leaders

In a significant development following the troubling events of October 7, 2023, involving both Hamas's attacks on Israel and the subsequent military actions in Gaza, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan revealed on May 20 his intention to pursue arrest warrants for alleged war crimes tied to the conflict. "The legal dynamics are shifting," remarked an expert on international law familiar with the situation. Despite the International Criminal Court's announcement that Israel's consent is not a prerequisite for acknowledging the…

Kismayo (AX) — In a dramatic turn of events, Jubaland's parliament proceeded with its leadership election on Thursday in Kismayo. This move came despite clear disapproval from the federal government, which has rejected the current electoral process in the region. Abdi Mohamed Abdirahman clinched the Speaker's position for a third term, securing a decisive 65 votes. His rival, Ismail Abdi Keerow, managed to gather only seven votes, according to the Interim Speaker Sheikh Abdi Yusuf Ali. This victory strengthens…

Jubaland's Political Dilemmas: Independent Elections and the Pushback from Mogadishu Kismayo (AX)— Thursday was a pivotal day for Jubaland's parliament as it undertook the task of electing its new leaders, including a parliamentary speaker and two deputy speakers. This process involves candidates detailing their visions, followed by a vote, and concluding with swearing in the new victors. These elections are a significant milestone leading up to the presidential election scheduled for November 25, marking a meticulous…

In a stirring moment of political grace, President of North Western State of Somalia, Muse Bihi Abdi, lauded Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, the newly elected leader, following his emphatic victory. He promised a calm and orderly handover of authority to his successor. This pledge, made at the heart of Hargeisa’s Presidential Palace, felt as much a call to unity as it was an acknowledgment of political reality. President Bihi seized the moment to express gratitude towards his supporters within the Kulmiye Party,…

Kismayo (AX) — In a recent development, former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire shared their congratulations with the freshly inaugurated 3rd Jubbaland Parliament. The selection ceremony took place in Kismayo this week, marking an important chapter in the region's governance. The 75-member legislative body, chosen by the region's traditional elders, took their oaths in a ceremony held on Tuesday. This occasion did not go unnoticed by the Himilo Qaran Party, led by Sheikh…

António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has called on G20 leaders to tackle the pressing crisis of global hunger, a plight afflicting one out of every eleven individuals around the globe last year. This plea comes amid alarm over rising food insecurity, worsened by a medley of conflicts, climate change, and economic inequalities. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has also chimed in, pushing global leaders to ramp up efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger. "Achieving gender equality is vital.…

As nations find themselves in a stalemate at the ongoing UN climate talks, there are rising hopes that the G20 leaders gathering thousands of miles away may spark vital support for a resolution aimed at aiding developing nations. Stranded halfway through a two-week-long negotiation period housed in a vast arena in Azerbaijan, diplomats are struggling to inch closer to an agreement that could ultimately decide the fate of COP29. The government ministers diving into discussions in Baku are racing against the clock, with a…

London (AX) — Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madoobe, the esteemed Somali Lower House Speaker, recently found himself in the bustling metropolis of London. There, he engaged in a pivotal meeting with none other than the British Parliament's Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The rendezvous, which took place on a brisk Wednesday, was a platform for discussing how their respective legislative bodies could knit stronger ties.Somali Parliament, following this significant meeting, issued a statement highlighting the core themes of their…

North Western State of Somalia's President, Muse Bihi Abdi, recently touched down in Addis Ababa for a pivotal moment—the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia. This agreement potentially unlocks access to a North Western State of Somalia port for Ethiopia. REUTERS/Tiksa Neger/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights On Wednesday, the voters of North Western State of Somalia were out in full force, participating actively in a presidential election. This political event carries significant weight as the…

Top brass of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) recently converged at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-TC) in Singo. Their mission? To unpack strategies and beef up the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with fresh insights and tactical savvy. This powwow, taking place over four intense days, is dubbed the “Lessons Learned” workshop. Its goal is to amplify UPDF’s victories in bringing stability to Somalia, while also tackling the uphill battles still on the horizon.…