Somalia

Al-Shabaab calls for attacks on Djibouti to host Western interests MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab could carry out deadly attacks in Djibouti, the Horn of Africa, where the United States and France have unlimited influence ahead of the long-awaited election in the Red Sea country, which hosts the U.S. Africa Command Team. Ahmed Omar Abu Ubaydah accused Djibouti in the latest sound…

The leader of the Somali jihadist group for the Shebabs released a second message in a month on Saturday night. In a speech to his supporters, Ahmed Diriye attacks Djibouti in particular this time, targeting "American and French interests" in the country. And he also accuses the Djibouti president. This is not the first time the Shebabs have attacked Djibouti. Their targets are the many foreign military bases - French and American, but also Italian, Japanese, Turkish and Chinese - which the country hosts. Their latest…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Mohamed Mursal, speaking for the lower house, on Saturday suspended 15 MPs who were mainly allied with the opposition for five sessions, something that has activated a political storm in the country, which is also trying to resolve a crisis before the election. Mursal said MPs were behind riots in the assembly during the stormy session on Saturday, triggered by suspicions that lawmakers allied with outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo were eager to illegally extend the government's term.…

KDF delivers COVID-19 vaccines to troops in Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya - Major General George Ng'ang'a, Director of Medical Services of the Kenya Defense Forces launched the Covid-19 vaccination exercise for troops deployed during the African Union mission in Somalia in Sector II headquarters in Dhobley. This is part of the ongoing Phase 1 of the national immunization program in the fight against…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The current political crisis in Somalia could have a lasting solution after a meeting that brought together leaders of all five regional states, which is very important in the ongoing talks aimed at stabilizing the country. Somalia is struggling with an artificial political crisis, constructed by the current administration, whose term of office expired in February, and which is unwilling to facilitate a smooth transfer of power into the country. But on Saturday, a successful meeting was held with…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - House Speaker Mohamed Mursal on Saturday was forced to postpone the parliamentary session after chaotic scenes in which MPs came from both sides of the political divide in Somalia. The current parliament had its mandate expired in December 2020, but the country is yet to go to the polls, leading to a political quagmire that has threatened to throw the country into chaos, even after years of political war. Mursal, a close ally of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, had convened the session…

ASMARA - Eritrean Defense Forces will leave the conflict-ridden Tigray region in recent months following an operation by Ethiopian National Defense Forces. leading to a massive humanitarian crisis. Eritrean forces joined the conflict after the Tigray People's Liberation Front launched missiles targeting Asmara to the capital of the Red Sea country. It is not clear why the TPLF attacked Eritrea at the time. But on Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki agreed to withdraw…

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) handed over control of the Afgoye military base to the Somali National Army (SNA) as part of plans to secure the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces. Afgoye city was removed from Al-Shabaab's control in May 2012 in a joint operation by AMISOM and SNA. The city, located along the main supply route to northern, western and southern Somalia, had since been secured by AMISOM's Ugandan troops. The base was handed over on Wednesday by AMISOM Deputy Commander in…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia has questioned Kenya's plans to close the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, which have hosted thousands of refugees from Somalia and South Sudan, in a move that could further pressure relations between the two countries. Earlier in the week, Kenya, through Home Secretary Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i an ultimatum to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and demanded that the two camps be closed without negotiations. Nairobi said the UN body should spend a maximum of 14 days to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United Kingdom has called for the swift implementation of the agreement ahead of the elections on 17 September in Somalia, adding that the political leadership must ensure the success of the planned dialogue to start in the country. According to James Duddridge, who is the British Minister for Africa, the country will hold elections according to the model agreed in 2020, adding that the Baidoa recommendations should also be introduced. The statement comes at a time when the international…