Somalia

A Tragedy Unveils Darfur’s Hidden Struggles: A Landslide in the Marrah Mountains The serene beauty of Sudan’s Marrah Mountains shattered violently on Sunday when a massive landslide claimed the lives of an estimated 1,000 residents in the village of Tarasin. As the dust settles, a poignant silence reverberates through the valleys—a stark reminder of the region’s fragile state amidst natural and human-made calamities. A Village Buried Following relentless rains, the landslide swept through Tarasin, reducing homes to…

Leadership Under Scrutiny: The Challenges Facing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - Critics are intensifying their scrutiny of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, with voices from Jubaland accusing him of neglecting the fight against militant groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS, potentially putting the nation in a vulnerable position. In a region where security is pivotal, the feeling of discontent seems to resonate widely, as political factions rally against what they characterize as ineffective governance. A…

Prominent elder slain in Somalia’s Gedo region as tensions simmer along border Attack in Beled Hawo A prominent community elder and local council member was shot dead late Monday in Beled Hawo, a hard-to-govern border town in Somalia’s Gedo region where political strain and armed groups have frayed the edges of daily life. Residents identified the victim as Aden Mohamud Buurdhubo, a respected figure known for mediating disputes and pushing for calm in a place that often runs on uneasy truces. Gunmen opened fire under cover…

In the Shadows of Conflict: Somalia's Ongoing Battle Against Terrorism As the sun rises over the arid landscapes of Somalia, a dual battle rages on—one against the unforgiving elements of nature and the other against the relentless tide of terrorism. The struggle to fortify this fragile nation against factions like Al-Shabaab and ISIS has intensified, drawing not just the resolve of local forces but also the strategic intervention of international allies, particularly the United States. Demonstrating Resilience The U.S.…

Somali police publicly burn 250 cartons of seized drugs in Mogadishu, widening a high-stakes crackdown Somali authorities burned 250 cartons of seized drugs in Mogadishu on Tuesday, a public destruction meant to send an unmistakable message: the country’s ports, airports and border crossings are being watched, and trafficking will be met with the full force of the law. The haul was confiscated at Mogadishu Port and Aden Adde International Airport after weeks of heightened surveillance, police said. The Banadir Regional…

A Fragile Victory: Abdukadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Re-elected Amid Controversy in Northeast Somalia In a politically charged atmosphere marked by signs of corruption and dissent, Abdukadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, known as "Firdhiye," has been re-elected as the president of the newly minted Northeast State of Somalia. The election, conducted on August 30 in Laascaanood, was a spectacle of political maneuvering that highlighted the deep-seated issues facing Somalia as it seeks stability and representation amid competing clan interests and…

Somalia's Jubaland State Raises Alarm: A Call for Unity in Troubling Times KISMAYO, Somalia — In a bold and critical statement that echoes through the tumultuous landscape of Somalia's politics, the Jubaland state has voiced increasing concern regarding what it describes as the federal government's abandonment of pivotal national priorities, namely the fight against al-Shabaab militants and the promotion of national unity. As Somalia grapples with the weight of insecurity, economic struggles, and deepening political…

Analysis: A New Chapter in Las Anod Tests Somalia’s Fragile Federalism In the dust-brown city of Las Anod, the center of a long-contested patch of northern Somalia, a political ceremony is poised to send a message that carries well beyond the city’s edge. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre are expected to attend the swearing-in of Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Cali—widely known as Firdhiye—as president of the newly formed Northeastern Somali administration. The move signals not only the…

The Rising Tensions in Mandera: A Call for Action Against Alleged Jubaland Forces MANDERA, Kenya - The quiet, arid landscape of Mandera is facing a storm of accusations and political demands, thrusting this northern Kenyan county into the global spotlight. Reports of alleged Jubaland forces operating within its borders have ignited a political firestorm, pushing the Kenyan government into a crucible of national security and sovereignty challenges. The urgency is palpable as local and national figures call for decisive…

Analysis: Jubbaland’s Broadside Against Mogadishu Exposes Somalia’s Uneasy Balancing Act Somalia’s fragile political compact wobbled again this week as the Jubbaland regional administration publicly accused the federal government in Mogadishu of drifting from core national priorities, including the campaign against al-Shabaab and the country’s hard-won political unity. In a blunt statement issued Monday, Jubbaland warned that “short-term political interests” were eroding trust and urged a return to consensus politics. “The…