Somalia

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact as Mogadishu pivots from UAE ties Agreement signed in Doha by Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani Pact covers military training, exchange of expertise, capability development and broader security cooperation Deal follows Somalia’s termination of defense and ports agreements with the United Arab Emirates Somali officials say move strengthens federal control over…

Legal Block Lifted: Somali MPs to Join East African Legislature DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — The regional appellate court for the East African Community has overturned earlier decisions that barred nine Somali parliamentarians from taking their seats in the East African Legislative Assembly, clearing the way for Somalia’s first full participation in the EAC’s lawmaking body. Somalia’s Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC, Ilyaas Cali Xasan, confirmed the development after weeks of legal deliberations. “This ruling strengthens…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — A regional appeals court on Monday cleared Somalia’s representatives to take their seats in the East African Legislative Assembly, overturning earlier rulings that had blocked their participation and ending a months-long legal dispute over the country’s nomination process. The decision paves the way for Somalia’s full engagement in the East African Community’s legislative body and removes a significant obstacle to Mogadishu’s regional integration efforts since joining the bloc. Somalia’s ambassador to…

Real Sociedad beat FC Barcelona 2-1 in a breathless, contentious finish on Sunday, trimming Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to a single point and tightening a title race sharpened by Real Madrid’s win a day earlier. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring with a far-post volley in the 32nd minute after a disputed buildup, and Goncalo Guedes delivered the winner barely a minute after Marcus Rashford had dragged Barcelona level in the 70th. The hosts then survived a late red card to Carlos Soler and a barrage of Barcelona…

Somalia confirms talks on Red Sea security pact with Saudi Arabia, Egypt MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has confirmed it is negotiating a proposed three-way security agreement with Saudi Arabia and Egypt focused on Red Sea security and expanded military cooperation, a government spokesperson said. The framework, which officials say is still being finalized, is designed to strengthen strategic security coordination, deepen military ties and reinforce the three countries’ joint role in regional stability.…

TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan security forces have rescued more than 200 migrants from a clandestine underground prison in the southeastern town of Kufra, exposing what authorities described as brutal and degrading detention conditions along one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Officials said the detainees — including women and children from sub-Saharan Africa, primarily Somalia and Eritrea — were found in multiple cells nearly three meters below ground. Some had been held for up to two years. The suspected trafficker…

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday condemned threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump to impose new taxes on allied nations, including the United Kingdom, over a dispute involving Greenland, calling the measures “wrong” and a risk to alliance relations. Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Starmer said he had told Trump directly that the tariff threats were unacceptable and jeopardized transatlantic solidarity at a time when unity among NATO allies matters. He warned that coercive economic…

Libya rescues more than 200 migrants from underground prison in Kufra as abuse allegations mount TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan security forces have rescued more than 200 migrants from a clandestine underground detention site in the southeastern town of Kufra, where authorities say victims were held in brutal, degrading conditions for months and, in some cases, years. Security officials said the migrants were discovered in an improvised prison nearly three meters (about 10 feet) below ground, allegedly run by a Libyan trafficker.…

Somali president offers talks with North Western State of Somalia but rules out secession LAS ANOD, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday reaffirmed that the country’s territorial unity is not open to negotiation, saying the federal government is ready for dialogue with all Somali parties but will not entertain discussions on secession. Speaking at the inauguration of the leadership of a newly established administration in the city of Las Anod, Mohamud said Mogadishu is prepared for “dialogue at all…

Somalia’s development bank taps Deloitte for first-ever audit as it pivots from aid to investment The Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank has hired Deloitte for its first external audit, a landmark step for the state-owned lender as it seeks to cement transparency, strengthen governance and attract global investor confidence. SDRB said the independent audit began in December and will culminate in a published report in early 2026. The engagement with Deloitte covers not only financial statements but also internal…