Somalia

Obama backs Minneapolis protesters, slams ‘unprecedented’ ICE tactics in Minnesota Barack Obama publicly endorsed demonstrators in Minneapolis and St. Paul and condemned what he called the “unprecedented” deployment of federal immigration agents in Minnesota, saying the sustained protests helped force a rethink of the crackdown. Speaking in an interview published Saturday with progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, the former president argued that public pressure remains the most effective check on government overreach and…

Obama decries loss of ‘shame’ in politics after racist Trump post WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama lamented the erosion of “shame” and “decorum” in American politics after a video shared on President Donald Trump’s social media platform depicted Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes — a post widely condemned across the political spectrum before it was deleted. Speaking with liberal podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama did not mention Trump by name but pointed directly to the climate that allowed the…

London — A 21-year-old Somali national from Bristol has been charged under U.K. terrorism laws after allegedly traveling to Somalia to support fighters linked to the Islamic State group, British authorities said. Prosecutors named the defendant as Mohamed Farah Mohamoud, of Francombe Grove, and said he is accused of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. The charge alleges he traveled from the United Kingdom to Somalia between Jan. 29 and March 4, 2025, and…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s opposition-aligned Somali Future Council convened in the capital on Saturday for internal consultations ahead of anticipated talks with federal leaders on elections and constitutional reform, as a high-stakes political standoff shows little sign of easing. The meeting brought together powerful federal member state leaders, including Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madoobe. Participants focused on the dispute over the format, timing and procedures…

Trump says he plans first U.S. presidential visit to Venezuela in nearly 30 years as Washington eases oil sanctions WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday he plans to visit Venezuela, a move that would make him the first sitting U.S. president to travel to the country since Bill Clinton in 1997, as his administration loosened key restrictions on the South American nation’s energy sector. Trump announced the intent as he departed the White House for Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he met soldiers involved in the…

Somalia’s Future Council meets in Mogadishu as electoral clock ticks and tensions flare MOGADISHU, Somalia — Opposition leaders and officials from the federal member states of Puntland State and Jubaland convened in Mogadishu on Saturday under the banner of the Somali Future Council, underscoring rising national unease as Somalia nears key electoral deadlines. The consultations were held at the Airport Hotel inside the fortified Halane compound, where the visiting presidents of Puntland State and Jubaland are based during…

NAIROBI — Kenya and Somalia signaled a renewed push to deepen their economic partnership beyond the traditional exchange of goods, using a Nairobi forum this week to elevate services, diaspora investment and regional integration under the East African Community as central pillars of future growth. Policymakers and business leaders from both countries gathered Feb. 12–13 for the second Somalia–Kenya & Diaspora Trade Week at BBS Mall in Eastleigh, a meeting that organizers said drew more small and medium-sized enterprises…

North Western State of Somalia clans agree to cease-fire after deadly clashes in Awdal and Salal, minister says HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — Two clans that recently fought deadly battles in western North Western State of Somalia have agreed to end hostilities after a government-backed reconciliation push, officials said Saturday, as authorities announced arrests and fresh deployments to stabilize the border region. The fighting, which flared in parts of the Awdal and Salal regions, left several people dead…

Burundi’s Ndayishimiye takes AU chair as bloc warns of geopolitical turbulence ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union on Saturday elected Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye as its chairperson for 2026, closing a high-level summit in Addis Ababa where leaders elevated water security, institutional reform and regional stability as urgent priorities. Ndayishimiye assumes the rotating leadership from Angolan President João Lourenço at the conclusion of the AU’s 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State…

Mogadishu, Somalia — Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmaajo” met Saturday with Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madoobe” in Mogadishu, urging urgent dialogue to resolve escalating disputes over elections and constitutional reform that he warned could tip the country into a constitutional vacuum. The talks centered on Somalia’s political trajectory and the need for an inclusive settlement amid mounting friction over proposed constitutional amendments and…