foreign

Somalia and Ethiopia test a fragile thaw on the shores of Lake Tana At a security forum in northern Ethiopia this weekend, officials from Somalia and Ethiopia stepped into a quiet side room and did something deceptively simple: they talked. In an era when silence can harden into policy, the meeting on the sidelines of the Tana High-Level Forum in Bahir Dar—Ethiopia’s lakeside city ringed by papyrus boats and monastic islands—signaled a cautious shift from confrontation to engagement in the Horn of Africa. The delegations,…

Puntland State seizes foreign trawlers in weeklong crackdown on illegal fishing BOSASO, Somalia — Puntland State authorities said Thursday that their maritime police have rounded up several foreign fishing vessels and support boats in a weeklong operation aimed at stamping out illegal fishing off Somalia’s northeastern coast — a flashpoint that has long fuelled tensions between local communities and foreign fleets. Multiple vessels detained, crews moved to Bosaso The Puntland State Maritime Police Force (PMPF), working…

Djibouti's Diplomatic Mission in Somalia: A Step Toward Regional Stability BELEWEYNE, SOMALIA — In a move indicative of the deepening ties between Djibouti and Somalia, Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Abdukadir Hussein Omar, touched down today in Beledweyne, a city that stands as both a cradle of Somali history and a strategic locus in the ongoing security dynamics of the Horn of Africa. A Diplomatic Welcome in Beledweyne The minister's arrival at Ugaas Khaliif Airport was marked by a warm reception from regional authorities.…

markdown Strengthening Bonds: Somalia and Djibouti Forge Deeper Ties In the bustling city of Mogadishu, amid the backdrop of age-old buildings and a resilient populace, a meeting of diplomatic significance quietly unfolded. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Abdiqadir Hussein Omar, marking a noteworthy moment in the continued camaraderie between these two Horn of Africa nations. A Message of Solidarity Emissaries serve not just as messengers but as symbols of continuity and…

The situation in Somalia is evolving rapidly, particularly with ISIS's burgeoning influence, notably in the Northeastern State region. It seems newly arrived foreign militants have significantly amplified the group's capabilities. A recent report vividly underscores these developments, attributing the expansion primarily to foreign operatives, which has bolstered ISIS's position amidst the ongoing tussle with their fierce adversary, al-Qaeda-associated al-Shabab. A key observation from intelligence hidden within the…

In a recent dialogue, Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated the nation’s unwavering dedication to facilitating an immediate ceasefire, political reconciliation, and enduring peace in Sudan, while also ensuring that humanitarian assistance is promptly and effectively provided. This dialogue occurred during Minister Abdelatty’s engagement with Annette Weber, the EU's Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, on the fringes of the Sir Bani Yas Forum held in the United Arab Emirates. The core…

President Joe Biden's recent endorsement allowing Ukraine to launch strikes into Russian territory using American-provided long-range missiles might just be a pivotal moment for Kyiv, according to Andriy Sybiga, Ukraine's foreign minister. Mr. Sybiga expressed, “This could indeed change the game. The more Ukraine can reach out and hit, the quicker this war will come to an end,” during a press briefing that took place just ahead of a UN Security Council meeting commemorating 1,000 days since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a fine Sunday in the heart of Somalia’s capital, Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the Somali Foreign Minister, welcomed Manuel Marques Pereira, the newly appointed Chief of Mission from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to Somalia. Amid the meet-and-greet, they dived into talking shop about ramping up their joint efforts to fuel Somalia’s developmental strides. It seems the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is busier than ever with its ambitious plan to set up a Diaspora Centre. What's the buzz…

Foreign Minister: Somalia’s Resolution for Direct Voting Can't Be Halted MOGADISHU, Somalia - Amid turbulent skies of contested legislation, Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has declared that Somalia is on an inevitable path towards direct elections. This new approach aims to enhance democratic rights, allowing citizens to have a definitive say in their leadership choices. Echoing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s views, Fiqi passionately reiterated on Saturday Somalia’s full-throttle drive towards democracy with…

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…