efforts

President Donald Trump, joined by billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, is spearheading an aggressive campaign to streamline the US bureaucracy, resulting in the dismissal of over 9,500 federal employees. Those affected ranged from individuals responsible for managing vast federal lands to dedicated personnel caring for the nation's military veterans. This sweeping initiative has predominantly impacted probationary workers—those who have been on the job for less than a year and enjoy limited employment protections. Reports from…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a fervent appeal, the Northeastern State of Somalia of Somalia has reached out to international allies, urging them to lend critical logistical and technical assistance. Their goal? To fortify ongoing military operations against the entrenched ISIS insurgents within the rugged Bari region. Imagine the scene: General Abdirahman Mohamed Jama, commander of the Northeastern State Maritime Police Force (PMPF), standing stalwart yet weary, discusses the daunting task at hand. "We are devoting everything we…

The once impenetrable bastion of Dinsor, situated in Somalia's southwestern region and close to the frontier with Kenya and Ethiopia, crumbled under the combined efforts of African Union troops. Just days prior, they had seized Bardhere, another strategic location. These captures are significant as both towns represented the remaining strongholds of the Al-Shabaab insurgents. While these victories have offered a flicker of hope, a more complex issue looms over the horizon. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman,…

Impact of Aid Withdrawal on Somalia’s Vulnerable Populations The United States Agency for International Development, better known as USAID, invested a substantial sum of $369 million in Somalia during 2021. This funding supported a spectrum of vital initiatives—from sanitation projects to emergency nutritional programs—implemented through both governmental and non-governmental channels. Yet, amid this significant humanitarian endeavor, an unexpected halt threatened to unravel the fragile threads holding numerous…

In a striking move indicative of a tumultuous political landscape, former President Donald Trump has rescinded the security clearance of his predecessor, Joe Biden. This action arrives amidst a flurry of directives aimed at fundamentally reshaping the structures and agencies responsible for American humanitarian outreach. The 77-year-old former billionaire, now pursuing a different sort of power, has also put a freeze on aid directed towards South Africa—home to his prominent supporter, Elon Musk. Further solidifying his…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a charged atmosphere of growing political tension, Somali Minister of Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag has thrown serious accusations against Ahmed Madobe, the President of Jubbaland State. Fartaag, in a fiery address delivered in the heart of Mogadishu on Saturday, painted Madobe as not merely a political rival but a profound obstructionist, hampering the painstaking fight against the militant group, al-Shabaab. His words resounded with palpable frustration. Fartaag sparked a blend of intrigue…

The elusive quest to dismantle the Islamic State network threaded through the rugged terrain of north-eastern Somalia requires resilience and acute caution. Yet, such an assignment must negotiate the subtlety of mountainous hideouts against an adversary thriving in shadows. Unyielding and stoic, these militants persist, shaping the narrative of extremism in Africa's complex tapestry. In an audacious move, former U.S. President Donald Trump struck with characteristic bravado—a hallmark reminiscent of his tenure. Following an…

As the dry winds swept across the vast desert landscape of Mandera on February 4, 2025, President William Ruto made a significant entrance, escorted by local dignitaries who eagerly awaited his arrival. The timbre of anticipation was palpable, especially with the burden of unresolved concerns hanging in the air. Would the five abducted Mandera chiefs see the light of freedom soon? President Ruto's resolute promise echoed a commitment that although rare in articulation, resounded with heartfelt urgency. Ruto, in a bid that…

Macawisley Abuses Raise Dilemmas in Somalia's Anti-Al-Shabaab Strategy MOGADISHU, Somalia - The climate of Somalia's complex socio-political landscape is shifting once more, as fresh reports highlight concerning human rights abuses by the Macawisley militia, a group critical to the ongoing struggle against Al-Shabaab in the central regions. Such revelations were laid bare by Hassan Ali Nur Shute, the stern chief of Somalia's military court, who announced on…

Hargeisa (AX) – As shadows deepened over the Gobonimo Market on a seemingly unassuming Sunday night, an unexpected inferno erupted, casting a crimson glare against the sky. The furious blaze, now quelled through tireless efforts, has etched scars of both devastation and financial despair that may take time to heal. In the wake of the conflagration, former Hargeisa Mayor Abdirahman Soltelco extended heartfelt gratitude to the heroes of the hour. "I extend my deepest thanks to the fire brigade, police force, and military…