highlights

Clan Rivalries and Political Fractures: A Pressing Threat to Somalia's Future MOGADISHU, Somalia - During an insightful conversation with The Washington Post, Larry André, the dedicated United States ambassador to Somalia from February 2022 until May 2023, painted a concerning picture of Somalia’s ongoing struggles. Despite remarkable efforts to promote national cohesion, the sharp edges of clan rivalries and political discord continue to precariously balance the nation on the edge of instability. Reflecting…

Somalia: Unyielding Challenges in Journalism Demand Immediate Change on World Press Freedom Day The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has unveiled its latest State of the Media Report on World Press Freedom Day, shedding light on the persistent and pervasive repression faced by journalists in Somalia. This annual publication, now in its 14th rendition, is a vital chronicle of the ongoing struggle for media freedom. It meticulously details the multifaceted challenges and violations that journalists endure,…

Somali Minister Highlights Efforts Against Al-Shabaab MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the swirling sands of central Somalia, challenges persist. Yet, amid the clamor of conflict against Al-Shabaab militants, Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has illuminated a beacon of determination and progress. He asserts proudly that the Somali National Army (SNA) is not only holding its own on the frontlines but turning the tide against these adversaries. Just last week, the town of Adan Yabaal became a…

JUBA, South Sudan - It was yet another turbulent day in South Sudan's quest for stability. On Friday, the people of South Sudan, and indeed the world, were taken aback by the distressing news of a United Nations (UN) helicopter coming under attack. The incident unfolds amidst a backdrop of rising unease in the world's newest nation. President Salva Kiir has been adamant that the one thing this country cannot afford is a return to the horrors of war. But will his calls for peace be enough to quell the storm on the…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the latest Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, Somalia finds itself entrenched in a deeply troubling narrative: near the very bottom of the world’s ranks in 2024. This index, which scrutinizes 180 nations for perceived public sector corruption, paints Somalia in stark tones—positioning it at 179th with a dismal score of 9 out of 100, following a concerning decline of two points since the previous year. Such rankings have almost become an unfortunate…

Imagine, if you will, the heartfelt tale spun by Ilhan Omar, a congresswoman whose past dances through the tapestry of her narrative. Having sought refuge and sanctuary herself, Omar solemnly unveils the unique shade this issue paints her life. She observes with a melancholy timbre, "My kin and I lucked out with a golden ticket to these United States. Now, countless souls in teeming refugee camps won't be graced with that same twist of fate." What stories lie behind each weary face, yearning for a place called home? This…

BOSASO, Somalia - "Shades of gray," some might say, yet the harrowing raid by the notorious ISIS in Northeastern State was as blatant as a bull in a china shop—jarring and disheartening. The lurking presence of ISIS in Somalia, particularly in the supposedly secure enclave of Northeastern State, was an open secret, yet often considered a dwarf concern compared to the formidable shadow of al-Shabaab. The shockwaves from ISIS's brazen strike on Northeastern State's military outposts still echo like a haunting chorus across…

Meta Bids Adieu to Fact-Checking: A New Era of Free Speech or Chaos? WASHINGTON/MOGADISHU, Jan 12 As the Political Circus Returns, Meta Tosses Its Fact-Checking Habit So, here we are, folks! Meta, you know, the conglomerate behind the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and the new kid on the block, Threads, has declared the dissolution of its once shiny third-party fact-checking program. This cocktail party gem, in place since 2016, just got the ax. And with former President Donald Trump eyeing a return to the…

Mogadishu (AX) — "The wind of change is blowing through Somalia," as the region witnesses ISS's intricate web of terror tighten its grip. On the brink of the new year, December 31 saw the Islamic State Somalia Province (ISS) launching a major assault on Northeastern State's security apparatus, illuminating the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by extremist factions. Through precision and coordination, attackers unleashed suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs) and suicide vests (SVESTs) on a…

The second round of qualifying matches for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Countries like the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have successfully secured their spots in the much-anticipated final phase of the tournament. As sports enthusiasts tune in, they can't help but feel the excitement radiating from these tense encounters. Every kick, every pass, and every goal scored tells a rich…