… The seminar, hosted in Nairobi from May 15-16, has brought together parliamentary representatives from 21 African countries including Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Mozambique and Gambia among others. …
Parts of Somalia face famine risk for first time since 2022 By Reuters May 15, 2026 04:35 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter A security officer stands guard as the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General f …
Audio By Vocalize Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia Siv Cathrine Moe has lauded Eastleigh’s contribution to entrepreneurship, urban transformation, and local economic empowerment.The Ambassador particularly praised the BBS Mall for its remarkable contribution to economic …
President Ruto: Why we have not re-opened Kenya-Somalia border By Fridah Naliaka May 14, 2026 12:42 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter President William Ruto speaks in Vihiga during the Labour Day celebrations …
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 13 — President William Ruto has explained the failed reopening of the border with Somalia blaming renewed conflict and political instability in Somalia for disrupting the process. …
OPINION: Dirie - Somalia’s moment of institutional renewal By Guest Writer May 13, 2026 07:02 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Nuradin Dirie, Somalia Presidential Candidate 2026 Audio By Vocalize By Nuradin …
Audio By VocalizePresident William Ruto has defended Kenya’s decision to keep the Kenya–Somalia border closed, citing renewed instability in Somalia and escalating regional security concerns that have derailed earlier plans to reopen the crossing. …
… In South Africa, we have seen the rise of Afrophobia (discrimination targeting people of African descent and Black people) with locals targeting foreign-owned businesses and individuals, particularly migrants from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Somalia. …
… According to Kenya’s Department of Refugee Services, the country hosts more than 835,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. …
Somalia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for hair transplant procedures, with many Somalis who previously travelled to Turkey, India, and the UAE now opting for local solutions. The sector's growth is driven by modern clinics offering internationally recognized procedures and growing awareness of hair loss's psychological impact.
Somalia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for hair transplant procedures, with many Somalis who previously travelled to Turkey, India, and the UAE now opting for local solutions. The sector's growth is driven by modern clinics offering internationally recognized procedures and growing awareness of hair loss's psychological impact.
Somaliland has opened a new office in Taiwan and says it has the right to choose its own relationships, rejecting pressure from Beijing and Mogadishu to sever ties with the island. Somaliland and Taiwan established representative offices in each other's capitals in 2020.
Kenya's Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche is confident her team can win the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship in Tanzania (June 13–23), using the tournament to prepare for an upcoming FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Kenya's Group A matches are against Sudan on June 13, Somalia on June 15, and Tanzania on June 17.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inaugurated infrastructure projects in Hirshabelle State, focusing on roads and development to strengthen institutions, create jobs, and improve market access for local businesses across the East African region.
An analysis in The Standard argues that President Ruto's apology for the historical exclusion of Northern Kenya from national discourse reflects a broader postcolonial African challenge of building inclusive nations from borders drawn without regard for geography or identity, with reconciliation requiring acknowledgement of historical grievances.
The World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, launched Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa, featuring 48 teams and projected to generate $13 billion in total revenue. The tournament has faced criticism over high ticket prices and visa issues affecting a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans seeking entry to the United States.
Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent and experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football competition.
UEFA appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. Artan was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, and UEFA's appointment was announced as part of a cooperation accord with the African confederation.
The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, begins Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa; FIFA projects record $13 billion in revenue but faces criticism over ticket prices topping $30,000 and visa denials affecting referees, officials, and fans trying to enter the US.
The President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock has warned that the UN's deepening liquidity crisis is threatening peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, and development programmes worldwide, citing unpaid assessed contributions from member states and declining voluntary funding from key donors.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a rare press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, facing tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has barred a top African referee, fans, and team officials from entering the country.
Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup finals, was barred from entering the United States and returned to Mogadishu, where he pledged to participate in the next World Cup in 2030 despite the rejection.
The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff. A US State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for US entry.
Somalia's government expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the World Cup finals. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," making him ineligible for admission.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described as "unfortunate" the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for admission.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to face questions about ticket prices and US immigration restrictions that have barred a top African referee, fans and team officials from entering the country.
President Ruto has secured employment for 1,000 Kenyan seafarers with Norwegian ship management firm Wilhelmsen Ship Management, with 120 Kenyans to be hired by the end of this year as part of strengthening bilateral relations between Kenya and Norway.
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The US Customs and Border Protection said he was denied entry following a routine inspection, despite diplomatic engagement between Somalia, FIFA, and US authorities.
Two people were killed and another seriously injured in a suspected cross-border militia attack in Elgolicha village, Mandera County near the Kenya-Somalia border. About ten heavily armed militia members crossed into the village at around 3am on Monday and opened fire on residents; the attackers are believed to be from Somalia.
Western embassies and the UN mission in Somalia issued a joint statement calling on Somali political actors to resume dialogue and agree on an electoral roadmap amid a worsening political standoff. IGAD separately condemned violence in Mogadishu and called for de-escalation, with its Executive Secretary urging leaders to prioritize national interests and peaceful resolution of disputes.
FIFA confirmed that award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States and will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Had he participated, Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup; FIFA said it has no authority over host-country immigration decisions.
President William Ruto challenged Belgian manufacturers to set up factories in Kenya to process raw materials locally using clean power, rather than extracting and exporting them for processing abroad. Speaking at the Kenya–Belgium Business Roundtable in Brussels, Ruto called for Benelux firms to double their presence in Kenya and help triple bilateral trade from about $335 million in 2024 to $1 billion by 2030.
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The government reaffirmed "unwavering support" for Artan, expressing full confidence in his integrity and professionalism, though diplomatic efforts with US authorities and FIFA did not achieve a positive outcome.
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first from his country to officiate at World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. Somalia is on a travel ban list under President Donald Trump's administration, though Artan held a valid US visa.
President William Ruto called on European investors to establish manufacturing industries in Kenya rather than exporting raw materials for processing elsewhere, citing clean energy availability and EU trade benefits. He made the remarks at a Kenya-Belgium Business Roundtable in Brussels while launching the Kenya-Benelux Chamber of Commerce.
President William Ruto has called on European investors, particularly Belgian manufacturers, to establish industries in Kenya for local mineral processing using clean geothermal energy, citing Europe's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Kenya's duty-free access under the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement as competitive advantages.
An opinion piece argues that Session Paper Number 10 of 1965, which codified African Socialism policy, deliberately marginalised the Northern Frontier District (now Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, and Isiolo counties) by prioritising "high potential" agricultural regions in the highlands for infrastructure investment, while the arid north was left underdeveloped by design rather than accident.
Heavy gunfire erupted in Mogadishu on Thursday as Somalia faced a fresh political crisis, with former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo attacking President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for using force to suppress dissent and for extending his tenure by one year after his term expired on May 15, a move opposition leaders say undermines constitutional and democratic processes.
Heavy gunfire and clashes erupted in Somalia's capital overnight between rival political factions as opposition leaders gathered for planned protests against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's announced one-year extension of his term. Armed forces were deployed on the streets as residents reported sporadic fighting continuing into Thursday morning.