Somalia

On January 18, 2024, SpaceX catapulted a Falcon 9 rocket, crowned with its Crew Dragon capsule, into the ether from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Axiom Mission Three (Ax-3) embarks with an all-European crew, spotlighting Turkey’s first astronaut, signaling an increasing tilt by nations towards the private sector for their celestial aspirations. As our stars keep drawing curious eyes, folks are looking beyond the governments to private players for their extraterrestrial adventures…

In the realm of Somali security, the African Union's newly minted initiative, AUSSOM, is stepping up to partner with the Somali Security Forces (SSF) in rolling out the Somalia Transition Plan (STP). The STP is an ambitious roadmap crafted by the Somali federal government alongside various partners. Its primary goal is to gradually hand over security duties to the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF). Although the plan was initially targeted for 2021, the deadline slipped, leading to the emergence of ATMIS to push the…

Somalia's Government Encouraged to Support Northeastern State's Battle Against Al-Shabaab and ISIS MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia should consider aligning with Northeastern State's approach in tackling terrorism, suggested former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. He praised the notable achievements of the region in combating these threats, dubbing it 'exceptional'. Despite limited financial backing from Mogadishu, Northeastern State has severed its affiliation with the federal administration,…

North Western State of Somalia Mulls Over Ethiopia Sea Deal Amid Quest for Acknowledgement HARGEISA, Somalia - The self-declared state of North Western State of Somalia, nestled in northern Somalia, is reconsidering a deal with Ethiopia struck last year. This accord, initially forged to trade sea access for formal recognition, is undergoing scrutiny as regional leaders call for a fresh examination. Abdirahman Dahir Adan, the newly minted Foreign Affairs minister of North Western State of Somalia, revealed that Abdirahman…

NAIROBI, Kenya — In an alliance with Somalia’s authorities, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) declared that it executed a precision airstrike on December 24. This strike claimed the life of Mohamed Mire, also recognized as Abu Abdirahman, a prominent Al-Shabaab figure, along with another insurgent, per AFRICOM’s statement on Monday. The operation unfolded about 10 kilometers southwest of Kunyo Barrow, located in Lower Shabelle, close to Mogadishu, the bustling capital. For a whopping 15 years, Mire had been a central figure…

Clan Vendetta Triggers Army Retreat from Anti-Al-Shabaab Battle Lines BELEDWENE, Somalia - In a somber ceremony in Beledweyne within the Hiiraan region, six brave soldiers from the Somali National Army (SNA) were laid to rest on Sunday. This poignant moment followed discussions among community leaders seeking to navigate this heartbreaking incident. These soldiers tragically lost their lives in El-Baraf in the Middle Shabelle area, alleged to have fallen victim to "clan revenge." This act of violence incited a troop…

In the ever-evolving story of North Western State of Somalia, a fresh commitment has surfaced: safeguarding the realm of free speech. Amid the bustling capital, Mogadishu, chatter swirls as the government vows to shield journalists and citizens alike from unjust confinement over dissident facts or views.President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro recently, in a heartfelt address to civil society and the press, rekindled his campaign promise to uphold democratic tenets. "Freedom of expression is vital to our governance,"…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The folks over in the United States are gearing up to fork out a whopping $28 million for the people of Somalia. The focus here is squarely on beefing up security and making sure food is getting to where it's needed the most. It’s all part of a grand vision to ease the burden on families that are grappling with tough economic times and Mother Nature acting up. This cash infusion aims to lend a helping hand to more than 80,000 homes, which translates to a potential boon for a whopping half a…

Hargeisa (AX) – The newly elected government of North Western State of Somalia is revisiting a scrapped Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) made by its predecessors with Ethiopia, aiming to align the agreement more closely with North Western State of Somalia's national priorities. Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden, who hasn't minced words critiquing the deal, called it unclear and perplexing. "There’s a discrepancy between Ethiopia's narrative and North Western State of Somalia's take on matters," Aden noted while…

Burundi, a country known for its significant role in the African Union's peacekeeping missions in Somalia, has made the decision to withdraw from the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) due to disagreements regarding troop numbers. This withdrawal marks a notable shift, especially considering Burundi's longstanding commitment to stabilizing the region over the past 17 years. The crux of the issue lies in the allocation of troops; Somalia proposed deploying just 1,041 soldiers from Burundi, a figure that the…