federal

Federal Government Accused of Politicizing Somali Unity Amid Rising Tensions With Regional States LAAS CANOOD, Somalia — Accusations are mounting that Somalia’s federal authorities are leveraging the language of national unity as a political weapon against some federal member states, with a planned inauguration in Laas Canood sharpening disputes and stirring fresh security concerns. The ceremony, expected to draw senior federal officials including members of the Council of Ministers and security chiefs from the National…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Jubaland and Puntland State, along with the self-declared republic of North Western State of Somalia, have sharply rejected a federal government decision to suspend cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates, deepening a long-running power struggle over who controls ports, security, and investment policy. In separate statements, the regional authorities said Mogadishu lacks the legal authority to halt or cancel deals they described as lawfully concluded directly between regional…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali politicians seen as close to Qatar on Friday welcomed a federal decision to downgrade Somalia’s ties with the United Arab Emirates, applauding a move they framed as a defense of the country’s sovereignty and political independence. Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, who has lived in Turkey and Qatar since leaving office, backed the decision by the Federal Government’s Council of Ministers in a statement posted on Facebook. “I welcome the decisions issued today by the Federal Government…

Maduro brought to New York federal court for arraignment NEW YORK — Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was brought to federal court in Manhattan for arraignment, a dramatic turn in a yearslong U.S. criminal case that has accused him of helping steer a state-backed cocaine trafficking enterprise. Details of the proceeding, including the specific charges to be read in court and any initial decisions on detention or bail, were not immediately available. An arraignment typically marks a defendant’s first appearance before a judge,…

MOGADISHU — Federal ministers and lawmakers from North Western State of Somalia’s regions of Sool, Sanaag and Awdal on Saturday condemned Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, pledging full support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. Speaking at a news conference in Mogadishu, the officials called the move unacceptable and an attempt to divide Somalia, aligning themselves with the federal government’s position rejecting any action they said undermines the country’s…

MOGADISHU — North Western State of Somalia-born politicians based in Mogadishu urged Somalia’s federal authorities on Thursday to avoid punitive steps that could damage the economy, restrict movement or undermine security for people living in North Western State of Somalia, warning that coercion would deepen, not heal, divisions. In a joint statement, the group — which includes current lawmakers and ministers — said forceful measures “will never bring unity” and called for a return to dialogue to resolve disputes between…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A group of North Western State of Somalia-born politicians based in Mogadishu urged the Federal Government of Somalia on Thursday to avoid punitive steps that could harm the economy, restrict movement, or undermine the security of people living in North Western State of Somalia, calling instead for de-escalation and renewed dialogue as tensions rise over Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia. The politicians warned that coercive or punitive measures would not advance Somali unity. They…

Trump administration freezes $185 million in Minnesota childcare funds, orders audits of Somali American immigration cases MINNEAPOLIS — The administration of President Donald Trump has suspended federal childcare funding to Minnesota and ordered audits of immigration cases involving Somali Americans, escalating a fraud crackdown that critics say disproportionately targets immigrant communities in the state with the nation’s largest Somali population. The Department of Health and Human Services froze $185 million in…

Trump administration freezes Minnesota childcare funds, orders Somali citizenship audits MINNEAPOLIS — The Trump administration has frozen $185 million in federal childcare funding to Minnesota and ordered audits of immigration cases involving Somali Americans, escalating a fraud crackdown that state leaders and advocates say risks unfairly targeting a single immigrant community. The Department of Health and Human Services announced the funding freeze Tuesday, citing viral allegations by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley…

Garowe, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has launched a broad diplomatic and political push to reinforce the country’s unity and sovereignty after Israel moved to recognize North Western State of Somalia, a step Mogadishu says violates international law and Somalia’s territorial integrity. Officials said the president has been in regular contact with leaders of foreign governments and international organizations to urge opposition to the recognition. Somalia’s government argues the move undermines principles of…