talks

Military Diplomacy in Somalia: A Visit with Intent MOGADISHU, Somalia — Modern diplomacy sometimes unfolds far from the gilded halls of embassies, finding its stage amidst the sands of complex regions. On a wholly unpredictable Sunday, Ethiopia's army chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, descended upon Mogadishu with an air of quiet determination. But what goal lies beneath this curtain of spontaneity? Accompanying Birhanu was Redwan…

Sudan has taken a bold step—recalling its ambassador from Kenya in a dramatic response to the latter's decision to host discussions aimed at forming an alternate government. The story, intricate and multi-layered, reflects not just a geopolitical quarrel but the often unpredictable dance of diplomacy. Sudan's Foreign Ministry, never one to mince words, remarked that Ambassador Kamal Jabara was summoned "for consultations." Why, you wonder? Kenya's seemingly audacious move to bring together individuals from the Rapid Support…

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The bustling city of Addis Ababa recently played host to a momentous encounter. Under the grand arches of the African Union Summit, which welcomed its 38th iteration, two pivotal figures of the Horn of Africa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, found themselves engrossed in earnest conversation. It wasn't mere politeness driving their dialogue, but the pressing tapestry of shared challenges and mutual hopes. Can a single meeting alter the course…

What happens when political ambition meets international boundaries? A spectacle unfolds as President Donald Trump, with his characteristic fervor, once more underscored his determination for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip. This meeting, occurring at the White House on a crisp Tuesday, seated him across from Jordan's King Abdullah and set a stage teeming with tension and expectation. This interaction unfolded against a backdrop of contentious discussion. Not long ago, Trump had unveiled a staggering…

Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs during a past function. PHOTO/PRINT In a resolute and somewhat complex maneuver, Kenya has decided to send Somali elders to their homeland to negotiate the release of four Chiefs and an Assistant Chief. These officials, entrusted with great responsibility, were tragically abducted by Al-Shabaab militants in the heart of Elwak, Mandera County. One might ask, why such a delicate approach? The truth lies in the intricacies of ensuring their safe return. Despite a joint security operation being…

Nairobi (AX) – In a move demonstrating both urgency and tradition, the Kenyan government is gearing up to dispatch a group of Somali elders. Their mission? To negotiate the release of five local chiefs, who vanished on Monday near the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera County. The abductions have sparked a sober realization—the intricate dance between diplomacy and danger that governs this troubled region. Why involve elders, you might wonder? They possess the nuanced understanding of local customs, an essential element for…

Mogadishu (AX) – Whispers of ambition echoed through the grand halls of Riyadh as Somali government officials met with delegates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this past Monday. Their agenda? To chart a new course for Somalia’s burgeoning economy, while unlocking the potential of its untapped resources. Leading this quest was Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh, at the helm of a comprehensive team comprising members from crucial sectors: the offices of both the President and Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance,…

KISMAYO, Somalia — In a bid that echoes through the halls of Somali politics like a long-lost melody, the Jubaland state has extended an olive branch, urging a tête-à-tête with the Somali federal government. This gesture, announced on Monday by a regional minister, hints at a possible thaw in the frozen lake of their political standoff. Jubaland, one of Somalia's crucial federal states, has frequently found itself at loggerheads with the seat of power in Mogadishu. The reasons are manifold. Whether it's conflicting…

In the bustling heart of Mogadishu, an emblem of resilience and endurance, an extraordinary meeting unfolded. On a Sunday that would quietly mark another chapter in Somalia's unfolding narrative, General Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyano, at the helm of the Somali Police Force, found himself in earnest discourse with Michael Nithavrianakis, the UK Ambassador to Somalia. What were they pondering over this crisp afternoon? The labyrinthine intricacies of reinforcing security collaboration and exhilarant counter-terrorism strategies.…

In the serene yet tumultuous landscape of Northeastern State, where the arid earth meets resilient communities, tensions have flared in Erigavo. It is here that Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni steps into a realm more fraught than most, calling for an earnest dialogue to quell recent conflicts. Erigavo, often restless, now stands upon a precipice, but who does not seek peace beneath this shared sky? Deni, a statesman in his own right, pleads with the opposing factions to seek a peaceful resolution, for in…