Somalia

Last weekend, a meeting took place in Asmara between Egypt's chief spy and Foreign Minister, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. They carried a direct message from President Al Sisi, emphasizing "enhancing and expanding bilateral ties across all sectors." Egypt's active diplomatic endeavors in the Horn of Africa are ongoing. Following a recently inked military pact with Somalia, which included sending 10 Egyptian soldiers to Mogadishu, irking neighboring Ethiopia, Cairo is now eyeing a similar deal with Eritrea. This…

Hargeisa (AX) — The North Western State of Somalia Human Rights Commission has voiced serious concerns about the extended incarceration of MP Mohamed Abiib, detained in Mandera Prison for over two weeks without proper charges. Abiib was apprehended at Hargeisa's Egal International Airport on September 2 following his return from the UAE. This arrest occurred shortly after he publicly criticized President Muse Bihi's administration. The commission, after inspecting the detention center, reported that Abiib's parliamentary…

EDITORIAL |In the intricate labyrinth of Somali politics, both national and local leaders have a hand in the nation's upheavals. A prominent figure in this landscape is Ahmed Mohamed Islam, commonly known as Ahmed Madobe, the President of Jubaland—a pivotal Federal Member State in southern Somalia. As the end of his tenure approaches, Madobe's absence from the political arena has not gone unnoticed, prompting widespread speculation. Official channels attribute his absence to health issues abroad, but his vanishing act has…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After weeks of gridlock between Somalia's federal government and the Southwest regional authority, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called upon Turkey to step in as a mediator. This gesture underscores the strong rapport between Mogadishu and Ankara, particularly their collaborations on security and development fronts. According to multiple insiders speaking to news Outlet, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has specifically asked Turkey's ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktas, to mediate. The…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army (SNA) has successfully retaken a pivotal Al-Shabaab bastion, emphasizing their growing capability to combat violent extremism. They are also progressively assuming security duties once managed by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The departing ATMIS team will be substituted next year by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), under Egyptian leadership, yet with heightened responsibilities shifted to local forces. Military…

Turkish National Held for Misconduct in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - A Banadir regional court in Mogadishu has detained a Turkish citizen following allegations of mistreatment towards Somali workers employed by his family's enterprise, according to official reports. Ertugrul Karaferiyeli faces charges from the Attorney General's office for misusing his authority within a company abroad, blatantly disregarding labor laws that ensure humane treatment of employees. The individual is affiliated with Favori LLC and…

Ertugrul Karaferiyeli, Human Resources Manager at Favori LLC, working at Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport, finds himself ensnared in allegations of labor misconduct within Somalia. Credit: LinkedIn Mogadishu (AX) — The Banadir Regional Court has mandated the detention of Ertugrul Karaferiyeli, a Turkish national and HR manager at Favori, after serious claims of workplace misconduct against Somali employees. The Office of the Attorney General outlined charges encompassing immorality, threats, and the abuse of…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopia's government has inked a souped-up military cooperation deal with China, aiming to swap expertise and pick up technical know-how due to the constantly shifting landscape of tech. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, who heads the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, steered a heavyweight military team to the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum for discussions. This forum flaunted representation from more than 100 countries, pulling in over 500 delegates altogether. A brainy bunch of more than 200…

Somalia Embassy Refutes Contractor's $256,000 Claim in Nairobi NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia firmly denies allegations suggesting it owes a contractor a substantial $257,000 for embassy renovations in Nairobi. This response comes in light of a legal claim demanding full payment for purported services rendered. Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarsan, previously Somalia’s envoy to Kenya, swiftly dismissed the accusations as 'groundless and unfounded.' He asserted that the contractor had been compensated completely and labeled the claims as…

The Turkish seismic research vessel, Oruc Reis, is ushered by Turkish naval ships in the Mediterranean Sea, off Antalya on 10 August 2020. (Courtesy of Turkish Defence Ministry) Turkey has strategic plans to dispatch frigates to Somali waters to safeguard a Turkish energy research vessel, according to sources privy to the matter, shared with Middle East Eye. A pact inked earlier this year between Turkey and Somalia grants Ankara the authority to shield Somali waters from external threats and permits the exploration and…