Somalia

Somalia Pulls Plug on Drones Near Mogadishu Airport Due to Al-Shabaab Threat MOGADISHU, Somalia - Worried about potential trouble stirred by Al-Shabaab, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) slammed the brakes on drone operations within a stone's throw—9 kilometers—of Aden Adde International Airport (a.k.a. Mogadishu Airport). Fingers pointed at caution, given the militants' pesky attacks. The move aims to keep this bustling air hub—Somalia's top dog in airports—safe from sinister plots. It's no secret that…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a surprising twist, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, the arbiter of the Somali Upper House, rescinded his prior decision to oust Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama from the senate. The initial axe was swung over Jama’s head due to his alleged truancy from several parliamentary gatherings. On Monday, a communique from Hashi revealed that Jama's senatorial service would resume unabated, after the two rival parties reached an accord through wide-ranging discussions. Deputy Prime Minister Jama echoed this…

FILE - Inside the Parliament House in Mogadishu, Somali Federal Parliament members gather. Parliament plays a pivotal role in promoting good governance, accountability, and democratic ideals in Somalia.  Introduction When envisioning good governance, images of democracy, the rule of law, and visionary leadership come to mind. The term “governance” takes its roots from ancient Greek ideas, picked up from Latin origins meaning “to steer,” and passed along by the French. John Locke, back in the 17th century, dished out…

WASHINGTON – U.S. officials are expressing unease over the simmering fracas over the Ethiopian and Somali Tug of War concerning the Red Sea. The showdown has seized Mogadishu’s attention for nearly nine months, sparked by Addis Ababa’s overt desire to establish a foothold. In a controversial twist, Ethiopia has inked an agreement with North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared autonomous region of Somalia. This pact could potentially grant Ethiopia a 20-kilometer slice of the Red Sea for erecting a military outpost and…

Mogadishu (AX) — A groundbreaking partnership was forged between North Western State of Somalia's Ministry of Minerals and Energy and Emirates Industrial Laboratory, a hub from the UAE, aiming to transform the mineral testing landscape in Dahabshiil’s neck of the woods.Ink dried on the agreement in Dubai, where Mohamed Osman Said, the heavyweight at North Western State of Somalia's Ministry, gave Emirates Industrial Laboratory the green light. With this deal, North Western State of Somalia shuns the hefty task of outsourcing…

Garowe (AX) — A kerfuffle erupted at the break of dawn today between the forces of Northeastern State and Maakhir State near the town of Badhan in the Sanaag region, adding heat to a confrontation that’s been simmering since Sunday. Both groups remain hunkered down just a stone's throw from the district, with no major casualties coming to light.The scuffle began when Northeastern State troops tried to bar politicians from Maakhir State, who’ve been gallivanting around the Sanaag region, from their entry into Badhan. This…

Egypt's Al-Sisi Stands Firm on Nile Water Dispute With Ethiopia CAIRO, Egypt - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has pledged to safeguard the waters of the Nile River amidst escalating tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Renaissance Dam constructed on the Blue Nile. Egypt has long contended that Ethiopia’s damming efforts have curtailed the water flow downstream, severely affecting countless lives across the nation. In response, Egypt proposed a measured approach to filling the dam, an idea swiftly nixed by the…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, on Sunday broke ground for the revamp of Mogadishu's iconic football stadium. This project, energized by youth-led investments, aims to breathe new life into the sports venue with a rejuvenated pitch, basketball courts, and a brand-new swimming pool. The Prime Minister emphasized that the stadium's renovation isn't merely about sprucing up a playing field. He said, "Transforming Stadium Mogadishu is about sparking national progress. The facelift will…

Mogadishu (AX) — Chaos broke out like a storm in Luuq, Gedo, with tensions boiling over after a shaky truce crumbled between feuding clan militias. Residents found themselves caught in a wave of fear. As twilight descended, both groups unleashed heavy firepower, rattling the once-peaceful neighborhoods. The rumbling echoes filled the air, unsettling everyone in the vicinity. This fresh outbreak of violence stems from a recent killing, reviving ancient grudges between these clans. Efforts by Somalia's Federal Government and…

A groundbreaking collaboration has been forged between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA). According to Abdiwali Tima’adde, the Director General at NIRA, this alliance is poised to revitalize the economy by harmonizing Somali business operations with global standards while curbing calamities like fraud and money laundering. "Beneath the facade of this partnership lies a blueprint for discussions on its potential impacts, strategies to bring registration…