Somalia

Somalia's Water Crisis: A Humanitarian Challenge Amid Funding Shortfalls In the heart of Somalia, where the wet seasons seem a distant memory and the land bears the scars of harsh climate and conflict, a silent crisis is unfolding. Amidst the dusty roads and barren landscapes, hundreds of thousands of people are battling a new adversary: the acute scarcity of safe water. This reality has been starkly highlighted by the Norwegian Refugee Council's recent warnings, underscoring the desperate situation faced by many Somalis.…

Press Freedom Under Siege in Somalia In the bustling streets of Mogadishu, a city ever-recovering from decades of turmoil, the challenging landscape for journalists like Omar Yusuf Mohamed reveals an increasingly disturbing pattern. On August 18, 2025, Omar, a dedicated journalist with Himilo Somali TV, found himself at the center of an unsettling episode that underscores the precarious nature of press freedom in Somalia. A Routine Stop Gone Awry As dusk fell in the Dharkeenley district, Omar was traveling in a tuktuk…

Change at the Helm: Mohamed Ali Nur Takes Over Mogadishu Port Amid Controversies and Challenges In a significant administrative shake-up in Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur as the new Manager of Mogadishu Port. This strategic decision comes amidst swirling allegations and complex dynamics that have long surrounded the port, a critical lifeline and revenue source for the nation. A New Chapter for 'Ameriko' Mohamed Ali Nur, widely known by his nickname "Ameriko," steps into…

Freedom of the Press Under Threat in Somalia's Changing Political Landscape In the arid landscape of Somalia, amid the turbulent winds of political change, journalists are facing mounting pressures as they report on sensitive issues affecting their communities. Journalists Caught in the Crossfire Mohamud Nadif Shire, a popular journalist in Puntland, found himself in a precarious situation. His work, which highlighted the intricacies of Puntland’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations, drew the attention of the Puntland…

Somalia at a Crossroads: Navigating Political Turbulence and Insurgency MOGADISHU, Somalia—As 2025 unfolds, Somalia finds itself entangled in a complex web of political maneuvering, security challenges, and external interventions. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is striving to consolidate power amid rising tensions with federal states and an enduring threat from the al-Shabab insurgency. These dynamics place Somalia once again at a critical juncture, balancing between fragile progress and significant risks. Federal Power…

The Unheard Voices: A Journey of Resilience in Somalia's Education Landscape A distant memory merges with the present in Garowe, Somalia, where the relentless echo of a past struggle meets future hope. Zakaria Said Yusuf, education activist and advocate for persons with disabilities, embodies this narrative. In a country still recovering from the shadows of civil unrest, Zakaria offers a testament to how local initiatives can bridge the gap between international conventions and real-world impact. A Path Forged in Silence…

Under Siege: Survival and Resilience in Xarardheere In the arid heart of Somalia's Mudug region, a dramatic struggle for survival is unfolding in Xarardheere. The strategic coastal town has become a flashpoint of conflict, caught in the crosshairs of Al-Shabaab militants and local clan militias. As the standard-bearers of tradition and resilience, the elders of Xarardheere now find themselves facing an increasingly dire predicament. An Encircled Town Xarardheere, a town once pulsating with trade and agriculture, is now…

The Hidden Strain in Oromia: Life Amidst Conflict and Isolation Deep in Ethiopia's Oromia region, the silent suffering of communities caught in the crossfire of conflict is a reality that rarely makes international headlines. Yet for those living in remote areas like Arma Gunfi, the violence has brought life to a standstill, transforming daily existence into a struggle for survival. Remote and Isolated: The Village of Arma Gunfi Asiya Abdela, a farmer in Arma Gunfi, sits patiently at the Gunfi primary health care centre…

Press Freedom in Peril: Somali Journalists Face Rising Threats Amid Political Turmoil In the swirling sands of Mogadishu, where the rhythmic hum of daily life is frequently interrupted by political strife, the role of journalists garners both reverence and apprehension. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has voiced strong condemnation following a series of aggressive attacks targeting journalists, underscoring the perils faced by those who dare to illuminate the shadows of conflict. The Day of Reckoning On August 14,…

markdown Chaos and Controversy: Land Eviction Sparks Deadly Clashes in Mogadishu On August 14, 2025, Mogadishu witnessed a grim confrontation that left at least eight people dead, including an elderly woman, in the dense Horseed neighborhood. The violence broke out as Haramcad police units, backed by intelligence and military-police forces, clashed with military personnel opposing an eviction operation. Clash Over a Piece of History The dispute erupted over a parcel of land near the Horseed football stadium, a site with…