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Somalia–Sudan Axis: Alleged Saudi Support Through Mercenaries and Weapons
Recent media and military reporting has drawn attention to what appears to be a shared pattern of militarisation and arms transfers in Somalia and Sudan. The common denominator, according to coverage, is Saudi involvement through financing, weapons deliveries, and the deployment of foreign personnel in both states.
PM News traces this linkage in its latest analysis.
In Somalia, the focus has been on activity in Galmudug State. PM News reports that a Saudi military delegation visited two training camps in the Guri Jabal area of Galguduud region last June, where Riyadh is said to be funding a broader training programme.
Separate local accounts allege that Saudi Arabia recruited mercenaries from Romania, Ukraine, South Africa, and Colombia through unofficial channels. The stated purpose was to train forces aligned with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, at a time when his administration faces mounting domestic opposition.
Officials say 5,107 Somali soldiers are currently in training, including 2,000 recruits drawn from Somalia’s Northeastern State. The programme is set to last nine months. What has raised concern is the suggestion that some of the foreign trainers may later be moved to Sudan to support the Sudanese army and allied groups.
Tensions in Somalia spiked in the first week of June after clashes between federal forces and armed factions opposed to an extension of President Mohamud’s term. His constitutional mandate expired in May. Meanwhile, militant groups including Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS remain active across several regions.
According to PM News, Africa Intelligence reported in February that Sudanese officers led a covert mission to train Somali militias. The report said “a team of Sudanese military personnel trained 1,000 Somali recruits in Galmudug State” under the oversight of intelligence structures linked to the presidency.
In Sudan, the allegations mirror those in Somalia. Gulf Post, citing Intelligence Online, said imagery and intelligence gathered in Kyiv indicated the use of howitzers on Sudanese battlefields after Saudi Arabia delivered the systems between 2023 and 2024.
Intelligence Online also stated that Ukrainian mercenaries trained artillery units of the Sudanese Armed Forces under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and allied Islamist elements on how to operate the equipment.
The same outlet reported that Saudi Arabia shipped three batteries of 155mm M777 artillery systems, plus large stockpiles of ammunition, to the Sudanese army during 2023 and 2024. Evidence from 2023 allegedly shows Ukrainian fighters operating towed M777s in terrain consistent with Sudan, based on architectural and vegetation markers. The documents are described as the first direct evidence tying Saudi-supplied systems to operations in Sudan.
The overlap has drawn regional attention. SudanLeaks quoted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed making remarks that echo international assessments about the Sudanese army and its allied militias using foreign fighters and mercenaries from several African countries.
According to SudanLeaks, Abiy’s comments align with reports that Muslim Brotherhood-linked militias in Sudan, including the Al-Baraa ibn Malik Battalion which is affiliated with the Islamic Movement and under U.S. sanctions, have stepped up recruitment of mercenaries from Ethiopia and other African states. The group is also said to be using Iranian and Ukrainian personnel.
Nigerian gospel singer, Toluwanisings is reportedly dead
His death was announced by the Convener of the Coalition of Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates, COPA, Pelumi Olajengbesi on Wednesday.
Expressing concern over the death of young Nigerians, Olajengbesi, in a post on Instagram, pleaded for God’s mercy.
Concerns mount over reports of Toluwanisings’ death
While noting that the death of Toluwanisings is not God’s plan, he wrote, “We say no to untimely death.”
Sharing the singer’s picture, Pelumi said, “My God! What a life! No, Lord! We plead for Your mercy upon Toluwanisings.
“I am deeply troubled by the deaths of young men and women. This is not God’s plan for us.”
Reacting to the sad news, comedian Woli Agba said they are still praying for a miracle.
He wrote on his page, “Please hold on. Please don’t conclude. We are trusting God. Please.”
Responding in the comments section, singer Boyebest wrote, “Yes yes yes. Yeah I have faith in God. I do. God you’ll do this one.”
This came about two hours after the rumour first surfaced on social media.
DAILY POST reports that the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death have not been revealed as of the time of this report
Nollywood actress, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha has announced the death of her father, Leonard Ndukaife Chukwuka.
The actress disclosed this in an emotional post on Instagram on Friday, saying her father had “gone to be with the Lord.”
Chukwuka said she lost her mother 13 years ago and described the death of her father as painful, noting that she was now without either parent.
“I lost my mother 13 years ago and now that my father is gone, the thought that I have neither parent here anymore breaks my heart in a way I cannot fully explain. So na only me bayi?”
Nollywood actress, Chioma Akpotha and her late father, Leonard Chukwuka…Photo Credit: IG / chiomaakpotha
Describing her late father as “my daddy, papa’m, obara’m, my comfort,” the actress expressed gratitude for his long life and for the opportunity he had to see his children and grandchildren.
“I am so thankful you lived a long life, and I am grateful to God you saw your children and grandchildren. We had hoped you would meet your great-grandchildren too, mana nya diba!” she said.
Chukwuka also reflected on the difficulty of losing a parent, regardless of their age.
“No matter how many years we are given with a parent, we still want one more conversation, one more embrace, one more day,” she wrote.
She said she was grateful for the moments she shared with her father, particularly towards the end of his life.
Nollywood actress, Chioma Akpotha..Photo Credit: IG / chiomaakpotha
The actress said she had kept the news private while coming to terms with her grief before deciding to announce his death.
“I have held this news close while trying to understand my own grief,” she said.
She asked the public to keep her, her siblings and the entire Chukwuka family in their prayers, adding that details of her father’s funeral would be announced when the family was ready.
“Rest well, Olowo of Ikate, my father. I will always love you,” she wrote.
Chukwuka accompanied the announcement with biblical passages, including Proverbs 17:6 and Psalm 34:18, which speaks of the Lord being close to the brokenhearted.
The government has declared Monday, September 21, 2026, as a statutory public holiday to mark Founder’s Day.
The Ministry of the Interior announced the declaration in a notice dated September 14, 2026, informing the general public that the day should be observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
Founder’s Day is a day set aside to recognise the people whose efforts contributed to Ghana’s struggle for independence and the establishment of the country.
The day is closely associated with Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first Prime Minister and later President, who played a leading role in the country’s independence movement.
September 21 is also significant because it is Nkrumah’s birthday.
The holiday has, however, been the subject of changes over the years. Under the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act, 2019, August 4 was designated Founder’s Day, while September 21 was observed as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.
The 2025 amendment changed this arrangement, with September 21 now listed as Founder’s Day. The Ministry of the Interior’s 2026 public holiday calendar confirms September 21 as Founder’s Day and a statutory public holiday.
Founder’s Day provides an opportunity for Ghanaians to reflect on the country’s journey to independence and remember the individuals and movements that contributed to the establishment of the Ghanaian state.
It is also a day to reflect on the values, sacrifices and political struggles that shaped Ghana’s path to independence.
The holiday falls on Monday, September 21, 2026, meaning workers, students and the general public will have a statutory holiday on that day.
The public is therefore encouraged to take note of the date and observe the holiday accordingly.
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