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Somalia: CIA Director's Chat with President Hassan Sheikh — What's the Skinny? MOGADISHU, Somalia — CIA boss William Burns swung by East Africa for the first time, making a pit stop in Somalia. He sat down with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who’s kinda feeling the squeeze from upcoming tweaks to the constitution. Their powwow gave prime stage lighting to Somalia's security woes and the omnipresent threat of terrorism. Uncle Sam’s got a gig as a security buddy in this corner of the world, trying to lend a hand to a…

Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has reiterated his administration’s dedication to implementing universal suffrage elections by 2026, despite resistance from two regional leaders and several notable politicians. During a speech in Mogadishu on Thursday, President Mohamud emphasized the necessity for Somalia to evolve towards direct elections, departing from a long history of indirect voting methods. “Having participated in indirect elections myself, both as a parliament member and as president on…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Facing a potential political turmoil in Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expresses his willingness to mend fences with Northeastern State and Jubaland's leaders, emphasizing that building the nation is a collective responsibility for all Somalis, not just those in governance. Hassan Sheikh finds himself at odds with Jubaland's President Ahmed Madobe and Northeastern State's leader Said Abdullahi Deni. Both have criticized the proposed extensions of terms for federal states' leaders and the…

On a Monday rendezvous in Nairobi, Kenya's President William Ruto held discussions with William Burns, the CIA Director, while joined by Noordin Haji, Ruto's African counterpart. Fast-forward two years since the Ethiopian Tigray conflict reached a resolution on October 28, 2022. Although the peace pact supposedly ended hostilities, experts contend that thorny issues still linger unresolved. Tune into today's VOA 60 for more updates on developments across Africa.

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reiterated his administration's dedication to engaging in dialogue with the leaders of Northeastern State and Jubbaland to mend ongoing political rifts.In a 25-minute discourse on Tuesday evening to lawmakers and regional heads, President Mohamud underscored the significance of harmony and collaboration as the National Consultative Council (NCC) meetings press on in Mogadishu."We intend to converse with our brethren holding dissenting views. Should they extend an…

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took to the podium recently, emphasizing to the electorate that the upcoming election on November 17 is set to be conducted with utmost transparency and fairness. He urged everyone involved to practice "restraint" as a critical component of the electoral process. In his address, Faye called upon all political factions to behave with "responsibility, restraint, and moderation." He reiterated his unwavering dedication to conducting "free, democratic, and transparent" elections, an essential…

“Kenya must never again tread the path of division and tribal politics,” declared President William Ruto.At the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival in Lodwar, he passionately asserted his commitment to unite the nation. With determination, he highlighted how his diverse Cabinet was a deliberate step towards fostering unity among all Kenyans, regardless of party affiliations or ethnic roots.“We shun tribal and exclusionary politics. Our aim is a unified, flourishing Kenya for everyone,” he proclaimed.Tobong’u Lore, now in…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a pivotal Sunday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud threw open the doors to the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting at the grand presidential palace. The gathering aims to delve into pivotal issues: security, the path of nation-building, and the ever-critical subject of elections. As the meeting reconvened, it was against the backdrop of rocky relations between the federal government and regional powers. Leaders from Northeastern State and Jubbaland were noticeably absent, choosing to remain on the…

Mogadishu (AX) — Abdirisaaq Omar Mohamed, Somalia's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, accused Northeastern State of Somalia President Said Abdullahi Deni of putting roadblocks in the path of oil exploration within Northeastern State. During a media briefing in Mogadishu on Saturday, Minister Mohamed mentioned that President Deni tried to introduce a company of his own choosing for oil exploration, a move spurned by the federal government."President Deni seems keen to politicize the government's oil ambitions,"…

Iran downplayed the recent air assault by Israel on its military assets, asserting that the damage inflicted was minimal. This comes as U.S. President Joe Biden urged for a cessation of hostilities that have escalated tensions in the Middle East into potentially dangerous territory. In the early hours of yesterday, a multitude of Israeli fighter jets executed three separate waves of strikes targeting missile production facilities and other significant sites in the vicinity of Tehran and throughout western Iran, according to…