Somalia

"Oh, the political temperature is rising in North Western State of Somalia!" exclaimed a supporter of the opposition Waddani party, captured by the lens of LUIS TATO. In the heart of a diplomatic firestorm, North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared independent region splintered from Somalia, gears up for a Wednesday presidential showdown during a tumultuous spell in the Horn of Africa. Perched at Somalia's northwest tip, this territory broke free in 1991, maintaining a level of tranquility and calmness that its…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has brought General Odowaa Yusuf Rage back to the fore, a youthful officer molded in Turkey. Rage had previously made headlines by cracking down on opposition figures in Mogadishu during the tumultuous 2021-22 elections. This reappointment unfolds against the backdrop of a political storm swirling around Villa Somalia's attempts to tweak certain constitutional passages for timing extensions—moves that might derail the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab. Rage steps into the…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior official has revealed that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) won't be involved in Somalia's upcoming peacekeeping efforts. This could spark yet another prolonged clash that might hinder efforts to build the state. As of January 2025, a brand new mission is planned to roll out, replacing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), it will feature a leaner troop presence. Bitterness is…

Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Turns Down PM Barre's Resignation Amid Electoral Disputes MOGADISHU, Somalia - Ambling through a political maze, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has declined Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s offer to resign, according to insiders conversing with Axadle. The two political bigwigs are experiencing difficulties syncing efforts with regional states, especially those severing ties with the central government in Mogadishu. Jubaland, the latest state to distance itself from the federal…

Amid growing global concerns, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently had a heart-to-heart over a phone call about pressing issues in Haiti, Somalia, and Yemen. Their conversation was primarily focused on the ongoing challenges in these volatile regions, but you could say it was much more than a simple exchange of pleasantries. "Antony Blinken and Antonio Guterres have been talking turkey about the current affairs," remarked an international relations observer. They delved…

FILE - Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama – Official X account There's a significant shake-up brewing with Somalia's stance on engagement in regional security. In a strategic twist reported by Hiiran, November 2024, the Somali government intends to shut the door on Ethiopian military participation in the upcoming African Union mission. This mission, slated to kick off in January 2025, is set to take over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Explaining this landmark decision on…

Somalia President Brings Back General Odowaa Yusuf, Noted for Oppositon Tactics, as Army Head MOGADISHU, Somalia - General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, recognized for his pivotal role when he became the chief of the Somali National Army (SNA) at the tender age of 32 in 2019, has been reappointed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. After nearly a year away from the position, he's stepping back into the limelight. Odowaa's return follows his previous dismissal by President Mohamud, who had replaced him in 2023 with Maj. General Ibrahim…

KISMAYO, Somalia - Recent weeks have witnessed a stormy political landscape in Somalia, as Jubaland has decided to walk away from its relationship with Mogadishu. Alongside Northeastern State, it becomes the second of the five states to voice dissatisfaction with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's leadership and his push for significant constitutional reforms. The leadership of Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe in Jubaland halted collaboration with the federal government, declaring an end to cooperation following a crucial meeting…

KISMAYO, Somalia - In a surprising twist, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, known as ATMIS, has seemingly balked at the Somalian federal government's request to take over Kismayo airport's operations. The situation stems from Mogadishu's desire to disrupt upcoming elections in Jubaland following a fallout with the region's leader, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, insiders report. ATMIS, a key player in maintaining security across various areas of Somalia, asserted that they won’t step into the management shoes of…

Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Reverses His Stance on Jubaland's Election Framework MOGADISHU, Somalia - A political showdown brews in the Horn of Africa nation as Jubaland's leader, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, turns his back on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's direct election vision. Instead, Jubaland is veering towards holding indirect elections. Recently, Madobe made a dramatic exit from Mogadishu, declaring that implementing nationwide voting rights would undoubtedly lead to extending presidential terms—a notion that, he…