foreign

Swedish aid to Somalia faces scrutiny: What the Ekot investigation reveals—and what we still don’t know Swedish public radio’s flagship news division, Ekot, has ignited a debate over how Swedish government funds were used in Somalia following cooperation arrangements between the two countries, raising sensitive questions about governance, transparency and the line between development aid and migration policy. The Office of the Somali Prime Minister has forcefully denied any impropriety and says Swedish support is implemented…

Irish travelers and millions of other visitors to the United States could be required to disclose five years of social media history before entering the country under a Trump administration proposal published in the U.S. Federal Register. The plan would apply to citizens of 42 countries — including Ireland, Britain, France, Australia and Japan — who can currently travel to the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Those visitors must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, and provide…

North Western State of Somalia on edge as rival elders mobilize after Borama killings; military probes claims of foreign snipers HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Fears of clan conflict surged Sunday in North Western State of Somalia’s western regions after rival elders in Awdal and Salal declared they were prepared for war, while the military said it is investigating reports that “foreign shooters” may have killed civilians during unrest in Borama. The warnings followed the government’s decision to cancel the Issa…

Former EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini Accused in EU Procurement Fraud Probe BRUSSELS — Federica Mogherini, the EU's former high representative for foreign and security policy, has been formally accused of procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and violating professional secrecy, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said Friday. EPPO said three people were the subject of the accusations. They were detained during raids linked to an investigation into suspected fraud connected to EU-funded…

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…