Former Intelligence Chief Says Reductions Send a “Deeply Disappointing” Message to Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives and Health for the State Mogadishu (WDN) — Former National Intelligence and Security Agency chief Fahad Yasin has sharply condemned what he says is a decision by Somalia’s Federal Government to reduce financial benefits for military retirees, soldiers disabled...
Puntland, Jubaland and Salvation Forum Bloc Says It Recognizes Farmaajo as an Opposition Figure Aligned with Its Position Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia’s Future Council has drawn a sharper political distinction within the country’s opposition movement, saying it recognizes former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmaajo” as an opposition figure aligned with its political position, while rejecting...
Internet and Phone Disruptions Leave Millions Struggling to Access Money, Information and Essential Services as Fighting Returns Mekelle (WDN) — Tigray is once again being pushed into isolation. Internet and telephone services have been severely disrupted across the northern Ethiopian region following the latest outbreak of fighting, cutting millions of people off from essential communications...
Baidoa (WDN) — Baidoa is being pushed into an increasingly intolerable humanitarian and security crisis as fighting between forces aligned with Somalia’s Federal Government and supporters of former South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen continues to expose civilians to artillery, airstrikes and armed confrontation. What makes the situation particularly alarming is the reported use...
Gunfire Reportedly Stops Demonstrators Crossing From Eastern Baladweyne Into Government-Controlled West as Hiiraan Official Warns: “If Hiiraan Dies, Somalia Dies” Baladweyne (WDN) — Somalia’s deepening electoral crisis has erupted onto the streets of Baladweyne, exposing a city increasingly divided between competing political visions for the country’s future. The latest confrontation came after demonstrators who gathered...
PMPF Says MTT SIBU 1 and Its Crew Were Rescued From Somali Pirates Off Mudug Coast Garowe (WDN) — Puntland’s maritime security forces have carried out a major anti-piracy operation off the Mudug coast, rescuing a vessel and its crew after Somali pirates reportedly held them captive for weeks. The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF)...
Former President Says Election Disputes, Constitutional Deadlock and Federal Tensions Risk Creating Competing Centres of Power Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia is facing a deepening political crisis that could leave the country increasingly divided into competing centres of power, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmaajo” has warned, urging President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to reopen national dialogue...
Future Council Takes Somalia’s Electoral Crisis to the UN as Political Rupture Spreads Across the Federal States Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia’s political crisis is no longer confined to a confrontation between Mogadishu and its most outspoken opponents. It is now spreading into the heart of the federal system, with Hirshabelle and Galmudug increasingly drawn into...
Puntland Calls for Inclusive Dialogue, Greater International Engagement with Federal States and Continued UN Role Garowe (WDN) — Puntland has appealed to the United Nations Security Council for renewed international engagement in Somalia, warning of deepening political, security and economic tensions between the Federal Government and federal member states. In a letter dated September 13,...
Protesters Reject Hirshabelle Vote as Political Disputes Threaten to Deepen Somalia’s Federal Fragmentation Beledweyne (WDN) — Somalia’s political fragmentation is once again spilling into the streets. Hundreds of residents, politicians, elders and community figures gathered in Beledweyne on Thursday, protesting against the planned Hirshabelle leadership election and accusing the Federal Government and Hirshabelle authorities of...