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Mogadishu (AX) — A moment reminiscent of the intricate politics that ripple through Somalia played out on Monday, as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reinstated Colonel Ibrahim Moalim Abdullahi. Abdullahi, the erstwhile intelligence chief of Mogadishu within the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), found his military rank and privileges restored. But what does this signify in the grand scheme of Somalia's tumultuous political landscape? Does this mark the dawn of a new era of reconciliatory politics, or is it…

Senior Islamic State Somalia Commander Captured in Northeastern State In the rugged landscape of the Cal Miskaad mountains, a shocking event unfolded; Abdirahman Shirwac Aw-Saciid, a senior commander within the Islamic State's Somalia faction, chose to lay down arms and surrender. His insurgent legacy was most notorious for two reasons: ruthless assassinations and coercive extraction of wealth from local businesses. As the local headlines buzz with this arrest, who exactly was "Laahoor,"…

Somalia: High-Ranking ISIS Commander Surrenders to Northeastern State Defense Forces By Ali Musa | Axadle Times International–Monitoring AXADLE, Somalia — It was a moment of profound significance when a pivotal figure within the Islamic State’s hierarchy in Somalia—a man known as Abdirahman Shirwac but more infamously called “Laahoor”—surrendered to the Northeastern State Defense Forces. The backdrop? The rugged Al-Miskaad mountains set against an intense…

Mogadishu (AX) — The recent return of Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe to Kismayo marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of his strained dealings with Somalia's federal government. Imagine the tumultuous dynamics of a family feud, where each member grapples with deep-seated grievances yet yearns for some semblance of harmony. Upon Madobe's arrival in Kismayo, the semi-arid interim capital of Jubaland, state media and confidants released a brief video capturing his return. It is a stark contrast to the…

Recently, while seated in a sun-dappled room in Mogadishu, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia spoke with a quiet intensity that comes from years spent grappling with the formidable al-Shabab insurgency. At 69, Mohamud stands at the helm during a turbulent period, his tenure marked by a relentless fight against one of the world's most dangerous terror groups. The question on everyone's mind: how can the United States, a distant though powerful ally, continue to play a crucial role in this struggle? Mohamud's…

MOGADISHU, Feb 1 - This week, Somali President Hassan Sheikh extended warm felicitations to Syria's newly-appointed leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, as he embarked on his leadership during an evocative phase of transition. Announcements from the Somali presidential office on Friday captured this significant exchange. In his formal communique, President Hassan Sheikh conveyed sincere hopes for Al-Sharaa's successful tenure, underscoring his desire for guidance that transcends mere political agility. "Leadership in turbulent…

Somali President on U.S. Commitment in Fight Against al-Shabab Why should the United States maintain its involvement in the complex struggle against al-Shabab? To answer this question requires an understanding of Somalia's geopolitical realities, economic imperatives, and, perhaps, a dose of human empathy. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, a stalwart leader with unmistakable resolve, finds himself at the helm of a nation riddled with challenges. Al-Shabab, an insidious al-Qaeda affiliate, lurks…

Mogadishu (AX) – The city thrummed with its usual chaotic charm as former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed convened with James Swan, the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, on a Thursday that seemed like any other—yet was anything but. Their dialogue, set against the backdrop of a sunlit Somali sky, ventured into the intricate political topography of a nation still finding its footing amidst shifting sands. What does one discuss when the very tapestry of a country's democracy hangs in…

Mogadishu - Forging Stronger Bonds: Somalia Engages with Tajikistan In the heart of Dushanbe, beneath the grand chandeliers of a stately official chamber, Ambassador Fathudin Ali Mohamed placed his credentials before Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon. This ceremonious act was not merely a formality—it signified a burgeoning diplomatic relationship between Somalia and Tajikistan, one that aims to pave new avenues of collaboration. While the air buzzed quietly with the reverent tones typical…

Hargeisa (Axadle Times) – North Western State of Somalia’s President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, stepped off the plane in Hargeisa on a crisp Thursday morning, concluding a whirlwind three-day official journey to the United Arab Emirates. His mission? To cultivate investment opportunities that promise to breathe life into North Western State of Somalia’s natural resources, invigorate agriculture, and most crucially, carve out promising new pathways for its burgeoning youth. It begs the question: Can this small,…