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Somalia launches East African Community passport, signaling push for regional mobility MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has officially begun issuing the East African Community (EAC) passport, a step the federal government cast as historic for regional integration and a boost to global mobility for Somali citizens. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Thursday that the introduction of the EAC passport will expand opportunities in travel, trade and education while strengthening Somalia’s engagement within the regional bloc.…

Somalia has unveiled a revised Labour Code designed to modernize employment relations, strengthen social dialogue and protect workers’ rights, marking a significant step in the country’s labour governance. The Federal Government formally launched the Somali Labour Code (Law No. 36, 2024) at a national ceremony in Mogadishu, positioning the law as a framework for decent work and clear responsibilities for both workers and employers. The launch at Hotel Afrik brought together a wide coalition of stakeholders, including Members…

BRUSSELS — Somali-born human rights advocate Hassan Shire met Wednesday with Dr. Khadija Ossoble Ali, Somalia’s ambassador to the Benelux Union and the European Union, to discuss strengthening cooperation on human rights, peacebuilding and civil society engagement in Somalia, participants said. The meeting in Brussels focused on how Somali civil society organizations can work more closely with Somalia’s diplomatic missions abroad to advance justice, accountability and sustainable peace. Both sides underscored their…

Barcelona grind past Racing Santander to reach Copa del Rey quarterfinals as Valencia advance and Albacete’s shock shapes the field SANTANDER, Spain — FC Barcelona booked a Copa del Rey quarterfinal place with a 2-0 win away to second-tier leader Racing Santander on Thursday night, a patient performance sealed by Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal as the knockout bracket took further shape after a seismic upset earlier in the week. In a tie that demanded control more than flair, Barcelona — resting Pedri, Raphinha and Robert…

Egypt, Djibouti back Somalia’s unity, broaden regional cooperation in Cairo talks CAIRO — Egypt and Djibouti on Wednesday reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity while pledging to expand cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure, according to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry. The commitments came during talks in Cairo between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Djibouti’s foreign minister, Abdulqader Hussein Omar, held on the sidelines of a fifth consultative meeting focused…

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco marched confidently into the semi-finals of the tournament after a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon under the Rabat lights on Friday night. Goals in either half from Brahim Díaz and Ismail Saibari sealed a memorable triumph for the Atlas Lions in front of a raucous, sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The victory showcased Morocco's tactical prowess and solid team dynamics. Diaz opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box in the 20th minute, sending the…

Senegal, the defending Africa Cup of Nations champions, survived an early scare at the weekend to beat Sudan 3-1 and became the first nation to secure a place in the 2025 quarterfinals. The victory, secured after Senegal regrouped following a nervy opening period, puts the West African side through to the last eight with matches remaining in the group stage. The result also underscored Senegal’s depth and experience in tournament conditions as they absorbed pressure early and produced the decisive finishing that has defined…

JIGJIGA, Ethiopia — The Somali Region has inaugurated the Mesob One-Stop Service center in Jigjiga, consolidating key government services under one roof in a bid to modernize public administration and cut red tape across Ethiopia’s eastern region. Chief Administrator Mustafe M. Omer led Sunday’s opening alongside Aklilu Tadese, state minister for Cabinet and Sector Oversight in the Prime Minister’s Office. The launch positions the Somali Region among the country’s early adopters of unified service delivery, a cornerstone of…

Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Capture Strategic City in Eastern DR Congo Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have reportedly entered the eastern DR Congo city of Uvira, a crucial military base located near the borders of Burundi and Rwanda. The takeover has triggered widespread panic and forced thousands of residents to flee, raising alarms about the regional stability. Witnesses reported that the M23 rebels marched into Uvira unopposed, claiming to have "liberated" the city. However, government officials insist that their troops remain…

About 200,000 people have fled their homes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent days as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels press toward the strategic lakeside city of Uvira, the United Nations said, underscoring a dramatic escalation that comes days after a Washington ceremony heralding a path to peace. The UN said at least 74 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the latest wave of fighting and 83 others were hospitalized with wounds. It warned the new M23 offensive “has a destabilizing potential for the whole…