Strife

Significant Prisoner Exchange Between Northeastern State and North Western State of Somalia Garowe (AX) — In an effort to foster peace and rebuild trust, Northeastern State and North Western State of Somalia authorities engaged in a prisoner exchange on Wednesday, involving individuals captured during the tumultuous 2023 conflict in the contested Sool region. This exchange, a crucial step towards reconciliation, highlights the complex tapestry of relationships in the area. Northeastern State's Minister of…

ASMARA - In a world often quick to point fingers, Eritrea finds itself navigating the murky waters of blame. Recently, Eritrea refuted the allegations linking it to the persistent turmoil in the Horn of Africa. Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome had directed accusations at Eritrea for its alleged role in the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region. But is it really fair to blame a neighbor for internal strife? Eritrea, for its part, firmly dismisses this. Yemane Meskel, the ever-persuasive Eritrean minister…

Hargeisa (AX) — In a momentous election hailed for its openness, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro emerged victorious to take up the mantle as North Western State of Somalia’s president, winning a landslide 64% of the vote. As Irro steps up to the plate, he inherits a politically tense landscape marked by fraught relations with Somalia and scrutiny surrounding a debatable pact with Ethiopia for access to the coastline. Leader of the opposition, the Waddani Party, Irro ousted the incumbent president, Muse Bihi Abdi, who…

There's growing concern in Somali society about how online displays of bravado might teeter dangerously close to hate speech, stirring up long-standing clan rivalries. In Somalia, "The Big Tribal Game" isn't just a pastime—it's practically a cultural phenomenon. This so-called game draws in massive audiences without linking its participants to any form of clan violence. Everywhere you look, thousands of phones light up with this spectacle, not just in Somalia, but across the globe. The typical participants? Enthusiastic…

Egyptian Warship Drops Anchor in Mogadishu with Third Batch of Arms amid Regional Tug-of-War MOGADISHU, Somalia — On Sunday, an Egyptian naval ship berthed in Mogadishu. This marks the third delivery of arms amidst escalating local and international tensions. Fraught diplomatic relations with Ethiopia have influenced this maritime maneuver. Upon arrival, the military hardware was quickly unloaded at the bustling port, signaling Egypt’s ongoing commitment to bolster Somalia’s defense capabilities. This alliance aims to…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Sunday, the Somali Deputy Minister of Education, Ahmed Isman Ibrahim Daqare, alongside Abdirashid Jire Qalinle, Minister of State for Planning and International Cooperation, tendered their resignations due to the federal government's intentions to challenge certain regional authorities. Qalinle shared his apprehensions regarding what he perceives as discriminatory actions by the federal government against the regional governments of Jubbaland, Northeastern State, and SSC Khatumo. Daqare, in a similar…

For decades, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah helmed Hezbollah, steering the organization through relentless confrontations with Israel. Under his leadership, Hezbollah evolved into a formidable military entity, gaining considerable influence across the region, buoyed by Iran's steadfast support. Nasrallah emerged as one of the most significant Arab figures of that era. Tragically, the Iran-backed Hezbollah announced that Nasrallah had succumbed to an Israeli aerial attack on Beirut just yesterday. To his admirers, Nasrallah was a…

Snapshot from the YouTube video, ‘Why Egypt and Somalia are Teaming Up Against Ethiopia‘ by TLDR News Global. Fair use. In the Horn of Africa, a region already fraught with delicate alliances and simmering military tensions, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Somalia are now clashing in a new arena: social media. Platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook have become battlegrounds for a digital skirmish, where misinformation riles up nationalist feelings and ratchets up the stakes of real-world confrontations. Fueling…

U.S. Envoy Stands Firm with Somalia, Urges Peaceful Solutions Amid Regional Strife ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — U.S. Special Envoy Mike Hammer made it unequivocally clear: Washington backs Somalia's territorial sovereignty. From within the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Hammer's words carried weight, "Hear this plainly, the United States stands with Somalia's sovereignty and unity, firmly and clearly." The backdrop to Hammer's declaration involves a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and…