Women in Somalia’s fisheries sector take center stage in a groundbreaking initiative addressing systemic challenges.

A two-day workshop hosted by EUCAP Somalia and Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy is set to redefine opportunities for women in the country’s fisheries sector. Held on December 9-10 in Mogadishu, the initiative attracted stakeholders across the industry to confront systemic barriers and promote women’s leadership in maritime industries.

The workshop focused on the entire fisheries value chain, from aquaculture and processing to sales and extraction. Despite their significant contributions, women in Somalia’s fisheries sector often face hurdles such as inadequate access to resources, training, and decision-making platforms.

EUCAP Somalia fisheries expert Alberto Lopez-Asenjo called the workshop a “transformative journey,” emphasizing the need to amplify women’s voices and recognize their contributions. Interactive sessions explored fisheries governance, business strategies, environmental policy, and international legal frameworks, offering practical solutions to bolster women’s involvement and leadership in Somalia’s blue economy.

EUCAP Somalia, operational since 2016, supports the country’s maritime security and governance. This initiative marks another step in its mission to strengthen Somalia’s maritime capacity while fostering inclusivity in one of its most critical industries.

By addressing these challenges, the workshop aims to unlock the full potential of Somalia’s fisheries sector, driving sustainable development and gender equity in an industry vital to the country’s economy and food security.

Boxer and activist Ramla Ali teams up with Saudi Prince Faisal Al Saud to launch a production company spotlighting minority and female-driven narratives.

British boxer and activist Ramla Ali is stepping into the entertainment world with the launch of 786 Entertainment, a film and TV production company aimed at championing underrepresented voices. Backed by Saudi Prince Faisal Al Saud and his Vainqueur Family Group, the venture seeks to highlight minority-led stories and female-driven narratives.

Ali, a former Somali refugee, Time Magazine’s 2023 Woman of the Year, and the first woman to compete in a professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia, is co-founding the company with her husband, Richard A. Moore. Moore, known for producing acclaimed sports documentaries, brings expertise to the enterprise alongside Prince Faisal’s partner, Bilal Nasser.

Headquartered in London with plans for a production office in Saudi Arabia, 786 Entertainment has already lined up impactful projects. One highlight is Iron House, a powerful story about U.S. army veteran Bobby Body, whose journey from abandonment and homelessness to the Paralympics is nothing short of inspiring.

Ali, who also executive-produced her own biopic In The Shadows, expressed her enthusiasm for storytelling as a means of amplifying diverse voices: “786 is something I’m proud of—supportive, global, and meaningful.” Prince Faisal echoed this sentiment, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a cultural hub and its mission to connect and foster opportunities worldwide.

With a vision rooted in empowerment and cross-cultural collaboration, 786 Entertainment positions itself as a transformative force in the global entertainment industry, creating new avenues for storytelling and representation.

Rampant mining by Chinese firms devastates local communities and evades regulation, fueling discontent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with the unchecked rise of illegal Chinese-operated gold mining, a crisis that is devastating both the environment and local livelihoods. In South Kivu’s Kamituga region, Chinese companies dominate mining operations through partnerships with local cooperatives, circumventing national laws that prohibit foreign involvement in artisanal mining.

While artisanal miners scrape together meager incomes in hazardous conditions, Chinese firms employ industrial-scale operations that destroy vast tracts of fertile land, pollute water supplies with mercury and cyanide, and deplete fish stocks through river dredging. One site in South Kivu saw the loss of 82 hectares of forest within four years, exemplifying the ecological toll of this activity.

Local communities report little benefit from the mining boom, despite gold production in the province skyrocketing to over 5,000 kilograms in 2023. Most profits bypass local economies, with much of the gold smuggled through neighboring Rwanda, further fueling corruption and tax evasion. Armed guards employed by these companies prevent oversight, leaving regulators powerless to assess the scale of the problem or hold perpetrators accountable.

Efforts to clamp down on illegal mining have gained traction. South Kivu’s governor suspended unlicensed mining activities in July, while the national government has called for diversifying investment partners to reduce dependency on Chinese companies. However, entrenched corruption, weak enforcement mechanisms, and the lucrative nature of smuggling present significant obstacles to reform.

This crisis underscores the broader challenge of resource governance in the DRC, where vast mineral wealth often enriches foreign powers and local elites while leaving the population mired in poverty. Without decisive action, the environmental degradation and exploitation caused by illegal mining will continue to erode the country’s future.

Once heralded as the largest private military company in the world, Wagner’s trajectory has dramatically shifted, particularly following the audacious mutiny led by its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin. From the battlegrounds of Syria and Libya to the frontlines in Ukraine and the dirt roads of Mali, Wagner’s influence has waned, leaving many to wonder about the future of Prigozhin’s empire.

