Deepening

Somalia, Egypt deepen ties in Cairo talks, eye embassy move to Mogadishu and stronger security coordination CAIRO — Somalia and Egypt pledged to advance a broader strategic partnership after their foreign ministers met Saturday on the sidelines of the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, focusing on economic cooperation, security coordination and regional stability. Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Atty discussed plans to…

Somalia’s 2026 choice: avoid a legitimacy crisis by fixing the election model, not the scoreboard Somalia is entering another high-stakes transition with too little time, too much polarization, and a volatile security map. The federal government’s drive to centralize authority while invoking universal suffrage risks breaking the very political settlement that has held the country together — imperfectly but functionally — for a quarter century. A safer way through 2026 is available: an improved, time-bound indirect election…

Thousands of South Africans joined an online and street-level protest this week calling on the government to declare gender-based violence (GBV) a national disaster, a demand activists say is necessary to match the scale of attacks on women across the country. The movement, which began on social media and crystallised in a coordinated "G20 Women's Shutdown," asked women to withdraw from work and the economy for a day, wear black, and lie down for 15 minutes at noon to honour those killed. Organisers urged supporters to turn…

The bustling city of Mogadishu recently witnessed a significant diplomatic rendezvous at its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On Thursday, Somali Foreign Minister Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi sat down with his Egyptian counterpart, Ambassador Mohamed El-Baz, to explore opportunities to enhance the bonds between their nations. This gathering wasn't just a run-of-the-mill diplomatic meeting, but rather, a crucial dialogue to fortify the ties that have such rich, historical roots. Within the hushed conference room, shaded by the…

Baku (AX) — Fathudin Ali Mohamed, Somalia's ambassador to Azerbaijan without a residential base, has announced that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will participate in the forthcoming COP29 Climate Conference. During this global event, he is expected to engage in discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Scheduled from November 11 to 22, 2024, the UN Climate Conference will unfold in Baku, the vibrant capital of Azerbaijan. Ambassador Fathudin, who also holds the position of Somalia's representative to…

CREDIT / SONNA Mogadishu Celebrates Turkish Partnership In a show of camaraderie, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alongside military brass, greets an honor guard in Mogadishu. This ceremony shines a spotlight on Turkey's steadfast partnership with Somalia, particularly with recent strides in defense and energy collaboration. Agreement Spurs Energy Exploration Mogadishu (AX) - In a leap towards bolstering economic partnership, Turkey and Somalia ink a landmark agreement targeting onshore oil and gas pursuits,…