Lawmaker

New Leadership for Somalia’s Budget, Finance, Planning, and Oversight Committee The recent election of new leadership within Somalia’s Budget, Finance, Planning, and Oversight Committee marks a significant moment in the country’s ongoing journey toward fiscal responsibility and institutional reform. Held at the committee’s office in Villa Hargeisa—the official seat of Somalia’s parliamentary leadership—this meeting was not just a procedural formality; it represented a critical step toward strengthening governance in a…

According to a French Member of the European Parliament, France should reclaim the Statue of Liberty, asserting that the United States has drifted away from the very values that inspired France to gift the statue in the first place. 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty,' proclaimed Raphael Glucksmann, a centre-left politician, during a recent convention for his Place Publique movement. He passionately addressed a supportive audience, stating, 'We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to…

Senate Speaker Blocks Motion for Senator's Release in Somalia The intricate dynamics of political life in Somalia took a dramatic turn recently, as the Senate Speaker, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, made a controversial move that has left many pondering the complexities of power and allegiance. Taking center stage in Mogadishu, Speaker Hashi took decisive action by blocking a motion that could have had significant ramifications for both the federal and regional political landscapes. This motion wasn't…

Mogadishu (AX) — Picture the halls of power veiled in silence, a silence heavy with the weight of political trepidation. Somali lawmaker Abdirashid Hidig offers a stark warning: if the House of the People stays shuttered, legislators might resort to holding their own sessions, parallel and unauthorized. A drastic measure, indeed, but Hidig has pointed fingers at certain political leaders, accusing them of intentionally crippling parliamentary operations. This dialogue invites us to ponder: in a land rife with challenges,…

WASHINGTON — The air was tense in the political corridors of Washington as a U.S. congressman, Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, unfurled a whirlwind of accusations, claiming the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is inadvertently channeling funds to nefarious entities like the Islamic State (ISIS), Al-Qaeda, and other malevolent groups. This, he declared, was a fiasco of monumental proportions, raising eyebrows and temperatures in equal measure. Thursday bore witness to the…

Hargeisa (AX) – In a development that may stir diplomatic waters, British Member of Parliament Sir Gavin Williamson has vocally pressed the United States to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia as an independent entity. His demands follow serious accusations claiming that funds from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are being funneled to bolster Al-Shabaab militants by the Somali government. Williamson took to X, which you might remember as the platform formerly known as Twitter, to…

In a captivating video snapshot, we see Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, originally from Kenya and now a proud U.S. citizen, addressing the audience at the Minnesota State Capitol on November 8, 2024. She shares the remarkable news of being elected as the first Kenyan-born member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — On November 5, Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley shattered ceilings as the inaugural Kenyan-born individual elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her journey is one painted with hues of…

Hargeisa (AX) — On Monday, North Western State of Somalia security forces released lawmaker Mohamed Abiib Yusuf, only hours after the Supreme Court declared his arrest unlawful and ordered his immediate release from Mandera prison. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hussein Mirre Giirre, confirmed Abiib's release to the press, attributing the decision to the court's ruling. After spending 30 days in detention, the lawmaker shared on his Facebook page: "I can attest to regaining my freedom. Thank you to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - On Thursday morning, a female legislator from Southwest State revealed that authorities at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu prevented her from traveling to Baidoa. Senior officials denied her claim. Federal MP Sareedo Mohamed Abdalla voiced her frustration on social media, sharing her experience of being blocked from boarding a flight to her home state. This episode occurred just days after other flights carrying passengers were similarly obstructed. It is an indication of growing political…