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Somalia

Mogadishu Launches Arab League Ambassadors Council to Strengthen Ties with Arab Nations

Mogadishu (AX) – A multitude of Arab League envoys converged in Mogadishu on Wednesday to kickstart the Arab League Council of Ambassadors, aiming to bolster diplomatic ties between Somalia and the Arab world. Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Maalam Faqi, extended heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Abdullah Al-Otaibi, who heads the Arab League mission in Somalia, for spearheading this significant endeavor. Minister Faqi highlighted the council’s pivotal role in fostering Arab solidarity and reinforcing cooperative…

As Ethiopia Pursues Coastal Access, Egypt and Somalia Strengthen Their Alliance

But for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing both the local and international audience, has led him to firmly articulate Ethiopia’s aspirations for sea access, insist on cultivating regional peace, and navigate the tricky waters of having an adversary-turned-friend in Somalia. This week, Ethiopia celebrated its New Year and National Sovereignty Day. In a televised speech, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that any nation contemplating an invasion should think not once, but ten times. Although he refrained from naming…

Hargeisa’s Female Domestic Workers Struggle to Find Employment

She’d been busting her hump with laundry, cleaning, and cooking, earning a humble $6-10 daily, just enough to keep her family afloat. After five long years, her gig was pulled from under her feet by her employers, citing financial strain. “We now lean on our neighbors’ generosity for food. When nothing turns up, we go to bed hungry,” Najmo explained. “We’ve got zilch. All we can do is pray to the Almighty for relief,” she sighed. She's drowning under $400 in back rent and facing eviction. Previous oustings from other homes…

Ethiopia Rejects Egypt’s Allegations Amid Intensifying Dam Conflict

Ethiopia has officially replied to the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s correspondence, characterizing the contents as a "series of unfounded claims." Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie of Ethiopia addressed the Council on September 6, 2024, regarding Egypt's correspondence, which firmly rejected Ethiopia's fifth and latest effort to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia's rebuttal stems from Egypt's allegations of breaching international regulations by proceeding with the dam's filling without the…

North Western State of Somalia Rights Commission Condemns MP Abiib’s Extended Imprisonment

Hargeisa (AX) — The North Western State of Somalia Human Rights Commission has voiced serious concerns about the extended incarceration of MP Mohamed Abiib, detained in Mandera Prison for over two weeks without proper charges. Abiib was apprehended at Hargeisa's Egal International Airport on September 2 following his return from the UAE. This arrest occurred shortly after he publicly criticized President Muse Bihi's administration. The commission, after inspecting the detention center, reported that Abiib's parliamentary…

Somalia’s President Seeks Turkey’s Help to Resolve Dispute with Regional State

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After weeks of gridlock between Somalia's federal government and the Southwest regional authority, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called upon Turkey to step in as a mediator. This gesture underscores the strong rapport between Mogadishu and Ankara, particularly their collaborations on security and development fronts. According to multiple insiders speaking to news Outlet, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has specifically asked Turkey's ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktas, to mediate. The…

Somalia’s Top Court Confirms Death Penalty for Man Who Set Pregnant Wife on Fire

Sayid Ali Moalim Daoud faces the bench during his hearing on September 18, 2024, as the Somali Supreme Court reaffirms his death penalty for the murder of his pregnant spouse, Luul Sheikh Abdiaziz. CREDIT/ SNTVMogadishu (AX) — The Somali Supreme Court has ratified the death sentence of Sayid Ali Moalim Daoud for the brutal slaying of his expectant wife, Luul Sheikh Abdiaziz, dismissing his appeal and validating the judgments from the lower courts. Chief Justice Bashe Ahmed Yusuf delivered the definitive verdict, declaring…

Somali Troops Reclaim Key Al-Shabaab Stronghold in Central Region

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army (SNA) has successfully retaken a pivotal Al-Shabaab bastion, emphasizing their growing capability to combat violent extremism. They are also progressively assuming security duties once managed by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The departing ATMIS team will be substituted next year by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), under Egyptian leadership, yet with heightened responsibilities shifted to local forces. Military…

Surge in Minnesota’s Muslim Population Leads to Overabundance of Aged Qurans in Mosques

For 16 years, retired tailor Mukhtar Isse has been diligently rebinding Qurans with tape and glue, ensuring these sacred texts remain accessible to local Muslims. He's joined by two other Somali men who volunteer as bookbinders in the mosques, yet they struggle to meet the increasing demand.Minnesota imams report that strict protocols for disposing of the Muslim holy book, coupled with state environmental regulations, have created a backlog of old and damaged Qurans at mosques.The shortage of suitable facilities for…

Turkish Citizen Arrested in Somalia Due to Improper Conduct

Turkish National Held for Misconduct in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - A Banadir regional court in Mogadishu has detained a Turkish citizen following allegations of mistreatment towards Somali workers employed by his family's enterprise, according to official reports. Ertugrul Karaferiyeli faces charges from the Attorney General's office for misusing his authority within a company abroad, blatantly disregarding labor laws that ensure humane treatment of employees. The individual is affiliated with Favori LLC and…