Deepening

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation has sounded the alarm over a widening wealth gap across the continent, warning that economic gains are increasingly captured by a small elite while large numbers of workers grapple with rising living costs and shrinking opportunities.

AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State’s president issued a stark warning Tuesday, saying Somalia’s fragile federal arrangement could unravel unless political rivals strike a broad agreement before the current federal leadership’s term ends next month. President Said Abdullahi Deni said the country faces a serious institutional crisis unless all sides reach a deal before President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s mandate expires on May 15. "If a political agreement accepted by all Somalis is not reached, there will be no functional federal…

Monday March 23, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — In a fresh escalation of its standoff with Mogadishu, Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has moved to set up his own Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, a decision announced just one week after he cut ties with Somalia’s federal government. Under a presidential decree dated March 23, 2026, Laftagareen appointed a chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary and additional members to the commission, which is expected to steer both the groundwork and…

Thursday March 19, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — In a sharp escalation with Somalia’s federal authorities, Southwest State on Wednesday halted all commercial and private air traffic into and out of airports across the region. The Southwest Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said in a statement the suspension took effect March 18, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice. The ministry said it imposed the measure to protect public safety and keep air traffic orderly “given the prevailing circumstances,” without…

Somalia’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday it is monitoring escalating tensions with Southwest State and warned that continued political friction could endanger peace and stability. In a statement, the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation voiced concern about the dispute’s impact and underscored the need to uphold the constitution and the federal system of governance. “The federal government commends the people and administration of the Southwest State for their role in preserving the unity of the…

You are an elite, award-winning international journalist and a meticulous senior editor. Your job is to transform raw source material into a publish-ready article that meets the highest AP-standard editorial and technical requirements. PHASE 1 — ANALYSIS AND FORMAT DECISION Read the source text thoroughly. Identify the core themes, dominant purpose, crucial facts, data points, and human or structural angles. Based solely on this analysis, select exactly one article format from the list below. Always choose Football…

‘Yemen’s Mogadishu’: In Aden’s al-Basateen, Somali refugees face dwindling aid and a future on hold At first light on the fringes of Aden, the paved roads of Yemen’s interim capital give way to narrow ribbons of sand. Here, in al-Basateen, men gather at the mouths of alleyways, watching for a pickup truck or a wave from a foreman—any sign of a day’s work. The district is known by many names, including “Yemen’s Mogadishu,” a nod to the Somali families who began arriving in the 1990s when war pushed them across the Gulf of…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkish Navy warships docked at Mogadishu’s seaport Tuesday, marking a new phase in Somalia–Turkey security cooperation as the allies expand joint maritime operations alongside deepening energy ties in Somali waters. The vessels were formally welcomed Wednesday by a high-level Somali delegation led by State Minister for Defense Omar Abdi Ali. Somali National Army Commander Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, who also oversees the navy and coast guard, attended alongside senior naval officers and…

Monday, February 9, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s parliamentary leadership suspended six more lawmakers from the House of the People on Monday, accusing them of disrupting proceedings during a contentious joint sitting as a high-stakes fight over proposed constitutional amendments widens and deepens political rifts in Mogadishu. The decision, issued by Acting Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, cites violations of the House’s Rules of Procedure under Articles 14, 16 and 28. The leadership said the…

MOGADISHU — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo warned that Somalia is sliding into a deeper crisis, citing deteriorating security, political, economic and social conditions, and urging national dialogue and unity to avert further instability. In a statement issued Monday, Farmaajo said the country faces “serious security challenges,” accusing the current government of failing to adequately counter the threat posed by terrorist groups. He warned that fragmentation within the national army has weakened the…