Founded in 2014 by Prigozhin and former military officer Dmitri Utkin, Wagner became synonymous with covert operations and mercenary deployments. However, on June 23, 2023, the tension reached its boiling point. With a force he claimed numbered 50,000, Prigozhin initiated the so-called “march of justice” towards Moscow, an unprecedented act of rebellion against the Kremlin.

The mutiny was ignited by several factors, primarily President Vladimir Putin’s decree mandating that mercenaries sign contracts directly with the Russian Ministry of Defense. This move was met with staunch opposition from Prigozhin and the majority of his mercenaries. The situation escalated after a video was released in which Prigozhin accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of targeting Wagner’s operations in Ukraine—a claim he believed warranted dismissals at the highest levels of military command.

As Wagner’s column advanced without significant resistance, the threat to Moscow loomed larger. Yet, within a day, the revolt concluded. An agreement, brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, saw Prigozhin exit Russia to establish a base in Belarus alongside approximately 6,000 of his men. Nevertheless, this was not simply a retreat; it marked the beginning of a steep decline for Wagner and Prigozhin’s influence.

By the end of June 2023, Russian authorities imposed a media blackout on Prigozhin’s outlets, effectively stifling his public voice. The closure of the Molkino training base that had prepared Wagner’s mercenaries further underscored the collapse of an empire that had once thrived on military prowess and private contracts.

Although Wagner continued to maintain a presence in Africa—particularly in Libya and the Central African Republic—its operational capacity was significantly diminished. The turning point came on August 23, 2023, when Prigozhin’s private jet mysteriously crashed shortly after takeoff from Moscow. All aboard, including key figures like Dmitri Utkin and Valeri Chekalov, perished. The timing of the crash, occurring exactly two months after the mutiny, sparked speculation about possible foul play, given that only Putin had the means to orchestrate such an event.

With the death of Prigozhin, the heart of Wagner effectively ceased to beat. Many former mercenaries transitioned to civilian roles, while others sought employment in Chechen units under Ramzan Kadyrov, drawn by comparable salaries. Some chose to remain in Africa or Belarus, marking a stark departure from their previous lives as elite mercenaries.

Moreover, the Concord group, Prigozhin’s broader business entity, saw its military contracts transferred to the Russian government, effectively dismantling the private sector’s hold on these operations. The Russian military began assuming control of Wagner’s assets and files in various regions, signaling a definitive shift in power dynamics.

The aftermath of Prigozhin’s reign illustrates a cautionary tale of ambition subverted by rebellion. His initial surge in power resulted in privileges bestowed upon him by Putin, yet those very actions led to his downfall—culminating in the loss of his life, influence, and the mercenary group he created.

For those seeking a deeper understanding of the rise and fall of this enigmatic figure and his empire, “Death is Our Business” by Ilia Barabanov and Denis Korotkov offers an insightful exploration into the complexities of Prigozhin, Utkin, and the Wagner Group.

As the dust settles on this tumultuous chapter, the geopolitical landscape remains vigilant, for the impact of Wagner’s collapse will surely echo in the corridors of power across Russia and beyond in the years to come.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, born Ahmad Hussein al-Shara, is a prominent and controversial figure in the Syrian conflict, leading the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). HTS emerged from the Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, which al-Golani established in 2012 at the behest of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Initially a senior figure in al-Qaeda, al-Golani helped Nusra Front grow into a significant force during Syria’s civil war. In 2016, al-Golani announced the group’s formal split from al-Qaeda, renaming it Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, ostensibly to facilitate cooperation with other Syrian factions and reduce international pressure.

In 2017, al-Golani consolidated various Islamist factions into HTS. The group became the dominant force in Idlib, imposing its rule through a “salvation government” and strict governance, often criticized for human rights abuses.

Al-Golani has worked to distance himself and HTS from its jihadist roots, promoting an image of pragmatism and tolerance. He has sought to gain legitimacy by engaging with ethnic and religious minorities and advocating for Syria-focused objectives, claiming HTS poses no threat to the West.

Al-Golani’s leadership during HTS’s recent offensives, including the capture of Aleppo and other territories, underscores his strategic acumen. These advances have reignited Syria’s conflict, challenging President Bashar al-Assad’s authority.

Despite his rebranding efforts, al-Golani and HTS remain designated as terrorists by the United States and other nations due to their violent history and extremist ideologies. The group’s control of Idlib has significant implications for the region, including humanitarian concerns and the broader geopolitical conflict in Syria.

