Somalia

By: Abdifatah Abdinur Monday May 4, 2026 Tan iyo markii Madaxweynaha Dowladda Puntland State uu si rasmi ah u shaaciyey dagaalka ka dhanka ah argagixisada ISIS, isla markaana uu faray in dhammaan deegaannada Puntland State si buuxda looga sifeeyo, waxaa muuqday isbeddel amni oo xooggan oo beddelay xaaladdii hore. Hawlgalkii “Hilaac,” oo ay si hufan oo geesinimo leh u fuliyeen Ciidamada Difaaca Puntland State, ayaa noqday mid horseeday guul taariikhi ah kadib markii lagu jebiyey firxadkii ISIS ee ku dhuumaaleysanayey buuraha…

Somali opposition leaders meet in Mogadishu to discuss alternative electoral model MOGADISHU — Somali opposition leaders have convened in Mogadishu to weigh a proposed indirect voting system, a move that would steer the country away from both the 2022 electoral arrangement and the “one person, one vote” model championed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. People familiar with the talks said the opposition is working to shape a compromise electoral formula that could later be put before international mediators involved in…

by STEPHEN ASTARIKOMonday May 4, 2026 Health CS Aden Duale speaking at the event./STEPHEN ASTARIKO Health CS Aden Duale has stepped up pressure for the reopening of the Kenya–Somalia border, saying the decades-old closure is largely a formality that deprives the government of revenue and weakens oversight. Addressing guests at a graduation ceremony at Madarasa Manar in Waberi Ward, Garissa Township, Duale said people continue to move across the frontier even though the crossing points remain officially shut. “The border…

Monday May 4, 2026 Vinicius Junior struck twice on Sunday to lead Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory at Espanyol, a result that put Barcelona's La Liga title party on hold for at least another week. Barcelona would have been crowned champions with four matches left had Madrid failed to win at the RCDE Stadium, but the outcome leaves the destination of the trophy likely to be settled in next weekend's Clasico. Madrid are now 11 points behind Barcelona with 12 still available, so a draw for Barcelona at Camp Nou next week would be…

Monday May 4, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) has backed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s call for talks with the Somali Future Council, adding fresh international weight to efforts to ease mounting political tensions as his term nears its end. In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, the mission urged all sides to approach the May 10 meeting in Mogadishu with a spirit of compromise and mutual responsibility, saying Somalia’s national interests…

Monday May 4, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has said that former North Western State of Somalia President Muse Bihi Abdi was prepared, in principle, to discuss Somali unity during mediation efforts in 2020 led by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Speaking in an interview last week, Farmaajo described Abiy Ahmed as deeply involved in trying to bring Somali political figures together, even as Ethiopia’s role in Somali affairs continued to draw suspicion and criticism across the…

Monday May 4, 2026 Bosaso (AX) — Puntland State regional forces have recaptured the Miraale area after several hours of fighting with ISIS militants, officials said Sunday. According to Puntland State authorities, one soldier was killed in the clash in Miraale, an area government forces had previously withdrawn from before ISIS fighters moved in. Officials said Puntland State troops were preparing to launch an operation in the area when ISIS launched a surprise assault, sparking a battle that went on for hours. Security…

By  STEVE DOUGLASSunday May 3, 2026 Arsenal kept rolling, while Liverpool and its embattled manager Arne Slot endured another bruising afternoon. The Gunners tightened their grip on the Premier League race with a 2-0 win over Brentford that restored a five-point cushion at the top, while Liverpool were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield after benefiting from a late own-goal. Slot is likely to face renewed scrutiny after his side slipped to eighth in a disappointing title defense, with his call to…

Sunday May 3, 2026 Nairobi (AX) — Former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has declared that he still holds the legitimate mandate to lead the administration, saying he expects to return to the region after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term ends on May 15, 2026. In an interview in Nairobi this week — his first public comments since March 30 — Laftagareen spoke at length about the political standoff in South West State and the circumstances surrounding his departure from Baidoa. Laftagareen…

Sunday May 3, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Sunday unveiled the full calendar for the country’s 2026 regional elections, setting South West State on course to open the voting season later this month. Under the newly announced timetable, South West State will be first to vote. Local council and parliamentary elections are slated for May 10, the election of the state parliament speaker will follow on May 18, and the regional president is due to be chosen on May 23,…