region

Bridging Borders: A Call to Action from Ethiopia’s Somali State President NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — In a heartfelt and compelling appeal, Mustafa Mohammed Omar 'Cagjar', the President of Ethiopia’s Somali State, has invited Somalis living abroad to return and reinvest in their homeland. Speaking to a throng of diaspora members in Nairobi, he made a passionate case for not just relocation, but active participation in the region’s renaissance, particularly targeting professionals and entrepreneurs based in Kenya. “Our region…

U.S. President Donald Trump returned to Washington late Friday night, traveling aboard the vintage Boeing 747 that has become a symbol of his presidency. This aircraft, a remnant from George H.W. Bush's administration, has carried many leaders and dignitaries on numerous trips to the Middle East over the years. This vintage plane, often referred to as "the other Air Force One," has been a witness to significant U.S. involvement in the region. From Bush's initial invasion of Iraq in response to Kuwait’s aggression to his…

After months of stalemate and escalating humanitarian crises, a glimmer of hope emerges in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet, our optimism must be tempered by the lessons of the past. How many times have we seen initiatives crumble, leaving communities in despair? As Paul-Simon Handy, East Africa Regional Director for the Institute of Security Studies, astutely observes, faltering African interventions have inadvertently paved the way for global actors to step into a role of greater influence. It was under the…

The European Union finds itself at a significant crossroads in its relationship with the Sahel region. An urgent call for a transformative political strategy has been articulated in an open letter to the EU Vice President by Human Rights Watch. They assert that the "Integrated Strategy in the Sahel," which was introduced in April 2021, has unfortunately grown antiquated, especially in the wake of recent military coups in the central Sahel. Why, one might ask, does this matter? The Sahel, a vast stretch of land encompassing…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a significant announcement that echoes the aspirations of many Somali citizens, Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan of the National Electoral Commission revealed on Thursday an extension of the voter registration period for local council elections in the Banadir region. This decision, made after thoughtful consideration, responds to the urgent need for greater public participation in the electoral process. During a press conference held at the commission's headquarters in Mogadishu, Abdikarin articulated…

US Military Strikes ISIS Militants in Somalia's Northeastern State BOSASO, Somalia - The complexities of international support and conflict often unravel in unexpected ways. Take, for example, the ongoing scenario in Somalia's Northeastern State. Despite previous declarations from the United States about reducing aid, support marches on. It seems that when words are weighed against the stark realities of global security, sometimes actions speak louder. On a crisp Sunday morning, the atmosphere…

Baidoa (AX) — In a significant step toward bolstering national security, President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen of the Southwest regional state visited frontline troops in the Bay region this past Sunday. With an eye to assess military readiness, the President's visit comes at a crucial time as operations against the militant group Al-Shabaab expand. President Laftagareen’s walk through the encampments, resonating with a palpable sense of purpose, conveyed both authority and empathy. As he spoke with the soldiers,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a marked victory for the Somali government, local community fighters, and security forces, a significant confrontation unfolded on Saturday along the border between the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. This clash resulted in the deaths of at least 50 Al-Shabaab militants, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defense. The fierce fighting erupted in several rural areas, including Muqliga Ali, El-Hareeri, Hareeri Madoobe, and Garas Magan. Here, Al-Shabaab directly attacked a Somali army base, but the…

In a world where climate change looms increasingly large, the predictions from the Igad Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC) have caught the attention of many. Climate scientists at ICPAC have forecasted an unusual uptick in rainfall across multiple regions, notably Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, eastern Kenya, northern South Sudan, and southern Sudan. It’s more than just numbers and statistics; it's a clarion call for communities to prepare for nature’s dramatic shifts. According to ICPAC, “Moderate rainfall of…

Tensions Rise in Sool Region Following Killing of Ethiopian Consulate Official Las Anod (AX) — In a tragic turn of events that underscores the ongoing challenges of security and accountability in the Sool region of Somalia, the body of an Ethiopian consular official was discovered on a Saturday night. This incident, deeply unsettling in its implications, raises critical questions about the safety of diplomats and the broader political climate in the area. The victim, Farah Aydiid Jama, affectionately known as…