Somalia

In the bustling city of Kismayo, the seat of Jubbaland’s interim government in the Lower Jubba region, the stage is set for a dramatic political showdown. Despite a cloud of controversy hanging over the proceedings, the regional presidential election is scheduled for Monday. The central government, however, is up in arms, outright dismissing the election's legitimacy. I ain’t whistling Dixie! The stakes are sky-high as four ambitious contenders throw their hats into the ring. Among the hopefuls, we’ve got the seasoned Ahmed…

In an engaging rendezvous in Ankara, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Somalia's Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur convened to amplify military and security cooperation between their two nations. Their conversation revolved around supercharging their collective endeavors in defense and counterterrorism, directly tackling the regional security hurdles, notably Somalia’s ongoing tussle with Al-Shabaab. A lot of time was also spent tossing ideas for extending ties in trade, energy, and humanitarian assistance.…

Over the course of Barack Obama's presidency, roughly 54,000 Somali refugees found new homes in the United States, a far cry from the widely circulated but inaccurate claim that he relocated 70,000 Somalis to Minnesota. Contrary to some eyebrow-raising social media posts, this was not a cunning plan to manipulate future elections in favor of Ilhan Omar, the Somali-American Congresswoman representing Minnesota. Around the time of the U.S. presidential election on November 5th, messages floating around Facebook declared,…

Mogadishu finds itself once again in the international spotlight as the rift between Somalia's Federal Government and Jubaland State deepens. This escalation comes on the heels of the latest gathering of the National Consultative Council (NCC), leaving global allies on tenterhooks. Friends of Somalia from around the globe, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and major players like the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, have made their concerns known: "We demand a return to…

In the wake of tumultuous strife on Sunday, an alarming count of at least 35 individuals lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, as reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry the following Monday. To date, the grim tally has reached an unsettling 3,516 fatalities since the conflict flared up last year. Moreover, the ministry highlighted that the recent clashes have left 143 more Lebanese nursing wounds, contributing to a significant total of 14,929 injured individuals since the onset of tensions in October…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a generous gesture, Japan has equipped Somalia's Police Force's Mine Action Unit with essential gear aimed at boosting their ability to spot and defuse bombs, a move aimed at bolstering safety and security across the nation.On a bustling Thursday in Mogadishu, Somali Police Chief Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi accepted the donated arsenals and praised Japan's significant contribution. "We cannot thank Japan enough for providing this crucial support," he expressed. "This donation is a fundamental…

In Malawi, Dzaleka—the nation’s sole refugee settlement—has begun to receive financial support to alleviate the repercussions of the El Niño weather phenomenon. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of KfW Development Bank and the African Risk Capacity Group, these insurance payouts total nearly U.S.$408,000. This initiative came to fruition after the UN refugee agency in Malawi utilized the group’s innovative Replica program. Essentially, this program allows humanitarian organizations to secure insurance on behalf of…

Mogadishu (AX) — Get ready, folks! The Banadir region’s two-decade-long dream of conducting one-person, one-vote elections is finally taking shape, with the spotlight set on 2026. Deputy Commissioner of Security and Politics, Mohamed Ahmed Diriye Yabooh, dished out some timely info. In a buzzing address from Mogadishu on Thursday, Yabooh shared that the wheels are in motion for a transformative election. From pinpointing where those ballot boxes will stand to amping up the capital's security, actions speak louder than…

In the hubbub of Mogadishu, news has just dropped that Somalia’s cabinet decided to lift the ban on chemical fertilizers. This move aims to cranking up efficiency in agriculture, tackling food shortages, and minimizing how climate change has been throwing curveballs at farming in the region. Announced with a bit of fanfare on Thursday, this policy is a linchpin in the government's plan to breathe new life into the agriculture sector. This sector, by the way, is the bread and butter for over 70% of the people, plus it makes…

Mogadishu (AX) — On the 21st of November, Somalia celebrated its cherished Teachers' Day. The affair was headlined by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who highlighted the ongoing governmental efforts to tackle the educational sector's roadblocks. President Mohamud, communicating with the nation via a televised speech, showered teachers with praise, describing them as the "backbone of Somali society." He poignantly remarked, "While our soldiers secure the present, it is our…