Somalia

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump repeatedly called Somali immigrants in the United States “garbage” during a televised Cabinet meeting, sharpening years of incendiary rhetoric on immigration and drawing swift condemnation at home and abroad. In the meeting’s two-minute finale Tuesday, Trump said four times in seven seconds that “Somali immigrants are garbage,” then added five times, “We don’t want ’em in our country.” He continued: “Let ’em go back to where they came from and fix it.” Cabinet members applauded. Vice…

Fresh Clashes Erupt Between M23 Rebels and Congolese Troops Intense fighting has broken out once again in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between M23 rebels and government forces, despite recent peace agreements. The renewed violence has raised concerns over the stability in the region. Conflicts began early Tuesday morning in South Kivu province. The fighting has disrupted local communities, affecting schools and businesses. Accusations fly between the Congolese government and M23 rebels over ceasefire…

Two killed as Borama protests over Xeer Ciise commemoration turn deadly North Western State of Somalia police urge calm after Saylac book event triggers unrest; accusations of excessive force mount BORAMA, North Western State of Somalia — Two young men were killed and several others injured as protests over a planned commemoration of the Xeer Ciise book in Saylac escalated in Borama from late Thursday into Friday, prompting a heightened security deployment and appeals for calm from authorities. The Xeer Ciise refers to the…

Democrats condemn Trump’s remarks about Somali Americans as ‘xenophobic,’ warn rhetoric aids extremists Senior Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday condemned President Donald Trump’s strongly derogatory comments about Somali Americans and Somalia, calling the remarks “xenophobic and unacceptable” and warning they could endanger U.S. interests. In a joint statement, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Sen. Cory Booker said Trump’s rhetoric targeted Somali Americans, including immigrants and refugees,…

Somalia’s Cash Pipeline: Billions in Aid, Little Change at Home as Trust Deficit Deepens MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia sits at the center of a paradox. The country attracts substantial external finance — about $4.2 billion in annual inflows by one senior official’s estimate — yet citizens still face delayed salaries, frayed services and scarce formal jobs. As donors recalibrate their risk exposure and the government insists its systems are improving, a widening trust deficit is draining resources, slowing delivery and…

Army raids deal major blow to al-Shabab in central Somalia GALGADUUD, Somalia — Somali government forces say they destroyed al-Shabab hideouts and secured a key roadway during an operation in central Somalia, marking a fresh setback for the extremist group as the army intensifies its campaign across Galmudug state. Troops from the Somali National Army’s 242nd Battalion led the raid along the corridor between Cali Yabaal and the Geeriile junction, targeting what officials described as a supply store and shelters used by the…

Chilling Case in Nairobi: Man Kills Girlfriend, Boils Her Body and Dumps Remains at Cemetery NAIROBI, Kenya — A Nairobi court on Wednesday heard graphic testimony as prosecutors alleged that a man killed his girlfriend, mutilated and boiled her body and disposed of the remains at a city cemetery in an effort to conceal a series of earlier murders. Prosecutors said Hashim Dagane Muhumed, also known as Hashim Mohamed Khalif, killed his girlfriend, identified as Deka Abdi Noor Gorane, on the night of Oct. 29–30, 2024, at Valley…

Puntland State lawmakers demand answers over unpaid salaries despite $300M-plus 2026 budget GAROWE, Somalia — Puntland State state lawmakers on Friday pressed the government to explain why civil servants have received only three months of pay this year, even as parliament approved a 2026 budget topping $300 million. During a contentious session in Garowe, members of the Puntland State State of Somalia Parliament called it unacceptable that budgets are passed annually but not fully executed. Lawmakers demanded a transparent…

Somalis among those arrested in Minneapolis immigration operation, DHS says MINNEAPOLIS — People of Somali origin are among those arrested in a Minneapolis immigration crackdown, federal officials said Thursday, days after President Donald Trump used derogatory language about Somali immigrants and said he wanted them sent “back to where they came from.” The Department of Homeland Security said the Minneapolis arrests began Monday, offering its first statement on the operation. Officials did not provide a total number of…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday implicitly rebuked U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Somalia “has no functioning government,” urging foreign partners to judge the country by its present progress rather than its past chaos. Speaking at the Leadership and Innovation Forum, Mohamud said many outside actors still default to a narrative of failure that no longer reflects Somalia’s current trajectory. “Many people still look down on us, judging Somalia only by what happened before and…