government

Mohamud’s Visit to Kismayo: A Fragile Gesture Toward Reconciliation KISMAYO, Somalia — When Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travels to Kismayo this weekend for talks with Jubaland’s leader Ahmed “Madobe” Mohamed, he will be stepping into a political landscape that has been scarred by years of public acrimony, private deals and military showdowns. The trip — brokered quietly by Nairobi and welcomed, cautiously, by regional capitals — is less a triumph than a test of whether local rivals can move from brinkmanship to…

U.S. government grinds to a halt as partisan stalemate triggers shutdown WASHINGTON — Much of the United States federal government shut its doors early today after Congress failed to pass a short-term funding bill, setting off what officials warned could be a prolonged and costly stand‑off that will touch millions of Americans and ripple through global markets. The shutdown — the 15th since 1981 — began hours after the Senate rejected a stopgap measure that would have kept agencies operating through Nov. 21. Agencies…

U.S. Embassy in Somalia Scales Back Services as Washington Shutdown Ripples Overseas Mogadishu — The U.S. Embassy in Somalia said Wednesday it is curtailing some regular operations following a federal government shutdown in Washington, underscoring how a budget stalemate in Congress can reverberate far beyond the Beltway and into one of the world’s most complex diplomatic environments. “Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of…

Somalia's Jubaland State Raises Alarm: A Call for Unity in Troubling Times KISMAYO, Somalia — In a bold and critical statement that echoes through the tumultuous landscape of Somalia's politics, the Jubaland state has voiced increasing concern regarding what it describes as the federal government's abandonment of pivotal national priorities, namely the fight against al-Shabaab militants and the promotion of national unity. As Somalia grapples with the weight of insecurity, economic struggles, and deepening political…

Analysis: Jubbaland’s Broadside Against Mogadishu Exposes Somalia’s Uneasy Balancing Act Somalia’s fragile political compact wobbled again this week as the Jubbaland regional administration publicly accused the federal government in Mogadishu of drifting from core national priorities, including the campaign against al-Shabaab and the country’s hard-won political unity. In a blunt statement issued Monday, Jubbaland warned that “short-term political interests” were eroding trust and urged a return to consensus politics. “The…

Nigeria's Nutrition Crisis: A Silent Struggle for Survival In the heart of Nigeria’s bustling capital, Abuja, a stark warning resonates from the Nigeria Health Watch Roundtable: the nation stands on the precipice of a silent crisis, grappling with a “triple burden” of malnutrition. This term paints a grim picture, embodying a complex web of undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies that threatens the health and future of millions—especially the youngest among us. Understanding the Triple Burden As…

Somalia’s Bold Step Towards Climate Resilience Amidst the harsh realities of droughts and floods, Somalia is taking a decisive leap towards combating climate change with the launch of the Somali Climate Finance Trial and the National Climate Fund (NCF). These initiatives aim to mobilize and effectively manage climate finance, crucial for a nation facing severe environmental challenges. A Collaborative Inception In late August, Mogadishu hosted the National Inception Workshop, drawing over 60 key players across…

Amid Stalemate and Struggle: Somalia’s Relentless Battle Against Al-Shabaab Mogadishu, Somalia – In the dense forests of the Galgaduud region, where the air is thick with tension and uncertainty, the Somali National Army (SNA) recently launched a decisive operation against the insurgent group Al-Shabaab. Backed by the locally celebrated Macawisley militia, they struck a significant blow, neutralizing dozens of militants in an area where Al-Shabaab’s influence runs deep. The Operation: A United Front The operation, led by…

The Urgent Call for Unity: South Africa's First National Dialogue As South Africa stands at a crossroads, President Cyril Ramaphosa is championing the country’s first National Dialogue, a crucial event that aims to wrap a wide array of voices and perspectives around the table. Scheduled to host 200 organizations from 33 different sectors, the initiative is framed as a historic opportunity for the nation to forge its path forward amidst myriad challenges. Yet, as anticipation builds, the air is thick with skepticism and…

Mogadishu, Somalia – In a landmark effort to uplift displaced populations, Somalia's government has teamed up with the Hormuud Salaam Foundation to roll out a new initiative aimed at 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Announced by the Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, this endeavor is a leap forward under the National Solutions Pathways Action Plan. The collaboration was officially introduced during the High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Forum in Geneva, an event backed by the…