East Africa

Saudi Arabia’s quiet power play in Somalia’s new military pact Somalia and Saudi Arabia have signed a defense cooperation agreement in Riyadh, a move that folds one of the Horn of Africa’s most fragile states deeper into an increasingly crowded contest for Red Sea influence. The memorandum of understanding, announced by Somalia’s defense minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on X, comes weeks after Israel said it would recognize North Western State of Somalia — the northern, breakaway region of Somalia — as an independent state, a…

Kenya and Ghana Launch Investigations into Russian Man's Alleged Non-Consensual Filming Authorities in Kenya and Ghana are set to investigate disturbing reports that a Russian man secretly filmed sexual encounters with women in both countries and subsequently posted the footage online without their consent. This alarming case has raised serious concerns about gender-based violence and cybercrime in both nations. The individual at the center of this controversy has been identified as a self-styled "pick-up artist." Media…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — A key community body in western North Western State of Somalia has rejected the interior minister’s claim that a peace deal ended recent inter-clan clashes, saying fresh fighting has erupted in Awdal and Salal and that casualties and destruction are mounting. In a statement issued late Monday, the Awdal Regional Tribal Cultural Committee said Interior Minister Abdalle Mohamed Arab’s Feb. 14 remarks declaring the conflict over were “misleading” and did not reflect the situation…

Somalia, Tanzania sign migration and travel pact to ease visas, bolster border security Monday February 16, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia and Tanzania have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on migration management and make travel easier between the two countries, officials said. The agreement was signed by Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, known as Fartaag, and Tanzania’s Minister of Home Affairs, Patrobas Paschal Katambi. Senior immigration officials from both governments…

Erdogan heads to UAE, Ethiopia as Turkey presses Gaza cease-fire and backs Somalia’s unity Turkey sharpens Gulf trade push while asserting influence in the Horn of Africa amid tensions over North Western State of Somalia recognition Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 MOGADISHU — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit the United Arab Emirates on Monday before traveling to Ethiopia on Tuesday, with Gaza and Somalia’s territorial integrity expected to anchor a two-stop tour aimed at entwining economic outreach with…

Egypt’s first troop deployment to Somalia marks a visible turn in Cairo’s Horn of Africa strategy — and a calculated bet by Mogadishu that more outside muscle under an African Union flag can speed the country’s drive for stability and international recognition. This week, Egypt sent 1,091 soldiers to Mogadishu to join the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the AU-led force that has trained and advised Somali security forces since April 2022, when it replaced the previous mission. The move…

NAIROBI — Kenya and Somalia signaled a renewed push to deepen their economic partnership beyond the traditional exchange of goods, using a Nairobi forum this week to elevate services, diaspora investment and regional integration under the East African Community as central pillars of future growth. Policymakers and business leaders from both countries gathered Feb. 12–13 for the second Somalia–Kenya & Diaspora Trade Week at BBS Mall in Eastleigh, a meeting that organizers said drew more small and medium-sized enterprises…

North Western State of Somalia clans agree to cease-fire after deadly clashes in Awdal and Salal, minister says HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — Two clans that recently fought deadly battles in western North Western State of Somalia have agreed to end hostilities after a government-backed reconciliation push, officials said Saturday, as authorities announced arrests and fresh deployments to stabilize the border region. The fighting, which flared in parts of the Awdal and Salal regions, left several people dead…

ADDIS ABABA — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday praised African leaders for a unified rejection of Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, calling the continent’s stance a clear affirmation that Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are nonnegotiable. Addressing heads of state at the African Union (AU) summit, Mohamud thanked member states for what he described as a firm, collective defense of Somalia’s borders and a recommitment to the principles of sovereignty and noninterference…

Saturday, February 14, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accused unnamed neighboring states of trying to leverage Israel’s December recognition of North Western State of Somalia for “short-term interests,” warning that Somalia’s territorial integrity is a nonnegotiable red line. In an interview with the London-based Arabic daily Asharq al-Awsat, Hassan Sheikh said the fallout from Israel’s move had tempted some regional actors to test Somalia’s unity and the wider region’s stability. “Some countries in…