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By Hon. Ali M OmarSunday April 5, 2026 The Federal Government says it will not accept lessons in democracy from critics it accuses of trying to weaken Somalia’s hard-won political progress. A wave of commentary on Somalia, both online and in other forums, has offered what the government sees as a selective and misleading picture of the country’s politics. The debate over South West State, it argues, has similarly obscured the deeper question: whether Somalia’s federal arrangement can be protected and strengthened. That,…

By Nuri AdenSaturday April 4, 2026 Somalia's Agriculture minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir on a farm tour. / Others Somalia’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir, widely known as Mareeye, has delivered a blunt message about the country’s direction, urging Somalis, investors and decision-makers to place agriculture, livestock and fisheries at the center of national recovery and long-term growth. Speaking at length in Mogadishu, the minister laid out both the strain and the promise facing the country, saying…

With the war’s economic shockwaves still rippling through energy markets, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Russia to agree to a reciprocal pause in strikes on energy infrastructure, arguing that such a move could help calm pressure on global oil prices. Mr Zelensky told reporters that Kyiv was prepared to mirror any such step if Moscow stopped targeting Ukraine’s energy network. "If Russia is ready to stop hitting Ukrainian energy facilities, we will not respond against their energy sector," he said. He…

In a notable declaration, President John Mahama articulated that the foundational policies of the nation are intricately linked to its legal frameworks, cultural ethos, and collective societal agreement. He emphasized his dedication to upholding the rule of law amidst the increasingly complex landscape of global discussions surrounding human rights. "I took an oath to uphold the Constitution. It is the responsibility of the people's representatives to debate the bill, and once it is approved, it will be presented to the…

DJIBOUTI – Somalia’s latest political showdown drew a warning from the Horn of Africa’s regional bloc on Sunday, as IGAD urged "restraint" and "inclusive dialogue" amid escalating tensions between Mogadishu and the semi-autonomous SouthWest State. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the eight-member regional grouping based in Djibouti, said it was "closely monitoring developments" in the state as a widening dispute raises the risk of armed confrontation. "IGAD expresses concern over rising tensions and calls on…

Friday March 27, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The United Kingdom has stepped up its warning as Somalia’s Southwest State faces rising political strain and a worsening security picture, with fears growing that clashes could erupt between federal authorities and regional forces. In a Friday press release, the British Embassy in Mogadishu said it is tracking developments closely and warned that the latest tensions could further destabilize a security environment already under severe strain. “Recent tensions risk further destabilising…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A former NISA chief has urged the government to lift travel restrictions on lawmakers seeking to reach Baidoa, adding another layer of controversy to the political crisis in South West State. The appeal also carries implications for members of the House of the People, whose access to the region now intersects with wider questions about security power, parliamentary oversight, and political legitimacy. Sanbaloolshe called on the government to lift restrictions affecting federal lawmakers, naming MP…

Saturday March 21, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Marking Eid al-Fitr in the capital, North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro prayed alongside hundreds of worshippers in Hargeisa on Friday morning, then used his Eid remarks to urge economic restraint and a renewed push for peace in areas rattled by recent clan clashes. After the prayer, Irro cautioned that conflicts in the Middle East are upending global trade and key shipping routes, warning that the disruption could spill over into food and fuel…

Friday March 20, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Confronting soaring prices and a deepening hunger crisis, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday urged business leaders, religious scholars and charitable organizations to rally support for drought-stricken families, with a special emphasis on orphans and other vulnerable groups. Delivering an Eid address to the nation, the president called for solidarity as nearly 6.5 million people in Somalia are projected to face crisis-level or worse food insecurity by the end of March,…

Thursday March 19, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Political friction between Baidoa and Mogadishu sharpened Thursday after the opposition-aligned Somali Future Council backed Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen’s decision to freeze relations with the federal government and press ahead with regional elections. In a statement, the council said it welcomed Southwest’s stance but voiced alarm over a deepening national impasse. It argued that disputes over regional leadership, the electoral framework and recent…