Somalia

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…

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,…

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…

 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)…

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…

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…

In any nation embracing a federal structure, splitting power among branches isn't just a formality—it's the backbone of savvy governance. Each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—operates in isolation, with its own unique responsibilities. This division stops any one branch from hogging all that tasty authority and encourages checks and balances, which keeps everyone accountable. In a federal institution like Somalia, where regional bodies hold serious sway, a clear-cut division of power is critical for maintaining…

**MOGADISHU (Xinhua)** -- In an update shared Thursday, a UN relief group noted a drop in humanitarian access issues, falling by 18.6% from the second to the third quarter, landing at 57 compared to the previous count of 70. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) added that three aid workers lost their lives during this timeframe. Interestingly, while these unfortunate deaths coincided with their humanitarian roles, they were not directly tied to their work but were rather outcomes of broader…

Deadly Blast Rocks Mogadishu Amid Foiled Al-Shabaab Plot in Western Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - A devastating attack on a bustling teashop in Somalia's capital claimed the lives of seven people on Thursday. Eyewitnesses recounted the dreadful moment a suicide bomber unleashed destruction, targeting an establishment popular with both locals and police. Perched near the General Kaahiye Police Academy, the shop became the grim scene where seven individuals perished instantaneously. The blast left another six gravely injured,…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Efforts to stabilize Somalia’s delicate democracy hit a snag as the National Consultative Council (NCC) discussions ended in dispute on Wednesday, sparking further discord. Sources indicate that the NCC plans to regroup on October 27, but the attendance of Northeastern State's leader, Said Abdullahi Deni, and Jubaland's Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe remains uncertain following their vocal dissent during the recent conference. During the gathering, leaders struggled to reach an agreement on managing the…