Affairs

IGAD Embraces Somalia’s New Foreign Minister with Hope and Collaboration MOGADISHU, Somalia - Recently, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) extended a warm welcome to Somalia's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdisalam Abdi Ali. In a country grappling with heightened security challenges and diplomatic hurdles, Ali's arrival is seen as both timely and crucial. Taking over the reins from Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, who has shifted to the defense portfolio under Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s…

Djibouti Appoints New Foreign Minister: A Shift in Leadership Change is an inherent and often exhilarating aspect of governance, and this week, Djibouti embraced such a transition. In the wake of Mahamoud Ali Youssouf's esteemed election as head of the African Union, the nation has welcomed Abdoulkader Houssein Omar as its new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The presidential decree announcing this appointment was made public on Tuesday, marking a new era in Djiboutian diplomacy.…

Mogadishu: Dynamics Within the Somali Presidency In a move that caught many by surprise, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially relieved Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim Qoone from his advisory role on inter-regional affairs this past Sunday. The decision, formally announced through a presidential decree, sparked curiosity and contemplation across the political landscape of Mogadishu. It left some asking: What prompts such a decision in these turbulent times? "Leaders are expected…

Engagement in geopolitics often unveils stories of spirited debates and shared visions, particularly when discussing strategically vital regions. A recent encounter at the crossroads of diplomacy highlights this truth. Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty, representing Egypt, alongside Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki, has vocally reiterated their steadfast opposition to the participation of non-littoral nations in the governance and security affairs of the Red Sea. Their joint dismissal of external involvement…

“A handshake in Istanbul colored the air with new possibilities,” noticed observers as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan last September . The meeting seemed to signal a thaw in icy relations and was a precursor to subsequent talks between Turkey and Egypt, centering on Africa and Libya. On a lively Monday, officials from both countries gathered to address mutual concerns. On the table were discussions about the Horn of Africa and simmering tensions in the Red Sea, alongside the…

Today, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is scheduled to sit down with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, as announced by the State Department. This meeting comes at a critical juncture, with the deadline imposed by Washington to improve conditions in Gaza fast approaching. The discussion is set for 5 p.m. local time (which translates to 10 p.m. in Ireland), although the public agenda provided little insight into the specifics of their conversation. However, hopes for a ceasefire in the…

In a recent encounter that brought together minds from opposite ends of the global spectrum, Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, sat down with Mathieu Briens, the European Union's Deputy Managing Director for Africa. This wasn't just a meeting of suits and ties but a convergence of ideas and aspirations aimed at putting Somalia on a robust path to a brighter future. The Somali national news agency, SONNA, was right on the scene, painting a picture of diplomatic engagement. Amidst the backdrop of this high-profile…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, finds himself under the hammer as Parliamentarians launch a no-confidence motion against him, a development that could jeopardize his ministry tenure. Lawmakers from the Lower House have put forth the motion, criticizing his management style and calling for his swift dismissal. This move was made public on Saturday, according to insiders. The accusations paint Fiqi as a centralizing force, griping that the ministry’s operations grind to a halt…

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is "an accomplice in the torture of a Briton in Somalia" LONDON - A British citizen has claimed to have been tortured in Somalia and questioned by US intelligence agents, fearing that controversial post-9/11 “war on terror” practices are still being used. The 45-year-old from London alleges he suffered a balaclava, sensory deprivation and waterboarding at the…

Turkey enters Africa amid criticism of Somalia's affairs MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Turkish government has reiterated its commitment to work with African countries on security, trade and investment issues, amid external competition to seize the continent, which is seen as the future epicenter of the world economies. Ankara has made inroads in Africa, but its influence is largely visible in…