political

Last night, the iconic singer Beyoncé graced a rally for Kamala Harris in Houston. This wasn’t a concert; rather, it marked her debut political appearance during this election cycle, a pivotal moment for the Democratic presidential candidate. Beyoncé, who hails from Houston, stepped onto the stage to an ecstatic ovation from approximately 30,000 attendees gathered for Vice President Harris' rally focused on abortion rights. She was joined by fellow Destiny's Child alum Kelly Rowland, who also solidifies her place in the…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A fierce storm is brewing in Somalia's delicate democracy, fueled by the discord over proposed changes to the constitution. These changes are spearheaded by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who stands firm despite a brewing political tempest. Hassan Sheikh envisions a shift to elections by universal suffrage, moving away from the elder-dominated political approach. For thirty years, Somalia has operated under this indirect system amid persistent turmoil. Amidst fierce constitutional debate on…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Efforts to stabilize Somalia’s delicate democracy hit a snag as the National Consultative Council (NCC) discussions ended in dispute on Wednesday, sparking further discord. Sources indicate that the NCC plans to regroup on October 27, but the attendance of Northeastern State's leader, Said Abdullahi Deni, and Jubaland's Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe remains uncertain following their vocal dissent during the recent conference. During the gathering, leaders struggled to reach an agreement on managing the…

Somalia's President Champions Direct Elections Amidst Political Storms MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a bold move, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that the country will proceed with direct elections, dismissing the cacophony of dissent from critics. This decision sparks a fresh chapter of political deliberation in Somalia, a nation that last experienced direct voting in 1969. Political discord and debate have been the norm for two years, with President…

In Kismayo, United Nations envoy James Swan and Jubbaland's head honcho, Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), shook hands and dove into Somalia's political big picture. They chewed over state-building, the quagmire with Al-Shabaab, and the prep work for the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) hoo-ha.Mogadishu (AX) — On a Sunday powwow, James Swan, the UN's point person, nudged Jubbaland's President Ahmed Madobe back into Somalia's National Consultative Council. They focused their chat on building an effective state and…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a surprising twist, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, the arbiter of the Somali Upper House, rescinded his prior decision to oust Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama from the senate. The initial axe was swung over Jama’s head due to his alleged truancy from several parliamentary gatherings. On Monday, a communique from Hashi revealed that Jama's senatorial service would resume unabated, after the two rival parties reached an accord through wide-ranging discussions. Deputy Prime Minister Jama echoed this…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a fresh turn of events, Abudwak Airport, nestled in Somalia's Galgaduud region, has reopened its doors to domestic flights. This comes after a two-week hiatus spurred by militia threats and rumours of behind-the-scenes political meddling. A turbulent clan dispute had stirred security fears, leading to the temporary shutdown of the airport. The skies are now clear for aviation, deemed secure by local officials. One rebel faction’s vows to strike incoming flights led airlines to halt their routes…

Somalia's Political Juncture: Which Road Will President Hassan Sheikh Tread? FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK | Political rumblings intensify amidst Mogadishu’s vibrant chaos as Somalia's capital becomes the stage for a critical pow-wow involving the nation's federal government and regional chieftains. Though the quartet of state presidents attending the gathering signifies a step forward, the glaring absence of Northeastern State underscores a widening schism. This meeting is not just a banal political dance. It’s loaded with…

Inside Somali Political Leaders' NCC Gathering in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia - Recently taking center stage, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud summoned a crucial meeting of the National Consultative Council (NCC) in Mogadishu. This rare assembly of Somali leadership comes amidst persistent security hurdles and pressing threats to the nation's sovereignty. Sparking off today, this Thursday gathering occurs as Somalia grapples with Ethiopian threats concerning Red Sea access. This tension prompted Somalia to forge a defense…

Men gather around candidate Abdi Daisane (right), who's gunning for Minnesota State Representative. Here, he shares his campaign vision at the Waamo Café on Aug. 30 in St. Cloud. Credit: Paul Middlestaedt | MPR News Minnesota’s Somali community has grown significantly, flexing newfound political strength—especially in St. Cloud, where their numbers have surged. More than 20 years after the first Somali refugees arrived in St. Cloud, some are diving into governance and politics. This includes shaking up traditional…