Somalia

What's Next for AU Mission in Somalia? MOGADISHU, Somalia - The destiny of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) hangs like a storm cloud, largely due to anxieties over transferring power, Ethiopia-related friction, and a lack of financial support from donors who've backed this initiative for quite a spell. Monetary shortfalls persist, leading to an unfortunate predicament where soldiers haven't seen paychecks in many moons. Meanwhile, Ethiopia's alleged territorial ambitions stir the pot, causing…

In Mogadishu (AX), the Somali federal government's ambition to transition from a clan-based election process to a universal suffrage by 2026 has stirred the political pot, all while the nation faces a pesky al-Shabaab resurgence. On October 2, during a National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow, Somali bigwigs mapped out a reform strategy, eyeing extended terms for state presidents. This plan, however, pulled back the curtain on deep-seated rifts among regional honchos, as tensions simmer amid rising insurgency woes.…

Mogadishu (AX) — During a lively event in Mogadishu, Somalia's federal government rolled out a new map that has ruffled some feathers, especially in the territories of Northeastern State and Hirshabelle. The focus of the gathering was to welcome a Turkish oil exploration vessel, but the map showcasing various areas as "disputed" areas quickly took center stage. Leaders from Northeastern State and Hirshabelle took issue, arguing it undermines the self-governance and clearly established borders of their lands. Northeastern…

Clash Over Voting Reforms Intensifies in Somalia Against Evolving Al-Shabaab Danger MOGADISHU, Somalia — With al-Shabaab continuing its menacing activities, the conversation around voting reforms in Somalia is turning into quite the wildfire. The heart of the matter? Whether the country should stick to indirect elections or make a bold shift to letting every citizen cast their vote in the 2026 elections. The political bigwigs gathered again at the presidential palace, their heads bent over talks on national security and…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant move towards bolstering Somalia's defense potential, Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur shook hands on a financial defense pact with Turkey's Defense Minister, Yaşar Güler.The ceremonious event held in Turkey on Monday saw representatives from both Mogadishu and Ankara converge, underscoring the agreement's potential to both enhance Somalia’s defense infrastructure and elevate the two nations’ partnership.According to reports from Somali state-owned outlets, this fresh accord…

Northeastern State Refutes Allegations; Labels FGS’s Oil Exploration Accusations as "Outlandish" AXADLE, Somalia - In a war of words, Northeastern State has fiercely denied any opposition to Somalia's oil exploration efforts, scoffing at what it calls the "preposterous and baseless accusations" from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). Northeastern State remains committed to the nation's stability and growth. Abdifitah Mohamed Nur, Northeastern State's minister of state and top aide in presidential affairs,…

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa and Somalia have vehemently denounced Israel's recent assault on Iran, asserting that it endangers regional stability. In a late Saturday statement, the South African Foreign Ministry remarked, "This strike is an intolerable breach of Iran's sovereignty." The ministry added that alongside the atrocities in Gaza, Israel’s relentless attacks on Lebanon and its ongoing annexation of the West Bank have cultivated a dire humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East. The call for an immediate…

NAIROBI, Kenya - Turkey's plunge into oil exploration off the Somali coast has stirred profound schisms in the country. An archaic map dusted off with controversial revisions now intensifies jitters in this fragile region, where internal strife and external pressures persistently choreograph a clunky ballet of development and turmoil. Voicing his concerns, Abdi Farah Juxa, Northeastern State's top honcho for Interior Affairs, carpeted the use of this map during the grand debut of a Turkish research vessel. "After three…

Jubaland Boss Shuns Ruto's Request, Skips Somalia Election Overhaul Talks NAIROBI, Kenya - In a twist nobody saw coming, Jubaland's head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, has tossed out an overture from Kenya's top dog, President William Ruto. The proposal sought his backing for the National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow, a gathering accused of enabling shady term extensions. Madobe, known for clashing with the authorities in Mogadishu, reportedly got a special invite to Kenya, courtesy of Ruto. This tête-à-tête was prompted by…

Turkey Sets Its Sights on Building Stronger Bonds with Africa at the Djibouti Summit Next week, Turkey's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, will set out for Djibouti to engage in significant dialogues at the Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting, aiming to strengthen ties between Ankara and the African continent, as officials noted. Turkey, a NATO ally, has been increasingly active on African soil in recent times. Its presence is marked by a hefty climb in trade — nearly eight times higher than before. It's also known…