strategy

Somalia’s fragile federal compact faces a test as Mogadishu convenes regional leaders on 2026 elections MOGADISHU — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will host a carefully staged meeting in Mogadishu this week with leaders from three federal member states, a gathering that officials say is aimed at salvaging a badly strained process for the 2026 national elections. Expected to attend are Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) of South West, Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoorqoor) of Galmudug, and Ali Gudlawe Hussein of HirShabelle. But…

Somalia’s Digital Pivot: A Two-Day Workshop With Long-Term Stakes On a quiet Sunday in Mogadishu, in a hotel meeting room that could be anywhere in the world, Somalia’s tech regulators and telecom bosses sat down with United Nations experts to sketch out how the country will go digital—properly, and for good. The agenda was modest on paper: a two-day national consultation to validate Somalia’s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2025–2030. The stakes are anything but. Somalia’s new digital strategy is not just another…

Why Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado remains a conflict zone eight years on: beyond bullets and boots October marks the eighth year since an insurgency erupted in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, transforming a once-quiet coastal region into one of Africa’s most persistent and destabilising conflicts. Attacks continue on a near-daily basis, villagers and analysts say, even as Maputo leans heavily on military responses — deploying national forces, foreign troops and private security contractors to regain control. A…

New Strategies in Somalia: A Collaborative Fight Against Al-Shabaab MOGADISHU, Somalia — In the sunlit corridors of Mogadishu's presidential palace, a significant conversation unfolded this week. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, the new commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), to initiate a new chapter in the ongoing battle against the al-Qaida affiliate, al-Shabaab. Their discussions were more than just diplomatic niceties; they were rooted in the everyday struggles of the…

Somalia’s Bold Step Towards Climate Resilience Amidst the harsh realities of droughts and floods, Somalia is taking a decisive leap towards combating climate change with the launch of the Somali Climate Finance Trial and the National Climate Fund (NCF). These initiatives aim to mobilize and effectively manage climate finance, crucial for a nation facing severe environmental challenges. A Collaborative Inception In late August, Mogadishu hosted the National Inception Workshop, drawing over 60 key players across…

To shed light on the current state of telecommunications, Ecofin has taken a keen interest in a recent governmental initiative. The Department of Communications and Technology is actively reaching out to various stakeholders for feedback through an open forum. They're eager to gather diverse perspectives and insights to shape future policies. On Facebook, they gave us a sneak peek, proclaiming, "The unified fiber optic deployment policy aims to steer national telecom companies towards collaboration for the installation and…

Iran has recently hinted at a willingness to engage in dialogue with Donald Trump, urging the president-elect to reconsider his administration's policies toward the nation following accusations from the US that Iran had plotted to assassinate him. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Vice President for Strategic Affairs, encouraged Mr. Trump to rethink the "maximum pressure" strategy he pursued during his initial term, which many believe exacerbated tensions between the two nations. "Trump needs to demonstrate that he won’t be…

Somali Lawmakers Convene in Kismayo to Challenge Central Government's Voting Proposals KISMAYO, Somalia — Over 30 legislators from across Somalia have assembled in Kismayo, Jubbaland's current administrative hub, to express discontent with the national government's approach. Initially slated for Friday, the meeting was rescheduled, aiming to enhance participation, as per local broadcasts. Organized by Jubbaland's President, Ahmed Madobe, the convening sought to tackle growing differences between regional leaders and…

PM Hamza's Dubiously Formulated National Transformation Plan for Somalia: Heading Toward Disaster Opinion - In the tail end of May, the Office of the Prime Minister sprang forth with a National Transformation Plan (NTP), a grand vision aiming to reshape Somalia’s path toward wealth and resilience. The plan sports an ambitious agenda: invigorating the Private Sector via Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), enhancing government performance, and overhauling the economy. It touts itself as a departure from old-school development…

Lee Carsley faced his first hurdles as England's stand-in coach following an audacious lineup choice that went awry, leading to a 2-1 defeat against Greece in the Nations League on Thursday. Meanwhile, at just 24, Erling Haaland set a new milestone for Norway by becoming the top scorer with his brace in a commanding 3-0 victory over Slovakia. On the flip side, even without the iconic figures of Kylian Mbappé and the retired Antoine Griezmann, France comfortably overpowered Israel 4-1. Carsley, having steered England to…