tensions

Somalia Sends Ethiopian Diplomat Packing as Regional Strain Escalates MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a swift diplomatic move, Somalia has declared an Ethiopian envoy "persona non grata" due to his reportedly antagonistic actions against Somali authorities. The envoy has been given a tight three-day window to leave the nation, or face deportation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Ali Mohamed Adan of behavior "inconsistent with his diplomatic obligations." Adan, who held the position of Consular II at the Ethiopian…

In Mogadishu (AX), the Somali federal government's ambition to transition from a clan-based election process to a universal suffrage by 2026 has stirred the political pot, all while the nation faces a pesky al-Shabaab resurgence. On October 2, during a National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow, Somali bigwigs mapped out a reform strategy, eyeing extended terms for state presidents. This plan, however, pulled back the curtain on deep-seated rifts among regional honchos, as tensions simmer amid rising insurgency woes.…

Mogadishu (AX) — During a lively event in Mogadishu, Somalia's federal government rolled out a new map that has ruffled some feathers, especially in the territories of Northeastern State and Hirshabelle. The focus of the gathering was to welcome a Turkish oil exploration vessel, but the map showcasing various areas as "disputed" areas quickly took center stage. Leaders from Northeastern State and Hirshabelle took issue, arguing it undermines the self-governance and clearly established borders of their lands. Northeastern…

In the bustling streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, an African Union peacekeeper strolls by a line of armored vehicles. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, better known as ATMIS, is grappling with the possibility of stumbling blocks in its concluding phase. Why? The culprits are inadequate funding and heightened regional unease, particularly with neighbor Ethiopia in the mix. Mogadishu (AX) — The African Union's mission in Somalia is hitting snags as it edges nearer to its finale. The root of the hiccups?…

When Sofia Patel, the head of operations for the Labour Party, shared an update on her LinkedIn about campaign opportunities with U.S. presidential aspirant Kamala Harris, she likely didn't foresee the uproar it would provoke. The now-removed post stated: "I have nearly 100 Labour Party staff members (both past and present) set to head to the U.S. shortly, targeting North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Virginia." She continued, "I have ten spots open for anyone willing to travel to the critical battleground state of…

NAIROBI, Kenya - Turkey's plunge into oil exploration off the Somali coast has stirred profound schisms in the country. An archaic map dusted off with controversial revisions now intensifies jitters in this fragile region, where internal strife and external pressures persistently choreograph a clunky ballet of development and turmoil. Voicing his concerns, Abdi Farah Juxa, Northeastern State's top honcho for Interior Affairs, carpeted the use of this map during the grand debut of a Turkish research vessel. "After three…

Iran downplayed the recent air assault by Israel on its military assets, asserting that the damage inflicted was minimal. This comes as U.S. President Joe Biden urged for a cessation of hostilities that have escalated tensions in the Middle East into potentially dangerous territory. In the early hours of yesterday, a multitude of Israeli fighter jets executed three separate waves of strikes targeting missile production facilities and other significant sites in the vicinity of Tehran and throughout western Iran, according to…

MOGADISHU — Turkey’s energetic foray into oil and gas discovery near Somalia's shores has stirred up a hornet's nest of tensions. Northeastern State, Somalia's most senior Federal State, finds itself in a tussle with Mogadishu on the prickly issue of maritime borders. The arrival of Oruc Reis, a Turkish seismic survey ship, has dialed up Turkey’s focus on Somalia, much to the chagrin of Northeastern State's President, Said Abdullahi Deni, along with his aides. Deni and his team claim the central government is manipulating…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia has pointed fingers at Ethiopia, holding it accountable for the revival of Al-Shabaab militants wreaking chaos and claiming countless lives nationwide. Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has declared its intention to oversee the selection of troop contributions, blocking Ethiopian forces from participating in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), 'We aim to steer our mission, prioritizing sovereignty,' a spokesperson noted. The Ministry accused Ethiopia of…

The saga surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is tangled with Ethiopia’s Red Sea ambitions, lighting up disputes along multiple fronts. Embarking on the intricate mission of fair Nile River usage, the freshly minted Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC) faces a rocky road. Conflicts simmering in the Horn of Africa add fuel to the fire. October 13 marked a turning point as the Cooperative Framework Agreement on the Nile sprang to life, transitioning us from the old Nile Basin Initiative to something fresh. The…