Somalia

Mogadishu (AX) - Making headlines once more, entrepreneur Mohamed Abdi Afweyne, known for his infamous involvement in piracy, has finally returned to Mogadishu. After enduring over ten years behind bars in Belgium, following piracy-related charges brought by Belgium's government, his homecoming was monumental. Described as the 'mastermind' behind Somali piracy, Afweyne was caught up in a high-profile arrest in 2013. Belgian authorities orchestrated a cunning sting operation, enticing him under the guise of a documentary…

Mogadishu, Somalia — A new chapter looms on the horizon as Somalia charts a course to revamp its aging penal code, according to Horn Observer. On Thursday, whispers from Onkod radio hinted at big changes amid ongoing critiques about government overreach against dissenters. It's a complex web of power and politics, my friend. During a meeting led by Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre, the Cabinet discussed transformative changes proposed by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The aim? To align Somali laws with…

In a notable twist of events out of Kismayo, tensions have flared between the Jubbaland State cabinet and Somalia’s federal government over serious allegations involving international humanitarian aid. Jubbaland authorities are pointing fingers, saying that aid meant to support their vulnerable communities is being rerouted to bankroll regional conflicts. The unsettling claims were aired during a gathering in Kismayo last Thursday, where it was asserted that instead of reaching those in need, these crucial resources have…

In the bustling heart of Hargeisa, the political landscape sparkled with freshly minted licenses for three key parties—Waddani, Kaah, and Kulmiye. This development unfolded at a spirited gathering in the Ambassador Hotel, set against the backdrop of North Western State of Somalia’s dynamic political scene. A ceremony on Wednesday marked this momentous occasion, graced by none other than North Western State of Somalia’s helmsman, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro. With an air of triumph, the President observed the…

Garowe (AX) — News recently spilled from Northeastern State's corridors of power: a handful of Islamic State foreign operatives have laid down their arms and surrendered to local authorities, as proclaimed by the Information Minister, Mahmoud Aided Dirir, this past Tuesday. These individuals had been tangled in the web of militancy, but now efforts are rolling into motion to send them back to their homelands. Tapping into a global network, authorities are counting on allies like the International Organization for Migration…

AXADLE, Somalia – In a fiery exchange reminiscent of a family dinner gone wrong, Northeastern State's Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ubax Abdirashid, has shot down assertions by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) that aid has been flowing into Northeastern State like water from a broken pipe. With gusto, Minister Ubax slammed the agency for making up tales as if auditioning for a soap opera, leveling accusations of corruption and shady dealings in the aid distribution game. "Aid to Northeastern…

Mogadishu (AX) — Once a lively trade hub bustling with activity, Beledweyne in central Somalia now finds itself caught in a web of insecurity, unlawful checkpoints, and ineffective leadership. This turbulent climate prompted Somalia's federal government to step in, taking charge of security operations in hopes of reviving stability in the beleaguered Hiiraan region. The federal authorities' intervention springs from the violent El Baraf confrontations, where militia attacks claimed the lives of numerous soldiers. Earlier…

Northeastern State is actively joining forces with international bodies like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Red Crescent. Together, they’re crafting plans to send home foreign combatants who lay down their weapons and surrender. Dirir mentioned that while they’re keeping the specifics like timelines and nationalities under wraps, the ultimate goal is clear: these individuals need to return home, and it all has to be orchestrated under proper legal guidelines. "We’ve got foreign fighters in our…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Northeastern State authorities have firmly dismissed allegations from Somalia’s National Disaster Management Agency (SODMA) claiming that they received a hefty 200-ton shipment of food aid in Bosaso, a bustling port in the semi-autonomous region. In a straightforward comeback, Ubah Abdirashid Hirsi, who holds the Minister of Relief and Disaster Management post in Northeastern State, made it crystal clear that the federal government hasn't sent any food aid to them. She didn't mince her words, stating,…

Hey there! In an exciting development, Somali government forces, teaming up with local militias, have successfully reclaimed important territories in Hiiraan from the clutches of Al-Shabaab militants. This victory marks a significant step forward in the nationwide mission to dismantle the hold of this extremist group.Beera Yabaal, Jibibow, Biya Madoobe, and Arooso—these liberated towns along the lifeline that is the Shabelle River—carry immense strategic importance for Al-Shabaab. Nestled between Buulaburte and Halgan…