Somalia

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…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey hails the start of oil and gas exploration in Somalia as a groundbreaking development, marking the beginning of a transformative period. Over the weekend, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dispatched vessels to scour Somalia's coast for valuable resources. Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, emphasized that deploying the Oruc Reis, a research ship, would bolster Turkey’s energy advancement, pitting it against global contenders. During a ceremonial send-off,…

Jubaland Leader Creates Buzz by Exiting NCC Gathering in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia – The National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting held in Mogadishu hit a snag as Jubaland's chief, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, vigorously opposed the act of simply approving term extensions without scrutiny. He urged the leadership to uphold ethical standards and transparency. On the NCC's concluding day, Madobe was spotted at Aden Adde International Airport, making his way to Kismayo after denouncing the controversial extension proposed…

The Somali government's efforts to push back against al-Shabab are hitting snags due to the group's cunning and divisive strategies.

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, has firmly expressed his disapproval of Egypt's decision to deploy troops for peacekeeping in Somalia. His criticism comes amid discussions focused on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the envisioned African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), stirring the pot regarding Egypt's growing military ambitions in the Horn of Africa. The ongoing reevaluation of peacekeeping strategies in Somalia,…

Back when Somalia first dipped its toes into federalism, there was real hope in the air—an honest chance to stitch our country back together after endless chaos and strife. The idea of empowering regions, sharing power wisely, and acknowledging local priorities seemed a promising path. Yet, here we are, more fragmented than united. If we're to grasp why federalism collapsed, we've got to see Somalia for what it is, not just some textbook example of a system that works great in places like Germany or the USA. We ain't those…

Somalia: Dahabshiil's Walk Back on 'North Western State of Somalia' Spurs Outrage — Dahabshiil, a major player in Somali money transfers, has acquiesced to a directive from Somalia's Federal Government, removing any mention of "North Western State of Somalia" from its platforms. This decision has sparked considerable backlash in the self-declared independent region of North Western State of Somalia. To many in North Western State of Somalia, this decision feels like a deep betrayal. It follows the path taken by…