Somalia

On Thursday, Turkey’s foreign minister revealed plans to host separate discussions with Horn of Africa adversaries, Somalia and Ethiopia, to alleviate rising tensions prior to another round of talks in Ankara.

Helicopter Crashes While Transporting Peacekeepers in Southern Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — On Thursday, a military chopper went down near the edges of Mogadishu, the heart of Somalia, while transporting peacekeepers from the African Union. Sources within the security apparatus revealed the crash involved personnel from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), among them three Ugandan personnel, all of whom made it out alive. Speaking on the hush-hush to Axadle due to the lack of clearance to jabber about it…

The rift between Egypt and Ethiopia has hit a boiling point recently. The discord stems back to 2011, when Ethiopia began building the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, igniting Egypt's fears over its water and food security. Recently, tensions heightened further following Egypt's rapprochement with Ethiopia’s foe, Somalia. On August 27, Egypt dispatched two C-130 military aircraft brimming with weapons and ammunition to Mogadishu. This marked Egypt’s first military aid to Somalia in over four…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - On Thursday morning, a female legislator from Southwest State revealed that authorities at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu prevented her from traveling to Baidoa. Senior officials denied her claim. Federal MP Sareedo Mohamed Abdalla voiced her frustration on social media, sharing her experience of being blocked from boarding a flight to her home state. This episode occurred just days after other flights carrying passengers were similarly obstructed. It is an indication of growing political…

ANKARA, Turkey - The nation of Turkey has dispatched two warships to safeguard the Somali coastline, reports Middle East Eye. The ships, christened Oruc Reis, have been tasked with protecting energy and oil exploration activities in the region. The deployment follows an oil agreement recently inked between Somalia and Turkey, with Ankara taking on the dual roles of exploration and safeguarding the waters from foreign threats. This venture is poised to enhance Somalia's economic prospects. Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkey's…

Somalia Leans on Diplomacy to Resolve Rift with Ethiopia MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia is banking on diplomatic efforts to iron out its disputes with Ethiopia, following President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's recent decision to involve regional collaborators in addressing the issue. Under President Mohamud's leadership, reaching out to global entities and countries has been a priority, emphasizing the significance of resolving this standoff amicably, without strife or hostility. The Somali leader has already sought the…

BGS 2024 Forum: Unpacking Fintech's Role in Somalia's Economic Landscape MOGADISHU, Somalia - The annual Somalia’s Success Stories, organized by Hormuud, a leading telecommunications giant in the country, is all set to unfold on October 16, 2024, at the Sahal venue in Mogadishu. Next month, we'll witness the third edition of this influential forum. Previously, the BGS forum provided a deep dive into Somalia's economic fabric, shedding light on both the growth potentials and the formidable challenges facing the nation. It…

But for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing both the local and international audience, has led him to firmly articulate Ethiopia’s aspirations for sea access, insist on cultivating regional peace, and navigate the tricky waters of having an adversary-turned-friend in Somalia. This week, Ethiopia celebrated its New Year and National Sovereignty Day. In a televised speech, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that any nation contemplating an invasion should think not once, but ten times. Although he refrained from naming…

Last weekend, a meeting took place in Asmara between Egypt's chief spy and Foreign Minister, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. They carried a direct message from President Al Sisi, emphasizing "enhancing and expanding bilateral ties across all sectors." Egypt's active diplomatic endeavors in the Horn of Africa are ongoing. Following a recently inked military pact with Somalia, which included sending 10 Egyptian soldiers to Mogadishu, irking neighboring Ethiopia, Cairo is now eyeing a similar deal with Eritrea. This…

Hargeisa (AX) — The North Western State of Somalia Human Rights Commission has voiced serious concerns about the extended incarceration of MP Mohamed Abiib, detained in Mandera Prison for over two weeks without proper charges. Abiib was apprehended at Hargeisa's Egal International Airport on September 2 following his return from the UAE. This arrest occurred shortly after he publicly criticized President Muse Bihi's administration. The commission, after inspecting the detention center, reported that Abiib's parliamentary…