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Uganda eyes Tanzania rail link to open new mineral export corridor via Dar es Salaam Uganda plans to connect a new standard gauge railway to Tanzania’s line now under construction, potentially opening a second ocean outlet for its exports through the port of Dar es Salaam and offering a fresh route for gold, copper and iron ore, according to a government document seen by Reuters. The move adds a southern corridor to Uganda’s long-standing plan to tie its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kenya’s network that runs from the…

Ruto nominates Frank Ole Kibelekenya as Kenya’s ambassador to Denmark, names deputies to Somalia, Russia and Tanzania President William Ruto has nominated Kosiom Frank Ole Kibelekenya to serve as Kenya’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark and named senior diplomats to postings in Somalia, Russia and Tanzania in a shake-up of the Foreign Service aimed at strengthening the country’s representation abroad. The changes, communicated through Presidential Notification of Action No. IV of 2026 and announced Friday, will go before…

MOGADISHU — Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud formally assumed command of the Somali National Army on Wednesday in a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Defence, as Somalia’s government pledged to accelerate military reforms and intensify operations against al-Shabab. Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Raage, the outgoing chief of the army, transferred authority in the presence of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, senior security chiefs and foreign diplomats, including Turkey’s ambassador. The…

MOGADISHU — Brig. Gen. Elio Manes assumed command Friday of the European Union Training Mission in Somalia, a handover EU officials said keeps momentum behind Somalia’s push to take greater responsibility for its own security. Manes took over from Brig. Gen. Sofia Westermark during a formal ceremony at EUTM-S headquarters in Mogadishu. The transfer followed standard operational procedures to ensure continuity in a mission EU officials describe as central to Somalia’s long-term security reform and institution-building. In his…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia replaced its army chief on Thursday as the government prepares a new phase of operations against al-Shabab in central and southern regions, naming Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud to lead the Somali National Army. The shake-up was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, according to the prime minister’s office. Maj. Gen. Odawaa Yusuf Rageh was removed from the post, the statement said, in a move officials framed as part of a broader effort to modernize the…

Somalia, Türkiye agree on Port of Mogadishu upgrades to boost trade, revenue MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia and Türkiye have agreed to develop new infrastructure projects at the Port of Mogadishu to expand trade, raise state revenue and improve efficiency at the country’s main maritime gateway, officials said Wednesday. The agreement followed talks in Mogadishu with a senior Turkish delegation led by Durmuş Ünüvar, Türkiye’s deputy minister of transport and infrastructure, signaling a renewed phase of cooperation…

MOGADISHU — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development on Wednesday welcomed Somalia’s ratification of the new IGAD Treaty, calling it a significant step toward stronger regional cooperation and integration across the Horn of Africa. Somalia’s House of the People approved the treaty by show of hands after the agreement was presented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar Balcad, who urged lawmakers to endorse it as essential to the country’s regional engagement and political stability. According to Speaker…

Friday January 16, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Saudi Arabia is in advanced talks with Somalia and Egypt to establish a new Red Sea military and security partnership, a step that would deepen Riyadh’s role in the Horn of Africa and sharpen competition with the United Arab Emirates, according to people familiar with the discussions. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks to finalize elements of the agreement, the people said. The proposed pact would expand coordination on…

Mogadishu opens DARMAD Business Park to ease congestion at Aden Adde International Airport MOGADISHU — Authorities on Saturday inaugurated a new commercial and parking complex inside Aden Adde International Airport, a project designed to curb traffic chaos and modernize services at Somalia’s busiest gateway. The DARMAD Business Park, funded by Amana Bank, introduces organized parking, banking services, business centers and passenger facilities within the airport perimeter. The development was formally opened by Banadir…

Somalia’s relaunched e-visa website contains a fresh security flaw that could let malicious actors download large numbers of e-visas containing passport numbers, full names and dates of birth, Al Jazeera confirmed this week after receiving a tip from a web developer. The vulnerability, which Al Jazeera was able to replicate, allowed the downloading of e-visas for dozens of applicants in a short period, exposing sensitive data on people from Somalia, Portugal, Sweden, the United States and Switzerland. Al Jazeera alerted…