Somalia

"Slam-dunk diplomacy," was Ambassador Waern's take on Sweden's strategy in teaming up with Somalia to ensure that those being sent back home experience a reentrance into society that’s not just about survival but thriving as humans. This friendly pact focuses not only on keeping tabs on folks returning but also ensuring they don't wind up in the clutches of radical groups. It’s all part of Sweden’s broader game plan to tackle terrorism and bump up international safety. Now, if we rewind a bit to 2016, a good chunk of…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army, with precise air support from U.S. forces, took down a minimum of ten Al-Shabaab militants in a planned assault around the Berhani region, approximately 35 kilometers from Kismayo, according to security insiders on Sunday. The collaborative mission was executed to thwart an impending Al-Shabaab offensive, as insiders revealed. Intelligence reports identified this outpost as a staging ground for their forthcoming attacks on Somali military targets. “This strike signals to…

Hargeisa (AX) – The newly elected government of North Western State of Somalia is revisiting a scrapped Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) made by its predecessors with Ethiopia, aiming to align the agreement more closely with North Western State of Somalia's national priorities. Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden, who hasn't minced words critiquing the deal, called it unclear and perplexing. "There’s a discrepancy between Ethiopia's narrative and North Western State of Somalia's take on matters," Aden noted while…

Burundi, a country known for its significant role in the African Union's peacekeeping missions in Somalia, has made the decision to withdraw from the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) due to disagreements regarding troop numbers. This withdrawal marks a notable shift, especially considering Burundi's longstanding commitment to stabilizing the region over the past 17 years. The crux of the issue lies in the allocation of troops; Somalia proposed deploying just 1,041 soldiers from Burundi, a figure that the…

Amid the vibrant beats of traditional Somali rhythms, an enthralling performance unfolds, knitting songs, dances, and tales into a tapestry that celebrates the pivotal roles of women and the youth in Somali culture. The narrative weaves together a deep quest for fairness and equity. "Being Somali in today's world means grappling to find a balance," some might say. "Our women, who should stand shoulder to shoulder with men, often find themselves sidelined," echoes the sentiment of many. Their rights? Their freedoms?…

On March 7, 2024, Somalia and Türkiye inked a game-changing deal to jointly delve into the depths of offshore oil and natural gas reserves. This agreement isn't just about drilling; it stretches its tentacles into the transportation, distribution, and refining of these precious resources, spanning over projects both on terra firma and the vast, deep blue seas. Come October 25, Türkiye's energy leviathan, TPAO, teamed up with the Somali Petroleum Authority (SPA). The collaboration isn't landlocked; rather, it's an…

BOSASO, Somalia (AXADLE) – "Puntland is rolling up its sleeves," they say, focusing its efforts on investigating ISIS's sneaky dealings with the gold hidden in the rugged stretches of the Bari region. Apparently, this treasure hunt is bankrolling their terrifying escapades there. Just last Monday, Puntland security forces were busy fending off an ISIS stunt—an audacious suicide car bomb party, swiftly followed by a hardcore gunfight raid at the army camp in Dharjaalle, nestled in the remote beauty of the Bari region. The…

In the bustling city of Mogadishu, nestled in the heart of Somalia, there's a storm brewing—a political storm that has stirred the ire of some notable figures in the region. Picture former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame standing together, hands raised in protest. They're rallying against something that smacks of injustice: the government’s alleged auctioning of public lands. "Public lands aren't just pieces of dirt to buy and sell like trinkets at a…

Unrest and Uncertainty in Erigabo: Clan Conflict Escalates Trouble has been brewing in the northern Sanaag region, with tensions in Erigabo intensifying after the Warsangeli clan pointed fingers at North Western State of Somalia and rival factions for stoking the flames of conflict. The Warsangeli have accused their adversaries of exacerbating the ongoing turmoil, an issue that has gripped the area and caused significant upheaval. After gathering for a clan conference in the quaint town of El Buh, the Warsangeli clan issued…

In the green fields of Balad Hawo, Somalia, free education is a distant dream for many. While education is deemed a basic right for everyone, a gaping void in this promise remains, especially when it comes to giving girls the same educational opportunities as boys. With gender disparities starkly visible, the educational landscape appears uneven, like a seesaw tilted on one side. The cold, hard truth of the matter is that Somali girls face towering obstacles in their educational journey. Numbers from 2022 paint a vivid…