Sweden to Provide $34,000 Incentives for Refugees, Including Somali Nationals, to Return to Their Home Countries

The financial aid for returning refugees is now at 10,000 kronor per adult, 5,000 kronor per child, and 40,000 kronor per family. This increase hopes to jazz up an underutilized program, which saw just one taker last year, per the Swedish government.Ludvig Aspling from the Sweden Democrats mentioned that the assistance, around since 1984, hasn't hit the radar too much, owing to its low-key presence. "If more folks know about it, and with the extra dough, we expect more to go back," he noted. Aspling is optimistic this might…

Opinion Piece: The Fissures in Somalia’s Political Scene

By Axadle Editorial Board Folks, it's been a heck of a week in Somalia’s political scene. The Southwest State is heating up, and tensions are bubbling right under the surface. Everyone's pointing at Ethiopia, but let’s be real; the actual drama is unfolding much closer to home. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sent a top-tier team to Baidoa—fronted by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and featuring NISA boss Abdullahi Mohamed Ali . Unfortunately, they returned to Mogadishu dragging two hefty political losses that have…

The Gulf States’ Growing Influence in Africa

How are the Gulf states flexing their muscles in Africa? Hassan Hassan, who founded and leads New Lines magazine, and Rana Mamdouh, a commissioning editor for Alpheratz (New Lines' Arabic sister publication), shine a light on this intricate web. Rather than clashing over ideologies, they honed in on gobbling up resources, further fragmenting nations already swimming in turmoil. It's complicated, to say the least.

Researcher Investigates Economic Consequences of Declined Humanitarian Aid in East Africa

The research falls into two segments: "The Cost of Inaction: Impacts of WFP Assistance Shortfalls on Food Security Outcomes in Somalia" and "The Cost of Inaction: Impacts of WFP Refugee Assistance Shortfalls on Food Security Outcomes in Uganda." In 2021, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) reached 34.4 million folks in East Africa through initiatives like providing school meals and specialized food for at-risk groups. Fast forward a year, and East Africa saw the number of food-insecure people balloon to 82 million.…

A Day of Nutritious Eating Within 1,500 Calories: What It Looks Like

Everyone's calorie needs vary depending on individual goals, such as weight loss, maintenance or muscle gain. Understanding your health and weight goals is the first step in determining your daily calorie intake. For example, if you have a weight loss goal, your caloric needs will be different than if your goals are sports performance and muscle gain. Once you've decided how you want food to affect your weight, health and performance, you can start determining your energy needs. For those focused on weight control, a…

Exclusive Interview: U.S. Elevates Diplomatic and Security Assistance in Somalia

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA/WASHINGTON — In an exclusive conversation, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley discussed the ongoing efforts to navigate the diplomatic tensions and security hurdles confronting Somalia, alongside U.S. attempts to mediate the simmering dispute with Ethiopia. Trouble flared up earlier this year between Somalia and Ethiopia when the latter inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region, which Somalia sees as an affront to its sovereignty. This…

ONLF Denounces Ethiopian Military Chief’s Allegations as a Threat to the 2018 Peace Accord

Jigajiga (AX) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has hit back at allegations made by Ethiopian military chief General Berhanu Jula, who has claimed the group is a state adversary funded by Egypt. Recognized as a legal political entity, the ONLF demanded an urgent clarification from the Ethiopian government on Thursday, warning that the accusations jeopardize the 2018 peace deal. General Jula's contentious remarks surfaced in a video broadcasted by Ethio-Forum on September 8, 2024, where he seemed to charge ONLF…

Arab League Ministerial Committee Reaffirms Somaliland’s Status as Part of Somalia

The Arab League asserts that North Western of Somaliais unequivocally part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, following the Arab League and UN charters. During the third gathering of the Arab League's ministerial task force, charged with overseeing the Arab League's resolution to bolster Somalia in protecting its sovereignty and territorial unity, it reaffirmed North Western of Somaliaas an integral segment of Somalia, anchored in the tenets of the charters of both the Arab League and the United Nations. As reported by…

IOM and Canada Strengthen Community Involvement and Law Enforcement in Wajir

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), with a nod from Canada's government, reaffirmed its pledge to boost community involvement and policing endeavors in Wajir County. During a roadshow caravan kickoff on Thursday, IOM’s Soumana Ali articulated the body’s commitment to aiding the Kenyan government. “Our goal is to nurture healthier relationships between communities and state forces,” Ali said, especially in frontier regions. Ali outlined the mission to reframe views on border locales. “Communities near…