Accord

In Mogadishu’s Dec. 25 municipal vote, the promise of direct democracy met the reality of centralized power. Marketed as a landmark step toward universal suffrage and a prelude to Somalia’s 2026 presidential contest, the election in the Banadir region looked—by design and outcome—like a nomination process dressed up as a popular mandate. That tension goes to the core of Somalia’s electoral dilemma: in a fragile state without a census, credible registries or impartial institutions, the rush to “one person, one vote” can…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Jubaland and Puntland State, along with the self-declared republic of North Western State of Somalia, have sharply rejected a federal government decision to suspend cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates, deepening a long-running power struggle over who controls ports, security, and investment policy. In separate statements, the regional authorities said Mogadishu lacks the legal authority to halt or cancel deals they described as lawfully concluded directly between regional…

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Tuesday announced a U.S.-brokered security coordination framework between Israel and Syria after talks in Paris, unveiling a rare trilateral mechanism aimed at de-escalating border tensions and preventing miscalculation along one of the Middle East’s most volatile frontiers. At the heart of the arrangement is a “special communications cell,” described by all sides as a joint fusion mechanism for intelligence sharing and military de-confliction. The channel — which will operate under…

Puntland State’s opposition rejects reported North Western State of Somalia understanding — and the political ground shifts In Garowe, the political heart of Puntland State, four opposition parties walked into a hastily called meeting and walked out with a message sharper than usual for Somalia’s notoriously tempered political language: whatever “understanding” was reportedly reached between Puntland State and neighboring North Western State of Somalia, they want no part of it. The parties — Ifiye, Mustaqbal, Mideeye, and…

Somalia's New Political Consensus: A Step Toward Stability? In a remarkable turn of events, a coalition of opposition leaders in Somalia has forged a new political framework with the federal government, setting the stage for a potential transformation in the Horn of Africa. This development, which emerged from the Somali Salvation Forum, is more than a diplomatic victory—it's a critical attempt to stabilize the nation through consensus and collaboration. A New Electoral Framework On Monday, the coalition reached an…

Jubaland's Minister of Information, Abdifatah Mohamed Mukhtar, didn't mince words when responding to recent allegations. Speaking to the BBC, Mukhtar stood his ground, "Our constitution grants us the freedom to hold our own elections," he asserted. "The Prime Minister's accusations stray from his past endorsements of Jubaland's electoral independence." The heart of this conflict highlights the persistent friction between Somalia's central government and its regional administrations. The federal government places a premium…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant leap towards energy autonomy, Djibouti and Egypt have inked a pivotal agreement to establish a 276.5-kilowatt solar powerhouse in Djibouti. This pact, forged in a virtual meet-and-greet, is set to elevate Djibouti’s quest for energy independence while also mending the ties between these two nations.On a day abuzz with ceremony, the Egyptian honcho of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, along with Djibouti’s power maestro, Yonis Ali Guled, put pen to paper in Egypt on Wednesday,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Egypt and Sudan are fiercely opposed to the newly approved Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), signaling a fresh chapter in a longstanding dispute over precious water resources. Ratified by six countries upstream, the CFA came into effect on October 13, further widening the gulf among Nile Basin nations. Cairo and Khartoum, long heavyweights in debates over Nile waters, released a stern joint statement after convening the Egyptian-Sudanese Permanent Joint Technical Commission for the…

On February 19, 2022, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam stands impressively. The Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) officially gained momentum on Sunday. This occurred despite ongoing opposition from Egypt and Sudan, as mentioned by the Ethiopian prime minister, according to Anadolu. This agreement opens the doors to the Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC). This new body aims to foster a spirit of harmony among the Basin countries regarding the management of the Nile. Egypt and Sudan have continued their…

Mogadishu (AX) — Chaos broke out like a storm in Luuq, Gedo, with tensions boiling over after a shaky truce crumbled between feuding clan militias. Residents found themselves caught in a wave of fear. As twilight descended, both groups unleashed heavy firepower, rattling the once-peaceful neighborhoods. The rumbling echoes filled the air, unsettling everyone in the vicinity. This fresh outbreak of violence stems from a recent killing, reviving ancient grudges between these clans. Efforts by Somalia's Federal Government and…