Somalia declared three days of mourning for former Somali President Ali Mahdi Muhammad, who died of the coronavirus, the country's current president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known by his nickname Farmajo, announced on Thursday. The Somali flag will fly at part-time staff for three days to show the Somali people's grief over the loss of Muhammad, who died late on Wednesday at the age of 86, the government said. "I would like to extend my condolences to his family, friends and the Somali people…

Jubaland president meets with US ambassador to Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia - Firebrand Jubaland's President Ahmed Madobe held a closed door meeting on Wednesday with US Ambassador Donald Yamamoto in the Halane connection in Mogadishu on Thursday. "We discussed the political dead end and found a way to address some of the challenges facing the electoral process," Madobe said after…

Somalia announces 3-day state mourning after ex-leader's death MOGADISHU, Somalia - Outgoing Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has ordered the country's flag flown at half-staff as a sign of respect for former leader Ali Mahdi Mohamed, who died on Wednesday. Farmajo has ordered the country to observe a three-day state of mourning as a result of the death of the fourth…

The US Army denies having launched airstrikes in Somalia as militants killed MOGADISHU, Somalia - The American Africa Command has denied airstrikes in the village of Ballow and Jambalul in Somalia on Monday after reports that the Somali national army benefited from air bombardments as they fought with Al-Shabaab militants. In an interview with the Voice of America, the U.S.-African…

Northeastern State's president suspends Bososa's mayor days after al-Shabaab's prison raid BOSSASO, Northeastern State - Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni has sent Bosaso Mayor Abdisalan Bashir home over what the State House describes as "economically inappropriate" in the latest measure seen as a strategy to improve revenue collection in the coastal city of the state.…

ICJ releases timetable for maritime border case between Kenya and Somalia HAGUE - The International Court of Justice has released a timetable for the hearing of the maritime border case at the Indian Ocean involving Kenya and Somalia, which is expected to begin on Monday 15 May 2021 in The Hague in the Netherlands after months of postponement. According to the schedule, the case…

Madobe meets with UN envoy hours after al-Shabaab attack on Halane MOGADISHU, Somalia - Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe arrived in Mogadishu on Tuesday ahead of the election conference to be convened with the federal government of Somalia's leaders and those from member states as the country strives to unlock the stalemate. Madobe, who has been critical of outgoing President Mohamed…

A Hasty Withdrawal From Somalia U.S. troops can’t be everywhere forever. But the Trump administration hasn’t made a good case for its recently announced withdrawal from Somalia in Northeast Africa. President Trump has often expressed his skepticism of American…

The EU can unblock the so-called “electoral impasse” paralyzing Somalia by rejecting the involvement of the outgoing president. But it must also set out a new framework to help the country move forward. The four-year term of Somalia’s president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, formally ended last week – but he has refused to leave the office. With the federal parliament’s mandate also expired as of December 2020, Somalia now, for all intents and purposes, lacks legitimate effective national government. Farmaajo argues that…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Authorities in the troubled Gedo region have reported two starvation-related deaths, mainly caused by al-Shabaab blockades, making it impossible for humanitarian groups as most supply routes remain closed. Those who died of hunger and thirst are mainly children, and there is the possibility of more losses in the coming weeks if residents do not get quick help from benevolent people, authorities said in a statement coming amid political chaos. Al-Shabaab, local authorities said, has used the current…