Somali

Kampala (AX) — Against the backdrop of an overcast Kampala sky, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud touched down on Ugandan soil this past Friday. His visit marks a pivotal moment, one intended to weave tighter threads of diplomacy and cooperation between Somalia and Uganda, especially in realms such as security, commerce, and socio-economic development. An anecdotal account from President Mohamud’s entourage whispered that when you pause to think, diplomacy really is an art; an intricate dance between nations, played…

In the ever-shifting labyrinth of international diplomacy, whispers from Mogadishu have emerged, challenging the very notion of a potential U.S. nod towards North Western State of Somalia's independence. Can such a delicate balance endure, when even whispers have seismic potency? In a recent dialogue with VOA, Somalia’s voice in Washington, Ambassador Dahir Hassan Arab, made it emphatically clear. “The United States, universally known as a sentinel of global legal principles, harbors no intentions to…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a dramatic turn of events, Algeria’s Coast Guard rescued at least 16 Somali migrants on a fraught Wednesday, their fragile boat discovered adrift amidst the often unforgiving waves, some 40 nautical miles north of the coastal town of El-Aouana in Jijel province. Can you imagine the quiet terror that grips the heart when the sea shows its indifferent face, miles from any hope? Commanded with precision by Algeria’s Naval Command, the swift operation was sparked by desperate distress signals, a clarion…

<Mogadishu (AX) — In an assertive move to curb the tempest of extremism plaguing his nation, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently amplified calls for intensified military efforts against ISIS elements holed up in the craggy Al-Miskaat Mountains of the Bari region. A multitude of events crescendoed into this renewed appeal, primarily the resounding victory by Northeastern State's Daraawiish forces, whose relentless 24-hour siege claimed the lives of over 50 militants, among them were prominent foreign…

In the bustling corridors of Mogadishu, where the scent of freshly brewed tea mingles with the relentless hum of political discourse, the Somali Council of Ministers gathered for their weekly meeting. It was an occasion that resonated with the weight of recent triumphs—a significant victory by the Northeastern State Dervish forces against the ISIS militants lurking in the Al-Miskaat mountains of the Bari region. Picture this: a dusty plateau in the Bari region, where the echoes of previous battles linger in the air. The…

GARISSA - There’s a palpable change in the air as President William Ruto of Kenya recently announced a decisive shift in policy that's been long awaited by the Somali community residing in the country's northeastern region. For decades, the community endured a painstaking bureaucratic process just to obtain identification cards. This policy, entrenched over the past 60 years, has now been dismantled with the president's decree. Unveiling this policy shift in the town of Wajir, Ruto articulated a…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a decisive move, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), working closely with the Somali Police Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), executed a coordinated security operation on a bright Friday morning. The target? An elusive Al-Shabaab stronghold concealed in the shadows of Muuri. One might wonder, in the face of unending strife, what drives such bold undertakings? The primary objective of this mission was to quell the looming threats from the…

Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs during a past function. PHOTO/PRINT In a resolute and somewhat complex maneuver, Kenya has decided to send Somali elders to their homeland to negotiate the release of four Chiefs and an Assistant Chief. These officials, entrusted with great responsibility, were tragically abducted by Al-Shabaab militants in the heart of Elwak, Mandera County. One might ask, why such a delicate approach? The truth lies in the intricacies of ensuring their safe return. Despite a joint security operation being…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a recent move that draws attention to the complex geopolitics of the region, the Turkish Parliament has given its nod to an important presidential motion. This decision greenlights the continued deployment of Turkish naval forces in certain strategic waters: the Gulf of Aden, the waters off the Somali coast, the Arabian Sea, and nearby regions. Scheduled to remain in effect until February 10 next year, this extension underscores Türkiye’s unwavering resolve in tackling the maritime threats lurking in…

Mogadishu (AX) — A moment reminiscent of the intricate politics that ripple through Somalia played out on Monday, as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reinstated Colonel Ibrahim Moalim Abdullahi. Abdullahi, the erstwhile intelligence chief of Mogadishu within the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), found his military rank and privileges restored. But what does this signify in the grand scheme of Somalia's tumultuous political landscape? Does this mark the dawn of a new era of reconciliatory politics, or is it…