Jubaland Legislators Criticize National Election Changes, Caution Against Risks to Somalia’s Unity

In Kismayo, voices of discord rang out as lawmakers from Jubaland took center stage, hurling stark criticism at Somalia's federal government on a Saturday. The heart of this fiery clash lies in accusations: actions that amplify political chasms and threaten the fragile unity of Somalia as a nation. As they gathered for strategic talks, these representatives aired grievances, warning that federal maneuvers are not merely steps but leaps toward deepening divisions and halting conversations essential for healing the rift…

Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs to Confer with Blinken as Gaza Deadline Approaches

Today, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is scheduled to sit down with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, as announced by the State Department. This meeting comes at a critical juncture, with the deadline imposed by Washington to improve conditions in Gaza fast approaching. The discussion is set for 5 p.m. local time (which translates to 10 p.m. in Ireland), although the public agenda provided little insight into the specifics of their conversation. However, hopes for a ceasefire in the…

North Western State of Somalia Prepares to Cast Votes Amidst Regional Strains in the Horn of Africa

"Oh, the political temperature is rising in North Western State of Somalia!" exclaimed a supporter of the opposition Waddani party, captured by the lens of LUIS TATO. In the heart of a diplomatic firestorm, North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared independent region splintered from Somalia, gears up for a Wednesday presidential showdown during a tumultuous spell in the Horn of Africa. Perched at Somalia's northwest tip, this territory broke free in 1991, maintaining a level of tranquility and calmness that its…

General Odowaa: The Challenging Mission Facing Somalia’s Military Leader

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has brought General Odowaa Yusuf Rage back to the fore, a youthful officer molded in Turkey. Rage had previously made headlines by cracking down on opposition figures in Mogadishu during the tumultuous 2021-22 elections. This reappointment unfolds against the backdrop of a political storm swirling around Villa Somalia's attempts to tweak certain constitutional passages for timing extensions—moves that might derail the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab. Rage steps into the…

Somali Government Reinstates General Odowa Raage as Leader of the Somali National Army

In the heart of Mogadishu, a hotspot of brewing strategies, the Somali Council of Ministers recently convened in a swift and decisive meeting held on Sunday night, a meeting that led to reshuffling some top military brass. Their resolution? Welcome back General Odowa Yusuf Raage as the head honcho of the Somali Armed Forces, sending General Ibrahim Muhyiddin to the sidelines. Straight from the chambers of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's office came the announcement, stamping the ministry's approval for General Raage's…

Multiple casualties reported as a Russian missile strikes a central Ukrainian structure.

A Russian missile struck a residential apartment complex in Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, resulting in injuries to at least seven individuals and leaving several others trapped beneath the debris, according to officials. Among the injured were two young children, as reported by regional governor Serhiy Lysak via the Telegram messaging app. The missile assault wreaked havoc on apartments stretching from the first to the fifth floors. Images shared by authorities showcased a devastated roof and floors that had caved in,…

A Vivid Spectrum: North Western State of Somalia’s Dynamic Election Campaign

As North Western State of Somalia gears up for its presidential election, each day brings a vivid display of party colors with various political groups hosting campaign events across the region. From the bustling streets of Borama in the west, to the majestic Erigavo mountains in the northeast, and the vibrant heart of Hargeisa, towns and cities are wrapped in a kaleidoscope of political fervor.Today, you might see the green and yellow of the incumbent president Muse Bihi's Kulmiye party. Tomorrow might be the orange parade…

Somali Parliament Greenlights Election Laws, Setting the Stage for 2025 Voting

In an important move for Somalia, the nation's two-chamber parliament gave the nod to essential electoral laws on Monday. These regulations, covering election procedures, political parties, and organizations, as well as the foundation of an electoral commission, came to life. Minister of Interior, Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh, brought these laws to the table. All 170 lawmakers in attendance said yes, in unison. As reported by Sadia Yassin Haji Samatar, the House of the People's second Deputy Speaker, the measures sailed through with…

Ethiopian Forces Omitted from Peacekeeping Duties in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior official has revealed that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) won't be involved in Somalia's upcoming peacekeeping efforts. This could spark yet another prolonged clash that might hinder efforts to build the state. As of January 2025, a brand new mission is planned to roll out, replacing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), it will feature a leaner troop presence. Bitterness is…

North Western State of Somalia’s Deputy President Defies Convention, Endorsing Opposition Waddani Party Before Election

In a surprising twist in North Western State of Somalia's political scene, Vice President Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail Saylici threw his weight behind the Waddani Party, a move that could stir up quite the ripple in the upcoming elections slated for November 13. After being in the vice-presidential saddle for what feels like a solid 14 years, Saylici stepped into the limelight in Hargeisa, where he took a shot at President Muse Bihi's regime during a news conference with Waddani's president wannabe, Abdirahman Mohamed…