Somali Cabinet Names New Custodial Corps Chief Amid Political Changes

Somali Cabinet Appoints New Custodial Corps Chief Amid Political Shifts MOGADISHU, Somalia — In a swift reshuffle aimed at tightening control over Somalia’s security apparatus, the Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud as the new chief of the Somali Custodial Corps during an extraordinary session led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. Acting on a recommendation from the Ministry of Justice, the cabinet’s decision takes immediate effect and removes the former chief, Gen. Mahad…

Somalia appoints new custodial corps commander amid Federal-Southwest tensions

Wednesday March 25, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s cabinet has named a new head of the Somali Custodial Corps, a leadership change that comes as tensions deepen between the federal government and the Southwest administration. During its weekly session chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved the appointment of General Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud as commander of the Somali Custodial Corps, replacing General Mahad Abdirahman. The Ministry of Justice put forward the…

Somali security forces surround residence of dismissed general

Somalia: Security Forces Surround Residence of Dismissed General MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali federal forces have cordoned off the Mogadishu home of Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Aden, known as “Shub,” after his abrupt ouster as head of the Custodial Corps. Axadle confirmed that Somali Police Force units took up positions outside the residence shortly after the Council of Ministers announced his dismissal on Wednesday. The…

JSP secretary general resigns in second high-profile exit in days

Wednesday March 25, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — A senior Somali federal lawmaker has broken ranks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s political camp, stepping down from a top party post in a move that underscores intensifying disputes over governance, constitutional changes and the path to elections. Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein Odawaa announced on March 25, 2026 that he is resigning as Secretary General of the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) and ending his membership in the party, which is led by President Mohamud. In a…

Russian Attacks Cut Power to Thousands in Northern Ukraine

Russian strikes have knocked out two power installations in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region, cutting electricity to roughly 212,000 customers, the regional distributor said. Chernihivoblenergo reported that an attack on an energy site in Chernihiv district left nearly 150,000 households and businesses in the city of Chernihiv and its environs without power. The company later said an assault on a separate energy facility in Nizhynskyi district deprived almost another 62,000 consumers across three districts of electricity.…

Top Party Official Resigns as Somali President’s Isolation Deepens

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Abdirahman Odowaa, the Secretary-General of Somalia’s ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), resigned on Wednesday, a move that exposes widening rifts at the top of the country’s leadership. In a scathing resignation statement, Odowaa faulted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for “obduracy and intransigence,” underscoring a breakdown over the administration’s political and legislative course. The exit is widely seen as a sharp setback for the President’s inner circle amid mounting domestic pressures…

JSP secretary general resigns in second high-profile exit in days

Wednesday March 25, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — A senior Somali lawmaker has broken publicly with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s ruling political camp, resigning from a top party post and warning that disputes over governance, constitutional changes and elections are pushing the country into deeper political strain. Somali federal MP Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein Odawaa stepped down as Secretary General of the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) and relinquished his membership, according to a statement he published on his official…

Chad Relocates Refugees from Sudan Border as Tensions Rise

Chad has started moving refugees away from its volatile frontier with Sudan after a deadly cross-border raid that killed 17 people, including mourners at a funeral, escalating tensions and prompting vows of retaliation from President Mahamat Idriss Déby. In a formal announcement, the government said it had reinforced security along the border and signaled it may pursue operations inside Sudan if necessary. Local officials added that investigators have yet to determine which group carried out the attack. The eastern border…

Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Says No Talks With U.S. Yet

Live Iran's ambassador to Pakistan says no talks with US yet Middle East Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan has said there have been no formal discussions between Tehran and Washington to date, a clear statement that underscores the continued gap between the two governments. The declaration, delivered by Iran’s top diplomat in Islamabad, confirms that despite intermittent international attention on possible engagement, no negotiations have commenced. The ambassador’s remarks serve as a reminder that, for now, diplomatic…