elders

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 LAS ANOD, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened a high-level, closed-door consultation Friday night with traditional elders from the Northeastern State, urging them to anchor reconciliation and grassroots security as the federal government moves to consolidate authority in the long-contested region. The meeting in Las Anod — part of the president’s landmark visit to the city — centered on reconciliation, security and the consolidation of the state-building process after years of conflict…

BORAMA, North Western State of Somalia — Traditional leaders in North Western State of Somalia’s Awdal region said Tuesday they have handed security responsibilities in Borama back to the police, moving to restore order after days of unrest that left at least 20 people dead and more wounded. The elders announced the decision after a closed-door meeting in the regional capital, reversing an earlier directive that had ordered all security forces — including police and army units — to withdraw from the city amid escalating…

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.…

Baidoa (AX) — On Thursday, Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre engaged in meaningful discussions with the traditional elders of the Southwest state in Baidoa. The conversations pivoted on their indispensable role in building the nation and steering Somali governance.Southwest state President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen also graced the meeting, emphasizing the elders’ inputs on peace, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, especially in the Southwest regions.Prime Minister Barre underscored the crucial nature of…

Somali minister meets with Jubaland elders and politicians in mid-election talks MOGADISHU, Somalia - A gaggle of senior clans and politicians met on Tuesday with the federal authorities of Somalia's Minister of the Inside, Federalism and Reconciliation in what might change the political dynamics of western Somalia. The group held a gathering with Normal Mukhtar Hussein Afrah, who…

Somali Prime Minister meets with Jubaland elders and politicians MOGADISHU, Somalia - A bunch of senior clans and politicians met on Tuesday with the federal authorities of Somalia's Minister of the Inside, Federalism and Reconciliation in what may change the political dynamics of western Somalia. The staff held a gathering with Normal Mukhtar Hussein Afrah, who can be an in depth…