threat

South Africa warned that Israel’s move to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state poses a “direct threat” to peace in the Horn of Africa, calling the decision a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement Monday, South Africa’s Foreign Ministry said Israel’s recognition undermines continental norms designed to prevent state fragmentation. The ministry said it distinguishes “unequivocally” between decolonization and secession, adding: “The former restores sovereignty;…

Somalia condemns Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as regional “threat” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud denounced Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, calling it “a threat to the security and stability of the world and the region” in an emergency parliamentary session that underscored rising tensions in the Horn of Africa. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that Israel would become the first country to recognize Somaliland, the self-proclaimed republic that has sought international…

U.N. experts warn that al-Shabab remains the most immediate threat to peace and stability in Somalia and the wider region, especially Kenya, even as the U.N. Security Council unanimously extended the African Union’s support-and-stabilization mission in the country through Dec. 31, 2026. Despite sustained operations by Somali and international forces, the al-Qaida-linked group’s capacity “to carry out complex, asymmetric attacks in Somalia remains undiminished,” according to the panel of experts report released Wednesday. The…

U.S. surveillance flights over Nigeria have ramped up since late November, signaling a sharp uptick in security cooperation as Washington presses Abuja to curb mounting violence, including attacks on Christian communities. Flight-tracking data and current and former U.S. officials confirm contractor-operated missions flying near daily from Accra, Ghana, across Nigerian airspace and back. It was not immediately clear what specific intelligence the aircraft are collecting. A current U.S. official confirmed the flights but…

PUL Rebukes House Speaker Over Threats to Journalists The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has issued a strongly worded rebuke of House Speaker Richard Nage Koon, who recently threatened to "jail" journalists recording proceedings prior to reaching a quorum in the legislative body. Such remarks have raised significant concerns over the treatment of press freedom in Liberia, with the PUL stating the Speaker's comments exhibit a "dangerous" mindset among some public officials and an attempt to "weaponize state power." The union…

Editorial Verdict: Somalia at a Crossroads — Demagoguery, Patronage and the Fraying of Federalism Three and a half years into a four‑year term, critics of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud argue that the promise of a renewed Somalia — one that could finally suppress Al‑Shabaab, rebuild institutions and knit together fractious clans — has been replaced by a politics of personalization. What began as hopeful restoration has, they say, slid toward centralisation, clientelism and the politicisation of security and aid. The…

Ghana is grappling with the severe repercussions of illegal mining, commonly referred to as Galamsey. This rampant activity, primarily conducted by small-scale miners, is taking place across countless sites, igniting widespread protests and prompting the military to take action against it. As a key player in the global gold and cocoa markets, Ghana is feeling the pinch, as land degradation from these mining operations is significantly affecting agricultural productivity. Despite the apparent environmental hazards and…

A looming catastrophe is on the horizon for northern Gaza, with global food security specialists warning that famine could soon strike the region. As Israel escalates its military operations against Hamas, a militant group in Palestine, the situation grows increasingly dire. The independent Famine Review Committee (FRC), in a rare and urgent communication, emphasized the need for "swift action—days, rather than weeks"—from all parties involved in the conflict and those influencing its progression. Failure to act could lead…

In Mogadishu (AX), the Somali federal government's ambition to transition from a clan-based election process to a universal suffrage by 2026 has stirred the political pot, all while the nation faces a pesky al-Shabaab resurgence. On October 2, during a National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow, Somali bigwigs mapped out a reform strategy, eyeing extended terms for state presidents. This plan, however, pulled back the curtain on deep-seated rifts among regional honchos, as tensions simmer amid rising insurgency woes.…

FILE PHOTO Mogadishu (AX) — On Wednesday evening, a fierce skirmish erupted between the Somali military and al-Shabab insurgents near Lukugoraw, roughly 20 kilometers from Hudur in the Bakol region. Local folks shared insights, highlighting the clash erupted when al-Shabab launched a daring assault with car bombs on a military outpost, triggering relentless combat for about an hour. In a government broadcast, it was shared that their forces repelled the attack and obliterated a car bomb attempted by the rebels. “The…