President

Somalia’s Public Embrace of Qatar Signals Shifting Alignments in the Gulf–Horn of Africa Nexus DOHA — When Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stepped into the Amiri Diwan in Doha on Monday, he did more than pay a diplomatic courtesy call. In a terse, unequivocal statement — “The Somali government and its people stand in full solidarity with our Qatari brothers. We will not accept any violation of the sovereignty or stability of the State of Qatar” — Mohamud signalled a wider intent: to knit Somalia closer to a Gulf…

Somali premier’s public vow of loyalty to president rekindles debate over power and principle From a town hall in Mogadishu, a simple line set off a storm MOGADISHU — When Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre told a packed town hall that he “respects the president and will not act in a way that contradicts his leadership,” the words landed as both balm and warning. To some in the room they were a sign of cohesion at a fraught moment; to others they echoed a deeper question about the balance of power in Somalia’s fragile state.…

Somalia’s federal experiment under strain as Las Anod conflict exposes deeper tensions MOGADISHU — The row over the emergence of a new regional administration in Las Anod — branded SSC-Khaatumo by its leaders — has become the latest flashpoint in a long-running struggle over how Somalia is governed. At the centre of the controversy is President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accused by critics of steadily eroding the federal compact that was supposed to anchor the country’s fragile post-transition order. The immediate complaint is…

Zambian court jails two for using “witchcraft” to target president — a case that cuts across law, belief and politics A Zambian magistrate has sentenced two men to two years in prison for what prosecutors described as an attempt to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema — a verdict that raises awkward questions about how state institutions confront age‑old beliefs when they intersect with contemporary politics. The ruling Magistrate Fine Mayambu on Tuesday handed down the custodial sentences to Leonard Phiri,…

Somalia’s plea in Addis Ababa: climate justice is not charity, it’s survival At a summit meant to elevate Africa’s voice on climate, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud delivered a blunt reminder: the continent is being asked to decarbonize while still paying the price for emissions it did not cause. His appeal — for scaled-up finance, clearer delivery mechanisms and a rapid transition from pledges to payouts — was not a diplomatic flourish. It was a survival plan for a country that has endured back-to-back climate…

Somalia’s president brings a climate plea to Addis Ababa as Africa seeks a united front ADDIS ABABA — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ethiopia’s capital on Sunday as leaders from across Africa convened for the second Africa Climate Summit, a gathering that has shifted in recent years from platitudes to a sharpened insistence: poor nations deserve more money, and faster, to cope with climate shocks. Mohamud was greeted at Bole International Airport by senior Ethiopian officials and joined other high-level…

Kenya’s president travels to Addis Ababa as Ethiopia opens contested Grand Renaissance Dam ADDIS ABABA — Kenya’s President William Ruto arrived in Ethiopia on Sunday to attend the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a sweeping hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile that has long been a flashpoint with downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan. State House in Nairobi cast the visit as a milestone for continental cooperation. “This inauguration symbolizes Africa’s self-reliance and a major step in…

New Strategies in Somalia: A Collaborative Fight Against Al-Shabaab MOGADISHU, Somalia — In the sunlit corridors of Mogadishu's presidential palace, a significant conversation unfolded this week. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, the new commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), to initiate a new chapter in the ongoing battle against the al-Qaida affiliate, al-Shabaab. Their discussions were more than just diplomatic niceties; they were rooted in the everyday struggles of the…

Somalia's Struggle: A Nation on the Brink Amid Al-Shabaab Resurgence MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the heart of East Africa, Somalia stands at a precarious crossroads, battling the dual specters of insurgency and political strife. As the shadow of Al-Shabaab looms larger over the nation, former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who previously led efforts to vanquish the militant group from Mogadishu, has stepped forward with a dire warning: “The country is on the brink, and Al-Shabaab is taking over, and the army has disintegrated.”…

The Fall of Chief Justice Torkonoo: A Watershed Moment for Ghana's Judiciary In a significant turn of events in Ghana's political landscape, President John Mahama has officially dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo following a thorough investigation into alleged misconduct. This dramatic decision, marked by controversy and debate, highlights the intricate interplay between politics and judicial integrity in the West African nation. A Historical Precedent Torkonoo’s removal is not just a procedural event; it signifies…