Somalias

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Picture this: a hijacked fishing vessel, reminiscent of a high-seas drama, finds its rightful freedom after two harrowing months held hostage off the Somali coast. The Chinese embassy confirmed the rescue, celebrating the safe return of 18 resilient crew members. Their release marks the end of a maritime nightmare that could have been lifted straight from a pirate saga. Unfolding like chapters in a tense novel, news of their liberation appeared on X—what some still fondly recall as Twitter. The embassy…

The Chinese government did not mince words when they denounced what they referred to as a "vicious act" that posed a grave threat to both the ship’s crew and the sanctity of international navigation. With a promise to tenaciously defend the legitimate rights of Chinese citizens and businesses abroad, they made their stance crystal clear. Picture the scene in late November: a ship leisurely cruising through the vast waters, suddenly intercepted and spirited away to the Xaafuun district, nestled within Somalia’s…

The long-standing dream of bringing Somalia’s identification system into the 21st century is finally blossoming before our eyes. Imagine this: a country ready to leap into the future, armed with a powerful tool known as the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). Now, with an astounding capacity to handle two million ten-print records and 50,000 latent records, ABIS is not just a piece of tech hardware—it's a crucial ally in aiding the Somali Police Force's relentless pursuit of justice. It’s like having a digital…

Mogadishu — Off the shimmering Somali coast, where the endless waves whisper secrets of the deep, a game-changing adventure is underway. Somalia, a nation poised at the crossroads of opportunity and challenge, is setting the stage for what could be its grandest economic revival—or its most precarious gamble. Picture this: a Turkish-owned research vessel slicing through the azure waters, its mission as ambitious as it is daring. By April 2025, the Oruc Reis vessel—Turkey’s pride and joy—aims to uncover untapped oil and gas…

Mogadishu, AX - The North Western State of Somalia government is taking decisive steps to regain authority over its own airspace, a move that's stirring the pot with Somalia. This airspace, which Somalia currently manages, had once been under global supervision before it passed into Somali hands some years back. Fuad Ahmed Nuuh, the bigwig at the helm of North Western State of Somalia's Aviation and Airport Development, declared that reclaiming control of the skies is numero uno on their to-do list. This maneuver comes…

Today, in the bustling atmosphere of the AU CAADP Summit in Kampala, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu sat down with Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Somalia. The duo converged not only to exchange formalities but to weave a tapestry of dialogue that underscored the necessity of regional harmony and advancement. "We are all in this together," one might say, as they delved deep into strategies for bolstering peace and security across the region. Their conversation was like crafting a blueprint…

Somalia's Presidential Peace Trek to Hiran BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - Rumor has it that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is packing his bags for a trip to Baladweyne in the Hiran region. His mission? To iron out some pretty gnarly conflicts between the locals and the Hirshabelle state bosses. President Mohamud aims to untangle the mess surrounding the self-declared Hiran state—put together by some big shots who were not too thrilled with the distribution of power and cash in Hirshabelle. It's akin to a soap opera,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's electoral landscape is on the brink of a transformation. Next week, the National Independent Electoral Commission plans to reveal a detailed roadmap for the nation's forthcoming elections.During a bustling Mogadishu press briefing, the chair of the commission, Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, emphasized their steadfast dedication to orchestrating fair, transparent elections. This move is a monumental leap forward for Somalia's democracy. "Expect a full schedule next week," Abdikarin promised. "It'll outline…

This is the scoop, folks. Somalia's got a bit of a step up in the realm of global travel documents. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, the Somali passport is now sitting at 102nd place, granting free passage to 35 destinations all over the map. Let's take a quick jaunt back a few years — in 2015, Somalia's passport was limping at 108th spot. While a move to 102nd might seem like a crawl in progress, it feels like an anticlimax when you see how the United Arab Emirates leapfrogged 32 spots to touch the tenth with…

Islamic State Fighters Wave the White Flag: A Surrender Story in Northeastern State, Somalia AXADLE, Somalia — Well, here’s a twist in the tale: the usually elusive foreign fighters of the notorious Islamic State have decided to call it a day and surrendered to the local defenders of Somalia's Northeastern State State. This surprising turn of events was revealed by none other than the chatty Information Minister, Mahmoud Aided Dirir, who's got his fingers on the pulse…