Africa

Islamic State-linked insurgents leave Mali town as army tries to reassert control

The attacks risked triggering a scramble for territory across Mali's vast desert north, raising the prospect of significant gains by armed groups.

|ByREUTERS
A Malian soldier stands in position with his weapon during an attack on Mali's main military base Kati outside the capital Bamako, Mali April 25, 2026
Colonel Sadio Camara, Minister of Defense and Veterans of Mali, is seen at the meeting of Ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Ouagadougou, February 15, 2024.

Mali's defense minister reported dead in major al-Qaeda-linked assault

Two explosions and sustained gunfire were heard shortly before 6 a.m. on Saturday near Mali's main military base, and shots were still ringing out in the area more than four hours later.

|ByREUTERS
A Malian soldier stands in position with his weapon during an attack on Mali's main military base Kati outside the capital Bamako, Mali April 25, 2026

Gunmen stage simultaneous attacks in and outside Mali capital, army says

Gunfire could also be heard early on Saturday near a military camp close to Bamako's airport that houses Russian mercenary forces, a resident said.

|ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV gestures as he leaves after Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 29, 2026.

Pope Leo to begin 10-day Africa tour on mission to spotlight continent's needs

The Pope will visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea on a tour that will cover 11 cities and towns, spanning nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) across 18 flights.

|ByREUTERS

In first visit, Sa'ar says Somaliland 'not a virtual state' in jab at Palestinian state recognition

Sa'ar is the first Israeli official to visit Somaliland since Jerusalem recognized its independence on December 26.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar meets with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi in first diplomatic visit to Somaliland on January 6, 2026.

Defending persecuted Christians strengthens Israel - opinion

Defending persecuted Christians strengthens Israel’s security, influence, and regional position.

JANUARY 5, 2026ByPESACH WOLICKI
A woman raises her hands during a mass prayer with the one thousand Christian Pastors on the southern steps of the Western Wall in Jerusalem on December 4, 2025.

Somaliland chose peace, the world chose to look away - opinion

In a region scarred by war, one society chose reconciliation. Why does global diplomacy ignore Somaliland?

JANUARY 3, 2026BySHMUEL LEGESSE
Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognising Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025.

Somaliland exists: recognition is about truth, not favor - opinion

Nadifa Mohamed’s novel and Israel’s recognition of Somaliland show why acknowledging marginalized lives is a matter of justice.

JANUARY 3, 2026ByNANCY HARTEVELT KOBRIN
A woman dressed in Somaliland's flag colours parades to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of their Independence in Hargeisa, Somaliland, May 18, 2024.

Tis the season to flog Israel - opinion

Western media blame Israel for the decline in Christianity, ignoring the real threat, which is radical Islamic persecution.

JANUARY 3, 2026ByDAVID M. WEINBERG
People attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the New Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, on December 14, 2025.

Why Somaliland works and the international system pretends it does not - opinion

Recognizing Somaliland would establish three principles the international order is not yet prepared to tolerate: performance matters, secession can stabilize, and colonial borders are not sacred.

JANUARY 2, 2026ByDAN PERRY
This aerial view shows residents waving Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognising Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025.

Statehood hypocrisy: Why it's no for Somaliland, Kurdistan, but yes for Palestine - opinion

Israel broke a diplomatic taboo by recognizing Somaliland and triggered a predictable storm of outrage and conspiracy theories.

JANUARY 2, 2026BySUZAN QUITAZ
A LARGE ‘Free Palestine’ sign is seen at a soccer game in Istanbul, Turkey, in late 2025. It is hypocritical that countries supporting calls for Palestinian statehood often oppose recognition for Somaliland and Kurdistan, the writer says.

Israel's Somaliland recognition isn't a gamble, it's a necessity and others must join - opinion

This recognition is not an act of aggression but a pragmatic masterstroke that exposes a broken status quo, and it is a move that the United States and responsible African powers should support.

JANUARY 2, 2026ByBISHOP DENNIS NTHUMBI/THE MEDIA LINE
An illustrative image of a Somaliland flag being held.

My Word: Recognition vs rejection of Somaliland - opinion

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland exposes global hypocrisy, rejecting a stable ally at a strategic chokepoint while rewarding terror and dysfunction elsewhere.

JANUARY 2, 2026ByLIAT COLLINS
An illustrative image of a Somaliland flag being held.

Grapevine, January 2, 2025: Is the Buzaglo Law still valid?

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

JANUARY 2, 2026ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
REUVEN RIVLIN with leaders of the Supreme Court during his round of farewells at the end of his presidency in 2021.