Somalia

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — "The Biden administration just rolled out fresh rules to tackle the flood of bargain-basement shipments from China, especially targeting online retail behemoths Shein and Temu," the Associated Press reported. This new directive sets its sights on closing gaps in the "de minimis" exemption, which currently allows goods under $800 to bypass U.S. tariffs and extra fees. The changes could profoundly affect Chinese e-commerce firms banking on low-cost, direct-to-consumer shipping to snag a foothold in the…

Somalia's Tough Choices: Rebel Support or Diplomatic Embrace? NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia and Ethiopia have been navigating a venomous spat that, if left unchecked, could unleash chaos in the Horn of Africa, potentially allowing terrorist factions to slip through the cracks. Somalia claims Ethiopia has overstepped its territorial bounds by striking a deal with Somaliland, a self-proclaimed autonomous region of Somalia. According to the agreement, Ethiopia secures 20 kilometers of Red Sea access to erect a military base and…

FILE - Nebiyu Tedla, Ethiopia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union, speaks at a press conference in Addis Ababa. Another day in Mogadishu (AX) – Ethiopia's diplomat, Nebiyu Tedla, had a few choice words for recent statements made by Somalia's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. Tedla called Fiqi's warning about Somalia potentially aligning with Ethiopian opposition factions, including the TPLF, downright "ridiculous." This friction emerged after Ethiopia cozied up to Somaliland, an autonomous region…

Al-Shabaab's Big Move on Key Military Base North of Kismayo KISMAYO, Somalia — Just when dawn was cracking open Sunday, the militant group Al-Shabaab made a brazen move on a military outpost in Jana Abdalle, a settlement about 60 kilometers north of Kismayo, the bustling capital of Somalia's Lower Juba region. The assailants met their match as the Jubaland regional forces mounted a formidable defense, culminating in a fierce showdown that left casualties in its wake. Reports from the ground detail that the hostilities…

Somalia's foreign minister has hinted at backing Ethiopian rebels if Ethiopia proceeds with its accord with Somaliland. Abdi Moalim Fiqi responded on Universal TV on September 12. "Somalia may consider engaging with armed factions opposing the Ethiopian regime. It's an open avenue if Ethiopia keeps pushing," said Fiqi. He emphasized that nothing drastic has occurred yet. "We're not at that stage, but the option is open. If they persist with hostility and that dubious agreement, that’s a path we could take — to support,…

The Egyptian bigwigs also tuned into what Afwerki had to say about the Red Sea shenanigans. Their focus was on laying the groundwork to get maritime shenanigans back to normal and boost international trade through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. They also chewed the fat on what's popping in the Horn of Africa and the hurdles the region's hopping over, along with brainstorming ways to jazz up security and peace.This chat comes right as Somalia is embroiled in a tiff with Ethiopia. The drama revolves around Ethiopia's role in the…

Beledweyne (AX) — On Sunday, Ma'awisley warriors launched a focused offensive against Al-Shabaab militants in Hiiraan region, specifically eyeing zones close to the Halgan district. This assault homed in on spots along the Shabelle River, purportedly where Al-Shabaab fighters regrouped after crossing from the west.

Mogadishu (AX) — In the heart of Adado, Hawo Mahamud Farah, better known as Hawo Jookar, shattered barriers by steering a Bajaj (auto-rickshaw) through the town's lively streets. Not only did she face the grim realities of societal backlash and road hazards, but she did so to ensure a stable life for her five children, daring to defy entrenched gender expectations.

Galkayo, Somalia – Over the last couple of days, Presidents Said Abdullahi Deni of Northeastern State and Ahmed Abdi Karie (Qoorqoor) from Galmudug came together in Galkayo.

Reports swirling on social media, with sources converging from within Mogadishu, hint that the Hassan Sheikh Mohamud administration is adopting a more assertive position against Ethiopia. They're even making territorial claims on the Ogaden region, suggesting it as part of Somalia.