of diplomatic tension, Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has decisively refuted claims made by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye. Ndayishimiye characterized these allegations as stemming from "credible intelligence" suggesting that Kigali harbors intentions of launching an offensive against its neighbor. Nduhungirehe, however, labeled such assertions as "unfortunate," emphasizing that both nations are currently engaged in ongoing peace negotiations. He highlighted shared…

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed profound concern over the recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which tragically resulted in the loss of hundreds of civilian lives. He emphasized the urgent need for an end to hostilities in the region, stating, "For the sake of the civilians in Gaza, who have already endured unimaginable hardships, there must be an immediate cessation of all fighting." The strikes were reported in various locations, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, and central and southern areas such as Deir…