transformation

Mogadishu (AX) — In the heart of Mogadishu, Mayor Yusuf Hussein Jimale Madaale held an important gathering with the interim parliamentary committee focused on electoral laws. Their agenda? To bolster the electoral proceedings and ensure transparency in upcoming elections for Somalia’s capital. Central to their conversations was the idea of implementing elections based directly on citizens' voting rights. This idea received backing and insightful suggestions from the Banadir regional administration. These talks are a…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AX) — As we gear up for the November 5 election, the political scene in St. Cloud is ready for a transformation. A total of six candidates are vying for three at-large seats on the city council. Notably, Hudda Ibrahim and Omar Podi are two Somali-American leaders determined to confront the city’s most pressing challenges while amplifying the voices of its varied residents.Hudda Ibrahim has been a key player in St. Cloud's civic engagements for quite some time. Recognized for her contributions to…

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…

How Digital Banking is Transforming Somalia's Economy MOGADISHU, Somalia - The digital tidal wave sweeping through banking is poised to reshape Somalia's economic landscape, which is currently on an upswing thanks to improved security in various locales. Somalia's National Digital ID initiative aims to revolutionize banking services, spurred on by a collaboration between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA). Abdiwali Tima'adde, the top honcho at NIRA, believes…

Somalia's young'uns, especially those who sprouted just as the Siad Barre regime fizzled out, know naught but turmoil. Drama and chaos have been their babysitters. We’ve hung on for yonks, looking for some government worth its salt, but just when we think there might be some glimmer of silver linings, doubt crashes the party. Is change just a pipe dream? A smidgen of impatience ain't outlandish given that every step forward seems to come with a hop back. Walking amidst shattered pledges and dislocation, our enthusiasm…

By the end of the year, Warsame unveiled a candid op-ed in the New York Times. He exposed the relentless pressure he faced during the creation of what would become his swan song. Warsame's label nudged him to pivot his lyrics away from his Somali heritage and cater instead to an expanding American audience. He wrote, "For the first time, I felt the affliction of success." The success raised an internal dilemma: "What do you do after success? How do you hold onto it?" Following the op-ed, Warsame quietly vanished from the…

Amina's Journey: Overcoming Trauma to Embrace Education in Somalia The harrowing experiences of that fateful day lingered in Amina's mind, pushing her away from the classroom for weeks on end. “I was absolutely terrified,” she recalled. “It felt like I would never return to school. The dream of becoming a teacher seemed utterly out of reach.” Amina represents one of countless young souls in Kismayo whose education has been drastically interrupted by the prevailing turmoil in the region. The safety of children hangs in the…

On Thursday night, French army personnel announced that they had "neutralized" in Mali two heads of the Islamic State organization in the Greater Sahara: Rhissa al-Sahraoui and Abou Abderrahmane al-Sahraoui. When the end of his mission is announced, Barkhane maintains pressure on the terrorists. "This new operation illustrates…

The Alliance for the Republic (APR) celebrated its 12th anniversary on Tuesday. The RPA is facing internal tensions, especially with the newly opened opposition that the president wanted. The official ceremony was therefore an opportunity for activists to mobilize again, despite the absence of the head of state. as reported…