elders

Nestled within the heart of the Hiiraan region, the Moqokori district stood as the latest venue for an essential dialogue focused on bolstering regional security. On a day that promised neither too much sun nor unexpected rain, figures of authority in Somalia converged for an imperative gathering. Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sambaloolshe, the astute Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), alongside Hirshabelle's Vice President, the charismatic Yusuf Ahmed Hagar Dabageed, spearheaded…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — In the tranquil town of Sala, nestled within Kenya's Mandera County, an unusual edict has rippled through the community like a stone skipped across a placid pond. The venerable elders have imposed a comprehensive prohibition on the trading and consumption of khat, a widely-used stimulant in this part of Africa. "What risks loom for those who defy?" you might wonder. Social ostracism, rejected marriage proposals, and a denial of religious rituals form the trifecta of deterrents. This weekly, at a…

At the Mandera border post, a tense yet hopeful scene plays out between Kenya and Somalia. The border symbolizes more than just a geographical demarcation; it reflects the complex ties and tumultuous past shared by these two nations. Recently, in an unexpected twist of events, Kenya dispatched a multi-agency delegation, championed by wise community elders, to Somalia. Why, one might ask? Their mission is clear yet perilous: to negotiate the safe return of five local chiefs who were abducted under mysterious and troubling…

Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs during a past function. PHOTO/PRINT In a resolute and somewhat complex maneuver, Kenya has decided to send Somali elders to their homeland to negotiate the release of four Chiefs and an Assistant Chief. These officials, entrusted with great responsibility, were tragically abducted by Al-Shabaab militants in the heart of Elwak, Mandera County. One might ask, why such a delicate approach? The truth lies in the intricacies of ensuring their safe return. Despite a joint security operation being…

Nairobi (AX) – In a move demonstrating both urgency and tradition, the Kenyan government is gearing up to dispatch a group of Somali elders. Their mission? To negotiate the release of five local chiefs, who vanished on Monday near the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera County. The abductions have sparked a sober realization—the intricate dance between diplomacy and danger that governs this troubled region. Why involve elders, you might wonder? They possess the nuanced understanding of local customs, an essential element for…

FILE - Boqor Osman Aw Mohamud Buurmadow, a notable figure in North Western State of Somalia's traditional leadership. In a world where the shadows creep closer to the edges of light, stories like this remind us of the timeless complexities of human society. Recently, a clan conference took place in Badhan, sparking renewed tensions between Somalia and North Western State of Somalia. At the forefront of this narrative, Boqor Osman Aw Mohamud Buurmadow, a respected leader, did not shy away from addressing the issue head-on.…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — Wrestling with the surge of teen violence and drug-related antics in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Uncle Sam has teamed up with Somali elders to revive time-honored conflict resolution techniques in local neighborhoods. At the heart of this initiative is "nabadoonimo," a Somali tradition of peace-pampering through communal chatter and mutual respect. The game plan? Diverting Somali youth from the clutches of gang life and narcotics.The core of this alliance is the Somali Youth Link, a grassroots squad…

Beledweyne (AX) – In a significant community triumph, Ugas Yusuf Ugas Hassan Ugas Khalif, the esteemed leader of the Hawadle tribe, has navigated the successful dismantling of numerous rogue checkpoints along the stretch between Beledweyne and El-gal in the Hiiraan territory.Flanked by Hiiraan's regional chief, Muse Salad Wehliye, and a cohort of respected elders, the leader embarked on a mission to clear the main artery linking Mataban and Beledweyne. These makeshift barricades had been a notorious thorn in the side of…

MANDERA, Kenya (AX) — Prominent elders from Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia are making an earnest appeal for unity among Northern Kenya's communities, in the wake of deadly upheavals in Banessa. Authorities caution that the infiltration of illegal arms from neighboring territories exacerbates the region's turmoil. During the assembly, leaders called on Northern Kenya inhabitants to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to tackle the smuggling of small arms — a significant contributor to the area’s escalating insecurity.…