urges

Japan and Australia said they are not planning to send naval vessels to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump called on allies to help reopen the vital waterway amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Trump, arguing that countries dependent on Gulf oil have a responsibility to protect the corridor through which about 20 percent of the world’s energy flows, said his administration has contacted seven nations to form a maritime coalition. He did not identify them, though over the weekend…

North Western State of Somalia Coast Guard warns holiday travelers: Only it can designate safe swimming zones Hargeisa (AX) — The commander of the North Western State of Somalia Coast Guard urged holidaymakers on Saturday to follow official safety guidance as thousands prepare to flock to Berbera and other coastal towns during Eid and public holidays, warning that only the Coast Guard has legal authority to designate safe areas for swimming. “Anyone who wants to know safe areas for swimming should consult the Coast Guard,”…

CPJ urges North Western State of Somalia to free journalist detained without charge since Feb. 22 Monday March 9, 2026 HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday called for the immediate release of Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud, a Hargeisa-based reporter and founder of the online outlet Warrame Media, who has been held without formal charges since February 22 in North Western State of Somalia. CPJ said unidentified individuals raided Warrame Media’s offices in Hargeisa on the…

Saturday March 7, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — A political party led by former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to prioritize a broadly agreed electoral process as Somalia nears the end of the current term and digests sweeping constitutional amendments that extend federal mandates to five years. In a statement issued Friday, the Himilo Qaran party called on the president to devote the remainder of his mandate to organizing elections anchored in consensus among all political…

U.S., Israel launch major strikes on Iran as Trump urges uprising; Tehran fires missiles at Israel, U.S. bases The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran on Saturday, opening a new chapter of military confrontation as President Donald Trump urged Iranians to “seize control of your destiny” and rise up against the Islamic Republic’s leadership. Within hours, Iran said it fired a “first wave” of missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted U.S. military sites across the Gulf. Strikes reported near…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro urged Somalilanders to close ranks on Thursday as regional opposition intensifies to Israel’s recognition of the territory, calling unity essential to defend “nationhood and statehood” amid mounting diplomatic pressure across the Horn of Africa. “There are many conflicts going on around North Western State of Somalia. We have not harmed anyone, we have not taken anything from anyone,” Irro said in a speech in Hargeisa. “What is needed is…

U.S. House Committees Urge Action on Religious Persecution in Nigeria U.S. House committees investigating the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria have formally submitted their findings to President Donald Trump. The report proposes a roadmap for curbing religious violence, enforcing accountability, and bolstering security cooperation between Washington and Abuja. The inquiry was ignited by Trump's decision to redesignate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) due to reports of rampant religious…

MOGADISHU — European Union Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro hosted a Ramadan iftar at the EU diplomatic compound in Mogadishu on Monday evening, using the gathering to urge Somali leaders to revive dialogue and forge consensus as political tensions mount over elections and constitutional change. The invitation-only event drew a broad cross-section of stakeholders: senior federal government officials, political leaders, diplomats, civil society representatives and members of the media. Organizers cast the iftar as a…

European Commission presses U.S. to honor EU-U.S. trade deal after Trump lifts global tariffs to 15% The European Commission urged Washington to honor last year’s EU-U.S. trade deal after President Donald Trump temporarily raised the global duty on imports to 15%, a move announced a day after the Supreme Court curtailed much of his tariffs campaign. “A deal is a deal. As the United States’ largest trading partner, the EU expects the US to honour its commitments set out in the Joint Statement — just as the EU stands by its…

Hargeisa — Former North Western State of Somalia President Muse Bihi Abdi has urged the current administration to publicly release the full text of its agreement with Israel, warning that any pact must be balanced and protect religious sensitivities as diplomatic tensions surge across the Horn of Africa. In remarks delivered this week in the North Western State of Somalia capital, Bihi said the government has not clarified the legal nature of its arrangement with Israel — whether it is a treaty, a memorandum of understanding…