Somalia

NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman addressed the press, flanked by fellow journalists, during a significant event dedicated to the International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists in Mogadishu. The Somali government, alongside various diplomats stationed in the country, has made a united plea for enhanced safety measures for media professionals. This initiative comes as they vow to create a more secure atmosphere for journalists working within the nation. During the event, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, the…

Mogadishu (AX) — The bicameral legislature of Somalia has greenlit a substantial budget of $1.36 billion for the fiscal year 2025, reflecting a robust increase of 24.4% over the previous year. This decision came during a parliamentary session held on Monday in the capital, Mogadishu. In attendance were 143 Members of Parliament and 32 senators. The First Deputy Speaker of the People's Assembly, Saadiya Yasin Haji Samatar, confirmed that an overwhelming majority of 172 lawmakers backed the budget, with only two MPs voting…

Jubaland's Chief Bids Federal MPs for Powwow in Kismayo Amid Turmoil KISMAYO, Somalia — Ahmed Madobe, the head honcho of Jubaland, has beckoned federal lawmakers tied to Jubaland to huddle up in Kismayo to chat about the country’s stormy political scene. What set this in motion? Well, two bigwigs from Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's team, both hailing from Jubaland, decided to call it quits. Their departures are stirring the pot, showing the rising tension between the big shots in the federal government and the local…

Egyptian Warship Drops Anchor in Mogadishu with Third Batch of Arms amid Regional Tug-of-War MOGADISHU, Somalia — On Sunday, an Egyptian naval ship berthed in Mogadishu. This marks the third delivery of arms amidst escalating local and international tensions. Fraught diplomatic relations with Ethiopia have influenced this maritime maneuver. Upon arrival, the military hardware was quickly unloaded at the bustling port, signaling Egypt’s ongoing commitment to bolster Somalia’s defense capabilities. This alliance aims to…

FILE PHOTOA mortar round launched by al-Shabab struck a base inside the confines of Mogadishu’s international airport on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of two African Union soldiers and injuring another.Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, expressed deep condemnation for the assault on the Halane Base Camp. Speaking on behalf of ATMIS, he noted, “This brutal attack will not dissuade us or the…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Sunday, the Somali Deputy Minister of Education, Ahmed Isman Ibrahim Daqare, alongside Abdirashid Jire Qalinle, Minister of State for Planning and International Cooperation, tendered their resignations due to the federal government's intentions to challenge certain regional authorities. Qalinle shared his apprehensions regarding what he perceives as discriminatory actions by the federal government against the regional governments of Jubbaland, Northeastern State, and SSC Khatumo. Daqare, in a similar…

**Kismayo (AX)** — Ahmed Madobe, the President of Jubbaland State, has extended an invitation to the federal lawmakers from Jubbaland for a consultation gathering in Kismayo. This invitation follows a similar summons from the Northeastern State administration for its own federal parliamentary representatives. In a letter dispatched on Sunday from the Office of the Jubbaland President, officials called upon members from both legislative Houses to assemble in Kismayo, the provisional capital, between November 8 and 11. The…

Qatar Charity (QC) has successfully drilled two artesian wells in the bustling villages of Kalyak and Oshoti, nestled in the Warshiekh region of central Somalia. This significant development stands to benefit nearly 10,000 local residents who have grappled with immense challenges in accessing clean water. Prior to the inauguration of these wells, the community in Kalyak trudged 10 kilometers to gather water, while Oshoti's residents journeyed 7 kilometers. These arduous treks not only disrupted daily routines but also…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The usual pandemonium ensued in Somalia's parliament as contentious debates over electoral reforms took center stage. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud requested lawmakers postpone their break to focus on the upcoming electoral process. Hassan Sheikh, returning for a second term, wants to adjust key electoral guidelines for a long-term shift. He aims to introduce universal suffrage, allowing every citizen to vote. Recognizing the pressing need for these reforms, Hassan Sheikh urged legislators to work…

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) - In a grim assault on Sunday, a barrage of mortar fire claimed the lives of multiple people, among them were international staff of the UN, at the Halane Base Camp, a fortress-like installation nestled in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. Strategically positioned close to the Mogadishu airport within the confines of Somalia's guarded "green zone," Halane Base Camp provides shelter for UN facilities, the African Union's stronghold, and foreign embassies. In the wee hours, when dawn barely peeked, a…