By Dr. Ali Said FaqiSunday May 17, 2026 Somalia is edging into a precarious political chapter, one that may prove among the most volatile in recent years. The constitutional amendments passed in March 2026 have ignited a fierce dispute over legitimacy, governance, and the country’s political future. That tension sharpened after the presidential term expired on May 15, 2026, and the parliamentary mandate ended on April 14, 2026, leaving the nation in a sensitive constitutional and political void. To many in the public and on…

By  JAMES ROBSONSunday May 17, 2026 Wembley has seen plenty of dramatic FA Cup finals in its 155-year history, but few goals can have matched the audacity of the strike that decided this one. Manchester City claimed a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, sealing the trophy through a moment of sheer invention from Antoine Semenyo. The final had been drifting toward a tense, chance-starved conclusion until the forward produced a stunning back-heel finish in the second half to transform the contest. In the 72nd minute,…

Sunday May 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s stalled political transition has drawn fresh concern from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which is pressing the country’s leaders to stay at the table after talks between the federal government and opposition figures failed to bridge major divides. In a statement released Saturday from Djibouti, the IGAD Secretariat said it had followed consultations held in Mogadishu from May 13 to 15 between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition stakeholders. The…

Sunday May 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s stalled political transition has once again drawn urgent attention from the African Union, which on Saturday called on the federal government and opposition leaders to return to the negotiating table after a three-day round of talks in Mogadishu collapsed without a deal. The discussions, held from May 13 to 15, brought together the Federal Government of Somalia and representatives of the Somali Future Council. The AU Commission said it had monitored the process closely and…

Sunday May 17, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Israel’s newly named ambassador to North Western State of Somalia said Saturday that ties with the self-declared republic are moving ahead rapidly, with cooperation on the table in security, energy, infrastructure, technology, trade and other fields. In an interview with Israel’s N12, Michael Lotem, Israel’s non-resident ambassador to North Western State of Somalia, said North Western State of Somalia had signaled strong interest in deepening relations after Israel formally recognized it…

Sunday May 17, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — What began as routine preparations for North Western State of Somalia’s May 18 celebrations turned deadly in Eerigaabo on Saturday, where at least one North Western State of Somalia soldier was killed and several others were wounded after an argument between two soldiers escalated into a violent clash, officials said. Authorities in Sanaag region said the incident took place as security forces were getting ready for the annual observance, which marks North Western State of Somalia’s 1991…

A coordinated military effort between the United States and Nigeria has resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-highest leader of Daesh globally, in a significant operation in Nigeria, officials from both countries announced on Friday. According to U.S. President Donald Trump and the Nigerian military, al-Minuki, placed under U.S. sanctions since 2023, held the position of second-in-command in Daesh worldwide. "This evening, under my directive, courageous American forces, alongside the Nigerian Armed…

Sunday May 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday mounted a forceful defense of Somalia’s push for one-person, one-vote elections, arguing that the country’s indirect voting system has too often fueled violence, arrests and political uncertainty. Addressing the public in Mogadishu, Mohamud said Somalia needs to leave behind a model in which political representatives are chosen through clan-based, indirect arrangements. He said direct voting would allow citizens to select their leaders without…

Nimi PrincewillSaturday May 16, 2026 An armed Somali pirate stands on the shoreline as a Greek cargo ship lies anchored off Hobyo in northeastern Somalia, in this January 2010 image after the vessel was seized by pirates. Mohamad Dahir/AFP/Getty Images Somali pirates are once again cashing in on turmoil far beyond their waters. As war in Iran forces commercial shipping to take longer routes around Africa, vessels are drifting straight into the pirates’ traditional hunting grounds. The escalating conflict in the Middle East…

Saturday May 16, 2026 Photo: Somali regional state The Somali Regional State Disaster Risk Management Bureau has dismissed reports portraying Ethiopia’s Somali Region as gripped by drought, saying the picture presented is outdated and fails to reflect the improvement brought by the current Gu rains. In a statement sent to Addis Standard, the Bureau said it had reviewed recent coverage that pointed to malnutrition, drought and acute water shortages across the region. It acknowledged that climate-related vulnerabilities remain…