Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Minister accuses former transitional President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba of orchestrating coup plot Burkina Faso’s government said late Tuesday that it thwarted an alleged coup attempt against President Capt. Ibrahim Traore, accusing Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former transitional president, of orchestrating the plot. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana told national television RTB that the plot, which had been planned for late Saturday, was foiled “thanks to the professionalism of the intelligence services.” He said the plan involved a series of targeted assassinations of military and civilian officials, starting with an attempt to kill Traore, either at close range…

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun his annual New Year visit to Africa, signaling Beijing’s intent to reinforce its political and economic presence across key strategic regions of the continent. According to China’s foreign ministry, Wang’s tour will include stops in Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho, with a particular emphasis on East Africa, a region critical to global trade routes and regional security. Wang’s visit to Somalia is especially notable, marking the first trip by a Chinese foreign minister to the country in several decades. The visit comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment for Mogadishu, following Israel’s recent recognition…

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived this morning in Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway region of Somaliland, on the first official visit since Israel recognized Somaliland’s sovereignty, a Somaliland diplomatic source told the media. During his visit, Sa’ar is expected to meet with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. The two are scheduled to hold a joint press conference at the presidential palace later today, the source added. The diplomatic source said the visit aims to advance meaningful political and strategic cooperation between Israel and Somaliland. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has not issued any comment on the trip. This visit…

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has been re-elected for a third term in the Central African Republic after securing 76.15 percent of the vote, according to provisional results announced on Monday by the National Elections Authority. The vote was held following a controversial 2023 constitutional amendment that removed presidential term limits and extended the mandate to seven years. The reform enabled Touadéra, 68, to run again and was strongly opposed by the country’s main opposition groups, many of which boycotted the election. Touadéra first came to power in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020 with 53.16 percent of the vote in the…

Madagascar has confirmed five cases of mpox in the coastal city of Mahajanga, prompting authorities to launch coordinated public health measures aimed at containing the outbreak. The Ministry of Public Health announced that the cases were verified through laboratory testing, adding that health teams are closely monitoring the situation. Officials urged the public to remain alert, follow hygiene guidelines, and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms consistent with the disease. Government spokesperson Gascar Fenosoa said the country has activated its emergency response framework, including enhanced surveillance, strengthened coordination between health institutions, and regular situation updates. An Emergency Public Health…

Guinea’s military ruler Mamady Doumbouya has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing a decisive victory in the first national polls since his 2021 coup. According to provisional results announced by electoral authorities on Tuesday, Doumbouya received 86.72 percent of the vote held on 28 December, giving him an outright majority and eliminating the need for a second round. Voter turnout was reported to be just over 80 percent. The outcome marks a significant step in Guinea’s transition process, which began when Doumbouya, then a special forces commander, removed long-time President Alpha Condé from power. While the…

Members of the House of People’s Representatives pressed the foreign ministry over the future of Ethiopia’s memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, an agreement signed two years ago that envisioned granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, including potential military and commercial facilities on Somaliland’s coast. Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has repeatedly claimed that the deal included a path toward Ethiopian recognition of Somaliland’s independence. The plan triggered strong opposition from Somalia, which condemned the memorandum as a violation of its sovereignty and appealed to regional and international partners. Tensions later eased after Somalia and Ethiopia agreed to pursue dialogue…

Group E and Group F action at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations concluded with decisive results as Algeria booked a place in the last 16, while key matches in Group F ended in tight contests. In Group F, Ivory Coast and Cameroon played out a 1-1 draw at Marrakesh Stadium. Ivory Coast took the lead in the 51st minute through Amad Diallo, but Cameroon equalized five minutes later after Ghislain Kona scored an own goal.In the group’s other match, Mozambique defeated Gabon 3-2 at Adrar Stadium in Agadir. Following these results, Ivory Coast and Cameroon both moved to four…

China has firmly opposed any move to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, reiterating its backing for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity following Israel’s announcement recognising the breakaway region. Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China rejects “any attempt to split territories in Somalia” and warned against external interference in the Horn of Africa. “No country should encourage or support other countries’ internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests,” Lin stated, calling on Somaliland authorities to halt “separatist activities and collusion with external forces.” His remarks came after Israel…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will travel to Türkiye on Tuesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland expected to feature prominently in discussions, according to sources familiar with the visit. The trip, confirmed to Middle East Eye by two Ankara-based sources, was planned before the latest diplomatic tensions but has gained heightened importance after Israel became the first country to formally recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland. Although Somalia and Türkiye were already preparing to announce the findings of a seismic energy survey completed in October, Turkish officials say Ankara is also likely…

Aspen Pharmacare is exiting most of its Asia-Pacific operations after agreeing to sell major assets in the region, excluding China, to Australian private equity group BGH Capital for about A$2.37 billion (approximately $1.6 billion). The South African pharmaceutical giant said the transaction is aimed at strengthening its balance sheet, cutting debt and supporting future investment plans. The APAC portfolio being divested includes Aspen’s long-established businesses in Australia and New Zealand — the company’s first ventures outside South Africa — as well as operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines. These businesses accounted for around 18% of Aspen’s overall…

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…