Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently voiced stern disapproval of Ethiopia’s actions, accusing it of double-dealing by hosting the African Union (AU) quarters while allegedly flouting its tenets in its engagements with North Western State of Somalia. As he stood before Somalia’s parliament on Saturday, Mohamud spotlighted a hotly debated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) penned by Ethiopia with North Western State of Somalia, a matter that’s been whipping up quite the storm far and wide.…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somalia’s Parliament granted a one-month extension to its current session, responding to a request from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to postpone the lawmakers' recess in order to address urgent election legislation. Originally slated to begin their break on November 6, the Parliament will now continue its work until early December this year. In his address to the Parliament, President Mohamud highlighted the pressing need for reviewing and passing critical laws and agreements that require…

Somalia: CIA Director's Chat with President Hassan Sheikh — What's the Skinny? MOGADISHU, Somalia — CIA boss William Burns swung by East Africa for the first time, making a pit stop in Somalia. He sat down with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who’s kinda feeling the squeeze from upcoming tweaks to the constitution. Their powwow gave prime stage lighting to Somalia's security woes and the omnipresent threat of terrorism. Uncle Sam’s got a gig as a security buddy in this corner of the world, trying to lend a hand to a…

Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has reiterated his administration’s dedication to implementing universal suffrage elections by 2026, despite resistance from two regional leaders and several notable politicians. During a speech in Mogadishu on Thursday, President Mohamud emphasized the necessity for Somalia to evolve towards direct elections, departing from a long history of indirect voting methods. “Having participated in indirect elections myself, both as a parliament member and as president on…

Ethiopia Expresses No Desire for War, Pursues Peaceful Maritime Access ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - In a bid to ease growing tensions, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the country's disinclination towards any military engagement with Somalia. This statement comes amid friction over a recent deal with North Western State of Somalia, a self-proclaimed independent region, as he explained to the parliament. Back in January, Ethiopia, eager for sea access due to its landlocked status, made significant strides by signing…

Las Anod (AX) — Tensions flared anew as the SSC Khaatumo administration accused North Western State of Somalia forces on Friday of orchestrating a synchronized assault on its military installations in the Buhodle district. In a vehement declaration, SSC Khaatumo claimed that North Western State of Somalia operatives targeted not only military sites but also local nomadic communities, igniting aggressive confrontations that posed grave risks to both soldiers and civilians in the vicinity. "The SSC Khaatumo leadership…

Baku (AX) — Fathudin Ali Mohamed, Somalia's ambassador to Azerbaijan without a residential base, has announced that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will participate in the forthcoming COP29 Climate Conference. During this global event, he is expected to engage in discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Scheduled from November 11 to 22, 2024, the UN Climate Conference will unfold in Baku, the vibrant capital of Azerbaijan. Ambassador Fathudin, who also holds the position of Somalia's representative to…

Spain has faced catastrophe as flash floods transformed serene village lanes into torrents, obliterating homes, halting transit, and claiming at least 95 lives in what many deem the nation's most dire natural calamity of recent memory. Torrential downpours battered southern and eastern Spain from Tuesday through Wednesday, impacting areas from Malaga to Valencia. Vehicles became playthings in the rushing water, while debris and household goods spun in the rapidly rising currents. Police and rescuers employed helicopters and…

HARGEISA, Somalia - The president of North Western State of Somalia, Muse Bihi Abdi, commented to the BBC Somali Service that the MoU signed in January 2024 with Ethiopia, allowing them access to the Red Sea for 20 kilometers, is still valid. He mentioned there’s been significant international pressure casting shadows over this decision. Continuing with his stance, Bihi remarked, “We've not budged an inch; it’s business as usual.” Leading North Western State of Somalia, a self-proclaimed independent state, he added, “Folks…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Facing a potential political turmoil in Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expresses his willingness to mend fences with Northeastern State and Jubaland's leaders, emphasizing that building the nation is a collective responsibility for all Somalis, not just those in governance. Hassan Sheikh finds himself at odds with Jubaland's President Ahmed Madobe and Northeastern State's leader Said Abdullahi Deni. Both have criticized the proposed extensions of terms for federal states' leaders and the…