Somalia

  Washington— During a pivotal week for Somalia's security blueprint, dialogues in Washington and New York highlighted the pressing necessity for readiness ahead of the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Rising friction between Somalia and Ethiopia over Ethiopia's maritime accord with North Western State of Somalia has stirred the pot, capturing the attention of global stakeholders. Somalia is on the verge of finalizing the lineup for the fresh AUSSOM, with the current African Union mission wrapping up…

"Life's a wild ride, ain't it?" mused grandpa Joe as he rocked gently on his porch chair, soaking in the mellow hues of the setting sun. "You never really know where it's headed; it's a winding road full of surprises and detours." Such whimsical reflections often emerged during these tranquil evening moments, a time cherished in the family for generations. Nestled amidst rolling hills, the family homestead had been standing since time immemorial. Its creaky wooden floors and sun-dappled windows spoke of stories etched in…

 FILE - North Western State of Somalia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Rhoda J. Elmi, makes her voice heard during a press briefing in Hargeisa. Mogadishu (AX) — The North Western State of Somalia administration has refuted recent declarations from Somalia, labeling them as "unfounded" and accusing them of trying to meddle in North Western State of Somalia's self-determination. These accusations followed remarks by Fiqi at the UN Security Council, where he aired concerns regarding the political climate in…

In the capital city of Mogadishu, leaders from Somalia's federal and regional bodies gathered for the National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow. This session zeroed in on critical issues like security, governance, and the hustle and bustle of economic growth. Meanwhile, Hargeisa (AX) — The provisional authority of SSC Khaatumo stepped up on the podium, formally seeking a voice at the ongoing NCC meetings. They argued their corner, saying that as a legitimate federal entity under the Somali government, they’ve got a right…

In Nairobi, Kenya, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has raised the alarm about Yeshihasab Abera, a journalist who disappeared after security forces whisked him away on September 30 from his workplace in Amhara State—a region that's been boiling over with turmoil since 2023. Yeshihasab, the second-in-command at the state-run Bekur newspaper, was nabbed at the Amhara Media Corporation’s headquarters in Bahir Dar, as recounted by his spouse, Meseret Hunegnaw, and echoed in various news pieces. According to Meseret,…

In the latter part of October, a ship is set to anchor near Somalia's shore to perform seismic surveys for potential oil and gas reserves!Casting off from Istanbul this Saturday, Türkiye's own research vessel, Oruc Reis, is prepped for a Somali voyage, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar waving it off.The boat's on track to hit Somalia's waters before October fades. There, it'll hunt for oil and gas in three zones where Türkiye's bagged exploration rights, according to official chatter…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Saturday, Abdukhadir Mohamed Noor, Somalia’s Defense Minister, firmly stated that Ethiopian troops would not join the forthcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) unless Ethiopia exits the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with North Western State of Somalia.During a media briefing in Mogadishu, Minister Noor explained that Somalia is considering different contingencies to replace the Ethiopian forces if there's no withdrawal from the MoU.“Ethiopian troops won't participate in…

Somalia Prepares for AUSSOM as ATMIS Heads for Departure MOGADISHU, Somalia - With keen anticipation, the United Nations and the U.S. look forward to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) evolving into the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). They stress how crucial early groundwork is for a seamless transition. ATMIS is scheduled to transfer responsibilities to AUSSOM this upcoming January, and troops have begun their exit from Somalia. However, this shift occurs amid…

Mogadishu (AX) — Jubaland's big cheese, Ahmed Madobe, has turned his thumbs down on Somalia's federal scheme to roll out a straightforward one-person, one-vote setup. He’s concerned about election tardiness and the chance of officials sticking around longer than they should. During the ongoing National Consultative Council (NCC) huddle in Mogadishu, Madobe's dissent poses a real spanner in the works for the country's electoral makeover, stirring up doubts about timely implementation of the one-person, one-vote system."Back…

The assistant prosecuting attorney stated they've examined the driver's dashcam recordings and cannot confirm with absolute certainty that Ali assaulted the passenger. This is a surprising development, considering authorities initially asserted having strong evidence pointing to Ali's involvement. Their case was supported by GPS data, and allegations that Ali prematurely completed the ride before driving the woman far from her destination, where her family later discovered her unclothed in Ali's vehicle. The police…