Somalia

Baidoa (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre confidently assured that Ethiopian troops will exit Somalia by the end of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in December 2024. While visiting Baidoa this week, Prime Minister Barre emphasized the government's commitment to national security and guaranteed that al-Shabaab would not be able to capitalize on the troop withdrawal. The federal government has formulated a robust post-ATMIS strategy to secure the nation without foreign military presence.…

Travelers marooned at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's domestic departures area, Sept. 10, 2024. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua) Kenyan aviation employees wrapped up their one-day strike on Wednesday, reaching a return-to-work pact with relevant authorities. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways, and government representatives inked the deal, allowing flight operations to restart across the nation. This strike shut down operations at the country's four primary…

By the end of the year, Warsame unveiled a candid op-ed in the New York Times. He exposed the relentless pressure he faced during the creation of what would become his swan song. Warsame's label nudged him to pivot his lyrics away from his Somali heritage and cater instead to an expanding American audience. He wrote, "For the first time, I felt the affliction of success." The success raised an internal dilemma: "What do you do after success? How do you hold onto it?" Following the op-ed, Warsame quietly vanished from the…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a landmark move to bolster its public health framework, Somalia has rolled out its inaugural national laboratory strategic plan. This initiative aims to sharpen disease diagnostics and enhance the country’s crisis response capabilities. Crafted alongside the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the blueprint seeks to mend gaps in a health system torn apart by decades of strife. This strategic plan, fine-tuned during sessions in Nairobi from August 5-9, 2024, charts out…

MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- On Wednesday, food security experts from Somalia, the United Nations (UN), and assorted global organizations pledged to initiate preemptive measures to counter the effects of extended droughts afflicting East Africa.Gathering at the National Climate Co-Production, Application, and Action Planning forum in Mogadishu, Somalia's bustling capital, the delegates aimed to tackle issues plaguing at-risk communities, especially those residing in drought-prone regions. This summit united climate scholars,…

According to a report, IS-Somalia manages to fund terrorist activities in multiple African nations. Omar Mahmood, a senior researcher with the International Crisis Group (ICG), remarked that IS-Somalia's influence extends beyond Somalia's borders to a greater extent than that of al-Shabab. "Al-Shabab is undeniably a larger menace," conveyed Mahmood. "However, IS-Somalia has endured significant challenges and established itself within the broader Islamic State network, particularly as a crucial financial hub among its…

How Ethiopian-Egypt Tensions Impact ONLF’s Political Legitimacy

Mogadishu (AX) — In a tragic turn of events early Tuesday, at least 15 people lost their lives and over 20 sustained injuries due to renewed clan hostilities in Buq village near Towfiiq in Somalia's Mudug region, local sources confirmed. The violent outbreak, which unfolded at dawn, saw armed factions from two feuding clans clash once again. Despite numerous peace efforts in recent months, tensions have flared repeatedly, frustrating community elders who have endeavored to mediate. The skirmish lasted several hours, and…

ISIS Somalia Branch Bolsters Operations with Gold Sales, Reeling in Up to $6 Million AXADLE, Somalia — Nestled in the rugged northeastern Bari region, the Islamic State's Somalia faction has found a lucrative gig — hawking locally mined gold, according to various accounts. Since 2022, these golden ventures have lined the group's coffers to the tune of an estimated $6 million, the International Crisis Group reports. The gold trade orchestrated by ISIS-Somalia shines a light on not just their economic maneuvers but also their…

‘The development in Mogadishu is promising – but we just want to be part of it.’ MOGADISHU - The city is undergoing a massive construction boom that's reshaping its skyline. However, while investors pour their funds into new apartment complexes and shopping hubs, the wealth gap is also widening dramatically. This is a harsh reality for the hundreds of thousands displaced by war and drought, struggling to eke out an existence. After clan-based violence tore apart the coastal city in the '90s, Mogadishu hit a developmental…