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Qatar Charity (QC) has successfully drilled two artesian wells in the bustling villages of Kalyak and Oshoti, nestled in the Warshiekh region of central Somalia. This significant development stands to benefit nearly 10,000 local residents who have grappled with immense challenges in accessing clean water. Prior to the inauguration of these wells, the community in Kalyak trudged 10 kilometers to gather water, while Oshoti's residents journeyed 7 kilometers. These arduous treks not only disrupted daily routines but also…

FILE - On January 1, 2024, North Western State of Somalia's President Muse Bihi Abdi and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came together in Addis Ababa to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) granting Ethiopia access to a North Western State of Somalia port. As tensions swirl around the maritime dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asserted on Thursday that his nation is pursuing access to the Red Sea "through peaceful avenues.” During a parliamentary session where lawmakers pressed him for…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently voiced stern disapproval of Ethiopia’s actions, accusing it of double-dealing by hosting the African Union (AU) quarters while allegedly flouting its tenets in its engagements with North Western State of Somalia. As he stood before Somalia’s parliament on Saturday, Mohamud spotlighted a hotly debated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) penned by Ethiopia with North Western State of Somalia, a matter that’s been whipping up quite the storm far and wide.…

Ethiopia Expresses No Desire for War, Pursues Peaceful Maritime Access ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - In a bid to ease growing tensions, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the country's disinclination towards any military engagement with Somalia. This statement comes amid friction over a recent deal with North Western State of Somalia, a self-proclaimed independent region, as he explained to the parliament. Back in January, Ethiopia, eager for sea access due to its landlocked status, made significant strides by signing…

HARGEISA, Somalia - The president of North Western State of Somalia, Muse Bihi Abdi, commented to the BBC Somali Service that the MoU signed in January 2024 with Ethiopia, allowing them access to the Red Sea for 20 kilometers, is still valid. He mentioned there’s been significant international pressure casting shadows over this decision. Continuing with his stance, Bihi remarked, “We've not budged an inch; it’s business as usual.” Leading North Western State of Somalia, a self-proclaimed independent state, he added, “Folks…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has underscored its plan to maintain its soldiers in Somalia as a part of the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). But there’s a hefty roadblock: Somalia demands the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops unless Ethiopia cancels its controversial sea access deal with North Western State of Somalia, hinged on mutual recognition. This agreement strives to offer Ethiopia a path to the Red Sea if it acknowledges North Western State of Somalia’s autonomy,…

**MOGADISHU (Xinhua)** -- In an update shared Thursday, a UN relief group noted a drop in humanitarian access issues, falling by 18.6% from the second to the third quarter, landing at 57 compared to the previous count of 70. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) added that three aid workers lost their lives during this timeframe. Interestingly, while these unfortunate deaths coincided with their humanitarian roles, they were not directly tied to their work but were rather outcomes of broader…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Taye Atske, now steering the Ethiopian presidency, envisions a diplomatic path to securing sea access for Ethiopia. The nation intends to adopt a strategy based on reciprocity, marking a notable shift from its previous, widely criticized strategy. Striving for a maritime foothold to establish a port and military base, Ethiopia has turned its gaze to North Western State of Somalia, proposing a 20-kilometer stretch along the Red Sea. In return, Ethiopia would acknowledge North Western State of…

Somalia Urges Ethiopia to Revoke North Western State of Somalia Sea Deal by Month's End MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has thrown down the gauntlet, giving Ethiopia until the end of the month to backtrack on its sea access arrangement with North Western State of Somalia. This demand was outlined in an interview with The New Humanitarian by Somalia's National Security Adviser, Hussein Sheikh Ali. Ali emphasized that the age-old military alliance between Somalia and Ethiopia, including the presence of Ethiopian soldiers on…

Abiy believes gifting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea would be the crowning jewel of his legacy. In Mogadishu, Somali military officers stepped in sync during a splendid parade. Feisal Omar/Reuters ADDIS ABABA – There's a tense atmosphere brewing in the Horn of Africa. Somalia is insisting that Ethiopia should pull the plug on its contentious port agreement with North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared independent region, or yank its forces out of Somalia. Somalia's displeasure with the Ethiopian pact was loud and…