MOGADISHU, Somalia – FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday described the reported denial of entry to the United States for Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan as “unfortunate,” while making clear that football’s world governing body has no power to override decisions made by governments or security agencies. At a press conference, Infantino said FIFA was handling the matter through dialogue and diplomatic channels after reports surfaced that the internationally recognised Somali referee had been blocked from entering…

Sunday June 7, 2026 Addis Ababa (AX) — Somalia’s ambassador to Ethiopia says Mogadishu is determined to extend federal authority across every part of Somali territory, including Hargeisa and Berbera, as tensions flare again over North Western State of Somalia’s disputed status. Speaking to Al Jazeera this week, Ambassador Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa said the federal government is rebuilding state institutions and bolstering the national army so that federal authority can reach all regions of the country. “Northern Somalia is…

Saturday April 25, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s push to tighten its digital defenses took a step forward as the National Communications Authority (NCA) brought together government agencies, private-sector representatives, educators, civil society actors, and technical specialists for a national consultation on a Cybersecurity Risk Management and Compliance Framework. The gathering was designed to collect feedback and deepen coordination around a framework intended to bolster the country’s cybersecurity posture, protect…

Israel rules out Palestinian Authority role in post-war Gaza; Denmark jails two over embassy attack; IDF to replace Arabic-language spokesman Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Jerusalem that the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority will not play any role in governing post-war Gaza, sharpening Israel’s position as international diplomatic tracks remain fluid. “The Prime Minister clarified that the Palestinian Authority will not be involved in administering the Strip in any…

Somalia to roll out new passport in 2026 as immigration agency touts security, digital reforms Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority will issue a new national passport in 2026, replacing the current document as part of a wider modernization drive aimed at securing borders, improving service delivery and restoring global confidence in Somali travel documents, officials said Wednesday. Announcing the plan at an event in Mogadishu, ICA Director Mustafa Dhuhulow presented the…

Jubbaland declares itself a “government,” deepening Somalia’s constitutional crisis Jubbaland on Sunday said it will operate as a government rather than a federal member state, a sharp escalation in its confrontation with Somalia’s federal authorities that widens the country’s unresolved constitutional crisis. Abdi Mohamed Abdirahman, speaker of the Jubbaland Parliament, said lawmakers approved amendments removing all references to “federal member state” from the regional charter and formally rebranding the entity as the…

Somalia’s push to operationalize a National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has ignited a debate that reaches far beyond technical administration. At stake are core questions about the Provisional Constitution, the balance of power between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States (FMS), and the real-world consequences of layering a new federal ID on top of existing systems, including the country’s internationally recognized biometric passport. The outcome will shape citizen…

Abdirahman emphasized the widespread repercussions of the recent disappearances, which have left a deep impact even within government circles. "This isn't just an issue for officials—opposition folks are feeling the heat too," he remarked. In the midst of probing deeper into these incidents, he assured transparency would be the order of the day. Now, diving into the unexpected drama on social media: a slew of Facebook accounts belonging to prominent figures, like journalists, have mysteriously gone silent—vanished into…

In Kismayo, a significant announcement is expected soon from the Jubaland Election and Boundaries Commission, which plans to unveil a novel approach to selecting its parliamentary members. This marks another chapter in the ongoing tug-of-war between the federal government of Somalia and the semi-autonomous Jubaland region. The new selection procedure, set to be detailed today, highlights Jubaland's push for increased self-governance, further straining its relationship with Mogadishu.Under the leadership of President Ahmed…

In the wake of Donald Trump’s electoral triumph, President Joe Biden has called on Americans to “cool down” their political tensions, emphasizing the importance of a smooth, orderly transition of power. After the Democrats faced a setback with Kamala Harris’ loss in the recent election, Mr. Biden took to the public stage to share the phone conversation he had with Trump. He assured his successor that his team would collaborate amicably with the incoming administration. Biden also reached out to Ms. Harris, highlighting the…