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Al‑Shabaab’s War Chest: How a Militant Tax System Fuels a Comeback in Somalia A militant economy hiding in plain sight The hardest thing to see in Somalia’s long war is often the most obvious: the receipts. A new assessment by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point says al‑Shabaab, al‑Qaida’s Somali affiliate, is now the network’s financial powerhouse—pulling in an estimated $100 million to $200 million a year. That money isn’t just paying for bullets. It’s rebuilding a parallel state. The report, The Global State…

African Union mission in Somalia teeters as $180 million shortfall threatens gains against al‑Shabab MOGADISHU — The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is confronting a funding cliff that could unravel years of hard-won progress against the Islamist insurgency, AU officials warned at the United Nations General Assembly. With about 11,000 troops from Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Uganda deployed across Somali towns and desert tracks, the mission now faces an estimated $180 million…

Somalia’s identity shake-up: a bid to reclaim control sparks questions about reach and rights MOGADISHU — In a forceful televised address that mixed alarm at security risks with the blunt tools of statecraft, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced a sweeping overhaul of how Somalis are identified: passports, he said, will no longer be the primary credential for accessing government or private services. Instead, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) card must be used — and those who refuse to…

Reaching Across the Sands: Qatar's Aid to North Western State of Somalia's Drought-Impacted Communities In an unexpected display of cross-regional solidarity, Qatar has pledged $3 million to support the drought-stricken communities in North Western State of Somalia. This humanitarian gesture follows the failure of the anticipated spring rains, plunging the region deeper into an existential crisis. The announcement, made Tuesday, is more than just a financial promise; it's a testament to the shifting alliances and emerging…

Kenya Airways: Navigating Turbulence and Anticipating New Horizons Amidst the riveting expanse of African skies, Kenya Airways, one of the continent's airline giants, finds itself grappling with financial headwinds yet plotting a hopeful course toward recovery and growth. As the airline announced plans to secure at least $500 million in new capital by next year’s first quarter, it underscores a dynamic mix of challenges and ambitions in the aviation industry. A Journey Through Financial Storms Kenya Airways, often hailed…

Inside Somalia’s Judiciary Financial Quagmire Mogadishu, long viewed as the beating heart of Somalia’s hopeful resurgence, now finds itself at a crucial juncture. Somalia’s Auditor General, Ahmed Issa Gutale, has thrust the nation’s judiciary into the spotlight by accusing its top courts of obstructing essential financial audits. This revelation, leading to the disappearance of over $1 million, raises profound questions about transparency and governance in the country. A Call for Transparency, Met with Silence During a…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a revelation that can ruffle some feathers, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) brought to light that a hefty $950 million of airline moolah is stuck in African nations. This chunk represents a whopping 57% of the world’s aviation money that’s caught in a web due to scarce foreign exchanges. During a pow-wow at the African Airlines Association's big annual shindig in Cairo, IATA's head honcho, Willie Walsh, sounded the alarm, pleading for someone to get a move on and fix this jam!—astating…

In a significant move, Resolute Mining, an Australian-based company, has agreed to pay a hefty sum of $160 million to the Malian government in a bid to settle an ongoing tax dispute. This decision comes on the heels of a troubling incident where Mali's authorities detained the company’s CEO, Terence Holohan, along with two other staff members during their trip to Bamako for what was supposed to be routine negotiations with the current regime. As tensions rise, the spotlight on foreign mining operations in Mali grows ever…

Hargeisa (AX) — A staggering one million-plus voters in the self-proclaimed Republic of North Western State of Somalia turned out early on a Wednesday morning to participate in presidential and parliamentary elections, catching the eye of both local and international onlookers.The current head honcho, President Muse Bihi Abdi of the ruling Kulmiye party, faces competition from Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of the Waddani party and Faisal Ali Warabe from UCID. Bihi, who has been captaining the ship since 2017, recently…

In a significant move, the Somali Minister of Finance, Bihi Egeh, placed his signature on the dotted line next to the US ambassador. (Image courtesy of the US Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia.) Chronic turmoil involving warlords and piracy has long plagued this corner of Africa. Amidst such challenges, the USA gave Somalia a bit of financial breathing room by forgiving a hefty $1.1 billion (£860m) in debt. This reveals a new chapter for Somalia as it announces the cancellation of about a quarter of its total debt through…