Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Following a whirlwind of tension, Somalia's Upper Chamber has welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama back into the fold. This turn of events comes after a weekend that saw his position in limbo due to alleged breaches of several Standing Orders and legislative norms, which led to his position being declared vacant by the assembly's leadership. The decision to remove Jama stemmed from Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi's use of Standing Orders. These rules stipulate replacing any member who…

NAIROBI, Kenya - Egypt and Sudan have firmly squashed a fresh accord about the Nile’s waters ratified under the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA). This has charged up a simmering rift in the Horn of Africa. With six upstream nations giving the nod to the pact this week, tensions among Nile-dependent countries are now bubbling over. The majestic Nile traces its beginnings to both Lake Victoria and the Ethiopian Highlands. Historically heavyweight players, Cairo and Khartoum stressed that the new deal…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - On a fiery Monday, the notorious Al-Shabaab lost numerous key villages across Somalia's heartland. This victory was shared by gleeful military officials who informed us of the inroads made by retaking several frontlines and districts paralyzed by extremist activities aimed at dethroning the government. It was the dynamic duo—the Somali National Army (SNA) and Maawisley militia—that cleared these villages. Officials mentioned that government troops plan to stick around for a while to ensure the safety…

A DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone is buzzing in the air. It's just like those now banned from flying within five nautical miles of Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport due to new safety rules from the Somali Civil Aviation Authority.Mogadishu (AX) — In light of heightened security troubles, Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority has grounded all drones within a five-nautical-mile circle around Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport. This move aims to secure the area and smooth out flight operations at the nation's…

Somalia Pulls Plug on Drones Near Mogadishu Airport Due to Al-Shabaab Threat MOGADISHU, Somalia - Worried about potential trouble stirred by Al-Shabaab, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) slammed the brakes on drone operations within a stone's throw—9 kilometers—of Aden Adde International Airport (a.k.a. Mogadishu Airport). Fingers pointed at caution, given the militants' pesky attacks. The move aims to keep this bustling air hub—Somalia's top dog in airports—safe from sinister plots. It's no secret that…

FILE - Inside the Parliament House in Mogadishu, Somali Federal Parliament members gather. Parliament plays a pivotal role in promoting good governance, accountability, and democratic ideals in Somalia.  Introduction When envisioning good governance, images of democracy, the rule of law, and visionary leadership come to mind. The term “governance” takes its roots from ancient Greek ideas, picked up from Latin origins meaning “to steer,” and passed along by the French. John Locke, back in the 17th century, dished out…

WASHINGTON – U.S. officials are expressing unease over the simmering fracas over the Ethiopian and Somali Tug of War concerning the Red Sea. The showdown has seized Mogadishu’s attention for nearly nine months, sparked by Addis Ababa’s overt desire to establish a foothold. In a controversial twist, Ethiopia has inked an agreement with North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared autonomous region of Somalia. This pact could potentially grant Ethiopia a 20-kilometer slice of the Red Sea for erecting a military outpost and…

Mogadishu (AX) — A groundbreaking partnership was forged between North Western State of Somalia's Ministry of Minerals and Energy and Emirates Industrial Laboratory, a hub from the UAE, aiming to transform the mineral testing landscape in Dahabshiil’s neck of the woods.Ink dried on the agreement in Dubai, where Mohamed Osman Said, the heavyweight at North Western State of Somalia's Ministry, gave Emirates Industrial Laboratory the green light. With this deal, North Western State of Somalia shuns the hefty task of outsourcing…

Egypt's Al-Sisi Stands Firm on Nile Water Dispute With Ethiopia CAIRO, Egypt - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has pledged to safeguard the waters of the Nile River amidst escalating tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Renaissance Dam constructed on the Blue Nile. Egypt has long contended that Ethiopia’s damming efforts have curtailed the water flow downstream, severely affecting countless lives across the nation. In response, Egypt proposed a measured approach to filling the dam, an idea swiftly nixed by the…

A groundbreaking collaboration has been forged between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA). According to Abdiwali Tima’adde, the Director General at NIRA, this alliance is poised to revitalize the economy by harmonizing Somali business operations with global standards while curbing calamities like fraud and money laundering. "Beneath the facade of this partnership lies a blueprint for discussions on its potential impacts, strategies to bring registration…