presidents

Envoys from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sudan attend Las Anod inauguration, signaling support for Somalia’s unity LAS ANOD, Somalia — Ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sudan arrived in Las Anod on Saturday to attend the inauguration of Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, known as Firdhiye, the newly elected president of Somalia’s Northeastern Regional State, in a show of diplomatic backing for the region’s evolving political order. The envoys’ visit underscores international support for Somalia’s federal institutions and…

U.S. Embassy denies issuing security warning over Somali president’s Las Anod visit MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. Embassy in Somalia on Wednesday denied online reports claiming it issued a security warning ahead of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s planned visit to the northern city of Las Anod, calling the claims false and urging the public to rely on its official channels. “The U.S. Embassy has not released any security warning concerning travel to Las Anod,” the embassy said in a statement, adding that people should…

NAIROBI — Thirty-one years ago this week, a Nigerian diplomat walked into a modest office at Wilson Airport and asked two Kenyan pilots to do something almost no one could know about. The mission: fly the body of Somalia’s ousted ruler, Mohamed Siad Barre, from Lagos to his hometown of Garbaharey for a swift Islamic burial — quietly, safely and without alerting authorities across half a continent. For the first time, one of those pilots, Hussein Mohamed Anshuur — a former Kenya Air Force captain and co-founder of Bluebird…

MOGADISHU — Presidents of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, the Northeastern Somali Administration and South West State on Friday hailed the peaceful conduct of the Banadir Regional Council’s direct elections, calling the Mogadishu vote a historic milestone for Somalia’s democracy. In separate statements, the four federal member state leaders — all members of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) — praised the exercise as a major national achievement and a victory for the Somali people, underscoring…

The Malawian government is facing growing pressure to explain its silence over the cost and justification of Vice President Jane Ansah’s private trip to the United Kingdom, a controversy that has intensified as citizens are braced for austerity and deep cuts in public spending. Leaked documents circulating in local media allege that as many as 15 people would accompany Ansah and that the trip could cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” The documents have not been independently verified. Ansah’s office confirmed the…

Galmudug rejects move by president’s party to set up district offices

Leadership Under Scrutiny: The Challenges Facing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - Critics are intensifying their scrutiny of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, with voices from Jubaland accusing him of neglecting the fight against militant groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS, potentially putting the nation in a vulnerable position. In a region where security is pivotal, the feeling of discontent seems to resonate widely, as political factions rally against what they characterize as ineffective governance. A…

Nairobi (AX) — On Tuesday, Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia warmly endorsed the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is set to take over from the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) come January 2025. President Mohamud was in Kenya from October 21st to 22nd, continuing a regional tour of nations contributing troops to ATMIS. Their discussions hovered over challenges and opportunities in stabilizing Somalia and the…

In the heart of Nairobi, Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua spoke to lawmakers before they voted on his impeachment at the Parliament buildings on October 8, 2024. Photo by REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File. On Friday, Kenya's high court decided that the impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should go to the Chief Justice for further examination. The vote came in on Tuesday, with parliament deciding to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges. These included accusations of personal enrichment and inciting…

Somali and Kenyan Leaders Tackle Terrorism and Regional Harmony at China-Africa Summit Beijing (AX) — On Thursday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened with Kenyan counterpart William Ruto amidst the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in the bustling heart of Beijing. Their conversation centered around pressing issues plaguing the region and the essential collaboration required to address them. The duo delved into the persistent menace of terrorism, with President Mohamud spotlighting Somalia's…