Puntland State’s new anti-terror law tests a familiar bargain: more security, fewer liberties The ink is barely dry in Garowe. With a stroke of the pen on October 8, Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni signed into law a sweeping anti-terrorism bill that grants security agencies powers long sought, and just as fiercely debated. The legislation, approved by the regional parliament in late July, is now published in the official gazette and enforceable across Puntland State’s cities, coasts and mountain ranges. This…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a noteworthy Thursday, Somali Minister of Interior, Ali Yusuf Ali-Hoosh, had an engaging sit-down with an esteemed Finnish delegation. They huddled to chat about the relentless military campaigns against the notorious al-Shabab, with a sharp focus on stabilizing Somalia. This Finnish entourage, captained by the savvy Ambassador Pirkka Tapiola, boasted top brass from Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their involvement underscores a solid commitment to bolstering Somalia’s leap towards security and…

Mogadishu (AX) – Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, sounded a sharp critique, pointing fingers at the Ethiopian government. He claimed they are masking a land grab under the guise of fighting terrorism. At a United Nations Security Council gathering on Friday, Fiqi revealed that Somali authorities had thwarted attempts of Ethiopian-origin arms sneaking into Somalia. They believed these weapons were meant to stir the local pot, which he labeled as a "shameless breach" of…

UNITED NATIONS, NYC (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre engaged in pivotal dialogues with global dignitaries at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. On Wednesday, Barre conversed with Molly Phee, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Their discussions gravitated around bolstering Somalia's counterterrorism initiatives and navigating the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) wind-down. Commitment to regional stability was reaffirmed, and avenues for…