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Somalia's President Champions Direct Elections Amidst Political Storms MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a bold move, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that the country will proceed with direct elections, dismissing the cacophony of dissent from critics. This decision sparks a fresh chapter of political deliberation in Somalia, a nation that last experienced direct voting in 1969. Political discord and debate have been the norm for two years, with President…

Somalia's Leader Responds to Critics in Face of Governance and Security Struggles MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has addressed his detractors at a time when the nation is grappling with external threats. He found himself in the hot seat, emphasizing that defending the reputation of the Horn of Africa is a collective duty. Clearly, Hassan Sheikh is battling external tensions with Ethiopia, while struggling to build bridges within the federal member states. Meanwhile, the…

ADDIS ABABA - The head honcho of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Field Marshal General Birhanu Jula, contends that standing toe-to-toe with Ethiopia is beyond Somalia's reach. In his perspective, Somalia lacks the prowess and manpower to challenge Ethiopia effectively. During a much-broadcast interview, General Jula minced no words criticizing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, articulating doubts about his capability to protect Mogadishu from the al-Shabaab insurgents. "He should worry about guarding the sea…

In an interview with Reuters, Khaled Meshaal, a prominent figure from Hamas living abroad, expressed that despite significant setbacks in over a year of conflict with Israel, the Palestinian faction aims to regenerate its forces and continue weapon production. Reflecting on the strife that began a year after an assault by Hamas, Meshaal contextualized the battle with Israel as a chapter in a much longer saga dating back 76 years to the "Nakba" or "catastrophe," a term Palestinians use for the 1948 events that led to their…

Kismayo (AX) – In an unexpected twist, Jubaland's head honcho, Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, rolled back into Kismayo Monday. This move came after hitting a stalemate at the happening National Consultative Council (NCC) gathering in Mogadishu.Word on the street is that Madobe bounced from the talks because he put his foot down about not wanting to move forward without roping in Northeastern State and Khatumo. His stance? Their no-show would basically toss credibility for future nationwide elections right out the…

Jubaland Leader Creates Buzz by Exiting NCC Gathering in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia – The National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting held in Mogadishu hit a snag as Jubaland's chief, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, vigorously opposed the act of simply approving term extensions without scrutiny. He urged the leadership to uphold ethical standards and transparency. On the NCC's concluding day, Madobe was spotted at Aden Adde International Airport, making his way to Kismayo after denouncing the controversial extension proposed…

In an iconic moment, the new Somali Police Chief Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyaano (far right) accepted command from the outgoing Chief Major General Sulub Ahmed Firin (far left) amidst a formal handover at the Somali Police Headquarters in Mogadishu. Overseeing this baton-passing spectacle was Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag (center). Mogadishu (AX) — It's a fresh era for the Somali Police Force! Tuesday's ceremony saw Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyaano grip the reins as the new leader at the police…

Mogadishu (AX) – Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, head of Jubaland, touched down in Mogadishu on Wednesday to join the imminent National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow. The onlookers at Aden Adde International Airport brought the heat, greeting federal lawmakers, ministers, and other bigwig politicos, making it the second such welcome of the day for a regional honcho. Earlier, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen from Southwest arrived in the bustling city for the eagerly awaited NCC gathering. In just a few days, the NCC…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Wednesday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud kicked off the National Consultative Council (NCC) gathering in Mogadishu, aiming squarely at tackling key political and security concerns. Over the course of two days, this meeting pulls together heavyweights from four regional states - Jubaland, Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Galmudug. The mayor of Mogadishu, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and his deputy are also in attendance. Per the federal government's insights, the agenda is crammed with…

FILE - U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, at the helm of U.S. Africa Command, partakes in a military drill in Agadir, Morocco, May 30, 2024. The Islamic State in Somalia has doubled its strength in the past year, reveals the head of U.S. Africa Command in a chat with VOA. “Northern Somalia is on my radar due to the uptick in ISIS numbers,” AFRICOM commander Gen. Michael Langley mentioned in a candid interview, using the acronym for the terrorist group. Langley refrained from disclosing the U.S.'s exact figures on…