reform

Somalia’s president presses for unity and service delivery as security gains remain fragile MOGADISHU — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud used this week’s cabinet meeting to argue that Somalia’s fragile recovery from years of conflict must now be matched by faster, tangible improvements in everyday life — from clinics and schools to the courts that citizens rely on. In a country where authority is often contested and public trust thin, Mohamud sought to recast progress not as military achievement alone but as a test of…

Somalia’s identity shake-up: a bid to reclaim control sparks questions about reach and rights MOGADISHU — In a forceful televised address that mixed alarm at security risks with the blunt tools of statecraft, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced a sweeping overhaul of how Somalis are identified: passports, he said, will no longer be the primary credential for accessing government or private services. Instead, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) card must be used — and those who refuse to…

In a key move for Somalia's financial future, Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh inked a pivotal debt relief deal with Denmark's representative, Ambassador Steen Sonne Aderson, in the bustling city of Mogadishu on a vibrant Monday. This latest agreement reflects the positive outcomes from the notable discussions held by the Paris Club back in March 2024, another feather in the cap of Somalia’s ongoing economic reform crusade. The ministry enthusiastically declared, "The national reform efforts and debt forgiveness successes…

The capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, is becoming a hotbed of political strife as a contentious tussle unfolds between the federal government and the southern state of Jubbaland over electoral reforms. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, clearly understanding the stakes, called an urgent cabinet meeting on Sunday. In the spotlight is a heated debate with Jubbaland dismissing federal election changes in favor of their own regional autonomy. The central conflict revolves around the federal authorities' ambition to enact a direct…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The usual pandemonium ensued in Somalia's parliament as contentious debates over electoral reforms took center stage. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud requested lawmakers postpone their break to focus on the upcoming electoral process. Hassan Sheikh, returning for a second term, wants to adjust key electoral guidelines for a long-term shift. He aims to introduce universal suffrage, allowing every citizen to vote. Recognizing the pressing need for these reforms, Hassan Sheikh urged legislators to work…

In Mogadishu (AX), the Somali federal government's ambition to transition from a clan-based election process to a universal suffrage by 2026 has stirred the political pot, all while the nation faces a pesky al-Shabaab resurgence. On October 2, during a National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow, Somali bigwigs mapped out a reform strategy, eyeing extended terms for state presidents. This plan, however, pulled back the curtain on deep-seated rifts among regional honchos, as tensions simmer amid rising insurgency woes.…

Clash Over Voting Reforms Intensifies in Somalia Against Evolving Al-Shabaab Danger MOGADISHU, Somalia — With al-Shabaab continuing its menacing activities, the conversation around voting reforms in Somalia is turning into quite the wildfire. The heart of the matter? Whether the country should stick to indirect elections or make a bold shift to letting every citizen cast their vote in the 2026 elections. The political bigwigs gathered again at the presidential palace, their heads bent over talks on national security and…

Somalia's Political Roadblock: Leadership Gridlocked Over Term Extension During Key Election Reform Deliberations MOGADISHU, Somalia - A hush-hush conclave involving Somalia's President and Prime Minister, alongside Ahmed Madobe from Jubaland, concluded in a standoff on Friday, as noted by Axadle's unimpeachable sources. This stalemate is a serious setback for the Federal Administration's electoral reform strategy, which faces considerable pushback. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud advocates for a sweeping change to the…

President William Ruto during an event at the Kenya School of Government on September 16, 2024. Image: PCS During an event brimming with anticipation yesterday, President William Ruto unveiled an ambitious plan requiring Sh106 billion to invigorate the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service with much-needed reforms. Originally envisioned by a task force helmed by ex-Chief Justice David Maraga, these sweeping policing reforms were long-awaited. With palpable sincerity, Ruto shared…

The Ivorian National Assembly this week adopted the cooperation agreement with France for the implementation of eco, the future West African currency. But the provisions of this currency that will replace the CFA franc continue to be discussed. In particular, on its firm parity with the euro guaranteed by France. as reported…