risks

Somalia’s 2026 choice: avoid a legitimacy crisis by fixing the election model, not the scoreboard Somalia is entering another high-stakes transition with too little time, too much polarization, and a volatile security map. The federal government’s drive to centralize authority while invoking universal suffrage risks breaking the very political settlement that has held the country together — imperfectly but functionally — for a quarter century. A safer way through 2026 is available: an improved, time-bound indirect election…

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…

Puntland State leader warns Somalia could fracture amid political deadlock, urges dialogue with Mogadishu KISMAYO, Somalia — Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni warned Thursday that Somalia risks breaking apart if political leaders fail to listen to one another and pursue consensus, as tensions mount over governance and the path to national elections. Speaking at a conference in the southern port city of Kismayo, Deni said division would be inevitable if dialogue, mutual respect and coexistence continue to erode.…

Somalia on the Brink of Fragmentation Under Hassan Sheikh Amid Escalating Federal Rift MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s fragile federal system faces a fresh test after Jubaland moved to strip the words “federal member” from its official title, a direct challenge to Mogadishu that echoes an earlier rupture by Puntland State and deepens a nationwide constitutional and political rift under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The move, announced Sunday by Jubaland regional Speaker Sheikh Abdi Mohamed, follows months of acrimony over…

New airstrip in Buur Hakaba offers hope — and a test of resilience — in Somalia’s restless south BUUR HAKABA, Somalia — In the sun-baked plains between Baidoa and the coast, a strip of compacted earth has suddenly become more than a patch of ground. On a warm Sunday morning this week, local leaders and residents cut a ribbon on Buur Hakaba’s first-phase airport — a modest airfield that community members and the Southwest state government say will be a lifeline for trade, education and elections in a part of Somalia long…

In Kismayo, voices of discord rang out as lawmakers from Jubaland took center stage, hurling stark criticism at Somalia's federal government on a Saturday. The heart of this fiery clash lies in accusations: actions that amplify political chasms and threaten the fragile unity of Somalia as a nation. As they gathered for strategic talks, these representatives aired grievances, warning that federal maneuvers are not merely steps but leaps toward deepening divisions and halting conversations essential for healing the rift…

A looming catastrophe is on the horizon for northern Gaza, with global food security specialists warning that famine could soon strike the region. As Israel escalates its military operations against Hamas, a militant group in Palestine, the situation grows increasingly dire. The independent Famine Review Committee (FRC), in a rare and urgent communication, emphasized the need for "swift action—days, rather than weeks"—from all parties involved in the conflict and those influencing its progression. Failure to act could lead…

Mogadishu (AX) — Donald Trump's return to the presidency has sent shivers through immigrant groups across America, especially among Somali communities now wrestling with fresh anxieties over deportation. His campaign emphasized a stringent approach toward undocumented migrants, pledging historic levels of deportation. This has stirred alarm particularly among Somali families who view North America as a sanctuary and now fear their settled lives might face upheaval. Many are considering the possibility of relocating to…

A significant academic study has issued a stark warning: any violation of the limits that climate scientists consider safe regarding global warming will likely lead to "irreversible consequences" for our planet. Even a brief spike above the 1.5°C threshold—often referred to as an "overshoot"—could trigger a series of catastrophic outcomes, such as rising sea levels and other long-lasting effects that could persist for millennia. Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, the lead author of the study, emphasized the magnitude of these…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has voiced strong objections to a recent decree from the Nigerien government, which greenlights the formation of a database targeting individuals suspected of terrorist activities. The organization argues that this legislation seriously infringes upon essential human rights by utilizing "overly vague criteria" for determining who gets placed on the list, consequently "denying due process" to those affected. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a Senior Researcher specializing in the Sahel region, expressed concern…