Somalia

Mogadishu (AX) – Djibouti's intriguing suggestion as a potential remedy for the ongoing diplomatic rift between Somalia and Ethiopia remains unanswered by Ethiopia, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf disclosed. In a tête-à-tête with VOA, Youssouf shared that the ball is still in Ethiopia’s court regarding the management and use of the Tojorah port, nestled in Djibouti's northern expanse. This port has been proposed by Djibouti as an alternate maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia, heavily dependent on…

The initiatory step in this journey is the submission of a formal motion by a coalition of MPs, igniting spirited debate in Somalia's Parliament. Take the case of Foreign Minister Ahmed Macalin Fiqi—over 46 MPs have rallied, accusing him of neglecting Somalia's sovereignty amid a tense diplomatic tussle with Ethiopia. They're also up in arms about a Somali company's exclusion from the 2025 Japan trade expo, where an Italian-owned business snagged a spot instead. MP Jeesoow, among the most ardent advocates for the motion,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Sub-Saharan Africa's arms trade is witnessing a seismic shift. Traditional suppliers, Russia for example, are losing their stronghold to rising competitors like China and Turkey. A fresh series of reports from the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), titled "Importing (In)security: The Evolving Arms Trade in Sub-Saharan Africa," outlines this transformation, spotlighting China as a burgeoning force in the region's arms market.In a significant shift, many Sub-Saharan African countries…

At a heartfelt farewell ceremony, AFAD's chief Okay Memis shared that since 2016, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s guidance, over 60,000 tons of aid have been sent to East Africa from Türkiye, a region often battered by natural calamities like drought, famine, floods, and cyclones. Memis underscored Türkiye’s unwavering dedication to assisting those in need, both domestically and internationally, shining a light on the invaluable efforts of non-profits and generous individuals. Post-speeches, a vessel brimming with…

You can't begin to fathom the heartache of not being able to support your loved ones, watching them struggle while you feel utterly powerless. It was terrifying when I thought I had a life-threatening illness that made me fear for my life. But things took a different turn. With the medication, I'm feeling hale and hearty. - Abdi Mohamed, MSF patient. Introducing this innovative treatment regimen is particularly crucial in conflict-ridden countries like Somalia, where inadequate access to healthcare makes effective treatment…

Hargeisa (AX) — On Monday, North Western State of Somalia security forces released lawmaker Mohamed Abiib Yusuf, only hours after the Supreme Court declared his arrest unlawful and ordered his immediate release from Mandera prison. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hussein Mirre Giirre, confirmed Abiib's release to the press, attributing the decision to the court's ruling. After spending 30 days in detention, the lawmaker shared on his Facebook page: "I can attest to regaining my freedom. Thank you to…

Somalia Challenges Ethiopia's Red Sea Ambitions MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has voiced strong opposition to Ethiopia's moves toward the Red Sea, accusing Ethiopia of aiming for military control under the guise of seeking port access.   This firm stance follows a controversial accord between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia. The deal grants Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, recognizing North Western State of Somalia's sovereignty, which Somalia views as a direct threat to its…

Mogadishu (AX) — At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie stood firm, defending Ethiopia's informal deal with North Western State of Somalia. This agreement, inked earlier in the year, has stirred up a storm of criticism from Somalia. Despite the backlash, Ethiopia insists the deal is all about promoting regional growth and development. During his speech, Taye underlined Ethiopia's unwavering support for multilateralism and regional collaboration, casting the…

Egypt's Military Aid to Somalia Steers Clear of Regional Rivalry: El-Sisi Cairo — President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clarified that Egypt’s aid to Somalia is driven by a genuine desire to help restore stability to a nation plagued by decades of turmoil, not by regional animosities, particularly with Ethiopia. "Listen, our support for Somalia isn’t tied to Ethiopia whatsoever. We want to help them emerge from three decades of chaos," El-Sisi stated to esteemed guests at a police academy graduation ceremony on Sunday. The…

Hargeisa (AX) — The Supreme Court of North Western State of Somalia has mandated the speedy liberation of lawmaker Mohamed Abiib Yusuf, condemning his detention as unlawful. On Monday, the court announced that Yusuf should be freed from Madera prison today, instructing the Commander of the Custodial Corps to comply. Assemblyman Yusuf's arrest defied the law, according to the court, which pointed out that the North Western State of Somalia House of Representatives had overwhelmingly refused to strip away his parliamentary…