West

Israel has given final approval for 764 new homes in three settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing condemnation from the Palestinian Authority and highlighting the strain on regional diplomacy as humanitarian aid to Gaza lags far behind targets set under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The approvals were announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-nationalist who opposes a Palestinian state. Smotrich said that since late 2022, when he took office, 51,370 housing units have been cleared by the government’s…

ECOWAS Takes Action Amid Rising Security Threats in West Africa In a decisive move to address escalating security challenges and political instability in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a series of measures aimed at restoring order. The announcement was made by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray during the organization's 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council. Touray cited a worrying surge in security threats and a deteriorating political landscape as the…

BAIDOA, Somalia — South West State’s minister of security on Sunday urged the federal government to hand over federal legislator Dahir Amiin Jeesow to the regional administration to face trial over allegations he helped instigate deadly clan clashes in Lower Shabelle. Speaking to reporters in Baidoa, Security Minister Hassan Abdukadir accused the member of parliament of acting as a spoiler in Walanweyn district and across parts of the Lower Shabelle region, where a recent surge of inter-clan violence has strained local…

BAIDOA, Somalia — South West State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has condemned the spread of illegal checkpoints across the region, calling them a major threat to civilian movement and safety and urging communities to back justice and stabilization efforts. Laftagareen said armed individuals obstructing travelers on public roads is “unacceptable,” especially as South West State navigates severe drought and recurring conflict that continue to disrupt livelihoods and strain security. “It is unacceptable…

Human Rights Watch says Israel’s expulsions from West Bank refugee camps amount to war crimes Human Rights Watch released a 105-page report alleging that about 32,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps during Israeli "Operation Iron Wall" in January and February. The rights group says the expulsions, destruction of homes and denial of return meet the thresholds for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report, titled "All My Dreams Have Been Erased," documents…

A Rising Tide of Terror: The West African Coast in Crisis As the sun rises over the sprawling landscapes of West Africa, a dark undercurrent looms. The once-thriving coastal regions are now grappling with an alarming surge in violence, driven by terror groups operating from the heart of the Sahel. In an effort to stem this tide of chaos, many African nations have fortified their borders, standing as a bulwark against the growing menace. The Sahel: A Hotbed for Terrorism The Sahel region, nestled between the Sahara Desert…

At Least 70 Dead in West Africa Migrant Boat Disaster; Dozens More Feared Missing Off Mauritania A migrant boat attempting the Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Europe capsized off Mauritania, killing at least 70 people and leaving many more missing, Gambia’s foreign affairs ministry said late Friday. The vessel, believed to have departed the Gambia and carrying mostly Gambian and Senegalese nationals, sank early Wednesday. Mauritanian authorities recovered 70 bodies by Thursday, and only 16 survivors were pulled from…

Baidoa (AX) — On Monday, Ambassador James Swan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, sat down with South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ and his team. Their chat revolved around some big-ticket items like security, election prep, and the pressing humanitarian concerns. Regional bigwigs filled in the UN envoy on safety measures being beefed up across South West State. They particularly pointed out the recent wins in Sabiid and Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region.…

Mogadishu (AX) — Things are heating up in Yaqbariweyne as the South West State troops gear up to take on local militias, stirring worries of a fresh conflict over who calls the shots and collects taxes in the area.Folks in Yaqbariweyne have mentioned that both factions are on high alert, causing the local populace to brace for what might come. Eyes and ears on the ground hint that the South West forces are keen on tightening their grip on the town, which has, for the past few months, been pretty much under the thumb of armed…

In the bustling heart of Mogadishu, Federal MP Abdullahi Adan Ahmed, known by all as Black, sounded the alarm on the South West State's administration's alleged ploy to oust Hudur's mayor. He voiced concerns that this move could stir the pot of serenity in Hudur, a district lauded for its peace compared to other restless parts of the region. According to Black, a pair of important state ministers—one from the Interior Ministry, the other from Security—recently graced Hudur with a visit, sparking whispers of a mayoral…