Envoy

Miami — U.S., European and Ukrainian officials wrapped three days of talks in Florida aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine with what Washington called “productive” progress toward a common position and a path to formal security guarantees for Kyiv. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the Miami discussions were focused on aligning the parties around a U.S.-drafted, 20-point plan for ending the conflict and on mapping “timelines” and “sequencing of next steps.” The sessions are part of an accelerated push by President…

Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting probed as terror attack; Israel’s envoy urges protection for Jewish Australians SYDNEY — Dozens queued along Sydney’s Bondi Beach to lay flowers and light candles for the victims of the weekend’s Hanukkah festival shooting, as Australia opened a terrorism investigation and Israel’s ambassador called for stronger protection of the country’s Jewish community. Police said 16 people were dead, including one of the alleged gunmen, after two attackers opened fire on Sunday in Australia’s worst mass…

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 GAROWE, Somalia — A Puntland State-appointed committee investigating the death of traditional elder Omar Abdillahi Abdi concluded that he was the sole casualty of a U.S. airstrike near Ceel Buh on Sept. 13, contradicting U.S. Africa Command’s assertion that the operation did not harm civilians. The committee’s report, compiled from Puntland State security agencies and witness testimonies, said Omar — widely known as Chief Omar — left Ceel Buh in the Sanaag region on Sept. 13 bound for Badhan district…

Trump backs off Ukraine peace deadline as US envoy heads to Moscow amid reports of coaching Russians WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew a firm Thanksgiving deadline for Ukraine to accept a U.S.-backed peace framework and defended the administration’s negotiators after reports the lead envoy advised Russian officials how to press the proposal. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Florida, Trump said U.S. negotiators were making progress with both sides and that Moscow had agreed to “some…

Somalia's Cry for Gaza: A Diplomatic Call to Conscience at the UN In the storied halls of the United Nations, where history is often recorded in resonant speeches and urgent pleas, Somalia's ambassador, Abukar Osman Baale, delivered a message that pierced through the routine deliberations. His words reached out across cultures and continents, sounding an alarm over the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. "What we are witnessing is not security. It is collective punishment, and it is genocide," Baale proclaimed, his…

Baidoa (AX) — On Monday, Ambassador James Swan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, sat down with South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ and his team. Their chat revolved around some big-ticket items like security, election prep, and the pressing humanitarian concerns. Regional bigwigs filled in the UN envoy on safety measures being beefed up across South West State. They particularly pointed out the recent wins in Sabiid and Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region.…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A heated row has erupted between two prominent Somali ministers, spotlighting corruption allegations swirling around Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's administration. The conflict hinges on which official should serve as the nation's representative at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalin Fiqi opted for Mohamud Moalim, the current head of Somalia's disaster management agency, to take on WMO envoy duties. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Khadija Makhzoumi backed Guled…

Understanding what's at play, let's take the core message of a Kenyan delegation trying to ease the political friction between Somali leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Jubbaland's head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, over the looming election. There's some backstory involving some heavy hitters like former bigwigs from IGAD—Mahbub Moalim and Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey. We've even got Wajir County's own Senator Abdirahman Ali Hassan Olow in the mix. Their mission? Play peacemaker and sort out this kerfuffle over inclusion or lack…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi engaged in a pivotal conversation with James Swan, the Acting Special Representative of the United Nations, in Mogadishu. Their discussion revolved around the newly inaugurated United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which has taken over from UNSOM. This meeting came just a day after UNTMIS’s official debut on November 1. The dialogue centered on Somalia’s evolving role within the UN Security Council, along with critical security…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Monday, Somalia gave the boot to a top Ethiopian envoy, accusing the diplomat of actions that clash with his official duties and breach Somalia's sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs broke the news, spotlighting the incident's significance. Ali Mohamed Adan, who held the position of Counselor II at Ethiopia’s embassy in the Somali capital, faced the label of persona non grata. This term demands he exits Somali territory within 72 hours. The move raises the bar in the already bumpy relationship…