Somalias

In Kismayo, United Nations envoy James Swan and Jubbaland's head honcho, Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), shook hands and dove into Somalia's political big picture. They chewed over state-building, the quagmire with Al-Shabaab, and the prep work for the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) hoo-ha.Mogadishu (AX) — On a Sunday powwow, James Swan, the UN's point person, nudged Jubbaland's President Ahmed Madobe back into Somalia's National Consultative Council. They focused their chat on building an effective state and…

How Digital Banking is Transforming Somalia's Economy MOGADISHU, Somalia - The digital tidal wave sweeping through banking is poised to reshape Somalia's economic landscape, which is currently on an upswing thanks to improved security in various locales. Somalia's National Digital ID initiative aims to revolutionize banking services, spurred on by a collaboration between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA). Abdiwali Tima'adde, the top honcho at NIRA, believes…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama slammed an attempt to kick him out of his Senate spot, tagging it as uncalled-for, upholding that it breaks all sorts of constitutional rules. Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdillahi held the view that Jama had essentially abandoned his role after he was missing from four back-to-back sittings. On October 13, Jama voiced his concerns, pointing a finger at the Speaker for overstepping his bounds. "It's unsettling," Jama voiced, "that the Speaker is going down a…

Nestled just beyond the bustling edges of Somalia's capital city, the Darus Salam Zoo provides locals with a rare opportunity to witness the wonders of the wild right in their backyard. "We began with a single croc, but now we've got over a century's worth of diverse critters," remarked Muhammad Abd Rahman, the zoo's custodian. "From majestic lions to cunning foxes, prickly porcupines to quick-footed hares—our zoo is a jungle in its own right, albeit sans leopards and cheetahs." Rahman, who nurtures many animals from birth,…

Will Egypt Steer Somalia's Peacekeeping Journey? NAIROBI, Kenya - As the calendar inches towards the expiry of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in December, it's becoming increasingly apparent that Egypt is mounting its troops for AUSSOM, the new mission slated for the region. This signals the dawn of a strategic plan to bolster peace and stability in Somalia, a land of enduring strife. In a communique rolling out from the recent Tripartite summit, Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea collectively nodded to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a fresh fiscal launch, the Somali government nodded to a $1.3 billion budget for the year 2025. This allocation marks a modest uptick from last year's financial forecast, putting the onus on the Treasury to scrounge up funds by revamping the nation’s economic systems. Lending their spirits to this financial framework, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s cabinet gave the green light shortly after the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting wrapped up. This gathering converged the brains from…

MOGADISHU- Folks expected a game-changing announcement from Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre. However, his recent press talk barely shed light on why the National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow went kaput. Attendees from the federal government and four pivotal Federal Member States (FMS) gathered with the intention of hashing out Somalia’s electoral game plan, but the whole affair fizzled, leaving everyone in the dark. Now, there's a lot of head-scratching over possible ulterior motives behind the curtains.…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Accusations have surfaced against Egypt, suggesting opportunistic behavior as the country prepares to lead the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will replace the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Troop-contributing nations, chiefly Uganda, express discontent that Egypt’s engagement comes only now, questioning the motives behind their insistence on joining AUSSOM forces next year. Somalia has outrightly dismissed Ethiopia's involvement,…

In Somalia's Bay Territory, Hunger Sparks New Disputes A Somali woman traverses the parched and barren lands of Bay, where ongoing strife alongside climatic shifts have crippled farming activities, leaving communities with little choice but to lean on humanitarian relief. (Credit: Islamic Relief/SIDA) Mogadishu (AX) — According to a detailed examination by Islamic Relief Somalia, the scarcity of food is exacerbating unrest in the Bay region. Various calamities, including prolonged dry spells, deluges, alongside relentless…

Jubaland Leader Creates Buzz by Exiting NCC Gathering in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia – The National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting held in Mogadishu hit a snag as Jubaland's chief, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, vigorously opposed the act of simply approving term extensions without scrutiny. He urged the leadership to uphold ethical standards and transparency. On the NCC's concluding day, Madobe was spotted at Aden Adde International Airport, making his way to Kismayo after denouncing the controversial extension proposed…