Stability

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday in Addis Ababa for a one-day working visit, with both leaders discussing ways to deepen bilateral relations and regional cooperation centered on trade, security and regional stability in the Horn of Africa. Abiy described the talks on his official Facebook page as “productive discussions, continuing the bilateral engagements we have been working on over the past year,” signaling continuity in the two neighbors’…

Analysis: Somalia’s ‘one person, one vote’ push risks crisis without consensus and constitutional safeguards Somalia’s federal government is advancing a “one person, one vote” election model it says will anchor the country’s democratic transition. But the process, as described by Puntland State State Minister of the Presidency Abdifatah Abdinur, suffers from deep constitutional, legal and practical flaws that threaten to compound — not resolve — Somalia’s political fragility. The concerns revolve around three pillars of any…

Opinion | A Looming Disaster: Villa Somalia’s One-Sided Election Risks Unraveling Somalia’s Fragile State-Building Somalia’s promised “one person, one vote” has become the centerpiece of a contentious election push out of Mogadishu. But the model advancing under Villa Somalia’s direction, far from cementing democratic progress, is being carried out in ways that are constitutionally shaky, institutionally partisan and geographically exclusionary. If pursued as is, the process could deepen mistrust between the federal center…

Hope and Frustration: Youth Perspectives in Côte d'Ivoire's Presidential Elections As Côte d'Ivoire prepares to head to the polls on October 25 for a pivotal presidential election, a palpable wave of anticipation mingles with frustration among its most vital demographic: its youth. With around 75% of the country’s 38 million citizens under the age of 35, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Many of these young people find themselves grappling with limited job opportunities and a sense of disillusionment stemming from the current…

Global Gateway in Somalia: Investment with a Human Face — and Hard Questions MOGADISHU — When the European Union rolled out its Global Gateway initiative in Brussels this month, the message was simple: funnel European capital into connectivity projects across Africa, Asia and beyond, and build ties that can withstand geopolitical shocks. For Somalia, a country still rebuilding after decades of conflict, the program promises not just roads and ports but jobs and a stake in the global economy. The EU delegation in Mogadishu…

The Fragile Fabric of African Trade: AGOA at a Crossroads As the sun rises on the bustling markets of Nairobi and the vibrant streets of Johannesburg, a shadow looms over the economic prospects of sub-Saharan Africa. This unease derives not from the rhythmic dance of local entrepreneurs or the vibrant colors of fresh produce but from an evolving political landscape in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump’s recent decisions to cut vital aid to Africa and impose new tariffs on exports have raised alarm bells, rekindling…

In a recent article for the Council on Foreign Relations, Michelle Gavin opines that the push to amend the constitution in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will deepen the already palpable skepticism among citizens towards their government. Since assuming the presidency in 2018 through questionable means, Felix Tshisekedi has faced significant challenges in addressing the urgent needs of the Congolese people. "A leopard doesn’t change its spots," as the saying goes, and many citizens are beginning to believe little…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali government has strongly criticized Israel's nocturnal strikes on Iran, branding them an infringement upon Iran's sovereignty and an affront to established global laws and norms. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Somalia issued a statement on Saturday reaffirming its resistance to any further intensification of hostilities in the Middle East. "Such expansion of conflict jeopardizes both regional tranquility and security," the ministry warned. "Somalia emphatically calls upon the global community…

President Museveni spent time with his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In response to an invitation from Uganda's President Museveni, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud wrapped up a succinct visit to Uganda. The two leaders conversed about ways to enhance their countries' relationship, with an eye on bolstering regional security and boosting economic synergy. A key topic was Somalia's recent acceptance into the East African Community (EAC). While in Uganda, President Museveni expressed his…

"The Egyptian Presidential Spokesman threw a post onto the official social media scene, sprinkling news hot off the press about the recent gabfest between Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and PM, Mohammed bin Salman, and Egypt's big cheese." President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi played the welcoming committee at Cairo's bustling airport for the Crown Prince, treating him like royalty as he stepped onto familiar soil in Egypt. Taking the princely guest by the arm, El-Sisi led him over to the Ittihadiya Palace, where they rolled out the…