security

Somalia to Take the Helm of AUSSOM as Local Forces Gear Up for Transition MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a significant step towards sovereign command, it has been confirmed by top officials that Somalia is set to assume the leadership of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This comes as local forces gear up to take over full security responsibilities, marking a pivotal change in the dynamic of power and control within the region. What does it mean for the people of Somalia to see this…

Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times International–Monitoring. Mogadishu (AX) – It was a momentous day on Thursday when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed touched down in the heart of Mogadishu, stepping onto Somali soil for discussions that promise to reshape the relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia. With Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud by his side, this meeting signals a crucial turning point after months of tension and uncertainty between the neighboring nations. The welcome was a grand affair. At Aden Adde…

A Historic Diplomatic Encounter: Bridging Gaps and Building Trust Mogadishu (AX) — On a windswept Thursday morning, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is expected to grace the Somali capital’s horizon, setting the stage for an essential dialogue with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. These meetings, vivid with political undertones and strategic dynamics, capture a pivotal moment in the intricate relationship between these two Horn of Africa neighbors. Their journey, marked by maritime disputes and military…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a significant leap forward, Somalia has wiped clean a slate of debts stretching back 35 years with the United Nations, as announced by the government on a noteworthy Monday. The air in Mogadishu hummed with a sense of triumph, and rightly so. Foremost in delivering this groundbreaking news was Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. In conversation with the Somali National News Agency, Fiqi couldn't hide his pride, reflecting the sentiment of a nation that has long awaited such a moment. "This…

The Weight of Justice: Navigating Accountability in North Western State of Somalia In the quiet town of Gabiley, North Western State of Somalia, a landmark decision by the military court reverberates through the community. Recently, Salah Isaaq, a local rickshaw driver, was sentenced to death by a First-Degree Military Court. His crime? The fatal shooting of Buuh Mowlid Ismail, an officer belonging to North Western State of Somalia’s Road Transport Forces, following a heated…

Is it possible for a single conversation to change the course of a region's security dynamics? Earlier this week in Nairobi, an important dialogue took place that might very well influence the future stability of East Africa. In a meeting characterized by commitment and collaboration, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, engaged with Somali military leaders to deliberate on the persistent security challenges facing Mogadishu. The Somali delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Madey Nurey Sheikh, the…

Mogadishu (AX) – A gentle hum of anticipation filled the air as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addressed Parliament on Saturday—a collective assembly of minds gathered to mark the opening of its sixth session in Mogadishu. Is there a time more apt for reflection and hope than the dawn of a new parliamentary session? President Mohamud seized this moment, directing the statesmen's attention to the seismic military movements against the entrenched forces of ISIS and Al-Shabaab in the arid expanses of Northeastern State…

Garowe (AX) – On a brisk Tuesday morning, a shadowy group of Ethiopian migrants found themselves in the firm grasp of Northeastern State's security forces, ingeniously crossing the formidable border into Somalia. In a swift and efficient maneuver, these individuals were sent back whence they came, to their homeland of Ethiopia. The crackdown was more than just an isolated event. "One way or another, we will tackle these smuggling networks head-on," declared a senior military figure, whose words carried the solemn weight of…

BOSASO, Somalia - The town of Bosaso, nestled in the arid expanse of Somalia's Northeastern State region, has long endured the ominous shadow of militant threats. But in a twist that locals consider a watershed moment, the dragnet has tightened around notorious Islamic State (Daesh) members accused of criminal activities that have plagued this area. Colonel Abdikadir Jama Dirir, the steely-eyed Bari region Police Commander, revealed to reporters on a brisk Wednesday morning how the orchestrated sweep played out.…

In an unexpected turn, Ethiopia and Somalia managed to mend their diplomatic rift this January by signing an agreement that grants Addis Ababa access to port facilities in Somalia. But Ethiopia isn't the only player on the field. Last year, Mogadishu struck a deal with Turkey, where Ankara agreed to fortify Somalia's maritime security via a mix of capacity building, training, and collaborative patrols. The fruits of these agreements could be bountiful, potentially presenting economic and investment avenues while uplifting…