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Mogadishu (AX) — In a dramatic showdown that has taken the nation by storm, a gaggle of irate airlines has hit the brakes on both local and international flights on a day that will linger in the annals of aviation history — Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The core reason? An itchy battle over swelling fees slapped on carriers by Somalia’s federal administrators, an action akin to a sudden 'turkey dump' right before dessert. What’s the buzz all about? Let’s go for a nosedive into this unfolding aerial saga. The usually stoic…

On a bustling January day in 2025, the heart of Nairobi reverberates with the chants of protesters holding placards high above their heads. Their message is as resolute as the sun beating down upon Kimathi Street: an insistent demand for answers to what they allege is a troubling surge of enforced disappearances targeting vocal government critics. In the tangled and vibrant tapestry of Kenyan life, human rights groups have sounded the alarm, pointing accusing fingers at the police. They claim a systemic silencing of dissent…

Egypt's Firm Stand on Red Sea Military Presence Amid Rising Tensions with Ethiopia CAIRO - In an assertive move that echoes the phrase "not in my backyard," Egypt has taken a firm stance against the incursion of non-local military forces into the Red Sea. These decisive words come as Egypt once more throws its unwavering support behind Somalia, a nation locked in a tense diplomatic tango with Ethiopia. The latter’s cozy relations with the self-proclaimed independent…

Okay, picture this: a diplomatic tug-of-war, with all the drama of a soap opera. We've got Ethiopia pulling one way and Egypt yanking the other. It's a high-stakes chess game, and Somalia's caught in the middle like the poor pawn wishing it could just be a knight and leap out of the fray. Somalian Diplomacy in the Hot Seat: A Tale of Two Rivals and a Stuck-in-the-Middle ADDIS ABABA/MOGADISHU, Jan 12 – Rumor has it that Ethiopia's trying to swap out Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Fiqi, for a new face. But there’s a snag…

Human rights advocates are strongly encouraging the authorities in Mozambique to take decisive action against the ongoing repression and violence directed at protesters challenging the questionable election results. The Committee to Protect Journalists has painted a grim picture of the situation, stating that the nation has "plunged into turmoil as security forces engage in violent confrontations." Disturbingly, they report that at least nine journalists have faced assault or arrest, while two foreign correspondents have…

By the year 2025, Nigeria could see a staggering 33 million individuals grappling with severe food scarcity—almost double the current figures for those in dire need. This dire situation stems from a confluence of economic challenges, soaring inflation, the effects of climate change, and the ongoing violence that plagues the northeastern regions of the country. In the northwest, specifically in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, over five million people currently experience acute food insecurity, and the crisis is anticipated to…

Taoiseach Simon Harris has indicated that the chances of a transatlantic trade disruption are on the rise, but he characterized the US president-elect, Donald Trump, as "transactional" and expressed confidence that he would recognize the mutual nature of US-EU trade. Harris made these comments upon his arrival at the European Political Community summit in Budapest, which includes leaders from 47 European nations, among them the 27 members of the European Union. This gathering comes at a critical moment, as Trump's recent…

Concerns are escalating regarding an Iranian student who was detained after staging a protest by stripping down to her underwear, an act fueled by alleged harassment over her attire. Activists are expressing worry that the authorities may resort to confining her in a psychiatric facility. In footage circulated on social media platforms, the student—who is enrolled at the distinguished Islamic Azad University in Tehran—was seen outside the campus on Saturday, clad only in her bra and underwear as a form of protest. Reports…

Every four years, an eerie shadow looms over Somalia as elections, instead of heralding a new dawn, often lead to political turmoil and strife. The outcome of these elections should ideally reaffirm the federal government's authority through peaceful and legitimate processes, yet, more often than not, the opposite occurs. The last election cycle (2021-2022) put the very fabric of the Somali state at risk. Despite this, there was a palpable sense of relief among the populace when newly elected parliamentarians pledged to…

Mogadishu (AX) — In North Western State of Somalia, two deputy ministers have thrown in the towel, indicating a major realignment in the political sphere just a few weeks shy of the crucial November 13 presidential election. These officials, formerly aligned with the sitting Kulmiye Party, have now pledged their allegiance to Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Irro, from the opposition. Their rationale? A push for transformation.Nasir Aydid Mohamed, once serving as Deputy Minister of Fisheries, expressed his intention to…