Somali

When film director Mo Harawe mentioned his Somali roots, he observed certain stereotypes shaping people's views of the nation, a peculiar quirk he'd picked up on. Talking to Middle East Eye, his regular run-ins with these clichés fired up the inspiration for what would become a groundbreaking Somali film making waves at the Cannes Film Festival come May 2024. Harawe says, "Crafting the screenplay felt instinctual, mapping out diverse characters drawn from Somalia's everyday life." As Cannes stands pivotal in the cinematic…

Mogadishu (AX) — Reports buzzing on social media about a supposed crash involving government aircraft were dismissed by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), dismissing them as sheer fabrications. The SCAA firmly stated that none of the newly acquired planes have faced such mishaps, rubbishing claims of them hitting the ground in off-limit locales.Releasing a detailed statement on Tuesday, the SCAA labeled these stories as part of a concerted effort to spread falsehoods by what they termed "Somalia's antagonists." As…

On a lively Saturday, a flotilla of boats darted around MV Ruen during a daring Indian military raid, as captured by Ministry of Defence/PIB and relayed through CNN. Mogadishu (AX), famed for its vibrant markets and historical allure, has resumed its piracy saga. After a lull lasting five months, Somali pirates have re-emerged, casting shadows over global shipping routes that stretch across the vast oceans. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), under the vigilant watch of Operation ATALANTA, sounded the alarm when a…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — An enormous wave of sadness has swept through Eastleigh, Nairobi, as the Somali community grapples with the tragic murders of three females from one family, found in separate parts of Kenya. Discovered on a Monday, the lifeless bodies of Waris Daud, her 22-year-old daughter Amina Abdirashid, and her 12-year-old niece Nuseiba Dahir, have left a trail of grief and unanswered questions. The trio vanished from their Eastleigh abode late Sunday night, never to return. The grim event has captured nationwide…

A lone figure sits silently, her sorrow unmistakable, as loved ones and neighbors gather to pay respect to three Somali women unjustly slain in Kenya. This poignant assembly underscores the deep ache rooted within Nairobi's Somali community. Credit/ Citizen Digital TV NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Authorities in Kenya are on the case, delving into the heinous murders of three Somali women, all kin, tragically discovered at disparate locales across the land earlier this week. The trio, known as Waris Daud, her young daughter Amina…

BELGRADE, Serbia (AX) — The Embassy of Somalia in Serbia cheerfully embraced a batch of Somali scholars freshly chosen for the World in Serbia initiative's scholarship program. This generous program covers an entire spectrum of tuition, lodgings, and a monthly allowance, permitting these ambitious learners to pursue their academic dreams at the esteemed University of Belgrade.The scholarships reflect Serbia's commitment to fostering growth in burgeoning regions, with intentions to boost knowledge and expertise in societies…

For more than ten years, the most harmful weapons wielded by terrorists in Somalia have been improvised explosive devices (IEDs), impacting countless Soldiers and civilians alike. According to Action on Armed Violence, a UK-based organization that monitors civilian-targeted armed violence globally, over 14,000 individuals have been affected—injured or killed—by IEDs set by al-Shabaab since 2014. Astonishingly, 61% of those affected were civilians. In the past year, IEDs have claimed or injured 1,500 lives in Somalia,…

Nairobi (AX) — On Tuesday, Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia warmly endorsed the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is set to take over from the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) come January 2025. President Mohamud was in Kenya from October 21st to 22nd, continuing a regional tour of nations contributing troops to ATMIS. Their discussions hovered over challenges and opportunities in stabilizing Somalia and the…

Mogadishu (AX) – Pulling in like a breeze on a Sunday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud landed in Djibouti as he continued his whirl through nations backing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). As the jet touched down, President Mohamud received a warm welcome from Djibouti’s Prime Minister, Abdikadir Kamil Mohamed, alongside a crew of top officials. It was a moment brimming with diplomacy and friendship. On this pit stop, he’s slated to chinwag with Djibouti’s big cheese, President Ismael Omar…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Conservation enthusiasts are beseeching the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to bolster their efforts in safeguarding Somali giraffes and ostriches. These iconic creatures are teetering on the edge of extinction due to rampant poaching and ruthless droughts. The North-Eastern Wildlife Conservancies Association (Neca) has issued an urgent plea for action. This illicit hunting of precious wildlife is booming, with giraffe and ostrich meats making their way to marketplaces in northern Kenya and being smuggled…