By Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, Member of Federal Parliament and the Leader of Wadajir Party Somalia stands at a critical juncture in its battle against Al-Shabaab as the militant group escalates its offensive against the Somali National Army (SNA) and local community forces. Despite earlier successes in pushing back the insurgents, recent months have witnessed a...
By Mohamed A Yasin The explosion on Mogadishu’s sunbaked El-Gaabta road on March 18, sent plumes of smoke spiraling into the sky. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s armored convoy had passed moments earlier, narrowly escaping a mine intended for Somalia’s most guarded man. The message was unmistakable: “A snake in the grass threatens even the swiftest...
By Abdulfatah Hussein The article Ethiopia’s Cash Cow: The Kenni Cabal Draining the Somali Region exposed how an entrenched OPDO elite, known as the Kenni Cabal, has siphoned resources from the Somali region for the last six years. But before them, the TPLF-led EPRDF ruled the region in much the same way, draining its wealth...
By Abdullahi A. Nor Polygamy has been a subject of considerable debate in the Muslim world, with different interpretations arising from the Quranic text, historical practices, and contemporary legal frameworks. While some argue that Islam permits polygamy under any condition, others contend that it is only permissible in specific circumstances, particularly when justice can be...
By Abdiqani Haji Abdi In recent years, global policymakers have championed National Transformation Development Plans (NTPs) as blueprints for middle-income nations like Kenya, Tanzania and Malaysia to leapfrog into prosperity. For Somalia, however—a country still navigating the complexities of statehood after three decades of conflict—the allure of such sweeping strategies risks becoming a distraction. While...
By Isha Qarsoon [1] The electoral framework is fundamental to balancing central authority and regional autonomy in a federal system. It establishes the power structures necessary to sustain this balance, ensuring that governance is distributed between the central government and the Member States. Since adopting federalism, Somalia have not had a national electoral system to...
By Hassan Yusuf The Somali Regional State Communication Affairs Bureau’s recent response to corruption allegations raised by the Somali Federalist Party presents a familiar pattern of outright denial, deflection, and counter-accusations. The Bureau dismisses claims of stalled infrastructure projects and financial mismanagement as a “defamation campaign,” attempting to maintain an image of effective governance under...
By Abdikarim Haji Abdi Buh In the shadows of the digital world, extremist groups like Al-Shabaab continue to exploit online platforms to spread their toxic ideology, radicalize vulnerable youth, and orchestrate violence. The recent crackdown by the Somali government, which led to the shutdown of more than ten extremist affiliated online platforms, marks a crucial...
By Abdisalam Ali Farah The changing role of Somali women represents a profound shift in the country’s social, economic, and political landscape. Once marginalized, Somali women have emerged as key figures in education, healthcare, business, and politics. The traditional gender disparities that once kept girls from pursuing education have diminished significantly in recent years, with...
By Ahmed A. Yusuf The latest episode of Somali Politics: The Never-Ending Soap Opera! featuring President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a cast of exhausted soldiers, disappearing weapons, and Al-Shabaab—the only side that seems to be winning this so-called war. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has emerged once again to deliver his signature blend of disappointment and...