Somalia

North Western State of Somalia Mulls Over Ethiopia Sea Deal Amid Quest for Acknowledgement HARGEISA, Somalia - The self-declared state of North Western State of Somalia, nestled in northern Somalia, is reconsidering a deal with Ethiopia struck last year. This accord, initially forged to trade sea access for formal recognition, is undergoing scrutiny as regional leaders call for a fresh examination. Abdirahman Dahir Adan, the newly minted Foreign Affairs minister of North Western State of Somalia, revealed that Abdirahman…

NAIROBI, Kenya — In an alliance with Somalia’s authorities, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) declared that it executed a precision airstrike on December 24. This strike claimed the life of Mohamed Mire, also recognized as Abu Abdirahman, a prominent Al-Shabaab figure, along with another insurgent, per AFRICOM’s statement on Monday. The operation unfolded about 10 kilometers southwest of Kunyo Barrow, located in Lower Shabelle, close to Mogadishu, the bustling capital. For a whopping 15 years, Mire had been a central figure…

Clan Vendetta Triggers Army Retreat from Anti-Al-Shabaab Battle Lines BELEDWENE, Somalia - In a somber ceremony in Beledweyne within the Hiiraan region, six brave soldiers from the Somali National Army (SNA) were laid to rest on Sunday. This poignant moment followed discussions among community leaders seeking to navigate this heartbreaking incident. These soldiers tragically lost their lives in El-Baraf in the Middle Shabelle area, alleged to have fallen victim to "clan revenge." This act of violence incited a troop…

In the ever-evolving story of North Western State of Somalia, a fresh commitment has surfaced: safeguarding the realm of free speech. Amid the bustling capital, Mogadishu, chatter swirls as the government vows to shield journalists and citizens alike from unjust confinement over dissident facts or views.President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro recently, in a heartfelt address to civil society and the press, rekindled his campaign promise to uphold democratic tenets. "Freedom of expression is vital to our governance,"…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The folks over in the United States are gearing up to fork out a whopping $28 million for the people of Somalia. The focus here is squarely on beefing up security and making sure food is getting to where it's needed the most. It’s all part of a grand vision to ease the burden on families that are grappling with tough economic times and Mother Nature acting up. This cash infusion aims to lend a helping hand to more than 80,000 homes, which translates to a potential boon for a whopping half a…

Hargeisa (AX) – The newly elected government of North Western State of Somalia is revisiting a scrapped Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) made by its predecessors with Ethiopia, aiming to align the agreement more closely with North Western State of Somalia's national priorities. Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden, who hasn't minced words critiquing the deal, called it unclear and perplexing. "There’s a discrepancy between Ethiopia's narrative and North Western State of Somalia's take on matters," Aden noted while…

Burundi, a country known for its significant role in the African Union's peacekeeping missions in Somalia, has made the decision to withdraw from the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) due to disagreements regarding troop numbers. This withdrawal marks a notable shift, especially considering Burundi's longstanding commitment to stabilizing the region over the past 17 years. The crux of the issue lies in the allocation of troops; Somalia proposed deploying just 1,041 soldiers from Burundi, a figure that the…

KISMAYO, Somalia - The assertive Ahmed Madobe clinched a notable triumph for his 3rd term in office on Monday, facing vehement opposition from the corridors of Mogadishu, which is pushing for a universal ballot system, an idea that both Kismayo and Garowe aren't buying. Last month, Madobe made headlines when he bailed out of the National Consultative Council (NCC) conference. He effortlessly cruised to victory, raking in 55 nods from 75 regional lawmakers. Jubaland will now see him at the helm for another five…

Survivors of Madagascar Boat Incident Prepare for Return to Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - Officials in Antananarivo have announced that scores of individuals who survived a shipwreck off Madagascar will soon make their journey back to Somalia. These individuals were rescued by local fishermen early Saturday, adrift in the Indian Ocean. The 48 survivors, who hailed from Somalia, encountered disaster while aboard two different vessels, resulting in fatalities among their group. Originally departing from Mogadishu, their…

In the hubbub of Mogadishu, news has just dropped that Somalia’s cabinet decided to lift the ban on chemical fertilizers. This move aims to cranking up efficiency in agriculture, tackling food shortages, and minimizing how climate change has been throwing curveballs at farming in the region. Announced with a bit of fanfare on Thursday, this policy is a linchpin in the government's plan to breathe new life into the agriculture sector. This sector, by the way, is the bread and butter for over 70% of the people, plus it makes…