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Wealth Beneath the Soil, Poverty Above: The African Development Paradox

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Africa is a continent endowed with vast natural resources, cultural diversity, and an energetic youth population. From gold, diamonds, oil, cobalt , and uranium to fertile agricultural land, Africa holds some of the world’s most valuable commodities. Despite this wealth, the continent has struggled for decades with slow socio-economic development . The challenges are complex rooted in internal governance problems, historical exploitation, and modern geopolitical interests. Africa’s role as a global resource hub cannot be overstated. The Democratic Republic of Congo supplies a significant portion of the world’s cobalt, a critical component in electric car batteries and smartphones, while Nigeria and Angola stand among the continent’s leading oil producers. Ghana and South Africa contribute heavily to global gold production, and Côte d’Ivoire along with Ghana dominate the world’s cocoa supply. Overall, Africa holds an estimated 30 percent of global mineral reserves and possesse...
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A Quranic Teacher Is Not the Qur’an: Sacred Texts, Human Errors, and the Crisis of Blind Loyalty in Our Classrooms.

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The recent case in Burao involving a Quranic teacher accused of raping two children has exposed a painful truth about our society: we are too quick to protect reputation, and too slow to protect the vulnerable. The tragedy is not only in the crimes reported, but in the community’s reaction, especially from some Quranic teachers who rushed to defend the accused long before understanding the depth of the evidence or the suffering of the victims. The Office of the Attorney General of Somaliland has released a detailed clarification regarding a rape case that occurred in Burco, Togdheer Region an incident that recently drew significant public attention following widespread media coverage. The case involves a man described as a schoolteacher, who is accused of committing two separate sexual assaults against minors: a nine-year-old boy and an eleven-year-old girl. According to official record, the first incident took place on 10 April 2025. On that day, the accused allegedly picked u...
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The Business of Human Suffering: Inside Libya’s Migrant Extortion and Enslavement Networks

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Since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi , Libya has transformed into one of the most dangerous migration corridors in the world. For thousands of Africans hoping to reach Europe , the journey through Libya is marked by a litany of abuses: arbitrary detention, torture, forced labour, sexual violence, ransom kidnappings ( madax-furasho in Somali ), extortion, and, in some cases, literal slave sales. These violations are committed by an array of actors, human traffickers, smugglers, local militias, clan-based warlords, criminal networks, and, at times, state-linked forces such as coastguard units. The scale of the brutality has provoked international condemnation and raised urgent questions about legal responsibility under both global and African human-rights frameworks. For more than a decade, researchers, NGOs, and UN agencies have described Libya as a “black box” of migrant abuse, a chaotic territory where lawlessness and lucrative smuggling economies collide. Migrants arriving from...
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Sudan Is Dying in the Dark: A War the World Chooses Not to See

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Two rival forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti have plunged Sudan into chaos. What may seem like a straightforward power struggle between two generals is, in truth, the complete extrication of a fragile nation. Once uneasy partners, the SAF and RSF are now locked in a brutal contest that has shattered institutions, displaced millions, and reduced cities like Khartoum and El Geneina to ruins. The conflict exposes deep rot within Sudan’s political and military establishment fueled by regional rivalries, illicit gold networks, and an international community largely watching in silence. Within months, Sudan became the epicenter of one of the world’s worst displacement crises. More than 14 million people roughly 30 percent of the population have been forced from their homes since the fighting began. Entire urban centers, including Khartoum,...
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Shattering Myths: Confronting the Cultural and Religious Misconceptions that Sustain FGM

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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains deep-rooted in certain cultures, particularly in Somali regions, despite global human rights efforts to eradicate it. One of the most persistent arguments used to justify FGM is the claim that it is a religious obligation. However, this justification is rooted more in cultural misconceptions than religious doctrine. Another complex factor is the belief that men, including fathers, should not interfere in what is considered a "woman's affair," such as decisions about FGM for their daughters. These dynamics present significant challenges to efforts aimed at protecting girls from this harmful practice. The belief that FGM is a religious requirement, particularly within Islamic communities, is widespread but incorrect. Many argue that FGM, particularly the Sunna cut is mandated by Islam. The term "Sunna" refers to the practices of the Prophet Muhammad, leading to the misconception that this form of FGM is a religious obligat...
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Building Solidarity for New Horizons: Making a Case for the Maputo Protocol in Somalia

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  The Maputo Protocol stands as one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive legal instruments, designed to protect and promote the rights of women across the continent. Officially titled the "Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa," it was adopted in Maputo, Mozambique, in July 2003. Its 32 articles cover a broad range of women's rights issues, including political participation, reproductive health, protection from harmful practices, and sexual violence. However, despite signing the Maputo Protocol in 2006, Somalia has yet to ratify it, delaying the country's ability to fully protect women and girls under its provisions. This article makes a case for the ratification and implementation of the Maputo Protocol in Somalia, with a focus on critical areas such as female genital mutilation (FGM), women's participation, and sexual offenses. Somalia’s commitment to ratifying this protocol is vital for...
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The Cruelty of Hargeisa's Municipal Government

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Mayor Abdilkarim Mooge, known for his penchant for self-promotion, hastily issued a statement late last night, attempting to distance himself from the tragic incident. However, in his rush to absolve himself of responsibility, he conveniently overlooks the fact that he often basks himself in the credit for the positive actions of his staff. This selective disavowal risks painting him as politically opportunistic, exploiting situations for personal gain while evading accountability for the actions of his administration. Such actions undermine the trust and credibility he seeks to maintain with the public, as they see through the facade of empty statements devoid of genuine empathy or commitment to justice
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Navigating the Crossroads: Somaliland's Quest for Stability and Inclusion

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Somaliland has long been a region of complex clan dynamics and political turbulence. However, recent events have brought simmering tensions to a boiling point, particularly within the Garhajis Clan, who considers themselves the vast majority of Somaliland's population and resides in five of the six regions in the Somaliland territory. On August 2023, a significant decision emerged from the clan leaders of the Habar Jelo sub-clan of Isaaq, a pivotal moment in the political landscape of Somaliland. The decision aimed to resolve a contentious political dispute over the election timetable, which had previously sparked violence and unrest. The resolution, welcomed by all parties involved, signified a step towards stability and democratic progress in the region. Central to the resolution was the decree to hold a presidential election in November 2024, aligning it with the qualification elections of political parties. Additionally, the clan leaders instructed the Garhajis clan militia...
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Somaliland's Erosion of Justice: Collaborative Breach of Human Rights Through Unlawful Detentions and Military Trials

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  In recent years, the Somaliland National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has faced mounting scrutiny for its alleged involvement in illegal detentions, marking a serious violation of both national laws and fundamental human rights principles. One particularly alarming incident has cast a harsh light on the agency's conduct: the detention of a journalist who was subsequently tried in a military court. This event not only underscores concerns about the NIA's overreach but also highlights the misuse of military courts, which should strictly preside over cases involving armed individuals committing crimes. Somaliland's Constitution stands as the supreme law of the land, providing a foundational framework for governance and the protection of citizens' rights. Article 104, known as "The Courts and Procuracy of the Armed Forces," explicitly delineates the jurisdiction of military courts. It states that these courts are intended to try armed individuals for offenses rel...
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