France stands at a political crossroads as Prime Minister Michel Barnier grapples with the challenge of passing a contentious social security budget. At the heart of the crisis is far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose National Rally party holds the key to Barnier’s government’s survival. With mounting pressure, Monday marks a critical deadline as the National Assembly votes on the budget, determining not only the fate of the administration but also the stability of France, the eurozone’s second-largest economy.

The Stakes

France’s fractured parliament and ballooning debt have created a volatile political environment. The government seeks to rein in a deficit projected to hit alarming levels this year. Barnier’s proposed budget includes spending cuts and tax hikes, but his minority government lacks the numbers to pass the bill without external support.

Le Pen has seized this moment to assert her party’s influence, presenting a list of demands that include halting electricity tax hikes, maintaining pension adjustments, preserving employer contribution exemptions, and slashing benefits for undocumented immigrants. Her ultimatum: meet these demands or risk a no-confidence vote that could topple the government.

Two Risky Options for Barnier

Barnier’s options are stark. He could seek a parliamentary vote, banking on the National Rally’s abstention after extracting concessions. Alternatively, he could bypass the vote altogether using constitutional powers, a move that risks triggering a no-confidence motion from both the far right and the pan-left New Popular Front.

The latter option is fraught with peril. If a motion of no confidence succeeds, Barnier’s government would collapse, plunging France into deeper political and financial instability.

Le Pen’s Calculations

Le Pen’s strategy is as much about policy as it is about power. By leveraging her party’s kingmaker position, she forces the government to address her agenda while consolidating the National Rally’s image as a decisive force in French politics. However, she must also weigh the risks of being seen as destabilizing the country amid financial uncertainty.

Her rhetoric underscores this balancing act. While she criticizes Barnier’s unwillingness to openly align with her party, she has left room for negotiations, signaling her intention to avoid outright chaos.

Government Resistance and Political Impasse

The Barnier administration has pushed back against accusations of capitulating to Le Pen, framing its concessions as efforts to build consensus across all opposition parties. However, Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin’s firm stance against further compromises reflects a government unwilling to bend to perceived blackmail.

National Rally leaders, in turn, accuse the government of intransigence, escalating the blame game as Monday’s deadline approaches.

What’s Next?

Even if Barnier manages to navigate this immediate crisis, further challenges loom. The broader state budget, set to be debated later this month, presents another opportunity for the National Rally and other opposition forces to press their demands. This cyclical vulnerability underscores the fragility of Barnier’s administration in an era of polarized politics.

The stakes extend beyond France. As a key player in the eurozone, France’s political and financial stability has significant implications for Europe as a whole. A government collapse would not only disrupt domestic governance but could also ripple through EU institutions and markets, particularly as France’s debt continues to grow.

Conclusion

The current standoff reflects the precarious state of French politics, where fragmented governance and rising populism fuel uncertainty. As Barnier struggles to balance fiscal responsibility with political survival, the outcome will shape France’s future and influence Europe’s broader political and economic trajectory. Whether through fragile compromise or outright confrontation, the next few days will determine if Barnier’s government survives — or falls.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House, speculation intensifies over the trajectory of U.S.-Africa relations. Tibor Nagy, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during Trump’s first term, offers a candid perspective on key issues in an interview with Paul Ndiho for VOA English to Africa. Nagy’s analysis spans U.S. competition with China and Russia, trade policies under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and pressing security challenges in Africa’s Sahel region.

This conversation, aired on VOA’s Africa 54 on November 27, sheds light on how the Trump administration may redefine engagement with the African continent amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Reassessing “America First”

When asked about the implications of Trump’s “America First” doctrine for Africa, Nagy was optimistic. “America First doesn’t mean ‘America only,’” he remarked, emphasizing shared interests between the U.S. and Africa. Key among these is countering China’s growing influence on the continent. “China is a long-term existential threat,” Nagy said, highlighting concerns over Beijing’s monopolization of Africa’s critical minerals. He suggested the U.S. would benefit from encouraging Western, particularly American, companies to compete for access to these resources, fostering mutual economic gains.

Countering China and Russia

The dominance of China and Russia in Africa remains a thorny issue for U.S. policymakers. Nagy argued that while Chinese infrastructure projects have made visible impacts, they often fail to address African priorities like youth employment. “Millions of young Africans want jobs,” he explained. “American and Western investments create the kinds of jobs they are looking for.” Nagy posited that by prioritizing job creation, the U.S. could craft a foreign policy that resonates more deeply with African aspirations.

