Somalia

The heart of East Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently played host to an assembly of policymakers and tech magnates from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Countries like Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda found themselves at the epicenter of an evolving dialogue on Internet development. Can you imagine the excitement of convergence around such pivotal topics of digital transformation, infrastructure, and regional integration? The event attracted a varied audience of 250…

In a development tugging at the heartstrings of an international audience, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced an unexpected move on Tuesday. What might this mean for the fragile peace straining under the weight of history and bloodshed? Under the terms of a recently brokered ceasefire and prisoner exchange pact with Israel, Hamas intends to release six living Israeli detainees along with the remains of four hostages within the week. “The arrangement stipulates that the remaining six living Israeli captives…

In the remote and arid expanses of Mandera County, an air of tension hangs heavily over the desolate landscape. A seemingly ordinary morning was disrupted by an alarming development: detectives had detained two individuals linked to an unsettling conspiracy. Their objective? To abduct foreigners engaged in a pivotal government project, which, ironically, promises to bring much-needed infrastructure improvements to this marginalised region. The two men, as disclosed by Mandera County Criminal Investigations Officer Pius…

Mogadishu (AX) – At the heart of a bustling Mogadishu, a significant meeting unfolded on Tuesday. Somali Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Mohamud Adan Gesod, welcomed Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, into a dialogue centered on the future of Somali ports—a future intricately tied to the narrative of rebuilding and hope. How many times has the world heard tales of reconstruction in post-conflict zones? Yet here it was, raw and earnest, unfolding in the flesh, where rebuilding isn’t just about bricks…

Somalia Steps Towards Global Trade Recognition Mogadishu (AX) — A significant stride has been taken in Somalia's ambitious journey towards economic integration. On a crisp Tuesday morning in Geneva, the Somali federal government delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, engaged in a pivotal meeting with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, setting the wheels in motion for Somalia's accession to the esteemed global trade body. The delegation's…

Garowe (AX) – On a brisk Tuesday morning, a shadowy group of Ethiopian migrants found themselves in the firm grasp of Northeastern State's security forces, ingeniously crossing the formidable border into Somalia. In a swift and efficient maneuver, these individuals were sent back whence they came, to their homeland of Ethiopia. The crackdown was more than just an isolated event. "One way or another, we will tackle these smuggling networks head-on," declared a senior military figure, whose words carried the solemn weight of…

In the pulsating final moments of a game that will long be etched into football folklore, Alphonso Davies stood poised under the floodlights of the Allianz Arena. It was the UEFA Champions League playoff second leg, where Bayern Munich faced Celtic FC on a brisk February evening in 2025. Davies' last-gasp equalizer catapulted Bayern Munich to a 3-2 aggregate triumph, smashing Celtic's dreams of advancing further. Can one single moment capture the tensions of a full game? Sometimes, yes. This was one of those instances.…

BOSASO, Somalia - The town of Bosaso, nestled in the arid expanse of Somalia's Northeastern State region, has long endured the ominous shadow of militant threats. But in a twist that locals consider a watershed moment, the dragnet has tightened around notorious Islamic State (Daesh) members accused of criminal activities that have plagued this area. Colonel Abdikadir Jama Dirir, the steely-eyed Bari region Police Commander, revealed to reporters on a brisk Wednesday morning how the orchestrated sweep played out.…

On a somber Monday, news emerged of a decisive U.S. airstrike that eliminated 16 individuals connected to the Islamic State in the rugged terrains of northern Somalia. Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, a spokesperson for Northeastern State's security operations, divulged these details in a candid conversation with VOA's Somali Service. "Our cooperative efforts with international security partners culminated in a strike that decimated not only 16 militants but also two prominent bomb-makers. A crucial bomb factory met…

Mogadishu (AX) – With an air of both determination and urgency, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stepped up to address the nation with a poignant message: taxes matter. In a country grappling with financial instability, his administration is poised to launch a far-reaching tax collection initiative in the days to come. The message was clear as he spoke to the people of Mogadishu on Monday. President Mohamud extended an appeal, perhaps even a plea, for cooperation, underscoring a fundamental tenet of civic duty—the…