Somalia

Egypt and Ethiopia have been butting heads for the past decade over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) that Ethiopia’s been constructing. This hydroelectric behemoth has Egypt jittery, fearing it could mess up its water security downstream. With construction almost done and the first sparks of power generation already humming, GERD is a reality Egypt can't ignore anymore. So far, Egypt's kept its response diplomatic. They’ve fired off letters to the U.N. Security Council, accusing Ethiopia of flouting international…

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA/WASHINGTON — In an exclusive conversation, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley discussed the ongoing efforts to navigate the diplomatic tensions and security hurdles confronting Somalia, alongside U.S. attempts to mediate the simmering dispute with Ethiopia. Trouble flared up earlier this year between Somalia and Ethiopia when the latter inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region, which Somalia sees as an affront to its sovereignty. This…

The Arab League asserts that North Western of Somaliais unequivocally part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, following the Arab League and UN charters. During the third gathering of the Arab League's ministerial task force, charged with overseeing the Arab League's resolution to bolster Somalia in protecting its sovereignty and territorial unity, it reaffirmed North Western of Somaliaas an integral segment of Somalia, anchored in the tenets of the charters of both the Arab League and the United Nations. As reported by…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Thursday, Abdirisakh Omar Mohamed, Somalia's Petroleum and Minerals Minister, divulged that Turkey is gearing up to start deep-sea oil drilling in Somali waters by April 2025.In a conversation with Somali National Television, the minister remarked on the ongoing preparations, underscoring the oil sector's tremendous potential to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in Somalia."There are 13 offshore oil sites in regions like Jubbaland, Galmudug, Southwest, and Hirshabelle slated for drilling,"…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a landmark move to bolster its public health framework, Somalia has rolled out its inaugural national laboratory strategic plan. This initiative aims to sharpen disease diagnostics and enhance the country’s crisis response capabilities. Crafted alongside the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the blueprint seeks to mend gaps in a health system torn apart by decades of strife. This strategic plan, fine-tuned during sessions in Nairobi from August 5-9, 2024, charts out…

MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- On Wednesday, food security experts from Somalia, the United Nations (UN), and assorted global organizations pledged to initiate preemptive measures to counter the effects of extended droughts afflicting East Africa.Gathering at the National Climate Co-Production, Application, and Action Planning forum in Mogadishu, Somalia's bustling capital, the delegates aimed to tackle issues plaguing at-risk communities, especially those residing in drought-prone regions. This summit united climate scholars,…

ISIS Somalia Branch Bolsters Operations with Gold Sales, Reeling in Up to $6 Million AXADLE, Somalia — Nestled in the rugged northeastern Bari region, the Islamic State's Somalia faction has found a lucrative gig — hawking locally mined gold, according to various accounts. Since 2022, these golden ventures have lined the group's coffers to the tune of an estimated $6 million, the International Crisis Group reports. The gold trade orchestrated by ISIS-Somalia shines a light on not just their economic maneuvers but also their…

Dhusamareb (AX) — Tragedy struck on Wednesday night in a remote area nestled between Adado and Godinlabe districts in central Somalia. Local folks report that unknown assailants gunned down a man and his wife.The victims, named Ilmi Omar and his spouse, met their untimely demise at their residence, courtesy of armed militiamen who wasted no time in hightailing it to Dhusamareb before the security forces could show up.Eye-witnesses believe this cold-blooded act is tangled in a long-standing tribal vengeance. Word has it, the…

Other than intimidating businesses in Bosasso, a bustling seaport in Northeastern State, IS-Somalia peddles modest amounts of gold unearthed in the north-eastern Bari realm, its lair. According to US estimates, it's amassed a tidy $6 million since 2022, “these figures shared by ICG shed light on their funding," says ICG.With roughly 500 fighters camped out in the caves of Northeastern State's Cal Miskaat mountains, IS-Somalia’s influence is quite constrained. They've launched fewer than 12 raids since 2023, way down from the…

Dr. Ubah Farah, a fervent advocate for UNICEF Somalia, underscored the profound impact of this national endeavor to eliminate polio. "This initiative is a lifeline for vaccinating children against polio," Farah expressed. She emphasized that such initiatives are pivotal in public health, aiming to wipe out the poliovirus and stymie its spread. The campaign kicked off in central and southern Somalia, with plans to gradually include the semiautonomous state of Northeastern State and the self-declared region of Somaliland.…