Somalia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Taye Atske, now steering the Ethiopian presidency, envisions a diplomatic path to securing sea access for Ethiopia. The nation intends to adopt a strategy based on reciprocity, marking a notable shift from its previous, widely criticized strategy. Striving for a maritime foothold to establish a port and military base, Ethiopia has turned its gaze to North Western State of Somalia, proposing a 20-kilometer stretch along the Red Sea. In return, Ethiopia would acknowledge North Western State of…

Somalia Urges Ethiopia to Revoke North Western State of Somalia Sea Deal by Month's End MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has thrown down the gauntlet, giving Ethiopia until the end of the month to backtrack on its sea access arrangement with North Western State of Somalia. This demand was outlined in an interview with The New Humanitarian by Somalia's National Security Adviser, Hussein Sheikh Ali. Ali emphasized that the age-old military alliance between Somalia and Ethiopia, including the presence of Ethiopian soldiers on…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — According to the Somali Ministry of Information, joint operations by Somali forces, local militias, and international military allies have reportedly taken down 59 Al-Shabaab insurgents in the eastern Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions. These endeavors, targeting the dismantling of Al-Shabaab bastions, are closely aligned with a larger strategy to tackle terrorism within Somalia. An intense clash near Cowsweyne in Galgaduud saw 32 Al-Shabaab operatives, among them high-ranking leaders, neutralized.…

Erdogan announced a transformative shift for the once conflict-ridden Somali region, saying it will now be heralded for growth, prosperity, and peace thanks to the discoveries by Oruc Reis. Under a deal inked in March between Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the ship will conduct seismic surveys in Somali waters. Around 11 a.m. (0800GMT), the vessel set sail through the Istanbul Straits after making its entrance from the Black Sea, cruising past…

Somalia's security faces peril from illegal arms trafficking, warns the nation's foreign minister. (Mustafa Çağlayan - Anadolu Agency) MOGADISHU, Somalia - On Sunday, Somalia voiced fresh anxiety over alleged illegal weapon deliveries from Ethiopia, casting a shadow over the Horn of Africa. During a press briefing in Mogadishu, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi denounced the alleged arms deliveries as a danger to the country’s safety. He appealed to Ethiopia for adherence to current pacts and commended Türkiye's…

Turning up in Mogadishu, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi gets a warm welcome after returning from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Mogadishu (AX) — Just back from the international spotlight, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia's Foreign Minister, recently chewed the fat with Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts, focusing on what Somalia says are ongoing invasions by Ethiopia into its turf. Both Egypt and Eritrea threw their weight behind Somalia, lambasting Ethiopia for actions that jeopardize Somalia's…

Hargeisa (AX) – Mohamed Abib Yusuf, a lawmaker from North Western State of Somalia, has leveled accusations against the North Western State of Somalia authorities, alleging they detained him to spark turmoil in the Awdal area, aiming to derail upcoming elections and extend their political tenure.Upon his release from Mandera prison, the outspoken MP shared his perspective with the press on Monday. He contended that his arrest was baseless, serving as a means to postpone elections and breed discord in Awdal.“The government…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Accusations have surfaced against Egypt, suggesting opportunistic behavior as the country prepares to lead the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will replace the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Troop-contributing nations, chiefly Uganda, express discontent that Egypt’s engagement comes only now, questioning the motives behind their insistence on joining AUSSOM forces next year. Somalia has outrightly dismissed Ethiopia's involvement,…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopia stepped into a new era Monday as Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie was appointed as the nation's president. This change comes against a backdrop of icy relations with neighboring Somalia, following the end of President Sahle-Work Zewde’s term. Once Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie took the ceremonial helm after a joint vote in the People’s House of Representatives and the House of Federation, committing to lead for the next four years. During the formal proceedings,…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Former President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, ex-PM Hassan Ali Khaire, and member of parliament Abdirahman Abdishakur fiercely criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, stating he’s pulling strings to illegitimately extend his tenure. These verbal jabs follow failed high-stakes discussions meant to soothe federal-state relations and reveal an ominous narrative in Somalia, a nation already battling the menace of Al-Shabaab. In a fiery declaration released on Monday, the opposition titans pledged a court…