Somali

Mogadishu (AX) – In a city where the past often seems to echo into the present, security and peace hang by fragile threads. This reality endures in Mogadishu, where the pursuit of one man's shadow characterizes the urgency of an unending struggle. The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has set its sights on Abdullahi Hassan Abdi, a man alleged to have exploited fear and suffering to line his pockets. For the residents of the Banadir region, life takes on a particular rhythm. One part hope, one part…

Mogadishu (AX) – Under the sweltering rays of the Mogadishu sun, a group of anguished families protested on Wednesday. Their loved ones—Somali citizens—face death sentences in Saudi Arabia. With pleas that tug at the heart, these families called upon the Somali government to intercede on behalf of their imprisoned kin. The protesters, a tapestry of pain and resolve, claimed that 45 Somali nationals languish on death row in Saudi prisons. Their cry is simple yet profound: they demand negotiations with Saudi authorities to…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a seemingly tranquil February day off Somalia's economically ragged coast, under the shadow of the region's turbulent maritime history, another chapter unfolded. The circumstances forebode a familiar narrative, one that's as unsettling as the early-morning chill on Garmaal's coastline: a Yemeni-flagged fishing boat suspected of romantic yet perilous piracy. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) under Operation ATALANTA, engaged tirelessly in the complex chess game of maritime security, recorded this…

The national emblems flutter in the breeze, the vibrant colors of Somalia and China weaving symbolic narratives. It was against this backdrop that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in a dialogue with his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on a recent Tuesday. Their conversation, a delicate ballet of diplomacy and mutual interests, revolved around the ever-evolving ties between their two nations. What does it mean for China to stand poised, ready to extend its metaphorical hand to Somalia? Minister Wang, who also…

Mogadishu (AX) – On a brisk morning in the Ba’adweyne district of southern Mudug, the sense of anticipation was palpable. The Somali army forces, together with Galmudug Dervish forces and vigilant local militias, embarked on a meticulously planned security operation. Their mission? To dismantle the lurking menace of Al-Shabaab that had embedded itself in this heartland, exploiting innocent civilians through extortion and fear. One might wonder: how does a community…

In the remote and arid expanses of Mandera County, an air of tension hangs heavily over the desolate landscape. A seemingly ordinary morning was disrupted by an alarming development: detectives had detained two individuals linked to an unsettling conspiracy. Their objective? To abduct foreigners engaged in a pivotal government project, which, ironically, promises to bring much-needed infrastructure improvements to this marginalised region. The two men, as disclosed by Mandera County Criminal Investigations Officer Pius…

Mogadishu (AX) – At the heart of a bustling Mogadishu, a significant meeting unfolded on Tuesday. Somali Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Mohamud Adan Gesod, welcomed Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, into a dialogue centered on the future of Somali ports—a future intricately tied to the narrative of rebuilding and hope. How many times has the world heard tales of reconstruction in post-conflict zones? Yet here it was, raw and earnest, unfolding in the flesh, where rebuilding isn’t just about bricks…

Somalia Steps Towards Global Trade Recognition Mogadishu (AX) — A significant stride has been taken in Somalia's ambitious journey towards economic integration. On a crisp Tuesday morning in Geneva, the Somali federal government delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, engaged in a pivotal meeting with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, setting the wheels in motion for Somalia's accession to the esteemed global trade body. The delegation's…

On a somber Monday, news emerged of a decisive U.S. airstrike that eliminated 16 individuals connected to the Islamic State in the rugged terrains of northern Somalia. Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, a spokesperson for Northeastern State's security operations, divulged these details in a candid conversation with VOA's Somali Service. "Our cooperative efforts with international security partners culminated in a strike that decimated not only 16 militants but also two prominent bomb-makers. A crucial bomb factory met…

Mogadishu (AX) – With an air of both determination and urgency, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stepped up to address the nation with a poignant message: taxes matter. In a country grappling with financial instability, his administration is poised to launch a far-reaching tax collection initiative in the days to come. The message was clear as he spoke to the people of Mogadishu on Monday. President Mohamud extended an appeal, perhaps even a plea, for cooperation, underscoring a fundamental tenet of civic duty—the…