West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt has underscored Egypt's unwavering allegiance to Somalia, underlining the Arabic nation's critical function within the Arab League while affirming that no entity will be allowed to jeopardize its autonomy. El-Sisi's remarks arrive amid escalating military and political friction in the Horn of Africa, where Egypt's increased involvement is altering the regional landscape."We're not making hollow threats, but anyone endangering Somalia will face consequences," el-Sisi…

City officials say the long haul to rejuvenate the Minneapolis Police Department is finally making an impact. The force has welcomed close to two dozen new officers, including several groundbreaking recruits, after a recent graduation ceremony. "As these brave individuals prepare to take their oaths today, in front of you all and before God, I recognize my sacred duty to support them fully," MPD Chief Brian O'Hara declared during the event. "I vow tonight to do everything within my power to care for them." The new…

The Somali Embassy found itself embroiled in a sticky legal tango over unpaid renovation dues. A Kenyan court recently mandated the disbursement of $201,942 to Kingsly Construction Limited from the embassy's accounts after a contractual hiccup back in 2016. NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — A Kenyan court has directed Premier Bank to release KSh 26 million ($201,942) from the Somali Embassy's funds to Kingsly Construction Limited. This verdict marks the end of a three-year tussle over unpaid renovation bills for the embassy's Nairobi…

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…