Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Demonstrators chant slogans stressing Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, call on international community to oppose decision MOGADISHU, Somalia Hundreds of people gathered Sunday in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu to protest Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia that declared independence in 1991. Demonstrators began by singing the Somali national anthem. Condemning Israel’s move, they stressed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, shouting slogans such as “Somalia is indivisible” and “Somaliland is Somalia.” Security forces were deployed in large numbers to maintain order. Mohamed Abor, one of the protesters, told Anadolu that Somalia has never relinquished its territory and…

Guinea has closed its borders and imposed sweeping movement restrictions as citizens head to the polls in the country’s first presidential election since the 2021 military coup. A decree from the Ministry of Territorial Administration announced that all land and sea borders would remain closed for 24 hours on election day, while airspace would be suspended for most of Sunday. Authorities said the measures aim to safeguard voters, polling officials, candidates, and election materials. Between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., public gatherings near polling centers are banned, along with the carrying of weapons, including legally registered firearms. Nationwide vehicle movement…

Bloc warns any move to recognize the breakaway region of Horn of Africa nation risks undermining sovereignty, setting ‘dangerous precedent’ across continent The African Union (AU) on Friday rejected any move to recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state, reaffirming its firm commitment to Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The bloc released a statement saying the chairman of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf “unequivocally reaffirms” its stance for “respect for the intangibility of borders inherited at independence.” It said Youssouf “firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity, recalling…

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is not prepared to immediately follow Israel in recognizing Somaliland as an independent state, noting that his administration will “carefully study” the issue before taking any step. His remarks come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had formally recognized Somaliland and would establish diplomatic relations, becoming the first country to do so. Netanyahu said he plans to brief President Trump on Somaliland’s outreach and its interest in engaging with international partners. Despite his close relationship with Netanyahu, President Trump signaled a cautious approach, saying the United States will evaluate Israel’s position…

Israel announced plans to establish full diplomatic relations with Somaliland after a high-level meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), saying the two sides have been engaged in quiet communication for more than a year. According to the announcement, both parties agreed to begin the process of opening embassies and formal diplomatic missions. Somali Federal Government Responds The Federal Government of Somalia convened an emergency cabinet meeting in Mogadishu. Although there is not official statement somali officials emphasized that any external engagement with Somaliland as a “separate state” undermines Somalia’s territorial integrity and violates international…

Morocco are turning their attention to a major early test at the Africa Cup of Nations as they prepare to face Mali in a highly anticipated Group A clash. The Atlas Lions opened their campaign with confidence after securing a 2–0 victory over Comoros, and head coach Walid Regragui says the focus is now on maintaining discipline and adapting to a different challenge. Speaking ahead of the match, Regragui said his side expect a tougher tactical battle. “Mali are a team that will look to play and impose themselves. It will not be the same type of match as our…

Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Türkiye’s capital Ankara as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen political, economic and security cooperation between the two countries. The closed-door meeting took place at the Presidential Complex, where discussions focused on developments in Sudan, regional stability, humanitarian conditions, and opportunities to enhance partnership in key sectors. Sudanese officials say the visit reflects Khartoum’s intention to deepen strategic ties with Türkiye amid ongoing challenges inside the country. Following the bilateral meeting, the two delegations convened for a working dinner. Senior Turkish officials —…

An explosion struck a mosque during evening prayers on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, a witness said, with no immediate confirmation of casualties or official response. The incident occurred in a city long affected by violence linked to Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who have waged an insurgency for nearly two decades. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions across the region. No group immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s blast. However, militant groups have previously targeted mosques, markets and other crowded locations in Maiduguri…

Residents of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu are voting Thursday in municipal elections seen as a key step toward restoring universal suffrage and paving the way for the country’s first direct national elections in more than 50 years. Somalia last held nationwide direct elections in 1969, months before Mohamed Siad Barre seized power in a military coup. Following decades of conflict and state collapse after 1991, Somalia adopted an indirect electoral system in 2004, under which clan representatives select lawmakers who then choose the president. The president has also been responsible for appointing the mayor of Mogadishu. Authorities say the Mogadishu polls…

UN chief calls for peaceful, inclusive elections in Central African Republic UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on citizens in the Central African Republic (CAR) to actively participate in the country’s upcoming nationwide elections and urged authorities to ensure the polls are held in a peaceful, orderly, inclusive and credible manner. In a statement issued by his spokesperson Farhan Haq, Guterres encouraged all Central Africans to take part in the presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections scheduled for Dec. 28, while stressing the importance of transparency and respect for democratic principles. The UN chief also urged all political actors to…

Algeria’s parliament has unanimously passed a law declaring France’s 132-year colonisation of the country a crime, while demanding an official apology and reparations from Paris. Lawmakers stood in the chamber wearing scarves in the national colours and chanted “Long live Algeria” as they celebrated the bill’s approval. The legislation states that France bears “legal responsibility for its colonial past in Algeria and the tragedies it caused.” Parliament Speaker Brahim Boughali said the move sends “a clear message internally and externally that Algeria’s national memory is neither erasable nor negotiable.” The law details what it calls the “crimes of French colonisation,”…

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed on Wednesday that it has taken control of two areas in North Darfur as fighting continues with the Sudanese army. Local sources said RSF fighters, travelling in dozens of armed vehicles, stormed Abu Qamra, located around 200 kilometers northwest of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The town had previously been under the control of the Sudanese army and allied forces. The RSF also launched an attack on Ambro, about 300 kilometers northwest of El-Fasher, the sources added. In a statement, the group said its fighters had “tightened control” over both areas, sharing…

The United States is facing a major diplomatic restructuring in Africa after President Donald Trump recalled more than a dozen ambassadors from sub-Saharan African countries, leaving Washington without top-level diplomatic representation in over half of the region. The decision comes as the Trump administration places stronger emphasis on business-driven diplomacy, trade partnerships and political mediation, rather than traditional aid-heavy engagement. Since returning to office, Trump has positioned the U.S. as an alternative partner to China, actively pursuing peace initiatives and rare-earth agreements, while encouraging African governments to deepen economic cooperation with Washington. However, the withdrawal of ambassadors has led to…

Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, has died along with four other senior military officials following a plane crash shortly after departing Ankara, officials from Libya and Turkiye confirmed. Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah described the loss as a “great national tragedy,” saying the officials were returning from an official visit to Turkiye. He praised Al-Haddad’s role in supporting Libya’s military institution and national stability. According to Turkish authorities, the aircraft took off from Esenboğa Airport and later reported an emergency while flying over Ankara’s Haymana district. Communication was lost shortly afterward, and Turkish rescue teams located…

Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is bidding for a controversial third term in Sunday’s election, after a decade in power marked by heavy reliance on Russian security support and bold – but risky – economic experiments. Touadéra, 68, pushed through a 2023 constitutional referendum removing presidential term limits, clearing the way for his re-election bid. Analysts say he is strongly favored to win, backed by the advantages of incumbency, state resources, and the mobilization of public officials. Since taking office in 2016, Touadéra has leaned heavily on external military backing to stabilize a country long scarred by conflict.…

Uganda’s government has imposed new restrictions on the importation of Starlink satellite internet equipment just weeks before national elections, raising fresh fears within the opposition that the authorities may again shut down internet access during the voting period. President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is seeking to extend his nearly 40-year rule in the January 15 election, where he will once again face opposition leader Bobi Wine, 43. During the 2021 polls, the government cut internet access for several days, a move widely criticized by rights groups and opposition parties. The new restrictions came to light through a leaked memo dated December…