MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government has rejected claims that Chinese fishing vessels are operating illegally in its waters, insisting the ships hold valid licenses and comply with Somali law and international maritime rules. The Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy framed the arrangement as part of a longstanding partnership with Beijing and said licensed activity falls within Somalia’s maritime governance framework. “All licensed vessels operate legally under official permits issued by the Federal Government of…

Somalia: Heavy fighting erupts in Qansahdhere as opposition claims control QANSAHDHERE, Somalia — Heavy fighting broke out early Saturday in and around the Bay region district of Qansahdhere, as fighters styling themselves the South West Liberation Front clashed with regional security forces loyal to President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen. Residents reported several hours of intense combat, with both heavy and light weapons rattling the town before dawn and through the morning. While casualty figures remain…

Saturday March 14, 2026 DJIBOUTI (AX) — Djibouti is deploying a new contingent of troops to Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), with the 13th “Hiil-Walaal” Brigade scheduled to arrive March 16 to reinforce security and stabilization efforts, officials said. The rotation will replace the 12th Brigade currently serving in Somalia and sustain Djibouti’s long-standing role in the Hirshabelle state, a central region where Djiboutian forces have helped hold key towns and secure…

Saturday March 14, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. state of West Virginia to develop the country’s critical mineral resources, officials said. The agreement, signed by Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Dahir Shire Mohamed and West Virginia Senate Secretary Kris Warner, sets a framework for cooperation in the exploration, extraction and processing of minerals. Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama led Somalia’s delegation.…

Somalia warned Thursday that its territory cannot be used for foreign military operations, pushing back against reports that Israel is exploring an installation in North Western State of Somalia, the self-governing region across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. “Somalia does not want to see its territory pulled into external confrontations or used in ways that could further destabilise an already sensitive region,” Ali Omar, Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, told Al Jazeera. The statement followed reports by…

In Mogadishu’s tightening political season, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmaajo, has reemerged with a packed schedule: meetings with supporters, quiet conversations with media figures and political brokers, and visible outreach to segments of the opposition. His renewed profile is unmistakable. But it also reveals a telling split-screen in Somalia’s politics ahead of a potential 2026 presidential contest: the energy of a comeback bid versus the structural headwinds of coalition math, federal…

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…