AGOA and Trade Uncertainty

With Trump’s proposal of a blanket 10% tariff on all imports to the U.S., concerns have emerged about the future of AGOA, which grants duty-free access to U.S. markets for eligible African nations. Nagy, however, urged caution against jumping to conclusions. “AGOA is a law passed by Congress, and the U.S. will comply with that law,” he noted, pointing out that discussions about AGOA’s renewal or potential replacement are ongoing.

Addressing the Sahel Crisis

On security, Nagy was forthright about the deteriorating situation in the Sahel and beyond. He critiqued the U.S.’s rigid approach to military coups and its handling of partnerships with transitional governments. “The ‘three Cs’—crises, conflicts, and coups—have been horrible,” Nagy acknowledged. He called for a more nuanced policy that avoids blanket condemnation and instead prioritizes engagement. “When a military government is popular with its people, cutting ties outright isn’t helpful,” he argued, advocating for a pragmatic approach to guide such governments toward democratic norms.

Lessons from the Past

Reflecting on his tenure, Nagy underscored the need for U.S. diplomacy to adopt a less hypocritical and more grounded approach. “We must engage with African governments where they are, not where we want them to be,” he said, emphasizing the importance of understanding Africa’s complex realities. He highlighted Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Sahel as areas requiring focused attention to mitigate escalating conflicts.

Nagy’s commentary offers a blueprint for recalibrating U.S.-Africa relations under a Trump administration. By emphasizing economic partnerships, pragmatic diplomacy, and a sharper focus on African priorities, he suggests the U.S. can bolster its influence on the continent. As Africa becomes an increasingly pivotal arena for global competition, the stakes for America’s strategy have never been higher.

Ramsey Khalid Ismael, a controversial American live-streamer better known by his alias “Johnny Somali,” faces potential prison time in South Korea following charges of causing a public disturbance. The 24-year-old, who has garnered attention—and outrage—through provocative online stunts, could face up to five years behind bars if convicted, South Korean prosecutors revealed.

Ismael, who is of Ethiopian heritage despite his pseudonym’s misleading reference to Somalia, has been barred from leaving the country while authorities investigate further incidents linked to his behavior.

Known for his offensive content, Ismael has gained notoriety across Asia for videos that many consider culturally insensitive or outright hostile. His stunts have included harassing locals, mocking cultural norms, and taunting communities in pursuit of online fame.

In South Korea, public outrage erupted recently after Ismael was accused of desecrating a monument dedicated to “comfort women”—victims of sexual slavery during World War II. The incident sparked a wave of backlash, including threats and at least one physical assault against him.

South Korean news outlet JTBC aired footage of locals confronting Ismael, with some resorting to physical retaliation. Separately, Seoul police confirmed the arrest of a man accused of punching Ismael, though they declined to provide further details.

The live-streamer’s controversial antics have led to bans on multiple social media platforms. Despite these restrictions, Ismael maintains a modest following across Instagram, TikTok, and Rumble.

Ismael’s case is emblematic of a growing trend in which online creators engage in provocative or disruptive behavior abroad to gain notoriety. In Japan, similar incidents involving foreign tourists and content creators have fueled frustration over disrespectful acts in public spaces.

Recent cases include an American tourist accused of carving initials into a shrine gate and an Austrian man arrested for inappropriate conduct on sacred grounds. Foreign influencers have also faced criticism for acts such as dodging train fares and vandalizing cultural landmarks.

Sociologist John Lie from the University of California, Berkeley, remarked that Ismael’s actions underscore a troubling disregard for cultural boundaries in the quest for social media fame.

“There’s no meaningful message or motive—just a provocateur persona designed to capture attention in today’s social mediascape,” Lie said, adding that such behavior risks alienating local populations and perpetuating negative stereotypes about foreign visitors.

For Ismael, the consequences extend beyond potential imprisonment. His actions have ignited broader discussions in South Korea about how to address inappropriate behavior by foreigners and enforce accountability without fueling xenophobia.

Experts caution that while legal repercussions are necessary, the rising frustration with “nuisance influencers” must not overshadow broader issues of cultural sensitivity and mutual respect.

The case also raises questions about the role of social media platforms in enabling or curbing such behavior. Critics argue that companies should take greater responsibility for moderating harmful content and preventing creators from exploiting local communities for clicks.

Ismael’s trajectory from provocateur to pariah reflects the darker side of the influencer economy, where fame is often pursued at any cost. As countries like South Korea and Japan grapple with the challenges of mass tourism and the disruptive behavior of a minority of visitors, Ismael’s case serves as a reminder of the need for greater accountability—both for individuals and the platforms that amplify them.

Whether his actions are rooted in ignorance, opportunism, or a deliberate disregard for cultural norms, Ismael’s story underscores the risks of crossing boundaries in an interconnected world.