A major diplomatic storm is unfolding after Israel’s formal declaration recognizing Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has triggered swift, sharp and united condemnation across Africa, the Horn region, and beyond. In this video, we break down the global reaction, what it means for regional stability, and why world powers are calling this a dangerous geopolitical precedent. Somalia and the African Union responded within hours, denouncing the recognition as a direct threat to Somalia’s territorial integrity and a challenge to long-standing international norms. Foreign ministers across the continent described Israel’s move as a violation of sovereignty, warning that selective or unilateral recognition could destabilize fragile borders across Africa and ignite wider tensions. WATCH 

The United States has carried out a precision air strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government. President Donald Trump said the operation followed intelligence showing ISIS fighters targeting Christian communities, escalating U.S. involvement in West Africa’s growing security crisis. While Washington says multiple ISIS militants were killed, Nigerian officials caution the conflict is complex, affecting both Muslim and Christian populations. This report breaks down what triggered the strike, the religious freedom debate, and what comes next for U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation.