West Africa

Mogadishu— Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi dismissed immediate negotiations with Ethiopia over their maritime squabble, blaming Ethiopia's steadfastness over its controversial deal with North Western State of Somalia. The heart of the conflict lies in an agreement struck in January 2024, where North Western State of Somalia granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease over 20 kilometers of coastline. This pact would provide landlocked Ethiopia with coveted sea access for commercial and naval use. In return, Ethiopia was…

Aida Diarra, the bigwig behind Visa’s Sub-Saharan Africa division, couldn’t contain her excitement about the business tie-up. “Teaming up with UNDP Somalia lights us up as we aim to bring the digital age and financial services to every nook and cranny of the region. With our smarts in digital payments, we want to give Somali small business folks and underserved communities a real shot at economic strength and sustainable living," Diarra shared with palpable enthusiasm. Lionel Laurens, the go-to persona at UNDP Somalia, shed…

On Tuesday, Ethiopia's foreign minister cautioned that the influx of arms into Somalia might not only ignite further conflict but could also end up in the hands of terrorists, according to Ethiopia's state news agency.

On September 23, 2024, Nasra Bashir Ali, working with the Office of the Somali Prime Minister, posted a photo on X. The image allegedly shows a ship being offloaded at an unnamed port. Meanwhile, Egypt has verified sending arms to Somalia amid regional friction spurred by Ethiopia's contentious arrangement with the self-declared republic of North Western State of Somalia. North Western State of Somalia officials state Ethiopia agreed to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia in exchange for leasing 20 kilometers of sea…

UNITED NATIONS, NYC (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre engaged in pivotal dialogues with global dignitaries at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. On Wednesday, Barre conversed with Molly Phee, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Their discussions gravitated around bolstering Somalia's counterterrorism initiatives and navigating the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) wind-down. Commitment to regional stability was reaffirmed, and avenues for…

FILE - Northeastern State’s President, Said Abdullahi Deni, addresses attendees at the annual Peace Conference in Garowe. The event, organized by the Northeastern State Development Research Center (PDRC), saw Deni underline his administration's preparedness for open dialogue with the Somali Federal Government. Mogadishu (AX) — President Said Abdullahi Deni of Northeastern State reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiating open conversations with the Somali Federal Government, stressing the need for a transparent…

Mogadishu (AX) — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has tapped Major General Sulub Ahmed Firin to step into the role of Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation as of Tuesday. This decision is part of an ongoing administrative reorganization by the government. Firin, presently holding the reins as the Commander of the Somali Police Force, will move to his new duties, although his replacement in the police force hasn't been decided. With a robust history in national security — including previous roles as…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a bid to bolster governance, democracy, and federal affairs, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed two senior advisors. The official announcement came on Thursday. Former Northeastern State security minister Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan has been named Senior Adviser on Federal Affairs. His new role will involve strengthening Somalia's federal system and fostering collaboration among its regional administrations. Ahmed Jama Mohamed Cillal has been designated Senior Adviser on Democracy and…

  Türkiye is setting its sights on new investment ventures in Somalia's central state, Galmudug, as per the Turkish envoy's announcement this Tuesday. Upon reaching Dusmareb, Galmudug's hub, a delegation headed by Türkiye's ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, engaged in talks with Ahmed Abdi Karie, the state's president, and his Cabinet members.They delved into discussions around kickstarting infrastructure initiatives in Galmudug and the potential impact of Turkish investments."We had fruitful discussions on the steps…

Somali Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh (center, right) spearheads a high-stakes dialogue at a major financial reform and economic development summit in Istanbul, Turkey. Key figures from Somali ministries and global partners are in attendance. Mogadishu (AX) — Wrapping up on Wednesday, a pivotal four-day conference focused on Somalia's financial overhaul and economic strides took place in Istanbul, Turkey. This gathering marked the second review of Somalia's Financial Reform and Economic Development Program, which enjoys…