President Mohamud Gains One-Month Extension to Expedite Election Legislation Before the 2026 Elections

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke to Parliament, highlighting the pressing need to implement essential election laws as Somalia gears up for its forthcoming elections. His comments coincide with lawmakers voting to extend their legislative session. CREDIT/ SONNA Mogadishu (AX) — This month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud successfully persuaded Somalia's parliament to remain in session, thus postponing their planned recess to address vital legislative issues, particularly those related to the upcoming elections. A…

Somalia’s Army Chief Dismissed as Battle Against Al-Shabaab Stagnates

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a surprising twist of events, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has shown the door to a top brass member of the Somali National Army (SNA), just when the nation is intensely embroiled in its campaign against Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab militants, notorious for causing upheaval, assert control over huge patches of rural zones in south and central Somalia. Recent military efforts have shaken their foundation, leaving many militants pondering defection to governmental camps. Nonetheless, the…

Moldovan Official Reports Significant Russian Interference in Elections

The Moldovan government is grappling with what it describes as "extensive meddling" by Russia during the critical presidential runoff election, according to Stanislav Secrieru, the national security advisor to the sitting president. "There’s a substantial effort underway that poses a serious risk of skewing the election results," Secrieru remarked in a post on the social media platform X. As citizens head to the polls against a backdrop of escalating tensions, the runoff represents a pivotal moment for Moldova’s…

Somali Foreign Minister and UN Envoy Engage in Dialogue on Emerging UNTMIS Mission and Recent Political Updates

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi engaged in a pivotal conversation with James Swan, the Acting Special Representative of the United Nations, in Mogadishu. Their discussion revolved around the newly inaugurated United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which has taken over from UNSOM. This meeting came just a day after UNTMIS’s official debut on November 1. The dialogue centered on Somalia’s evolving role within the UN Security Council, along with critical security…

ATMIS Police Enhance Public Security in Dhobley with Collaborative Training Between Law Enforcement and the Community

Dhobley, Somalia - Imagine a bustling town where public safety strides forward through the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). This initiative in Dhobley is not just about training but setting a groundbreaking precedent for how law enforcement huddles with community stalwarts to tackle crime. In the initiative’s latest chapter, 36 individuals, composed of a dozen Somali Police Force officers and 24 community figureheads, were schooled in essential public safety know-how – from station management to…

Over 27 al-Shabab Fighters Neutralized in the Middle Shabelle Area

Mogadishu (AX) — In a remarkable display of military might, Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced the elimination of 27 al-Shabab insurgents during an extensive 12-hour operation in the Yaaqle region of Middle Shabelle. In a statement issued on Sunday, NISA detailed how this operation zeroed in on al-Shabab militants at a prominent assemblage point, successfully dismantling their vehicles and encampments. Encouragingly, the intelligence agency reported that its own forces suffered no…

Somalia’s Defense Minister Describes Ethiopia’s Security as ‘Chaotic and Unmanageable’

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, the Defense Minister of Somalia, has sharply critiqued Ethiopia, advocating that the neighboring country focus its efforts on managing its internal security issues rather than interfering in Somali matters. Amid rising tensions between the two nations, Nur brought attention to Ethiopia's internal unrest, emphasizing that insurgents have reportedly advanced to within 40 kilometers of Addis Ababa. "Ethiopia ought to concentrate on safeguarding its own capital and populace, instead…

Spanish Monarch and Prime Minister Face Protests During Visit to Flood-Stricken Region

A delegation featuring Spain's king and the prime minister faced a barrage of protests during their visit to the Valencia region, which has been devastated by catastrophic floods. Eyewitnesses from AFP reported that some in the crowd yelled accusations like "assassins," while others resorted to hurling mud at the officials. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia made their way to Paiporta, a town particularly hard-hit, accompanied by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other dignitaries. The atmosphere was tense, with demonstrators…

Oxfam Report Highlights Lack of Oversight in World Bank’s Climate Funding

World Bank's Climate Finance Faces Scrutiny: Oxfam Rings the Alarm Bell November 2024 – Nairobi — Oxfam International is sounding the alarm over the World Bank’s climate finance, pointing out murky waters in the Bank's transparency and accountability. Their latest doc, "Climate Finance Unchecked," pulls back the curtain on some dodgy discrepancies between budgeted and real spending in climate projects, hinting at shaky foundations in the fight against global warming. Drilling into data from 2017 to 2023, Oxfam spotlights…

Operation NISA Takes Down 27 Al-Shabaab Militants in Middle Shabelle

Mogadishu (AX) — In a notable development, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced a significant victory in its battle against terrorism. A meticulously executed twelve-hour operation in the Yaaqle region of Middle Shabelle resulted in the eradication of 27 operatives from the notorious Al-Shabaab. Among those neutralized were senior leaders of the militant group.“This focused operation successfully removed militants from the Kharijite faction, who had gathered under the auspices of hostile…