top

China’s top diplomat heads to key strategic points in Africa BEIJING — China’s top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Wednesday with a focus on the strategically vital east, as the world’s No. 2 economy moves to reinforce its influence along key trade corridors and showcase its market access offers to poorer nations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho, a circuit that touches the Red Sea gateway, mineral supply lines and countries targeted by Beijing’s recent…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government said Thursday that a planned airstrike in the al-Shabab-held town of Jilib on Dec. 10 killed two senior leaders of the extremist group, including a bomb-making chief who carried a $5 million U.S. bounty. The National Intelligence and Security Agency, known as NISA, said the strike killed Abdullahi Osman Mohamed, widely known as Engineer Ismail, describing him as al-Shabab’s chief explosives planner. The United States had offered up to $5 million for information leading to his…

BOSASO, Somalia — U.S. special operations forces, working with Puntland State’s Counter-Terrorism Forces, mounted a helicopter-borne raid on an Islamic State enclave in the Cal-Miskaad mountains on Tuesday, killing senior leaders and capturing fighters, according to U.S. Africa Command and Puntland State officials. The joint operation struck targets in Baallade Valley, with troops assaulting the HabarBajuuke cave complex after an exchange of fire with militants from IS-Somalia, officials said. U.S. Africa Command said the…

The UN at 80: an institution under pressure in a multipolar age New York’s diplomats will soon reconvene in a familiar ritual of speeches, side meetings and cocktail receptions. But this year the atmosphere at the UN feels different — thinned by budget lines, sharpened by geopolitics and shadowed by hunger. As Secretary‑General António Guterres put it plainly this month: “We are gathering in turbulent, even unchartered waters.” That phrase captures why the United Nations’ 80th General Assembly resembles less of a…

The Fall of a Prominent Nephew: Engonga’s Tumultuous Journey from Power to Prison In a dramatic turn of events that has rippled through the political landscape of Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzlement. Once a figure of influence and power, Engonga’s downfall serves as a compelling narrative of betrayal and political maneuvering in a country long ruled by one family. A Legacy of Wealth and Scandal Engonga, often…

Kamto's Exclusion: A Growing Shadow Over Cameroon’s Elections In the heart of Central Africa, Cameroon prepares for its upcoming presidential elections, yet the air is thick with skepticism and unease. The exclusion of Maurice Kamto, a prominent opposition leader and steadfast critic of long-time President Paul Biya, from the list of approved candidates for the 12 October election has unleashed a flurry of questions regarding the integrity of the electoral process. A Voice Silenced Maurice Kamto, once a beacon of hope for…

General Fayyad al-Ruwaili, the chief of staff for Saudi Arabia's armed forces, is set to make a significant trip to Tehran. His mission? To engage in discussions about defense partnerships with his Iranian counterpart. This information was confirmed by the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff, according to reports in local media. This diplomatic outreach comes on the heels of Donald Trump’s recent election victory, as he prepares to begin his second term as President of the United States in January. Trump has expressed his…

On Saturday, Liverpool reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League, staging a thrilling comeback to secure a 2-1 victory against Brighton at Anfield. They countered a goal down with two swift strikes within three minutes, while Manchester City faced another setback, suffering a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth. Brighton struck first, with Ferdi Kadioglu capitalizing on a deflected cross from Kaoru Mitoma just 14 minutes into the game. However, Liverpool flipped the script with a pair of rapid goals in the second half. Cody Gakpo,…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali National Army, along with Jubbaland's finest Dervishes, orchestrated a mission to topple a high-ranking al-Shabab figure last Friday in the northern regions of Lower Jubba, according to comments from government insiders.This concerted military effort zoned in on the hotbeds of al-Shabab activity around Dharkeen Urur and Orgiyow in Lower Jubba.Mohamud Ali Hussein, often tagged as "Qayliyow" within his circle, found his end during this strike. He was the mastermind behind surveillance, intelligence…