Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The usual pandemonium ensued in Somalia's parliament as contentious debates over electoral reforms took center stage. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud requested lawmakers postpone their break to focus on the upcoming electoral process. Hassan Sheikh, returning for a second term, wants to adjust key electoral guidelines for a long-term shift. He aims to introduce universal suffrage, allowing every citizen to vote. Recognizing the pressing need for these reforms, Hassan Sheikh urged legislators to work…

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) - In a grim assault on Sunday, a barrage of mortar fire claimed the lives of multiple people, among them were international staff of the UN, at the Halane Base Camp, a fortress-like installation nestled in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. Strategically positioned close to the Mogadishu airport within the confines of Somalia's guarded "green zone," Halane Base Camp provides shelter for UN facilities, the African Union's stronghold, and foreign embassies. In the wee hours, when dawn barely peeked, a…

NAIROBI, KENYA (AXADLE) - Air France Temporarily Halts Flights Above Red Sea; "Luminous Object" Sighting Sparks Alarm A pivotal decision has been made by Air France to halt its flights across the Red Sea. This interruption stems from reports by the crew who spotted an unusual "luminous object soaring" in the skies near Sudan. The curious event involved Flight 934, a Boeing 777-200ER, which embarked on a journey from Paris to Madagascar. But on Sunday, it was forced into an emergency landing due to what was described as a…

Commemoration for Journalists in Somalia Sparks a Strong Plea for Justice MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a remarkable gathering on November 2, 2024, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), backed by UNESCO and the Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF), observed the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. This heartfelt ceremony honored Somali journalists who laid down their lives in pursuit of the truth and rallied for accountability and action against impunity. The event saw a show of unity as…

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke to Parliament, highlighting the pressing need to implement essential election laws as Somalia gears up for its forthcoming elections. His comments coincide with lawmakers voting to extend their legislative session. CREDIT/ SONNA Mogadishu (AX) — This month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud successfully persuaded Somalia's parliament to remain in session, thus postponing their planned recess to address vital legislative issues, particularly those related to the upcoming elections. A…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a surprising twist of events, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has shown the door to a top brass member of the Somali National Army (SNA), just when the nation is intensely embroiled in its campaign against Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab militants, notorious for causing upheaval, assert control over huge patches of rural zones in south and central Somalia. Recent military efforts have shaken their foundation, leaving many militants pondering defection to governmental camps. Nonetheless, the…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi engaged in a pivotal conversation with James Swan, the Acting Special Representative of the United Nations, in Mogadishu. Their discussion revolved around the newly inaugurated United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which has taken over from UNSOM. This meeting came just a day after UNTMIS’s official debut on November 1. The dialogue centered on Somalia’s evolving role within the UN Security Council, along with critical security…

Dhobley, Somalia - Imagine a bustling town where public safety strides forward through the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). This initiative in Dhobley is not just about training but setting a groundbreaking precedent for how law enforcement huddles with community stalwarts to tackle crime. In the initiative’s latest chapter, 36 individuals, composed of a dozen Somali Police Force officers and 24 community figureheads, were schooled in essential public safety know-how – from station management to…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a remarkable display of military might, Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced the elimination of 27 al-Shabab insurgents during an extensive 12-hour operation in the Yaaqle region of Middle Shabelle. In a statement issued on Sunday, NISA detailed how this operation zeroed in on al-Shabab militants at a prominent assemblage point, successfully dismantling their vehicles and encampments. Encouragingly, the intelligence agency reported that its own forces suffered no…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, the Defense Minister of Somalia, has sharply critiqued Ethiopia, advocating that the neighboring country focus its efforts on managing its internal security issues rather than interfering in Somali matters. Amid rising tensions between the two nations, Nur brought attention to Ethiopia's internal unrest, emphasizing that insurgents have reportedly advanced to within 40 kilometers of Addis Ababa. "Ethiopia ought to concentrate on safeguarding its own capital and populace, instead…