On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sounded the alarm about Daesh/ISIS leveraging ongoing strife in the Middle East to amplify their grip. He beckoned international allies to ramp up security efforts and maintain regional stability."We are in a period of significant upheaval in the Middle East," Blinken proclaimed during the inauguration of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS ministerial gathering. "It's critical, now more than ever, to bolster our measures to safeguard and stabilize, particularly in Iraq and…

Somali Telecom Firms Shine in Crisis Handling with Cutting-Edge Alert Systems NAIROBI, Kenya - In the evolving sphere of emergency responses, Somalia's telecom industry has emerged as a key player through cutting-edge warning systems. This was underscored at the National Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on the National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP) held in Nairobi, Kenya. From September 23 to 27, a unified initiative brought together Somalia's National Communications Authority (NCA), the International…

US Raises Alarm Over Growing Islamic State in Northern Somalia PENTAGON — The Islamic State's presence in Somalia has surged almost twofold over the past year, according to the chief of U.S. Africa Command. “Northern Somalia's situation is increasingly worrisome with ISIS numbers on the rise,” Gen. Michael Langley, AFRICOM commander, shared in an exclusive with VOA. While Langley refrained from specifying the exact number of fighters, he noted the group's size had approximately "doubled" in the last…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a tragic Sunday, a young girl named Maryan Mahad Ado, just five years old, met a harrowing end after being thrown from a five-story building in Mogadishu's Abdiaziz District. Authorities have confirmed that a number of arrests have been made in connection with this heartbreaking incident. Maryan's family shared the devastating news that she passed away on Monday morning, mere hours after the incident. Her mother revealed that Maryan had been on her way home from Quranic school when she was thrown from…

Mogadishu (AX) – Djibouti's intriguing suggestion as a potential remedy for the ongoing diplomatic rift between Somalia and Ethiopia remains unanswered by Ethiopia, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf disclosed. In a tête-à-tête with VOA, Youssouf shared that the ball is still in Ethiopia’s court regarding the management and use of the Tojorah port, nestled in Djibouti's northern expanse. This port has been proposed by Djibouti as an alternate maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia, heavily dependent on…

The initiatory step in this journey is the submission of a formal motion by a coalition of MPs, igniting spirited debate in Somalia's Parliament. Take the case of Foreign Minister Ahmed Macalin Fiqi—over 46 MPs have rallied, accusing him of neglecting Somalia's sovereignty amid a tense diplomatic tussle with Ethiopia. They're also up in arms about a Somali company's exclusion from the 2025 Japan trade expo, where an Italian-owned business snagged a spot instead. MP Jeesoow, among the most ardent advocates for the motion,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Sub-Saharan Africa's arms trade is witnessing a seismic shift. Traditional suppliers, Russia for example, are losing their stronghold to rising competitors like China and Turkey. A fresh series of reports from the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), titled "Importing (In)security: The Evolving Arms Trade in Sub-Saharan Africa," outlines this transformation, spotlighting China as a burgeoning force in the region's arms market.In a significant shift, many Sub-Saharan African countries…

At a heartfelt farewell ceremony, AFAD's chief Okay Memis shared that since 2016, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s guidance, over 60,000 tons of aid have been sent to East Africa from Türkiye, a region often battered by natural calamities like drought, famine, floods, and cyclones. Memis underscored Türkiye’s unwavering dedication to assisting those in need, both domestically and internationally, shining a light on the invaluable efforts of non-profits and generous individuals. Post-speeches, a vessel brimming with…

You can't begin to fathom the heartache of not being able to support your loved ones, watching them struggle while you feel utterly powerless. It was terrifying when I thought I had a life-threatening illness that made me fear for my life. But things took a different turn. With the medication, I'm feeling hale and hearty. - Abdi Mohamed, MSF patient. Introducing this innovative treatment regimen is particularly crucial in conflict-ridden countries like Somalia, where inadequate access to healthcare makes effective treatment…

Hargeisa (AX) — On Monday, North Western State of Somalia security forces released lawmaker Mohamed Abiib Yusuf, only hours after the Supreme Court declared his arrest unlawful and ordered his immediate release from Mandera prison. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hussein Mirre Giirre, confirmed Abiib's release to the press, attributing the decision to the court's ruling. After spending 30 days in detention, the lawmaker shared on his Facebook page: "I can attest to regaining my freedom. Thank you to…