Somali

Mogadishu: A Prelude to Political Discord? In the midst of Mogadishu's bustling environment, an air of apprehension seems to linger. Imagine the scene: a dimly lit conference room, the hum of whispered conversations punctuating the tension in the air. Here, at the convergence of deliberate political dialogues, a somewhat unsettling proclamation was made. Allegations Against the President At the Himilo Qaran political party's recent gathering, a spirited opposition figure, Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan,…

Baidoa (AX) — In a turn of events that can only be described as harrowing yet hopeful, the security forces in Somalia's South West State have succeeded in rescuing four children, much to the relief of their anguished families. These children—each tender and impressionable—found themselves in the clutches of the notorious Al-Shabaab, a scourge force bent on enlisting them into their militant ranks as child soldiers. Can one truly grasp the enormity of such a violation? Local authorities announced this heartening news on…

Riyadh: The Complex Web of Justice in Saudi Arabia In the austere city of Najran, Saudi Arabia, the echoes of justice reverberated with a somber note on Sunday. Mohamed Nur Hussein, a Somali native, faced the nation's unyielding justice system, accused of smuggling hashish. The verdict, carried out by beheading, garners both awe and consternation. Is it ever fully possible to comprehend the depth of such legal finality? Hussein’s family, cloaked in grief and disbelief, alleges a litany of…

Execution of Somali National Unveils Complexities in Legal Systems In a sobering revelation of the harsh global punitive measures, Saudi authorities executed Mohamed Nur Hussein Ja'al, a Somali national, for drug smuggling on Sunday. Alongside him, a Saudi citizen found guilty of murder faced the same unforgiving fate. These recent events were announced by the Ministry of Interior, underscoring the nation's stringent criminal justice approach. Imagine a person caught in a web of intrigue and peril, Mohamed…

In an unequivocal declaration, Somalia's opposition coalition has castigated President Mohamud's government, accusing it of forsaking the nation's federal architecture and diminishing vital constitutional checks and balances. To those familiar with Somalia's intricate political landscape, might this be the rubicon we had hoped to avoid? "The president has reduced the constitutional framework to mere window dressing," the coalition’s statement proclaimed. It continues, "Such actions flagrantly breach…

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The bustling city of Addis Ababa recently played host to a momentous encounter. Under the grand arches of the African Union Summit, which welcomed its 38th iteration, two pivotal figures of the Horn of Africa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, found themselves engrossed in earnest conversation. It wasn't mere politeness driving their dialogue, but the pressing tapestry of shared challenges and mutual hopes. Can a single meeting alter the course…

Mogadishu (AX) – It's a sunny Saturday, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has a reason to beam with pride. This afternoon, he extended his heartfelt congratulations to Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who recently achieved the notable milestone of being elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. An occasion worth celebrating, no doubt. Imagine, for a moment, the intricate dance of diplomacy that played out at the bustling AU summit in Addis Ababa. Underneath the grandeur of the…

Underneath the sun-scorched skies of Luuq, a town steeped in both history and hardship, a poignant narrative unfolds—a story of transformation, redemption, and perhaps, hope. Isn't it curious how one decision can forever alter the arc of a life once lost to extremism? In an eerie yet expectant silence, Somali security forces watched as Abuukar Aadan Buulle, a man once entrenched in the militant web of Al-Shabaab, emerged from the shadows to renounce his past. A figure who had navigated through the underbelly of terror,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Picture the halls of power veiled in silence, a silence heavy with the weight of political trepidation. Somali lawmaker Abdirashid Hidig offers a stark warning: if the House of the People stays shuttered, legislators might resort to holding their own sessions, parallel and unauthorized. A drastic measure, indeed, but Hidig has pointed fingers at certain political leaders, accusing them of intentionally crippling parliamentary operations. This dialogue invites us to ponder: in a land rife with challenges,…

How often does a handshake capture the world's attention? When Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met eye-to-eye, during the 38th African Union Summit in bustling Addis Ababa, their handshake was much more than a diplomatic formality. It was laden with the weighty hopes of peace and collaborative future—a substantial step forward since the historical signing of the Ankara Declaration. But let's not put the cart before the horse: what led to this compelling moment and what does it…