Tuesday June 9, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s National Olympic Committee has thrown its weight behind referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan after U.S. authorities denied him entry just as he was set for a historic role at the FIFA World Cup. In a statement released Monday, the committee said Artan’s selection for an international tournament in the United States marked a national honor and a major step forward for Somali sport. “The selection of a Somali official for such a prestigious platform is not just a personal achievement,…

by BRIAN ORUTAMonday June 8, 2026 Abdullahi Mohamed Nuur, a former security minister in Somalia/HANDOUT A security raid at one of Mogadishu’s better-known hotels has sharpened worries that Somalia’s political battle is starting to spill into the private sector, unsettling investors and raising fresh questions about the safety of businesses tied to opposition figures. The Elite Hotel incident in the capital has quickly become a symbol of the country’s widening political rift. Analysts say the standoff between the federal…

Monday June 8, 2026 Istanbul (AX) — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly turned away at the U.S. border over the weekend, just days before he was scheduled to join preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Artan, one of 52 referees chosen by FIFA for the tournament to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico, had been traveling from Istanbul to Miami on Saturday for a FIFA seminar for match officials, according to reports. He was reportedly refused entry upon arrival and sent back to Istanbul on…

Monday June 8, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia took a new step Sunday toward safeguarding its historical record, as Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Abdulfatah Kasim Mohamud launched a UNESCO workshop focused on protecting the country’s documentary heritage, including the long-significant Radio Mogadishu archive. The National Workshop for Somalia is being held under UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, an initiative designed to preserve and improve access to documentary heritage ranging from manuscripts and…

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Senegal stands out as a formidable contender, having made a significant impact in past tournaments. The Lions of Teranga first captured global attention during their maiden appearance in 2002, reaching the quarter-finals. They continued to assert their presence with strong performances in 2018 and 2022. Senegal's journey reflects a broader trend in African football, where the continent's representation has notably expanded. Since the inaugural participation of a single African…

By Abdirahman JeylaniMonday June 8, 2026 The bursts of gunfire that rattled Mogadishu in early June should end any remaining hope that Somalia’s political crisis is just another quarrel over election dates. What played out in the capital was not merely a clash between government troops and forces tied to the opposition. It marked the first violent eruption of a constitutional dispute that has been simmering for years — one now threatening the fragile political understanding that has held Somalia’s post-conflict…

Monday June 8, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo on Sunday urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Somalia’s former heads of state to sit down together immediately, saying the country’s worsening political turmoil demands a Somali-led solution. At a news conference in Mogadishu, Farmaajo said he would extend a formal invitation to Mohamud to meet at his residence, where the two sides would discuss elections, security and the country’s broader political direction. He argued that…

Monday June 8, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali Danab commandos launched coordinated operations across parts of Lower Shabelle on Sunday, striking al-Shabab positions that military officials say were being used to squeeze money from motorists and residents. The 161st Battalion of the 16th Brigade led the raids in Warmaxan, Tasxiille, Shareey, 10-Buundo, Tabeellaha and surrounding areas near Donka. Military commanders said the targeted sites included checkpoints and concealed bases the group relied on to collect illegal taxes…

In a significant counteroffensive, the Nigerian military announced the rescue of 360 individuals from the clutches of Boko Haram in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State. This operation marks a critical blow to the militant organization, which has been infamous for its abductions. The rescued individuals were reportedly held under dire conditions, having been seized from various communities in the area. Tragically, two infants lost their lives due to exhaustion, a grim reminder of the challenges faced by those enduring…

Monday June 8, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — A national peace conference led by women on Sunday urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to immediately open an inclusive national dialogue aimed at easing Somalia’s worsening political crisis. In its statement, the gathering said any talks must bring in civil society, with Somali women in particular, to help shape a durable political settlement rooted in consultation and consensus. “We expressed strong concern about the political situation in the country, following the recent violence…