Somalia’s Unity and the Politics of Selective Nationalism EDITORIAL | For more than 30 years, Somalia has been caught between two competing truths: the insistence on one country and the steady drift toward fragmentation. Since North Western State of Somalia declared its separation in 1991, Somali administrations have returned time and again to the negotiating table with Hargeisa, meeting in Djibouti, Turkey, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The venue has changed, the mediation has shifted, but the outcome has not.…

Somalia’s diaspora—Somali citizens and families living abroad—has long played a role in the country’s public life. In recent years, that influence has become more visible in discussions about elections, governance, and political debate. From financial support sent home to advocacy in host countries and input through media and civic groups, diaspora ties can shape how political actors communicate, how campaigns mobilize voters, and how communities discuss national issues. This explainer outlines how that influence works,…

The Oyo State Police have categorically refuted claims of a successful rescue of the victims, emphasizing the need for community tranquility as they intensify their pursuit of the kidnappers. This alarming incident, involving the mass abduction of students and teachers, unfolded on May 15 when armed assailants stormed several educational institutions. Authorities caution that the circulation of misinformation exacerbates anxiety and misallocates vital security resources that are essential for ongoing rescue efforts.

On the front lines of a fast-moving epidemic, health workers say they are racing against time with scarce supplies. "We are trying to fight the disease with the equipment and resources available in order to save our people, who have already suffered from insecurity for a long time and now face a new ordeal," said Chérubin Radjabu, a nurse in the outbreak area. The outbreak is unfolding in conflict-affected areas and against a backdrop of global aid cuts and a fraught political climate in the country—factors that could…

Supporters of President Joseph Boakai are heralding a proposed piece of legislation as a landmark move toward accountability in post-conflict Liberia. This crucial initiative, which includes the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, aims to tackle the grave injustices faced during Liberia's tumultuous period of political instability and armed conflict from 1979 to 2003. In addition to addressing wartime offenses, the legislation outlines the creation of a dedicated national anti-corruption court that will focus…

In a significant twist to a long-running legal saga, Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi said Home Affairs would lift the five-year entry ban on Nigerian evangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso if the National Prosecuting Authority succeeds in its attempt to appeal his acquittal on sexual offences charges. Omotoso was declared an undesirable person in South Africa and handed a five-year ban in May 2025, after which he left the country voluntarily. The move came on the heels of his acquittal following a seven-year trial on…

Seasoned political negotiator Roelf Meyer formally presented his credentials to President Donald Trump on Thursday, stepping in as South Africa’s new ambassador to the US at a moment when political relations between the two countries remain frosty.

A defendant embroiled in the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu in late 2025 has disclosed a chilling tactic: plans to cut off electricity to the Presidential Villa during the assault. Another accused individual shared insights on a recruitment strategy targeting personnel within the villa, aiming to enlist soldiers and officials from the State Security Service. Multiple defendants, including high-ranking army officers, are facing trial in a federal court located in Abuja. They confront a serious 13-count…

South Africa will begin offering the twice-yearly HIV prevention shot lenacapavir (LEN) on June 5, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced, hailing a major step forward in the fight against the virus. For individuals who are HIV-negative, the long-acting injection has proven to be almost completely effective at preventing sexual transmission. But new drugs alone won’t end the epidemic, argue Mitchell Warren, executive director of the international health advocacy group AVAC, and Wawira Nyagah, executive director of…

For the first time in Mali's turbulent north, the military, alongside Russian forces, has commenced the use of cluster munitions amid ongoing conflicts involving jihadist factions, separatist groups, and governmental troops that have persisted for over a decade. Sources on the ground, security experts, and human rights organizations have confirmed that these bombs were deployed during recent counter-terrorism operations. Reports indicate that the initial strike took place in Oubder, situated near In-Gouzma within the…