Somalia Cleared to Issue East African Community Passports, Boosting Regional Integration

Somalia cleared to issue East African Community passports, boosting regional mobility Wednesday February 18, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has received formal approval to issue East African Community (EAC) passports, a key step in the country’s regional integration and a move officials say will ease cross-border travel for Somali citizens across the bloc. The authorization was conveyed in an official letter presented by Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania and permanent representative to the EAC, Ilyas Ali Hassan. He handed…

Turkish President Says Israel’s North Western State of Somalia Recognition Serves No One’s Interests

Erdogan says Israel’s North Western State of Somalia recognition would not benefit region as Türkiye, Ethiopia expand ties ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned that Israel’s move to recognize North Western State of Somalia would not benefit North Western State of Somalia or the wider Horn of Africa, urging regional governments to resolve disputes without opening the door to foreign power rivalries. “I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of North Western State of…

Somali President Meets Opposition Groups as Talks Resume on Elections, Constitution

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday hosted opposition leaders, including members of the Somali Future Council, for a luncheon in Mogadishu, signaling a renewed push to break a political deadlock over elections and constitutional reforms. The talks follow a federal invitation to a National Consultation Conference intended to ease rifts between Villa Somalia and opposition-aligned regional leaders. Discussions centered on the electoral process, disputed constitutional…

Hargeisa Court Sentences Musician Mubaarik Oktoober to 16 Months for Assaulting Wife Farhiya Fiska

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — A district court in Hargeisa on Tuesday sentenced musician Mubaarik Ahmed Yusuf, known professionally as Mubaarik Oktoober, to one year and four months in prison after finding him guilty of assault and bodily harm against his wife, fellow singer Farhiya Ahmed Addaawe Geedi, widely known as Farhiya Fiska. In a written ruling dated Feb. 17, 2026, the Hargeisa District Court convicted Mubaarik under Article 440(1) of the Penal Code, which covers offenses causing bodily injury. The…

Saudi Muslims watch for crescent moon to mark start of Ramadan 2026

Muslims across the world are scanning the skies for the slim crescent that marks the start of Ramadan, with a growing list of countries setting Thursday as the first day of fasting while others await final moon-sighting results. As of Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, authorities from Oman to Indonesia and Malaysia have confirmed a Thursday start, while Saudi Arabia — whose decision influences millions — is expected to announce later in the day. Oman became the first Gulf Cooperation Council state to set Thursday as the beginning of…

Top 7 Chicken Nugget Brands Featuring Genuine White Meat

This text fits best with the Healthy Eating format since it discusses various brands of chicken nuggets with an emphasis on their health aspects, ingredients, and shopper opinions, all in a way that is informative and focused on nutrition options. Structure & WordPress Formatting: Quick and Healthy Chicken Nugget Options Ready-to-eat pre-cooked chicken nuggets can be a time-saver for those seeking a quick, nutritious meal option. With a variety of brands offering nuggets made from real white meat chicken, these frozen…

African Union steps up diplomacy to end Sudan, eastern DRC conflicts

AU intensifies push for ceasefires in Sudan and eastern DRC, says Commissioner Bankole Adeoye The African Union has sharpened its diplomatic drive to secure ceasefires in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye outlining a renewed, African-led strategy to stem escalating violence and restore stability. Briefing reporters after the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Adeoye said AU leaders reaffirmed…

Qatar Emir Reaffirms Somalia Support in Call With President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Qatar’s emir backs Somalia’s security, territorial integrity in call with President Mohamud MOGADISHU — Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday reaffirmed Doha’s support for Somalia’s security and territorial integrity during a phone call with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, according to Somali and Qatari officials. Officials said the leaders reviewed recent developments and discussed efforts to strengthen security, stabilize the country and preserve the unity of Somali territory. Sheikh Tamim conveyed…

Somali Prime Minister hails Türkiye’s offshore drilling as start of economic transformation

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s prime minister on Monday hailed Türkiye’s launch of a deep-sea drilling mission off the Horn of Africa nation’s coast as a historic step that could jump-start long-promised economic change. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre welcomed the deployment of Türkiye’s drillship Cagri Bey, which has set sail for Mogadishu to begin Ankara’s first offshore oil and gas exploration outside its own maritime zone. Turkish officials say the vessel is scheduled to start drilling in April at the Curad-1 well.…

Inside the Somalia-Saudi Arabia Military Deal: Motives and Implications

Saudi Arabia’s quiet power play in Somalia’s new military pact Somalia and Saudi Arabia have signed a defense cooperation agreement in Riyadh, a move that folds one of the Horn of Africa’s most fragile states deeper into an increasingly crowded contest for Red Sea influence. The memorandum of understanding, announced by Somalia’s defense minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on X, comes weeks after Israel said it would recognize North Western State of Somalia — the northern, breakaway region of Somalia — as an independent state, a…