calls

MOGADISHU, Somalia – On the International Day of Universal Access to Information, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) sounded the alarm about the new Official Information Bill, cautioning that it undermines Somalia's strides towards democracy. This Bill, criticized for possibly curbing information under the guise of national security and confidentiality, stands in stark opposition to UNESCO's 2024 theme, "Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector." NUSOJ Secretary General Omar…

FILE - Northeastern State’s President, Said Abdullahi Deni, addresses attendees at the annual Peace Conference in Garowe. The event, organized by the Northeastern State Development Research Center (PDRC), saw Deni underline his administration's preparedness for open dialogue with the Somali Federal Government. Mogadishu (AX) — President Said Abdullahi Deni of Northeastern State reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiating open conversations with the Somali Federal Government, stressing the need for a transparent…

The Egyptian Foreign Minister met with the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa in Washington. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) Tensions have flared as Ethiopia has reportedly dispatched a "shipment of ammunition" to the Northeastern State region in northern Somalia, much to the dismay of Mogadishu, which has denounced it as a "serious violation" of its sovereignty. On the flip side, Egypt has urged for the stabilization of Somalia and a strong respect for its territorial borders. Experts caution that Ethiopia’s actions…

Hargeisa (AX) – North Western State of Somalia’s Internal Affairs Minister, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, sounded the alarm on the budding rapport between al-Shabaab and Houthi militants in Yemen. In a chat with Al Arabiya TV, Ahmed illuminated the potential havoc this alliance could wreak on regional stability. He urged the Somali administration to take swift measures. "The bond between the Houthis and al-Shabaab is a palpable threat to the region's peace. It’s imperative for the Somali government to step in and halt their…

Mogadishu (AX) — Egypt has sounded the alarm, urging its citizens in North Western State of Somalia to pack up and skedaddle due to the deteriorating security climate. On Sunday, Egyptian media outlets disseminated a declaration advising Egyptians in North Western State of Somalia to promptly catch a flight out from Hargeisa International Airport."We strongly advise all Egyptian nationals against traveling to the North Western State of Somalia region, given the precarious security conditions there," read a statement from the…

CAIRO, Egypt — Egypt is asking its folks living in North Western State of Somalia to pack up and bounce. This plea comes amidst a budding spat with Ethiopia that's heating up like a summer BBQ. The root of this friction? Well, back in January, Ethiopia inked a deal with North Western State of Somalia for a sweet spot on the Red Sea, securing a 50-year lease granting access to 20 km of coastline. Somalia thinks this deal is a high-stakes poker game that violates its territorial hand. Standing tall beside Somalia, Egypt…

Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali Foreign Minister Yusuf Garaad admonished the Somali government to step in regarding recent remarks made by Director of Transport and Aviation Bashir Moalim Ali. Ali sparked an uproar by casting aspersions on the people of South West State during a media engagement. Ali questioned the genuineness of the recent demonstrators in Bakool, alleging they weren't true Somalis but descendants of Ethiopians from the time of former President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. "Hearing Somali citizens labeled as…

The deal allowing Ethiopia access to North Western State of Somalia's Red Sea coast has ignited a diplomatic skirmish. Somalia views this as a breach of its sovereignty since North Western State of Somalia, despite declaring independence in 1991, remains part of Somalia in Mogadishu's eyes. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi suggested that Somalia might support Ethiopian rebel factions if Ethiopia continues with the agreement. "The option to engage with armed rebels in Ethiopia...is available to us," Fiqi stated on…

Somali UN Envoy Implores AU Troops to Respect International Norms and Somalia's Borders UNITED NATIONS (AX) — Somalia's voice at the United Nations, Abukar Dahir Osman, urged African Union troop-contributing nations to rigorously adhere to global laws and honor Somalia’s borders. Addressing the United Nations Security Council, Osman underscored the importance of aligning foreign military actions with regional agreements to maintain stability. "Failing to respect Somalia's borders can be perceived as aggression," Osman…

Ethiopia Calls on Egypt to Reconsider Stance on Nile Dam Amid Growing Tensions ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia is pressing Egypt to rethink its "hostile tactics" concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), as tensions escalate over the Nile River's water management. This plea arises from Egypt's recent correspondence with the UN Security Council. In that letter, Egypt accused Ethiopia of violating international norms by filling the dam without a tripartite agreement. The GERD, perched on the Blue Nile in…