West Africa

Somalia’s parliament erupts in chaos over constitutional amendments, session suspended MOGADISHU — A joint session of Somalia’s bicameral parliament collapsed into disorder Wednesday as opposition legislators disrupted plans to debate sweeping constitutional amendments, triggering scuffles on the floor and forcing leaders to suspend proceedings. Opposition lawmakers protested proposed changes to five chapters of the Provisional Federal Constitution Clashes broke out between rival MPs; the session was suspended without…

Man sprays unknown substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis town hall; suspect arrested, Omar says she’s OK Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid by a man wielding a syringe during a Minneapolis town hall Tuesday night, a jolting incident that unfolded as the Minnesota Democrat called for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment. Police say the suspect, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, used a syringe to…

Former Nigerian Minister Accused of High-Stakes Bribery Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is currently on trial in London, facing serious allegations of accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods, high-end properties, and the use of a private jet from individuals vying for lucrative oil and gas contracts. Alison-Madueke is confronting five bribery charges alongside one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she vehemently denies. During the proceedings at Southwark Crown Court,…

Widespread Power Outage: Electricity Grid Faces Third Collapse in a Month The electricity grid has recorded its third collapse in a month, raising significant concerns about the reliability of power infrastructure in the region. The latest failure, which occurred on Wednesday evening, affected millions of residents, leaving businesses shuttered and homes in darkness. This repeated instability points to deeper issues within the electrical system that demand urgent attention from authorities. Approximately 6 million people…

Khaby Lame Signs Groundbreaking $975 Million Deal in Creator Economy The world's most-followed TikToker, Senegalese-born Khaby Lame, has finalized an impressive all-stock deal valued between $900 million and $975 million. This significant agreement marks one of the largest monetization transactions within the rapidly evolving creator economy. The deal involves the partial sale of Lame's operating company, Step Distinctive Limited, where he held a 49% stake. Under the agreement, the buyer, Rich Sparkle, secures exclusive…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali government forces, backed by international partners, have killed at least 150 Al-Shabab militants in more than two weeks of operations in the Middle Shabelle region, Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said Tuesday. Fiqi said the campaign concentrated on the Jabad Godane area and surrounding settlements, which he described as a strategic militant hub. He said the dead included six senior commanders of the al-Qaida-linked group. “By the grace of God and the bravery of the National Army, and with…

Tuesday January 27, 2026 DAVOS, Switzerland — Eric Trump has denied holding talks or discussing port investments with North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi after reports and a widely shared photo suggested the pair met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. A spokesperson for Trump said Abdullahi attended a dinner reception where the U.S. president’s son was present, but emphasized there was no private meeting. “At no point did Eric Trump ever have a meeting with the North…

President Joseph Boakai Delivers Crucial Annual Address Amidst Economic Struggles Liberians, both at home and abroad, were on high alert as President Joseph Boakai delivered his impactful third Annual Message to the National Legislature on Monday, adhering to the stipulations of the Liberian Constitution. This year's address is particularly significant, marking what analysts describe as the "last full window" for substantive reform before the political atmosphere shifts, consumed by succession politics and the impending…

Nigerian Military Officers to Stand Trial for Alleged Coup Plot A group of Nigerian military officers is set to face a military court following accusations of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's government in 2025. Sixteen officers were arrested in October 2025, sparking what has been described as "acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations." Authorities later confirmed that several of these officers would indeed be tried, despite initial denials of a coup attempt. Among those arrested, fourteen…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house of parliament on Saturday approved a sweeping Cybersecurity Law designed to protect the country’s digital infrastructure, safeguard information systems and strengthen defenses against cyber threats amid rapid growth in online services. The legislation creates a national framework for preventing, reporting and responding to cyber incidents. It assigns policy leadership to the Ministry of Communications and Technology, gives the National Communications Authority a technical oversight role, and…