violence

Mogadishu (AX) — In a tumultuous scene that echoed through the halls of Somalia's parliament, prominent opposition figures including former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame have spoken out vehemently against the violent altercation that unfolded during Wednesday’s session of the House of the People. Their unified stance not only highlights the gravity of the situation but also emphasizes the urgent need for integrity within Somalia’s political…

On a recent Monday, the BBC made a striking announcement: a scheduled screening in Nairobi of a documentary detailing the intense scrutiny of security forces accused of brutal actions against protesters was abruptly canceled due to pressure from the Kenyan government. This revelation has sparked renewed discussions about freedom of the press and the ongoing struggle for justice in the country. Last year, Kenya witnessed a fierce clampdown on youth-led protests initiated in response to increasing tax rates. Heavy-handed…

Hargeisa (AX) — In recent days, the North Western State of Somalia government has leveled serious allegations against the Federal Government of Somalia, accusing it of playing an active role in the violent clashes that erupted between North Western State of Somalia forces and the SSC-Khaatumo administration in the Dhuumadare area of the Sanaag region. This accusation, which emerged through an official press statement from North Western State of Somalia's Ministry of Defense on Friday, paints a dire picture of the region's…

In a matter of weeks, the north-central Nigerian states of Plateau and Benue have witnessed a chilling spike in violence, with at least 144 lives lost at the hands of herdsmen. The toll, as catastrophic as it is, reveals a deeper malaise—an ongoing conflict that has not only injured scores but also left over 50 homes in ruins. What drives such brutality, and how much longer can communities endure this torment? The violence reached new levels of horror recently in Benue, prompting Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State to…

Recently, hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in northern Gaza, demonstrating against the ongoing war and vocally demanding an end to Hamas's control. As social media posts captured the moment, protesters were heard chanting, “Hamas out.” This remarkable display of dissent comes after the militant group's October 7, 2023, raid on Israel, which ignited the current conflict. Northern Gaza has suffered immensely, with much of its infrastructure reduced to debris. This densely populated region has seen countless…

In the heart of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the realities of life for civilians in Ituri province have become grim. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has recently reported an alarming surge in violence, leaving its medical teams to confront the aftermath of egregious human suffering. Imagine a landscape plagued by conflict, where injuries tell stories of despair. In their latest report, titled "Risking Their Lives to Survive," MSF highlights the extreme healthcare needs affecting numerous communities. The…

Recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan characterized the protests ignited by the detention of Istanbul's mayor as a "movement of violence." He asserted that the main opposition party would bear responsibility for the injuries sustained by police officers and the resulting property damage. The arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu last Wednesday, who is regarded as Mr. Erdoğan's principal political rival, has catalyzed the largest street demonstrations in Turkey in over a decade. A court sentenced İmamoğlu to jail pending…

Forced Evictions and Clan Conflicts Amplifying Somalia's Humanitarian Crisis Mogadishu (AX) — They say no one ever steps in the same river twice. This holds particularly true for Somalia, where fluid dynamics of forced evictions and entrenched clan conflicts continually worsen the humanitarian crisis. Who suffers most in this turmoil? The vulnerable, naturally. A recent report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)…

Hargeisa – As the news of renewed violence in the Buqdharkayn district surfaced, it was met with a wave of palpable concern and empathy by many, including North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro. On a day set aside globally to honor women – International Women's Day, March 8 – President Irro addressed the disheartening events with candor and a resolute spirit. "We deeply regret the aggressive attack on a peaceful area," President Irro stated solemnly, his voice steady yet tinged with…

MOGADISHU, Somalia – With hope-laden words echoing through the chambers of a mosque nestled within the sacred grounds of Villa Somalia, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud extended a renewed hand of amnesty to the warriors of Al-Shabaab. "It's time to come home," his voice seemed to say, urging those tangled in the insurgency's web to break free, to step into the light of society's embrace without the shadows of retribution creeping behind them. Picture this scene: the scent of incense curling to meet the lofty arches of…