Somalias

Kismayo, Somalia — The Jubbaland regional administration on Saturday accused Somalia’s federal government of unconstitutional interference in the affairs of federal member states, warning that the moves threaten the country’s federal system and national unity as Parliament debates sweeping constitutional changes. In a statement issued by the Jubbaland presidency, the regional authority said Mogadishu lacks the mandate to unilaterally amend the Provisional Constitution or restructure the system of governance. Somalia’s…

Jubaland Raises Alarm Over Federal Government’s Threat to Somali Federalism KISMAYO, Somalia — Somalia’s Jubaland regional administration on Saturday accused the federal government of overstepping its constitutional authority, warning that efforts to impose unilateral changes on the country’s federal system risk destabilizing political order and undermining national unity. In a statement issued by the office of the Jubaland presidency, the regional state said Mogadishu’s recent actions “would not change the status” of…

Somalia’s Parliament Debates Federalism Revisions as 19 Lawmakers Are Suspended MOGADISHU — Somalia’s bicameral Parliament held a joint session Saturday to debate proposed amendments to the Provisional Constitution, zeroing in on federalism and power-sharing even as tensions flared over the process with the suspension of 19 lawmakers earlier in the day. The sitting — the seventh of the current parliamentary term and the 11th joint meeting of the Upper House and the House of the People — focused on Chapter Four of the draft…

DOHA, Qatar — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday condemned Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia, calling it a “clear violation of international law” that threatens African unity and regional stability and further fuels tensions from Gaza to the Horn of Africa. Speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, Mohamud said Israel’s move — announced in late December, making it the first U.N. member state to formally recognize North Western State of Somalia — amounted to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met Saturday with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Justin Davis to deepen cooperation on Somalia’s security campaign and navigate a fraught political calendar, as the federal government presses constitutional changes and debates the framework for the 2026 elections. The meeting at Mogadishu’s Halane base camp covered the government’s military offensive against al-Shabaab and ISIS, along with efforts to stabilize newly recovered areas, according to a readout from the prime minister’s…

Somali police seize control of parliament; lawmakers report threats of lethal force MOGADISHU, Feb. 7 — Armed police units took control of Somalia’s Federal Parliament main hall on Saturday, paralyzing proceedings as lawmakers said officers threatened to open fire on anyone attempting to speak and a female representative was physically assaulted during a chaotic standoff. Witnesses and parliamentary sources said police deployed inside the House of the People imposed extraordinary restrictions that blocked members of…

Saturday, February 7, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s lower house of parliament has suspended 19 lawmakers for repeatedly disrupting legislative sessions, a move that underscores deepening political rifts over contentious constitutional amendments. The decision was issued in an official letter from acting speaker and second deputy speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, who said the lawmakers were barred from attending several upcoming sessions after causing chaos during a sitting on Feb. 2. The letter said the members violated…

DOHA, Qatar — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Doha on Friday for an official visit aimed at deepening Somalia’s partnership with Qatar as Mogadishu seeks stronger security, economic and political support in a shifting regional landscape. Qatari officials welcomed Mohamud and his delegation in the capital, where the Somali leader is set to hold high-level talks with Qatar’s leadership. The agenda centers on expanding cooperation across core sectors — security, the economy and political stability — as Somalia…

Saudi Arabia warns against foreign interference in Somalia as Israel’s North Western State of Somalia move draws backlash RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its backing for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity on Tuesday, rejecting any foreign interference in the Horn of Africa nation’s internal affairs and opposing actions that could undermine its territorial integrity. The position was outlined at a meeting of the Saudi Cabinet chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, which endorsed the outcomes of an…

Decentralization Without Detachment: How Somalia’s Federal Experiment Risks Repackaging Authoritarian Rule Somalia’s embrace of federalism was meant to end the abuses of centralized power, redistribute authority closer to citizens, and lower the stakes of political competition. Three decades on, the core problem is not the federal model itself but decentralization without cultural detachment from the authoritarian habits entrenched under military rule. Power has been dispersed in form yet reproduced in practice—personalized,…