Somalia

Over the last few decades, Somalia has waded through turbulent waters, moving from chaos to reclaiming its independence and self-reliance. The collapse of its central government in 1991 unleashed a wave of domestic disputes, with numerous factions unable to find common ground. This era of chaos was further complicated by external meddling, particularly from Ethiopia, which saw Somalia’s instability as an opportunity for influence, often fueling conflicts by supplying arms to various groups. Some Somali politicians courted…

(ERGO) – Halima Hassan Ali, alongside her husband, faces the Herculean task of securing even a single meal a day for their three kids. They're among countless families displaced by relentless skirmishes in the Lower and Middle Shabelle regions. On August 20, Halima, who’s 39, and her family found refuge in Gurbaan camp located in Mogadishu’s Kahda district, hoping to escape the chaos. Sadly, they now confront a reality devoid of nourishment and proper shelter. "We’re absolutely destitute! Neighbors have been feeding us the…

With a hold brimming with heavy weaponry and ammunition for Somalia amid the turbulent Horn of Africa, the voyage of the Al Hurreya 2 was fraught with hazards in the Red Sea's perilous southern waters. The stakes? Enormous.If the Al Hurreya 2's mission faltered or was interrupted, it would spell significant embarrassment for a nation with the region's largest military, which invested billions in modern arms over the past decade.Two days post-discharge in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Monday, insiders confided in The National about…

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) – Diplomats' passports and official accreditation letters from Somalia are now rife on the black market, being peddled to anyone eyeing a ticket to Europe or America. An underground nexus of human traffickers and shady government officials is stretching its sinister tentacles across Mogadishu, as reported by the Horn Observer. Our journalist went undercover at a bustling hotel in the heart of the city and exposed officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs striking deals with human traffickers…

Garowe (AX) — Abdiqani Dayib Awnur Soolle, one of the marauding sea bandits implicated in the MV Abdalla hijacking, has been apprehended by Northeastern State Security Forces. Authorities nabbed Soolle in the Eyl region and its environs, where he was skulking, according to an official report. Police conveyed that meticulous intelligence gathered on Soolle paved the way for the successful capture. This marks the third apprehension related to the ship's hijacking since it fell into pirate hands in March. In June,…

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…

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…

Turkey's advancing influence in Africa is steadily gaining traction, notably through vibrant new ventures in Somalia. The focus has shifted to offshore oil exploration and bolstering military ties with a new missile test site.

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.