Baidoa

Baidoa (AX) – In a heartfelt turn of events, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) showcased on Sunday a poignant moment of redemption and transformation. Ten individuals, previously enmeshed in the Al-Shabaab insurgency, have taken the brave step of surrendering themselves in Baidoa, the administrative heart of the Bay region. The path to change is seldom easy, but for these young men, this decision heralds the beginning of a new journey filled with hope and possibility. The complexity of…

Mogadishu (AX)—A stirring event unfolded on Thursday in Baidoa as hundreds of freshly trained Somali security personnel celebrated the completion of a demanding six-month training program. This training, meticulously conducted by Ethiopian forces, falls under the Africa Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The recruits endured intense military drills and mastered the complexities of weapons handling and counterterrorism strategies. Such rigorous training imbues them with the vital skills…

Could justice really be tangible, a force acting in real-time rather than a theoretical construct? In the heart of Somalia's Bay region, this question found an answer in the rapid administration of justice on a recent gripping occasion. The gritty streets of Baidoa witnessed a somber yet decisive chapter as a military court enforced the law in a bold and unyielding manner. Over the course of two consecutive days, three men met the ultimate penalty for their heinous acts against innocent civilians—an…

Baidoa (AX) — On a bright Sunday, as the sun painted Baidoa with golden hues, a delegation from Somalia's National Electoral Commission and Boundaries made its entrance, heralding a new chapter in the nation’s electoral journey. They carried with them not just paperwork and plans, but a vision to breathe life into a cornerstone of democracy—a one-person, one-vote electoral system. Yusuf Abdulqadir Mohamed, a seasoned member of the commission with a passion for political revitalization, addressed the press with a determined…

Mogadishu (AX) – In an alarming twist of fate, Abdilwahab Mohamed Daqare, a well-respected member of the Bardale District Council, was tragically gunned down near his residence in Baidoa on Tuesday night. The news sent ripples through the community, leaving neighbors and friends grappling with disbelief and loss. Who could possibly fathom such a violent goodbye? It felt like the sky had fallen. Just moments after the fatal shots rang through the night, the shadowy figures responsible vanished into the darkness. Despite the…

Hawo Salad Cali, a resilient woman living on the fringes of Baidoa, transforms hardship into a lifeline by selling bones she gathers in the Buur camp. With determination etched into her daily routine, she turns what many might overlook into sustenance for her family. Let’s meet Maydigo Omar Yarow, a 60-year-old widowed mother of six, whose day begins long before sunrise. She embarks on a journey to a livestock slaughterhouse on the outskirts of Baidoa. Her mission: to gather discarded bones and hides, which she sells to…

Families uprooted by crop failures are seeking sanctuary in makeshift camps on the fringes of Baidoa. A harsh drought in Southwest Somalia has compelled over 120 families to forsake their farms and way of life, enduring severe conditions in rudimentary shelters. Image: Radio Ergo Mogadishu (AX) — Jinay Isaaq Hassan spent her days in the quaint village of Mintaanyo, diligently working her six-hectare farm while raising her children. However, her life took a drastic turn earlier this year. The life-giving rains failed to…

Baidoa (AX) — On a somber Saturday night in Baidoa, the heart of Somalia's Bay region, a respected elder and peacemaker, Yaqub Hassan Haji, met a tragic end at the hands of gunmen brandishing pistols.The crime unfolded in the Bardale area, and the culprits made their escape before law enforcement could intervene.In response, local authorities sprang into action, detaining several suspects connected to the heinous act. Despite these efforts, no group has stepped forward to shoulder the blame.The elder’s grieving family has…

Somalia: MPs Still Battling Travel Bans at Mogadishu Airport En Route to Baidoa MOGADISHU, Somalia — Federal parliamentarians from the Southwest State of Somalia continue to face hurdles at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport, particularly when trying to fly to Baidoa. Today, MP Mohamed Sheikh Abdullahi Osman (known as Iiro) was the latest to be blocked from boarding his plane. These travel impediments have ignited a firestorm of anger and criticism from regional leaders and MPs. They argue that these actions…

Mogadishu (AX) – Sareedo Mohamed Abdulle, a member of the Somali People's Assembly, leveled accusations at the Somali Intelligence Agency for barring her and fellow parliamentarians from flying to Baidoa on Thursday. "Unfamiliar with the law, individuals stopped me from boarding my flight today. MPs from the Southwest are under attack, and henceforth, we'll enter the airport armed," Abdulle stated to the press. Adding to the uproar, MP Saadaq Abdullahi labeled the travel prohibition as illegal, alleging that the…