Somalia

On a sunny Thursday morning in Ankara, against the backdrop of the stately Presidential Palace, the wheels of international diplomacy turned as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sat down for a pivotal meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Their agenda was clear: to renew and deepen the strategic partnership that has been the bedrock of their nations' friendship, focusing on security, counterterrorism, and broader developmental collaboration. But what does this partnership truly signify, and how might it…

MOGADISHU, Somalia On an intense Wednesday morning in Somalia, the air was thick with tension as the reverberating sounds of gunfire gripped the town of Masaajid Cali Gaduud. This came at a particularly poignant moment as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was amidst the soldiers on the frontlines, rallying spirits in the Middle Shabelle region. Al-Shabaab, the infamous militant group making headlines once more, claimed via their online platform that they had successfully taken control of the…

In an intricate web of deception, Ahmed registered ASA Limited LLC with an apparent noble intention: to participate in the Federal Child Nutrition Program, under the umbrella of the now-infamous organization, Feeding Our Future. Aimee Bock, the nonprofit's executive director and the recently convicted orchestrator of an extensive $250 million fraud scheme, was also involved in submitting his application. The story, however, takes a darker turn beyond the paper trail and legal filings. Imagine,…

Tragedy in Wajir: A Heartbreaking Incident of Forced Marriage WAJIR, Kenya — In the heart of Kenya’s North Eastern region, a deeply distressing narrative has unfolded, leaving an indelible mark on the community and beyond. A 17-year-old girl, a vibrant soul named Gaala Adan Abdi, met a tragic end after valiantly refusing a forced marriage to a man far from her dreams—a stark reminder of the severe impact of forced marriages in today’s world. Born in the transient yet resilient environment of the Dagahley…

Mogadishu, Somalia (AX) — In the heart of a continent that echoes tales of resilience and fortitude, stands Jacinta Kaahwa, a Ugandan finance officer enmeshed in a legal battle that could redefine labor rights within conflict zones. She seeks $15 million in damages from a British firm, SafeLane Global, alleging wrongful dismissal, racial discrimination, and abandonment in a chaotic battleground after surviving a harrowing terrorist attack. The narrative traces back to Mogadishu, where Kaahwa spent six arduous years…

The Unlikely Beacon of Democracy: North Western State of Somalia's Journey As a child, I naively thought of democracy as a Greek invention, an intricate art only suited to those ancient pillars of Western philosophy. This wasn't a surprising thought, especially growing up in Ethiopia where democracy is more a dream than reality. However, little did I realize that just across the border, a quiet revolution was taking place. In North Western State of Somalia, a place branded by some, including Google, as unstable and…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - There's a powerful human story that, once again, calls for our attention. A German nurse, whose life took an unexpected and harrowing turn over seven years ago, is reaching out for help. A recently surfaced video shows her making a heartfelt plea for her freedom from the clutches of assumed Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. Sonja Nientiet, dedicated to her work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was abducted in 2018 under…

In the vibrant city of Mogadishu, a hum of anticipation fills the air. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stands ready to embark on another pivotal diplomatic journey, responding to an invitation from Turkey's own leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The destination? The intriguing nation that bridges East and West, Turkey. But what lies ahead in this crucial meeting between two nations with intertwined destinies? With the magnificient Bosporus strait awaiting him, President Mohamud's agenda is…

U.N. Advocates for Restraint Following Turbulence in South Sudan's Political Sphere AX – Juba: The call for peace resonates loudly from the halls of the United Nations as tension brews in South Sudan. Recent reports indicate the unexpected arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, a move that hangs like a dark cloud over the nation’s delicate peace. In a prescient statement released at the crack of dawn on Thursday, Nicholas Haysom, a man who knows the landscape well as the U.N. Mission chief in South Sudan (UNMISS),…

Conflict in Bakool Region: The Human Face of Military Operations In the shadow of rising conflicts, a pivotal battle unfolded on Wednesday that further illuminates the complex landscape of ongoing strife in Somalia. The Somali National Army (SNA), showcasing its resilience and strategic acumen, found itself embroiled in a clash that would inevitably shape regional dynamics. Under the leadership of the 9th Brigade Command, SNA forces bravely confronted Al-Shabaab militants in the obscure but…