Somalia’s livestock sector has reached a defining moment. But if the country wants this hard-won success to translate into lasting wealth, it must stop letting its “gold” go to market at “silver” prices. The way forward, the article argues, is clear: Somalia must take control of the supply chain — from pasture to plate — and turn livestock from a raw export into a premium global brand.The Gap: Why Our Hard Work Earns LessAt present, there is a deep mismatch between what the Somali bush produces and what international buyers…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s opposition has raised the political temperature in the capital, with the Somali Future Council announcing a mass protest in Mogadishu on May 16 and accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his government of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and broader political repression. In a statement released in Mogadishu, the coalition said authorities were trying to stop a peaceful rally planned by forum members a day earlier in the city. “The Somali Salvation Forum strongly condemns the actions taken…

Lok DarjeeTuesday May 12, 2026 Liban Mohamed, a 27-year-old progressive newcomer with deep immigrant roots, has turned a little-known campaign into one of Utah’s most closely watched Democratic contests — and his narrow convention win has given him a real opening heading into June’s primary. Liban Mohamed: ‘We have first-time delegates, young people, refugees, immigrants, working-class people, and longtime community members organizing to deliver a huge upset.’ Photograph: Liban Mohamed for Congress Mohamed, the son of Somali…

Monday May 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s dominant opposition alliance said Monday it will return to the streets of Mogadishu on May 16, pressing ahead with an anti-government protest after accusing federal authorities of blocking an earlier rally and using security forces to stifle dissent. The Somali Salvation Forum said it would carry on what it described as a “peaceful struggle” over forced displacement, land seizures and what it called the misuse of power by the federal government. In a statement, the forum said…

Monday May 11, 2026 Jigjiga (AX) — A long-awaited solution to Qabridaharre’s water problems took a major step forward on Sunday, when Ethiopia’s Somali Regional Government broke ground on a 407 million birr water purification plant aimed at easing chronic shortages and improving water quality in the town. Somali Regional State President Mustafa Muhumed Omar and Water Affairs Minister Ahmed Miraad Layli led the foundation-laying ceremony, joined by local and district officials. The plant is slated to supply clean, treated…

Monday May 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire on Sunday said government forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Mogadishu’s Dayniile district, alleging that one person was killed and several others were injured. Speaking to reporters, Khaire said residents had assembled in Dayniile to voice anger over forced evictions and displacement when security personnel fired on the crowd. He expressed sympathy to the family of the person he said died and wished those wounded a swift…

Sarah JohnsonSunday May 10, 2026 The journalists said they were arrested and assaulted by counter-terrorism police in Mogadishu on Friday. Photograph: Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images A Somali journalist who reported on a woman’s claim that she was being tortured in prison was detained by authorities and beaten with pistols, along with two other reporters, in what media groups say is the latest sign of an escalating crackdown on press freedom. Mohamed Bulbul was arrested on Friday evening in a restaurant in central Mogadishu…

Sunday May 10, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s federal government on Sunday stood firm behind its decision to confine planned opposition rallies in Mogadishu to a single location, arguing that scattered protests across the capital could threaten civilians, choke essential services and ignite street-level confrontations. In a statement, the Ministry of Information said the administration recognized citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, expression and political participation. It added, however, that those…

Sunday May 10, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said Sunday that security forces had sealed off roads to his home and stopped lawmakers and opposition figures from reaching him as Mogadishu braced for planned anti-government demonstrations. Sharif, who leads the opposition Somali Future Council, said during an X Spaces discussion that troops had been stationed in parts of the capital and that the movement of politicians and members of parliament had been curtailed ahead of Sunday’s protest.…

Sunday May 10, 2026 Jigjiga (AX) — The Somali Regional State in Ethiopia has kicked off campaigning for its seventh regional and national elections, with the ruling Barwaqo Party drawing large crowds to rallies across several towns and districts on Saturday. Across the region, thousands of supporters filled public squares, brandishing flags and banners as party candidates began courting voters for both local and federal parliamentary seats. In Dhahaxbuur, Somali Regional State President Mustafa Muhumed Omar spoke at a major…