Somalia

Djibouti (AX) — The presidents of Djibouti and Somalia and the prime minister of Ethiopia met Wednesday in Djibouti City for a high-level trilateral summit, underscoring a push for tighter regional security coordination, deeper economic integration and united diplomacy across the Horn of Africa. Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh hosted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for talks at his private residence in Haramuus during an iftar dinner. Officials said the leaders reviewed…

Farmaajo condemns arrests of Bajaj drivers as Mogadishu fuel price spike sparks protests Thursday March 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo on Wednesday condemned the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Bajaj drivers who staged protests in Mogadishu over soaring fuel prices and rising living costs. In a statement, Farmaajo criticized authorities for detaining drivers he said were demonstrating peacefully to express concerns about inflation and worsening economic conditions. He urged…

Thursday March 12, 2026 HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — Israel is weighing the establishment of a strategic base in North Western State of Somalia to help counter Yemen’s Houthi movement, according to a Bloomberg report published Wednesday that cites unnamed North Western State of Somalia officials and people familiar with the talks. The exploratory assessments have focused on sites along North Western State of Somalia’s northern coastline, including elevated terrain west of the port city of Berbera — about…

Egypt, Turkey step up African security coordination in Cairo talks on Libya, Horn of Africa and Sahel CAIRO — Egypt and Turkey held new diplomatic consultations in Cairo on Wednesday focused on instability in Libya, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, deepening their coordination on regional security and political mediation amid mounting pressures across several African theaters. The meetings, organized by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, marked the third round of…

Somali army seizes Hawaadley hideout in Middle Shabelle as new offensive targets Al Shabab Somalia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday the national army has taken control of Hawaadley in the Middle Shabelle region, describing the area as a long-used hideout for the Al-Qaeda-linked Al Shabab. The advance is part of a newly launched push under Operation Badr to dismantle the group’s “safe havens.” The ministry said troops are conducting clearance operations to secure recently captured zones, pursuing remaining fighters and…

As the Republic of the Congo approaches a March 15 presidential election widely viewed as tightly controlled, attention is fixed on Denis Sassou Nguesso — the 82-year-old incumbent seeking what researchers say will be effectively a fifth consecutive term since his 1997 return to power. Analysts Remadji Hoinathy and Nirvaly Mooloo of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) warn that the vote is unlikely to alter the country's political trajectory, suggesting instead that the ruling Parti Congolais du Travail (PCT) will…

U.S. SOCAFRICA chief meets Jubbaland leader in Kismayo to deepen fight against al-Shabab KISMAYO, Somalia — The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa met Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe in Kismayo on Monday to discuss ongoing military operations against al-Shabab and expanded security cooperation in southern Somalia, officials said. Maj. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr.’s visit comes amid intensified counterterrorism efforts in the Jubbaland region, where Somali forces, backed by international partners,…

Somalia condemns Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan, backs Baku’s sovereignty as regional tensions rise Tuesday, March 10, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia has condemned Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting Azerbaijan, aligning itself with Baku amid a widening confrontation that has drawn in the United States, Israel and Iran. Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali conveyed Mogadishu’s stance in a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, according to a statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The call…

AU commander tours recaptured Somali town of Mubarak after joint offensive against al-Shabab MOGADISHU — The commander of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on Friday visited the newly secured town of Mubarak in Lower Shabelle to assess troop readiness after a joint operation that pushed al-Shabab fighters from key positions south of Mogadishu. Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma toured security positions in and around Mubarak with senior Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) commanders, meeting soldiers…

CPJ urges North Western State of Somalia to free journalist detained without charge since Feb. 22 Monday March 9, 2026 HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday called for the immediate release of Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud, a Hargeisa-based reporter and founder of the online outlet Warrame Media, who has been held without formal charges since February 22 in North Western State of Somalia. CPJ said unidentified individuals raided Warrame Media’s offices in Hargeisa on the…