alliance

John Steenhuisen, the leader of South Africa’s Democratic Alliance since 2019, has stepped aside from the party’s leadership race and will devote his attention to managing a severe foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has drawn heavy criticism of his handling of the crisis, the party and his office said Friday. Steenhuisen — who, according to party sources, also served as agriculture minister — had been expected to run unopposed for another term but withdrew amid internal disputes and lingering controversies that party…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has invited the Somali Future Council, a leading opposition alliance, to a multi-day national conference in Mogadishu beginning Feb. 1, aiming to speed up talks on the country’s political direction with a particular focus on the electoral roadmap. The invitation, issued late Monday by the Office of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, signals a tentative step toward dialogue amid rising tensions over electoral rules and the broader governance framework. The move follows President…

Saudi Arabia in Talks With Egypt, Somalia on Military Coalition RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is finalizing an agreement with Somalia and Egypt on a new military coalition aimed at tightening Red Sea security and curbing the United Arab Emirates’ regional influence, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia soon to complete the deal, the people said. The pact under discussion would deepen coordination on maritime security across the Red Sea and…

Somalia’s President to Visit Saudi Arabia Amid Shifting Alliances MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to make an official visit to Saudi Arabia later this week, officials said, a trip aimed at consolidating ties with Riyadh as Mogadishu recalibrates its regional alliances across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Somali officials said the agenda will center on strengthening bilateral relations, regional cooperation and security coordination, with both governments looking to formalize a…

Somali opposition forms “Somalia Future Council” as political clock ticks In a conciliatory — and potentially combustible — move, prominent Somali leaders gathered in Nairobi this week to unveil a new opposition coalition they call the “Somalia Future Council.” Brought together by regional heavyweights and veteran national figures, the alliance aims to shape the country’s fraught political transition as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term edges toward its final months. Who’s in the room matters The coalition combines…

Analysis: Jubbaland’s Broadside Against Mogadishu Exposes Somalia’s Uneasy Balancing Act Somalia’s fragile political compact wobbled again this week as the Jubbaland regional administration publicly accused the federal government in Mogadishu of drifting from core national priorities, including the campaign against al-Shabaab and the country’s hard-won political unity. In a blunt statement issued Monday, Jubbaland warned that “short-term political interests” were eroding trust and urged a return to consensus politics. “The…

Kismayo (AX) — In a significant turn of events, a military tribunal in Jubaland on Monday handed clan elder Hassan Mahamud Salah a five-year prison sentence, finding him guilty of conspiring with the militant faction Al-Shabaab. The case highlights the ongoing struggle against terrorism in the region. Presiding over the case, Colonel Abdullahi Mahamud Ibrahim pronounced the verdict, articulating the court's unwavering position on affiliations with Al-Shabaab. "This is a cautionary tale for those who dare to aid terrorist…

During the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum held in Sochi, African ministers received a clear message: Russia stands firmly behind the continent, promising "total support" across various sectors. This assurance was conveyed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, representing President Vladimir Putin. It’s noteworthy that this support comes at a pivotal moment when several African countries are reevaluating their relationships with Western nations, amid allegations of interference and neocolonial practices, as noted by…

In October 2024, Turkey's bigwig, Recep Erdogan, launched a seismic research vessel bound for Somalia, as captured by Turkish Presidency/Murat Kula/Handout/Anadolu through Getty Images. Turkey's been dialing up its connection with Somalia lately. They're backing Somalia in safeguarding its seas and have penned a pact to scout for oil and gas along the East African country's coast. Chatter has also surfaced about Turkey setting up a missile and rocket testing ground in Somalia. These moves highlight Turkey's bold dreams and…

Introduction Well folks, let's just kick things off by saying that yes, I do indeed know how to spell "Red Sea" correctly. But see, here’s the twist — "Red SEE" is a clever little play on words that reflects the trio of nations forming this new coalition: Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea. Get it? S-E-E. Now, what's lit the fire under this newfound alliance? Just one thing: water. Folks who wear fancy suits and think deep thoughts have long opined that our next big battles would be over water. That future isn’t in some distant…