Somalia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Somalia was elected Wednesday to the African Union Peace and Security Council for the 2026–2028 term, a diplomatic milestone that positions the Horn of Africa nation at the center of decision-making on the continent’s most urgent security challenges. In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the vote reflects renewed confidence in Somalia’s role and its growing contribution to Africa’s peace and security agenda. The government thanked AU member states for their support, with…

ADDIS ABABA — Somalia’s foreign minister, Abdisalam Ali, on Friday chaired the sixth A3 high-level ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Assembly, as African leaders moved to tighten coordination at the United Nations Security Council. Somalia currently serves as coordinator of the A3 — the three African non-permanent members of the Security Council: Somalia, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo — a role that places Mogadishu at the center of efforts to advance Africa’s priorities in New…

AU Reaffirms Somalia’s Sovereignty Amid North Western State of Somalia Recognition Controversy The African Union’s Peace and Security Council has firmly maintained Somalia's sovereignty, rejecting any moves to recognize North Western State of Somalia as independent. This decision comes in response to contentious international actions affecting the region. The AU condemned Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state. The council emphasized that no actor can change the territorial…

Egypt backs Somalia’s unity, rejects unilateral recognition at AU summit Friday February 13, 2026 Photo courtesy of Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Egypt reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and rejected any unilateral steps that could fragment the country, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during talks with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Abdelatty “categorically” rejected any unilateral…

Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia has lit a geopolitical fuse in the Horn of Africa. On Dec. 26, 2025, Israel became the first country to officially recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, challenging Somalia’s territorial integrity and colliding head-on with a core African norm: that borders inherited at independence should remain intact. The move drew immediate regional and international pushback and opened a new chapter in great‑power maneuvering along one of the world’s most…

AU peace and security council rejects North Western State of Somalia recognition, reaffirms Somalia’s territorial integrity, condemns external meddling in Sudan The African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Thursday reaffirmed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejected any recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, and condemned external interference fueling Sudan’s war, following a ministerial-level meeting in Addis Ababa. In a strongly worded communique, the council said it…

Kenya to reopen Somalia border in April after 15-year closure, Ruto says MANDERA, Kenya — Kenya will reopen its border with Somalia in April, President William Ruto said Thursday, pledging tight security as his government moves to revive formal cross-border trade after years of closures tied to al-Shabab attacks. Speaking at the NYOTA Capital Disbursement event in Mandera, Ruto said he will personally officiate the reopening of the Mandera Border Post, which has been shut since 2011. “We cannot trade with closed borders. For…

All 55 survive as plane overruns Mogadishu runway, comes to rest in knee-deep surf MOGADISHU, Somalia — All 55 people aboard a Starsky Aviation Fokker 50 escaped unharmed after the aircraft overran the runway at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport and came to a stop in shallow water along the capital’s seashore, Somali officials and passengers said. The plane reported a technical problem shortly after taking off on Tuesday and turned back toward the airport, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority said. During the…

Thursday February 12, 2026 MOGADISHU (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to travel to Addis Ababa for the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government, where he will spotlight Somalia’s recent security gains and restate the country’s position on sovereignty and foreign interference. The summit brings together leaders from 55 African nations for the continent’s top political forum. Officials said the president is scheduled to address Somalia’s progress on security sector reform, the effects of…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud unveiled a three-pronged diplomatic and legal campaign to overturn Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, warning the move threatens Somalia’s sovereignty and the security of the Red Sea corridor. He said Mogadishu is acting in close coordination with partners led by Saudi Arabia to contain what he called a reckless escalation. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Mohamud said any recognition of the self-declared Republic of North Western State of Somalia as an independent…