mission

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has underscored its plan to maintain its soldiers in Somalia as a part of the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). But there’s a hefty roadblock: Somalia demands the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops unless Ethiopia cancels its controversial sea access deal with North Western State of Somalia, hinged on mutual recognition. This agreement strives to offer Ethiopia a path to the Red Sea if it acknowledges North Western State of Somalia’s autonomy,…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a significant move, the United Kingdom has committed an extra £7.5 million to back the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), wrapping up its duties by December 2024, aiming to curb the al-Shabaab threat in the Horn of Africa. This donation, totaling almost $10 million, lifts the UK's total funding for ATMIS and its forerunner, AMISOM, to £77 million since 2021. The European Union and the United States, through the United Nations, primarily finance this mission. The funds are…

Mogadishu, Somalia (AX) — With precision and grit, Somalia's elite forces stamped out a cadre of Al-Shabaab extremists near Qey'ad, nestled within southern Mudug. The Ministry of Defense trumpeted this success on Tuesday. Rallying from the front lines, military brass confirmed that at least 10 individuals suspected to be Al-Shabaab fighters met their end in this daring blitz. This mission isn't a standalone affair. It's a slice of a massive campaign to dismantle the militant web and forge a safer crease for Somali folks.…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a mission in Ras Qabow, a secluded locale nestled within the Middle Shabelle region, the Somali National Army (SNA) successfully neutralized 25 fighters from the Al-Shabab faction this past Saturday.Colonel Mohamed Hassan Abukar Dhaladheere, leading the 251st unit of the 25th brigade, explained that the operation was initiated following the army's successful defense against an assault by Al-Shabab. A fierce clash erupted afterward, testing the mettle of both sides."The gallant soldiers from the National…

UNITED NATIONS, United States: In a powerful statement on Saturday, forty nations contributing to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon expressed their "strong condemnation" of recent violence directed at the peacekeepers."These acts must cease immediately, and a thorough investigation is imperative," declared a joint statement shared on X by the Polish UN mission, with signatures from key players like Indonesia, Italy, and India, among others.Other countries lending their support include Ghana, Nepal, Malaysia, Spain,…

Haiti's Prime Minister Garry Conille has jetted off to Kenya, engaging in discussions with President William Ruto. Kenya has urgently sought global financial backing to keep their police forces active in Haiti, an operation extended by another year. Since its launch in June, this international security mission aims to curb the violent grip gangs have on Port-au-Prince and its outskirts. The UN reports over 3,600 fatalities in Haiti this year alone, with more than 100 being children, and half a million individuals have…

In the whirlwind of regional politics, the involvement of Egypt in Somalia's security landscape has sparked a fair amount of jitters among nations and international partners engaged in the African Union peacekeeping mission there. Egypt, flexing its military muscles, seems keen to play a pivotal role in Somalia as the African Union’s existing mandate wraps up. But oh, the plot thickens like a good mystery novel...Security wonks hint that this new player on the block—Egypt, wielding its influence by backing Somalia—has given…

Mogadishu (AX) – On Saturday, Abdukhadir Mohamed Noor, Somalia’s Defense Minister, firmly stated that Ethiopian troops would not join the forthcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) unless Ethiopia exits the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with North Western State of Somalia.During a media briefing in Mogadishu, Minister Noor explained that Somalia is considering different contingencies to replace the Ethiopian forces if there's no withdrawal from the MoU.“Ethiopian troops won't participate in…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the home stretch before the African Union forces exit, global partners are scrambling to lock down plans for a fresh strategy in Somalia. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is on deck to succeed ATMIS come January 2025. It’s a linchpin effort aimed at resisting the relentless Al-Shabaab insurgency threatening Somalia’s fragile peace.The African Union's Peace and Security Council has given two thumbs up to AUSSOM's strategic playbook, known as CONOPs. This mission’s…

The Turkish seismic ship, Oruç Reis, is set to embark on a mission to Somalia this weekend, as mentioned by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. Minister Bayraktar broke the news about this expedition during an assembly held in Ankara on October 2. A recent accord between Türkiye and Somalia allows exploration for hydrocarbons in three specific offshore blocks. According to the agreement concluded in July, Türkiye has obtained the sole rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in blocs each…