By JEREMIAH WAKAYAThursday May 14, 2026 Ruto said Kenya had made significant progress toward reopening the frontier before clashes erupted between Somalia’s Federal Government and regional state forces near the Kenyan border/PCS/FILE President William Ruto has said the long-promised reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border collapsed because renewed violence and political turmoil in Somalia upended the plan. In an interview with France 24 on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Ruto said Kenya had been moving…

Wednesday May 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held talks Tuesday with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji in Kampala, a meeting that centered on bilateral ties and other matters of shared concern. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the discussions covered cooperation between Somalia and Saudi Arabia and explored ways to deepen relations between the two countries. El-Khereiji was in Uganda to represent Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the inauguration of…

Alastair McKeeWednesday May 13, 2026 Councillor Yassin Mohamud has represented Lawrence Hill in Bristol since 2021 Bristol is preparing to welcome a Lord Mayor who says his first priority will be bringing people together. Yassin Mohamud, the Green councillor for Lawrence Hill, will be sworn in at City Hall later. Born in Somalia, he came to the UK as a refugee and has spent the past 15 years living in St Jude's, while serving his ward since 2021. Mohamud said he entered public life "to listen, to serve, and to work with the…

By Abdiaziz Ali Mohamed Wednesday May 13, 2026 Somali identity has never been fixed, singular or simple. It has taken shape over centuries through three powerful currents: a deeply rooted Islamic worldview, a durable clan-based social order, and newer influences born of diaspora life, state-building projects and global modernity. These forces do not replace one another. They overlap, collide and reinforce each other, creating an identity system that remains central to Somalia’s political and social future. The real question…

In a significant declaration, Dansa Kourouma, the Speaker of Guinea's National Transitional Council (NTC), affirmed the nation's commitment to safeguarding the contested Solumba border region. This area is at the heart of a territorial disagreement, with Liberia asserting that it lies within its own boundaries. Kourouma's remarks emerged during a discussion at the ECOWAS Parliament, as reported by Senator Edwin Snowe, who leads the Liberian delegation. According to Snowe, Kourouma conveyed to the regional assembly that,…

Wednesday May 13, 2026 Egyptian diplomats moved quickly after pirates seized a commercial cargo vessel with an Egyptian crew off the Somali coast, as Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad Ambassador Haddad El-Gohary laid out the steps taken to safeguard the sailors and push for their release. Speaking by phone on Al-Hayat TV, El-Gohary rejected claims that the pirates had singled out the Egyptian crew. He said such attacks are typically indiscriminate, with pirates boarding vessels before…

Tragic news has emerged from the Nigerian film industry as beloved Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has passed away at the age of 40 after a prolonged battle with cancer. His absence from social media and public appearances in recent months had raised alarms among fans and colleagues alike. The last update shared by Ekubo on his social media accounts dates back to December 2024. Alexx Ekubo captivated audiences with his performances in a variety of romantic comedies and dramatic films, including noteworthy titles such as Ladies…

Wednesday May 13, 2026 left Ayan Farah. Photo: Christofer Wallentin. right Asmaa Jama. Photo: Tom Whitson “From a country with the history that Somalia has, where a lot of film prints, visual and cultural material have been destroyed, it can feel hard to feel like you’ve got an artistic lineage” ArtReview sent a questionnaire to artists and curators exhibiting in and curating the various national pavilions of the 2026 Venice Biennale, the responses to which will be published daily in the leadup to and during the Venice…

In a tragic incident that has heightened concerns over civilian safety, an airstrike by the Nigerian military in Tumfa market, Zamfara State, has reportedly led to the deaths of at least 100 civilians. Amnesty International is urgently calling for an investigation into the strike, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of attacks that have taken a heavy toll on innocent lives. However, military officials have refuted claims of civilian casualties in this latest operation. This aerial bombardment coincided with another…

Wednesday May 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The United States has pushed back against reports that it is serving as a direct mediator in talks between Somalia’s federal government and opposition leaders, even as political friction grows over elections and the country’s transition process. Acting U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Justin Davis said this week that Washington is not hosting or leading any mediation between Somali political parties. Davis said U.S. officials have held discussions with both sides to better assess the…