Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) – A heads-up from the Italian Embassy in Nairobi: they've hit the brakes on issuing Schengen visas via their Mogadishu office. Effective September 24, 2024, this abrupt change was relayed through a formal communique to Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The memo clearly states that anyone looking to secure a Schengen visa must now direct their applications to the Italian Embassy in Nairobi. The statement emphasized: "Applicants must directly submit all…

AXADLE, Somalia — Inside the regal setting of the presidential palace, President Said Abdullahi Deni of Northeastern State eagerly met with Denmark's Ambassador Steen Sonne Andersen. Their gathering zeroed in on Somalia's vast political horizons and developmental strides, nodding specifically to Northeastern State’s advancements in democratic governance and active development ventures, as per updates from the presidency. This rendezvous underscored the sustained diplomatic efforts within the region. President Deni shared…

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani had a rendezvous with Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, on a Tuesday. Their tête-à-tête took place during the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

Here's the revised content, incorporating the specified modifications and improvements: --- Primary Conclusion: Amid turbulent conflicts in Sudan and Somalia, Russia and several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, are seizing opportunities to amplify their military presence with local factions. These nations are pushing forward their economic, military, and political goals in the Horn of Africa and the strategic Red Sea region, often at the expense of local populations and American interests. Emerging alliances in…

New York (AX) – Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, had a pivotal conversation with U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Catherine Molly Phee, during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday.During their discussion, Minister Taye underscored Ethiopia's unwavering devotion to fostering lasting peace and security, spotlighting the nation's significant efforts in battling terrorism, particularly within Somalia.The Minister indicated the necessity for thorough…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Auditor General Ahmed Issa Gutale has rallied substantial global support, particularly from Norway and leading audit institutions worldwide, to enhance the country's financial scrutiny. The 'Peer Support Project,' a collaborative initiative involving Somalia and global audit powerhouses like INTOSAI and AFROSAI-E, targets the enhancement of the country's financial oversight. Running through 2024, this project is geared towards solidifying governance through more robust audits and heightened…

Mogadishu (AX) — Jubbaland's security forces have taken down nearly 10 Al-Shabaab rebels in a daring military escapade near Janaay Abdalla, a village lying close to Kismayo, as officials revealed on Tuesday.The skirmish erupted when the Darawish division of Jubbaland launched a proactive assault against suspicious Al-Shabaab operatives, alleged to be devising an offensive on the town. The militants had intentions of recapturing Janaay Abdalla, a place often under siege since they were initially expelled."We managed to…

The North African state didn't detail their aid, but it's geared towards bolstering the Somali army, honoring Egypt's commitments under a military collaboration agreement from August. That deal surfaced after Ethiopia, a landlocked country, planned to officially acknowledge North Western State of Somalia's independence from Somalia, declared 30 years ago, in exchange for port access and a military base on the Gulf of Aden. Somalia, viewing North Western State of Somalia as its own, rejected the offer. Last month, Egypt…

A Toronto-based rapper, known as Top 5, was released after a murder charge against him disintegrated. On Monday, Hassan Ali—alias Top 5—walked free. He had been accused of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Hashim Omar Hashi, a 20-year-old accounting student. On January 31, 2021, around 9 p.m., Hashi was shot multiple times as he tried to enter a parking garage near Jane Street and Falstaff Avenue. Hashi died at the scene. His family and friends remembered him as "humble, kind, and hardworking." Two weeks after…

Though the United Kingdom and Somalia share robust diaspora connections, their trade relationship is surprisingly frail and erratic. A noticeable reflection of this relationship is seen in the Somali federal parliament, where around 15 MPs boast dual British citizenship. Additionally, the UK hosts a significant Somali diaspora—109,000 people identified as Somali in the last census, though some estimates surmise a community of around 500,000. To dive deeper, this article follows up on my earlier work, "Unlocking the Untapped…