Somalia

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA/WASHINGTON — In an exclusive conversation, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley discussed the ongoing efforts to navigate the diplomatic tensions and security hurdles confronting Somalia, alongside U.S. attempts to mediate the simmering dispute with Ethiopia. Trouble flared up earlier this year between Somalia and Ethiopia when the latter inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region, which Somalia sees as an affront to its sovereignty. This…

Jigajiga (AX) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has hit back at allegations made by Ethiopian military chief General Berhanu Jula, who has claimed the group is a state adversary funded by Egypt. Recognized as a legal political entity, the ONLF demanded an urgent clarification from the Ethiopian government on Thursday, warning that the accusations jeopardize the 2018 peace deal. General Jula's contentious remarks surfaced in a video broadcasted by Ethio-Forum on September 8, 2024, where he seemed to charge ONLF…

The Arab League asserts that North Western of Somaliais unequivocally part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, following the Arab League and UN charters. During the third gathering of the Arab League's ministerial task force, charged with overseeing the Arab League's resolution to bolster Somalia in protecting its sovereignty and territorial unity, it reaffirmed North Western of Somaliaas an integral segment of Somalia, anchored in the tenets of the charters of both the Arab League and the United Nations. As reported by…

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), with a nod from Canada's government, reaffirmed its pledge to boost community involvement and policing endeavors in Wajir County. During a roadshow caravan kickoff on Thursday, IOM’s Soumana Ali articulated the body’s commitment to aiding the Kenyan government. “Our goal is to nurture healthier relationships between communities and state forces,” Ali said, especially in frontier regions. Ali outlined the mission to reframe views on border locales. “Communities near…

BAIDOA, Somalia (AXADLE) - Somali PM Hamza Abdi Barre declared a fresh policy towards Ethiopia on Thursday, announcing that Somalia will not allow Egypt to bring its indirect war into Somali territory. During his address in Baidoa, the temporary capital of Southwest State, Barre firmly stated that his administration won't tolerate foreign powers squabbling within Somali borders. "We will not permit other countries to fight their battles on our soil. Our mission is to ensure conflicts between nations like Egypt and Ethiopia…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Thursday, Abdirisakh Omar Mohamed, Somalia's Petroleum and Minerals Minister, divulged that Turkey is gearing up to start deep-sea oil drilling in Somali waters by April 2025.In a conversation with Somali National Television, the minister remarked on the ongoing preparations, underscoring the oil sector's tremendous potential to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in Somalia."There are 13 offshore oil sites in regions like Jubbaland, Galmudug, Southwest, and Hirshabelle slated for drilling,"…

Baidoa (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre confidently assured that Ethiopian troops will exit Somalia by the end of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in December 2024. While visiting Baidoa this week, Prime Minister Barre emphasized the government's commitment to national security and guaranteed that al-Shabaab would not be able to capitalize on the troop withdrawal. The federal government has formulated a robust post-ATMIS strategy to secure the nation without foreign military presence.…

Travelers marooned at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's domestic departures area, Sept. 10, 2024. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua) Kenyan aviation employees wrapped up their one-day strike on Wednesday, reaching a return-to-work pact with relevant authorities. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways, and government representatives inked the deal, allowing flight operations to restart across the nation. This strike shut down operations at the country's four primary…

By the end of the year, Warsame unveiled a candid op-ed in the New York Times. He exposed the relentless pressure he faced during the creation of what would become his swan song. Warsame's label nudged him to pivot his lyrics away from his Somali heritage and cater instead to an expanding American audience. He wrote, "For the first time, I felt the affliction of success." The success raised an internal dilemma: "What do you do after success? How do you hold onto it?" Following the op-ed, Warsame quietly vanished from the…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a landmark move to bolster its public health framework, Somalia has rolled out its inaugural national laboratory strategic plan. This initiative aims to sharpen disease diagnostics and enhance the country’s crisis response capabilities. Crafted alongside the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the blueprint seeks to mend gaps in a health system torn apart by decades of strife. This strategic plan, fine-tuned during sessions in Nairobi from August 5-9, 2024, charts out…