Somalia

Monday April 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council on Sunday issued a sharp warning against politicizing the Somali National Army, saying the country’s security forces must be protected from clan rivalry and partisan pressure if they are to remain effective and credible. In a statement released to coincide with the 66th anniversary of the army’s founding on April 12, the council congratulated servicemen and women and praised their role in defending the nation, preserving unity and helping maintain public…

by BRIAN ORUTAMonday April 13, 2026 Somalia celebrated the 66th anniversary of the Somali National Army (SNA) on Monday with a prominent ceremony in Mogadishu that projected a message of confidence in the country’s security gains. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud joined Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Army Commander Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, and other senior civilian and military officials at the event. A military parade featuring armored vehicles, aircraft, and traditional displays highlighted what officials described as…

Monday April 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council on Sunday warned that the Somali National Army must be shielded from political manipulation, saying any effort to pull the force into partisan or clan disputes could erode its neutrality and weaken the country’s security architecture. In a statement issued to coincide with the army’s 66th anniversary on April 12, the council congratulated soldiers across the ranks and praised their service in defending Somalia, preserving national unity and helping maintain…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres (R) celebrates scoring with Martin Zubimendi during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua) Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge took a damaging blow on Saturday as Bournemouth arrived in north London and left with a 2-1 victory, extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches in the top flight. The defeat leaves Arsenal nine points clear of Manchester City, though Pep Guardiola’s side still has two games in…

Analysis by Nic Robertson Sunday April 12, 2026 As the sun dipped below the horizon in Islamabad and rose again over the city, the talks stretched on through the night and into another day. Their collapse without an agreement deals a serious blow to the fragile hopes that a diplomatic escape route might still be found in this crisis. The stakes could hardly have been higher. These were the most senior US-Iranian negotiations since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979, and the complexity of the discussions was…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Barcelona tightened their grip on La Liga on Saturday, opening a nine-point cushion at the summit after a 4-1 home victory over Espanyol in the Catalan derby, helped by Real Madrid's 1-1 draw at home to Girona a day earlier. Ferran Torres set Barcelona on their way and, in the process, ended a scoring drought that had stretched back to January 31. The forward headed in from a corner after just nine minutes as the home side sought a response to their UEFA Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid, then…

Sunday April 12, 2026 China is preparing to send Iran new air defense systems in the coming weeks, according to U.S. intelligence cited by CNN late Friday, which quoted three people familiar with recent assessments. The network reported that intelligence also suggests Beijing may try to move the weapons through third countries to obscure their true origin. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Saturday afternoon as he left the White House for Miami, warned that "if China does that, China can have big…

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has set off another round of diplomatic unease, this time by calling for $1 billion in compensation for Uganda’s mission in Somalia while also saying he wants to marry the “most beautiful woman” in Turkey. The commander of Uganda’s armed forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni made the remarks in a series of striking statements that once again highlighted his flair for provocation. Kainerugaba said marrying a Turkish national was a personal requirement,…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia marked a major military milestone on Sunday as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud поздравulated members of the Somali National Army and their families on the force’s 66th anniversary. At a ceremony in Mogadishu, Mohamud highlighted the army’s role in safeguarding the country and protecting civilians, saying its work remains a cornerstone of Somalia’s state-building drive. “Heroes of the Somali National Army have saved 20 million Somalis. They do not only defend with weapons, but…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday moved to underscore Uganda’s deep and costly military involvement in Somalia, stressing that Kampala has continued to bankroll troop deployments beyond the African Union mandate and has absorbed heavy losses in hardware without compensation. The president’s remarks offered a diplomatic rebuttal to recent pointed comments from Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has drawn attention for his criticism of foreign influence in the Horn of…