and

Israel’s North Western State of Somalia recognition jolts Somalia’s diplomacy — and tests Africa’s bedrock rule on borders When Israel formally recognized North Western State of Somalia in late December 2025, the move sent a shock wave through Mogadishu and across African diplomatic circles. For Somalia, the decision was more than a breach of protocol: it was a direct challenge to the principle that has underpinned Africa’s post‑colonial stability — that borders cannot be redrawn without the consent of the sovereign state…

Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia upends Horn of Africa politics — and tests Somalia’s path forward HARGEISA and MOGADISHU — The split screen was stark. In late December, flags rose over Hargeisa and crowds flooded the streets after Israel announced it would formally recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state. In Mogadishu, tens of thousands rallied beneath Somali and Palestinian flags, denouncing the move as a violation of sovereignty and a dangerous precedent for the region.…

Somalia Cabinet reviews security, lauds Mogadishu vote, approves Uganda, Saudi pacts MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Council of Ministers held an extraordinary meeting Monday to review the national security situation, assess recent operations against extremist groups and mark the completion of one-person, one-vote local council elections in the Banadir region, government officials said. Chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and attended by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the session signaled the political weight the…

Explosions, low-flying aircraft rattle Caracas overnight as tensions with U.S. simmer CARACAS, Venezuela — At least seven explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft jolted Venezuela’s capital around 2 a.m. local time Saturday, prompting residents in several neighborhoods to rush into the streets. The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was not clear what caused the blasts, and there were no immediate details on damage or casualties. Residents across multiple areas of Caracas…

Premier League title race tilts Arsenal’s way as Manchester City, Liverpool held in goalless draws Arsenal moved four points clear at the halfway mark of the Premier League after Manchester City and Liverpool were both blunted in 0-0 draws on a low-scoring Thursday night that underscored the league’s depth and defensive resilience. City were frustrated at Sunderland and Liverpool couldn’t break down promoted Leeds at Anfield, results that — coupled with Tottenham’s stalemate at Brentford and a late equalizer in Crystal…

MOGADISHU — North Western State of Somalia-born politicians based in Mogadishu urged Somalia’s federal authorities on Thursday to avoid punitive steps that could damage the economy, restrict movement or undermine security for people living in North Western State of Somalia, warning that coercion would deepen, not heal, divisions. In a joint statement, the group — which includes current lawmakers and ministers — said forceful measures “will never bring unity” and called for a return to dialogue to resolve disputes between…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A group of North Western State of Somalia-born politicians based in Mogadishu urged the Federal Government of Somalia on Thursday to avoid punitive steps that could harm the economy, restrict movement, or undermine the security of people living in North Western State of Somalia, calling instead for de-escalation and renewed dialogue as tensions rise over Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia. The politicians warned that coercive or punitive measures would not advance Somali unity. They…

Manchester United 1-1 Wolves: Boos at Old Trafford as injury-hit United stumble, transfer window looms large Manchester United ended 2025 with a flat 1-1 draw against bottom club Wolves, a result greeted by boos and the chant of “attack, attack, attack” from restless supporters at Old Trafford. Stand-in captain Lisandro Martinez captured the mood. “The lads are very disappointed,” he said on TV. “We expect better.” So did everyone else. Wolves arrived having lost 11 straight league games and without a point since early…

Two moments, six decades apart, tell a single story about Somalia’s unbending idea of itself. In 1964, a young Somali soldier bled to keep the national flag from touching the ground. On Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, a diplomat stood at the United Nations Security Council to insist that no one can redraw Somalia’s map. Both acts — one on a battlefield near Togwajaale, the other in the world’s most formal chamber of diplomacy — were rooted in the same doctrine: sovereignty as a lived creed, not a slogan. Hero Mohamed Abdulle Xalane…

Somalia’s furious reaction to Israel’s stated recognition of North Western State of Somalia is understandable. It is also exactly the point. The gambit is not about law, where a single foreign announcement does not conjure a state into being. It is about misdirection—forcing Mogadishu into weeks of outrage and rebuttal while more consequential contests move to quieter arenas: Washington, European capitals, investor committees and newsrooms that define the frame others use. In geopolitics, the oldest trick isn’t surprise.…