Somalia

A strike in Sanaag and the question of who counts as a target The killing of a traditional elder in the contested Sanaag region of northern Somalia has reopened raw questions about intelligence, accountability and the politics of a war that has stretched into its third decade. The U.S. Africa Command said the man, identified as Abdullahi Omar Abdi, was “responsible for procuring and transferring illegal weapons” for the militant group Al-Shabaab and that the strike that killed him on Sept. 13 was carried out “to degrade…

House GOP moves to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar over posts about Charlie Kirk killing; Democrat calls effort “baseless” WASHINGTON — A fresh clash over speech, identity and the limits of political punishment is heading for the House floor, where Republicans are moving to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) for her online activity following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Omar, a Somali-born lawmaker who has long attracted outsized attention from the right, is calling the push meritless and rooted in…

In Somalia, a Public Pledge of Loyalty Raises Stakes Ahead of Fragile Elections MOGADISHU — When Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre walked through the departure hall of Aden Adde International Airport this week, he was not merely inspecting toilets and trash bins. He was, in effect, rehearsing a partnership — an explicit commitment to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that has been rare in Somalia’s recent politics. "I will never run for president against President , who entrusted me to serve Somalia as PM," Hamza said during…

Türkiye-Somalia Relations: A Robust Partnership with Deep Roots In the heart of Mogadishu, the air thrums with the whirl of advanced Turkish-made helicopters, a testament to the deep and evolving relationship between Somalia and Türkiye. This strong cooperative bond has its roots in shared challenges and mutual goals, particularly in defense and economic development, as noted by Somalia's Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. A Relationship Forged in Adversity Reflecting on the pivotal year of 2011, Fiqi recalled President…

Unraveling the Shadows: A Grieving Community and the Daesh Threat in the DRC Under the guise of night, the village of Ntoyo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) turned from a place of mourning to a scene of tragedy. As villagers gathered to pay their final respects to a departed loved one, death struck again—this time from the hands of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group with ties to Daesh. Tuesday night’s ruthless attack left 71 dead, deepening the scars in a region already marred by violence. A Community…

ICC’s Pursuit of Joseph Kony: A Legal Precipice in Global Justice The halls of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague are echoing with a new, yet familiar, resonance as judges begin hearings that could shape the future of international justice. The target of this renewed scrutiny: Joseph Kony, the elusive leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group infamous for a reign of terror across Uganda and neighboring nations. A Fugitive of Many Faces Joseph Kony's name first appeared on the ICC’s radar…

Somalia seeks $40 million to launch new shilling notes in push to end counterfeit era MOGADISHU — Somalia’s government says it is $40 million short of the cash it needs to print a new series of Somali shilling banknotes — a long-promised overhaul officials argue is essential to restoring confidence in the currency and curbing the counterfeit notes that dominate everyday transactions. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre told reporters the total cost of the rollout is about $70 million. Somalia has secured $30 million in…

Egypt announces troop deployment to Somalia, intensifying Horn of Africa contest Egypt has announced it will deploy troops to Somalia under a bilateral security agreement, a move Cairo says is intended to bolster counter‑terrorism operations and help stabilize the war‑torn Horn of Africa nation. Officials described the steps as the completion of planning for the deployment, but they provided few operational details, leaving open questions about the size, mandate and timetable of the force. What Cairo says Egyptian…

Somalia’s army in pieces: Cowsweyne defeat still reverberates, former president warns When Al-Shabaab overran Cowsweyne in 2023, it did more than seize a strategic town in central Somalia. The militants’ victory cracked open the fragile architecture of the Somali National Army (SNA), scattering frontline units, exposing command fractures and — according to former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed — setting back efforts to rebuild a professional force for years. A rout with consequences “Osweyne was where Somali forces were…

Somali students touch down in Baku as scholarships cement a new South–South bridge When the doors slid open at Baku’s modern glass-and-steel airport, a small group of Somali students in winter jackets stepped into a new chapter. They paused for a group photo—smiles wide, eyes a little overwhelmed by the cold and the cameras—and were met by embassy officials and university representatives, a scene captured by Somali state media. For many, it was their first time in the Caucasus. For all, it was the beginning of a bet on…