Somalia

U.S. Military Aids Northeastern State in Battle Against ISIS: A Complex Alliance BOSASO, Somalia - The rugged terrain of Somalia’s Al-Miskad Mountains echoes with the relentless pursuit of ISIS militants as the U.S. Africa Command intensifies its airstrikes alongside the Northeastern State Counter-Terrorism Forces. This marks another chapter in the sustained effort to dismantle ISIS from the Horn of Africa, where pockets of militant resistance persist. The Joint Efforts It all began in December 2024 when U.S. Africa…

Inside Somalia’s Judiciary Financial Quagmire Mogadishu, long viewed as the beating heart of Somalia’s hopeful resurgence, now finds itself at a crucial juncture. Somalia’s Auditor General, Ahmed Issa Gutale, has thrust the nation’s judiciary into the spotlight by accusing its top courts of obstructing essential financial audits. This revelation, leading to the disappearance of over $1 million, raises profound questions about transparency and governance in the country. A Call for Transparency, Met with Silence During a…

markdown Quiet Victory in a Troubled Landscape: Kenya's Operation Against Al-Shabaab NAIROBI, Kenya - Nestled within the coastal Lamu County, a dense and mysterious woodland called Boni Forest covers the land—a forest that, for years, has sheltered both an array of wildlife and the ominous threat of Al-Shabaab militants. This week, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) marked a noteworthy victory in this shadowy theater of conflict. The Battle for Boni The KDF, alongside a multi-agency security task force, conducted a precision…

Unlocking East Africa’s Halal Potential: A Global Economic Journey In the bustling heart of Nairobi, a unique confluence of minds marked the beginning of a new chapter for East Africa. It was an event that could redefine the region’s engagement with the global economy, estimated to grow into a colossal $5.91 trillion industry by 2033—the halal economy. The Workshop That Could Hosted at Nairobi’s landmark Jamia Mosque, the Halal Business Development and Export Readiness Workshop unfolded under the emblematic theme of…

Graves in the Path of Progress: A Tale of Loss and Resilience in Mogadishu On the outskirts of Mogadishu, the bulldozers of development are closing in on the past. This relentless push for progress has driven a Somali family to make a heart-wrenching decision—to exhume the remains of their parents from Moalim Nur cemetery and transport them to the distant soil of Guriel in the Galgaduud region. The memory of last year's destruction of the Policia (Bulusia) cemetery looms large, casting a shadow of anxiety over burial…

Escalating Tensions in Somalia: Ethiopian Troops Hit by Remote-Controlled Landmine In the isolated Waajid district of Somalia, a remote-controlled landmine attack marked another grim chapter in the ongoing struggle against insurgent violence. On Tuesday, a convoy of Ethiopian troops, part of the African Union peacekeeping mission, was struck, resulting in casualties, though the exact number remains undisclosed. This incident underscores the growing instability in the region, where hopes for peace are continuously thwarted…

Somalia’s New Electoral Agreement: A Crucial Step Toward Unity NAIROBI—In a nation often marred by instability and political discord, the recent landmark electoral agreement between Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Salvation Forum marks a pivotal stride toward national unity and democratic governance. The Agreement: A Pathway to Stability After two months of contentious negotiations, the agreement outlines a distinctive approach to conducting the next elections. Under the new framework, the Federal Parliament…

Amid Rising Tensions, U.S. Intensifies Its Air Campaign in Somalia In a remote area of Middle Shabelle, Somalia, a recent U.S. airstrike highlights the ongoing battle against the resilient al-Shabab militant group. The strike, conducted on August 22, targeted the al-Qaida affiliate, aiming to disrupt its activities both domestically and internationally. While details remain sparse due to operational security, this event underscores a broader, escalating campaign led by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Shifting Tactics…

The Final Curtain: Closing a Chapter on Minnesota's High-Profile Courtroom Scandal In the cool corridors of the Minneapolis federal courthouse, a chapter of one of Minnesota’s most extraordinary legal dramas drew to a close. Said Farah, the final defendant in a sensational juror bribery scheme, admitted to his involvement in a plot to sway deliberations in the high-profile Feeding Our Future fraud trial. The guilty plea marks the end of a haunting saga that captured nationwide attention and raised serious questions about…

Mohamed Said Gees: An Architect of Peace and Education in Somalia The recent passing of Mohamed Said Gees, a revered Somali academic, statesman, and peacemaker, has left a profound void in the fabric of Somali society. Gees, who died on August 23 at the age of 77 and was laid to rest in Virginia, embodied a lifetime dedicated to education, cultural preservation, and reconciliation amidst Somalia's turbulent history. A Remarkable Journey from Education to Politics Born on November 11, 1946, in the northern town of Erigavo,…