international

In a recent hubbub in Mogadishu, the Somali Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, took to the podium, wagging a finger at foreign diplomats for what he says is meddling in Somalia's sovereign affairs. The heat was turned up after comments made around North Western State of Somalia's presidential elections held in Hargeisa. Diplomats' remarks stirred the pot by suggesting North Western State of Somalia stands as its own country, a move Fiqi claims crosses the line and ignites tensions over territorial loyalty. Fiqi got fired…

North Western State of Somalia's Upcoming Election: Muse Bihi Grapples with Defections and Sovereignty Struggle HARGEISA, Somalia - Muse Bihi Abdi, the leader of North Western State of Somalia, faces considerable challenges in the upcoming election as over a million voters prepare to choose their new leader. This vote is poised to be a pivotal moment for the self-declared autonomous region, which is pushing hard for global recognition. Bihi, who once piloted jets in the Air Force, now witnesses the departure of his deputy,…

Commemoration for Journalists in Somalia Sparks a Strong Plea for Justice MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a remarkable gathering on November 2, 2024, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), backed by UNESCO and the Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF), observed the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. This heartfelt ceremony honored Somali journalists who laid down their lives in pursuit of the truth and rallied for accountability and action against impunity. The event saw a show of unity as…

Somalia's Leadership Looks Beyond Borders for Resolution Kenya Hosts Jubaland Leader Amid Political Crosswinds NAIROBI, Oct 27 (Axadle) – On a brisk Friday morning, Jubaland's head honcho, Ahmed Mohamed Islam—more affectionately dubbed Ahmed Madobe—touched down in Nairobi. He was whisked away courtesy of a plane dispatched by good neighbor Kenya, Axadle confirmed through trusted grapevine. Madobe's agenda was an exclusive,…

 The Somali administration has greenlit a federal budget of $1.34 billion for 2025. This represents a hefty 24.4% uptick from last year’s allocation of $1.079 billion. This financial boost stems from an uptick in local earnings and the need to tackle ongoing expenses, with homegrown revenue expected to hit $429.4 million, up 24% from $346.2 million in 2024.Taking a gander at the 2025 budgets of East African Community (EAC) nations:Kenya: $31.9 billion (up by 3.1% from 2024/25) Uganda: $19.61 billion (a whopping 36% increase)…

MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- The International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a global force combating piracy, has expressed the ongoing necessity for alertness. Even with the notable downturn in piracy incidents along the Somali coast during 2024's initial nine months, vigilance remains key. As per the latest dossier shared with Xinhua, the IMB recounted that three ships ended up hijacked, two were commandeered or shot at, and there was an attempt to accost another vessel around the Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden during this period.…

Somalia at a Crossroads: Choosing Its Own Path Amidst Global Power Plays EDITORIAL | As Somalia makes strides towards emerging from the dark days of state failure, we are reminded of an age-old wisdom—not to get entangled in alliances that could bind us to the ambitions of others. The Horn of Africa, with its deep historical roots and strategic value, has become a playing field for both regional and global powers each eager to further their interests through a complex dance of diplomacy. At the center of this storm is…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — According to the Somali Ministry of Information, joint operations by Somali forces, local militias, and international military allies have reportedly taken down 59 Al-Shabaab insurgents in the eastern Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions. These endeavors, targeting the dismantling of Al-Shabaab bastions, are closely aligned with a larger strategy to tackle terrorism within Somalia. An intense clash near Cowsweyne in Galgaduud saw 32 Al-Shabaab operatives, among them high-ranking leaders, neutralized.…

The United Nations said the detonation of hand-held communication devices in Lebanon could constitute a war crime as Beirut's top diplomat accused Israel of orchestrating what he called a "terror" attack. The blasts that killed at least 37 people and wounded nearly 3,000 on Tuesday and Wednesday targeted communication devices used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Pagers and walkie-talkies exploded as their users were shopping in supermarkets, walking on streets and attending funerals, plunging the country into…

On Thursday, a military helicopter transporting international peacekeepers experienced a mishap near the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Remarkably, several military personnel aboard, including three Ugandan soldiers part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), survived the crash, as per security sources.Fortunately, the incident led to no fatalities, a military official disclosed to Anadolu via a phone call. They asked to stay anonymous due to lack of media authorization.At this point, neither the Somali…