visits

KISMAYO, Somalia - In a series of moves reminiscent of a political chess game, Jubaland's President, Ahmed Madobe, boarded a private jet to Kenya this past Saturday. It's an eventful debut abroad since his re-election—a victory that Mogadishu's powers-that-be seemingly view through a skeptical lens. Upon touching down in Nairobi, Madobe rolled up his sleeves, ready to mull over political hot potatoes with diplomats from a medley of countries and international bodies. Chalice in one hand, olive branch in…

Okay, picture this: a diplomatic tug-of-war, with all the drama of a soap opera. We've got Ethiopia pulling one way and Egypt yanking the other. It's a high-stakes chess game, and Somalia's caught in the middle like the poor pawn wishing it could just be a knight and leap out of the fray. Somalian Diplomacy in the Hot Seat: A Tale of Two Rivals and a Stuck-in-the-Middle ADDIS ABABA/MOGADISHU, Jan 12 – Rumor has it that Ethiopia's trying to swap out Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Fiqi, for a new face. But there’s a snag…

President Joe Biden recently traveled to New Orleans to visit the site of a tragic New Year's Day incident that claimed the lives of 14 individuals and caused injuries to many others. This horrific event unfolded when a former US Army veteran drove a truck into a bustling crowd celebrating the holiday. Accompanied by his wife, Jill Biden, the President took a moment to honor those who perished by stopping at the iconic Bourbon Street. Their visit was a poignant acknowledgment of the devastating loss experienced by the…

Turkish Deputy Defence Minister Lands in Mogadishu: Special Reception for Oil Research Ship MOGADISHU - With a watchful eye on new horizons, Turkish Deputy Defence Minister Musa Heybet touched down in the buzzing hub of Somalia's capital. His arrival heralds the imminent docking of an oil exploration vessel, primed to set sail into the depths of the Indian Ocean for seismic surveys. This vessel, recently launched from Turkey under the watchful command of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is on a dual mission: to map…

Mogadishu (AX) – Pulling in like a breeze on a Sunday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud landed in Djibouti as he continued his whirl through nations backing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). As the jet touched down, President Mohamud received a warm welcome from Djibouti’s Prime Minister, Abdikadir Kamil Mohamed, alongside a crew of top officials. It was a moment brimming with diplomacy and friendship. On this pit stop, he’s slated to chinwag with Djibouti’s big cheese, President Ismael Omar…

Justice Minister Helen McEntee is currently in Abu Dhabi, where she is poised to finalize crucial bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates focused on extradition and mutual legal assistance. These two treaties, which received the green light from the Government just last Friday, are poised to significantly bolster cooperation between Ireland and the UAE in their collective efforts to combat crime and streamline the extradition process. Last year, Minister McEntee embarked on negotiations with the UAE, engaging in…

NBA Icon Fisher Lands in Kenya for Basketball Coaching Event Amid NBA Africa Focus Derek Fisher, a titan in the basketball world and former NBA standout, touched down in Kenya to share his expertise with budding hoops stars. The NBA's broader mission to unearth and cultivate emerging talent in Africa underpins Fisher's visit. Reporting from the scene, our intrepid correspondent Olivia Bizot gives us the scoop.

In Asmara, Eritrea, on October 9, 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held bilateral meetings to discuss enhancing military cooperation and strengthening their relationship amidst regional shifts. Credit: Villa Somalia Somalia's leader, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, touched down in Asmara, Eritrea, this past Wednesday for a formal visit. Since taking the helm in 2022, this marks his fourth voyage. It's likely geared toward boosting a developing alliance among Somalia,…

On a sunny Sunday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for an official visit. Tagging along with him were Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk and Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib. Mohamed El-Homsani, the spokesperson for the Cabinet, remarked that the visit exemplifies the strong bond and mutual interests between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. As both nations navigate a time of heightened collaboration, they look to bolster their strategic alliance and tackle regional…

PM Hamza's Visit to Baidoa Amid Ethiopian Troop Controversy BAIDOA, Somalia - On Wednesday, amidst growing discord over the Ethiopian military presence, Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, embarked on a significant trip to Baidoa. The trip comes in the wake of worsening ties between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu. Somalia's government remains firm that Ethiopian forces will not participate in the new endeavor named the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). However, this decision faces…