Capital of Somalia, port city linking Indian Ocean trade; a historic hub of commerce and governance
Kent County Council has awarded an honorary civic honour to the Grenadier Gurkha units for 216 years of service in the UK. The award is ceremonial and does not confer privileges. The decision, proposed by the council leader, is celebrated by campaigners and local officials who emphasise the troops’ sacrifice and ties to Kent communities.
Since early September 2026, renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced tens of thousands, with aid agencies warning of a mounting humanitarian crisis as civilians flee coastal towns and inland camps. Reports describe dire shelter, food, and medical needs amid a shifting front line near the Bab al-Mandab and Taiz region.
Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, has been arrested in Mogadishu in a pivotal phase of the Feeding Our Future fraud case. Indicted in 2022 on 31 counts, he allegedly helped run a $250 million scheme that stole federal meal funds and laundered proceeds. Authorities say he recruited sites and exploited shell companies to siphon millions from the program.
All Africa reports ongoing talks between Somali authorities and international partners. Discussions cover security, border management, government institutions, port development, and stabilisation efforts. The AU mission in Somalia relies on UN support for logistics, financing and coordination, while the US has signalled shifts in funding and policy that could affect future operations.
El Niño has strengthened, with forecasters warning it will be among the strongest on record. Regions across Africa, South Asia, and the Americas face droughts, floods, and rising food prices as climate impacts intensify. Aid groups warn that vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers will bear the brunt as aid budgets tighten.
Kenya's High Court has dismissed a bid by Rastafarians to legalise cannabis for religious purposes, stating the law does not violate freedom of religion. The ruling urges a broader national discussion on cannabis policy, acknowledging widespread use while underscoring the colonial-era roots of drug laws.
Fighting and humanitarian collapse intensify in Sudan’s North Kordofan as El Obeid faces encirclement, displacement rises, and aid deliveries struggle amid funding gaps. Civilians seek safety while the UN and partners press for de-escalation and sustained access.
The government has announced ongoing development projects in Galmudug and Puntland, with road and water infrastructure to boost transport and local economies. Leaders emphasize unity and stability as clashes in Galkayo and other cities test security amid political tensions.
Six armed pirates hijack the Eritrean-flagged MT Sibu 1 east of al-Mukalla, Yemen, steering toward Somalia’s Puntland coast. The incident marks the latest in a string of hijackings by Somali pirates since April, with concerns rising over extended reach and security along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Puntland deploys coastal forces and condemns near-coast strikes; the IMB recorded 38 piracy incidents in H1 2026.
Somalia faces a deepening hunger emergency as drought, conflict and displacement collide with severe funding cuts. The World Food Programme and UNICEF warn millions of people, including nearly 1.9 million children at risk of malnutrition, will feel the impact unless funding improves. Health facilities are closing, and aid delivery is increasingly constrained as prices rise and households reduce meals.
The DR Congo government and M23 rebels have agreed on a roadmap for peace talks, backed by international mediators, to implement the Doha Framework. A ceasefire verification mission is set to monitor violations as fighting persists in North and South Kivu, with concerns over sanctions, detainees and political reforms.
Somalia’s coast faces a renewed piracy threat as multiple vessels are attacked in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean. A high-profile rescue near Puntland has drawn in Turkey in defense deals, while regional authorities dispute casualty figures and the conduct of shelling. Analysts warn piracy remains a security concern despite past gains.
Qatar has pressed for unimpeded Hormuz shipping and is coordinating with China as regional diplomacy intensifies. Doha says reopening the Strait must be unconditional, while mediation efforts continue amid stalled US-Iran talks and renewed attacks.
The Houthis have expanded attacks and seizures along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, threatening shipping routes and signaling broader regional instability. Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni government forces are vying for control, while international actors call for safe navigation and restraint.