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Somalia

Somalia: Opposition MP Flown to Nairobi Amidst “Poisoning” Concerns

Somalia: Opposition MP Flown to Nairobi Amid "Suspected Poisoning" Concerns MOGADISHU, Somalia - Mohamed Abukar Jafar, an outspoken opposition MP, urgently flew to Nairobi, sparking fears of potentially sinister political maneuvering due to a suspected poisoning. A staunch critic of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's rule, Jafar's abrupt health decline thrust him into an immediate medical journey to foreign lands. Before his transfer to Kenya's bustling capital, Jafar had been under treatment at Mogadishu Hospital…

With Assistance from Foreign Allies, Somalia’s Intelligence Agency Eliminates 40 Al-Shabaab in Operations

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's intelligence powerhouse, NISA, teaming up with global partners, carried out a high-stakes raid across Middle Shabelle and Galgadud regions. The mission concluded with the demise of 40 al-Shabaab operatives, including the notorious Moalim Aarow, a mastermind of numerous assaults. Within 24 hours, the strike also left 29 rebels nursing injuries. The target? Vital al-Shabaab hotspots dotted across the Yaaqle area in Middle Shabelle and Galgadud's remote villages, sharply crippling their movements…

Shattering Barriers: Lt. Col Mwagandi Becomes the First Female KDF Officer to Command the Guard of Honour

Breaking Barriers: Lt. Col. Mwagandi Paves the Way as KDF’s First Female Guard of Honour Leader NAIROBI, Kenya - A seismic shift happened in Kenya on Sunday when Lt. Colonel Faith Mwagandi stepped into the spotlight as the trailblazer—Van Gogh with a paintbrush of valor—becoming the pioneer woman to craft a Guard of Honour for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) at a prominent national celebration. Commanding the troops during the 61st Mashujaa Day gala in Kwale, lodged on Kenya’s sunlit southern coast, the KDF recognized this…

Somali Triumphs: Conference Honors the Rise of the Nation’s Fintech Sector

Certainly! Here's a reimagined version of the content: Somali Triumph Tales: Gathering Cheers for Fintech's Rise MOGADISHU, Somalia — Celebrating Somalia's bustling fintech sector, the third annual Somali Triumph Tales Conference wrapped up on October 17 at the vibrant Sahal Hall in Mogadishu. Hosted by Hormuud Telecom, the event brought together government heads, key business leaders, policymakers, scholars, and sector specialists to delve into the nation's dynamic fintech sphere. The spotlight at the conference was…

Somalia and Cairo Formalize Defense Pact as Initial Egyptian Military Advisors Arrive

The accord inked in August between the Somali and Egyptian governments, involving the deployment of ten Egyptian soldiers to Mogadishu, is coming to fruition. Half of these forces will be integrated into joint defense strategies, while the remaining troops will join the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), set to succeed the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by January 31, 2025. According to the Somali Guardian, Egyptian military advisors have already landed in Somalia to assist…

Ethiopia Commits to Maintaining Military Presence in Somalia for AU Mission Amid Sea Access Dispute

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has underscored its plan to maintain its soldiers in Somalia as a part of the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). But there’s a hefty roadblock: Somalia demands the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops unless Ethiopia cancels its controversial sea access deal with North Western State of Somalia, hinged on mutual recognition. This agreement strives to offer Ethiopia a path to the Red Sea if it acknowledges North Western State of Somalia’s autonomy,…

Intense Battles in Central Somalia Result in the Deaths of Over 30 Al-Shabaab Militants

Fierce Skirmishes in Somalia End with More Than 30 Al-Shabaab Fighters Down MOGADISHU, Somalia - On a bright Saturday morning, over 30 Al-Shabaab members met their end in a fierce showdown with the Somali National Army (SNA). Word from the inside is that many more were left staggering, owing to severe injuries from the confrontation. The SNA, side by side with local warriors and militia allies, pulled off this mission. They zeroed in on Qay’ad village in Mudug, nestled in the heart of Somalia’s Galmudug state. "This…

Somalia Unveils $1.34 Billion Budget for FY2025, Announces First International Loan in Over Three Decades

 The Somali administration has greenlit a federal budget of $1.34 billion for 2025. This represents a hefty 24.4% uptick from last year’s allocation of $1.079 billion. This financial boost stems from an uptick in local earnings and the need to tackle ongoing expenses, with homegrown revenue expected to hit $429.4 million, up 24% from $346.2 million in 2024.Taking a gander at the 2025 budgets of East African Community (EAC) nations:Kenya: $31.9 billion (up by 3.1% from 2024/25) Uganda: $19.61 billion (a whopping 36% increase)…

Somalia Faces Turbulence as Presidential Reforms Spark Political Upheaval

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A fierce storm is brewing in Somalia's delicate democracy, fueled by the discord over proposed changes to the constitution. These changes are spearheaded by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who stands firm despite a brewing political tempest. Hassan Sheikh envisions a shift to elections by universal suffrage, moving away from the elder-dominated political approach. For thirty years, Somalia has operated under this indirect system amid persistent turmoil. Amidst fierce constitutional debate on…

Ethiopia Remains Quiet as North Western State of Somalia Establishes Embassy in Addis Ababa

In the bustling city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, key events unfolded on Wednesday as Dr. Essa Kayd, North Western State of Somalia's Foreign Minister, made a daring move by initiating the construction of what they claim will be the budding nation's new diplomatic outpost. This symbolic land donation by Ethiopia signals a burgeoning alliance between the two nations, although it might stir up tension across the already volatile Horn of Africa. For North Western State of Somalia, the inauguration was met with jubilation, while…