By Prof. Abdinasir Osman The chaotic scenes that unfolded within Somalia’s Federal Parliament on April 30, 2025, were not merely a regrettable breach of decorum; they were a visceral manifestation of a legislature teetering on the brink of collapse. As lawmakers engaged in a physical melee, with Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe) struggling in vain...
By Mohamed A Yasin In a move that could deepen the political shake-up at the heart of Somalia’s capital, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is reportedly preparing to dismiss Mohamed Ahmed Amiir, the Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of the Banadir Regional Administration. Appointed just months ago, Mayor Amiir is facing growing pressure from within government...
By Osman A. Hassan “……the country is officially open for oil drilling and exploration, inviting U.S. energy companies to re-engage in Somalia’s hydrocarbon sector.” Somalia’s political history is often narrated as a tale of linear decline moving from a hopeful post-independence state to authoritarian rule, followed by civil war, statelessness, and a fragile attempt at...
By Abdijaliil Osman Reshuffling for Survival, Not Reform A minor cabinet reshuffle undertaken by Prime Minister Xamse Cabdi Barre has once again exposed the misguided direction in which Somalia’s political leadership is heading. These new changes — replacing the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs and appointing a new Deputy Prime Minister — appear more...
By Mohamed Abdi The trade war between the U.S. and Canada is a battleground on which the country’s biggest federal parties are fighting to win the premiership election slated for April 28, 2025. The Liberal and Conservative parties (the two biggest political parties) have dominated Canada’s political landscape for a long time, with the liberal...
By Ali Jama’a License Breaches and Unfair Advantage Ziraat Katilim operates under a restricted license in Somalia—one that expressly prohibits banking services to retail customers, micro-enterprises, and small enterprises. Despite this, evidence suggests the bank has flouted these limits, onboarding customers it is legally barred from serving. The Central Bank of Somalia mandates that all...
By Abdiqani Haji Abdi The much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre was widely seen as a last chance for Somalia’s leadership to steer the country away from the abyss – now a missed opportunity. Across Somalia, hope flickered — not only among exhausted citizens but also among Somalia’s international friends and partners,...
By Ahmed Adan Sooldaad A Tale of Two Deceptions Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes is more than a children’s tale—it is a timeless metaphor of power, deception, and collective denial. The story resonates profoundly in contemporary Somalia, where leadership, much like the arrogant emperor, clings to illusions of control while the nation’s sovereignty is steadily...
By Abdisaid M. Ali 1. Executive Summary In March 2024, The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) signed a sweeping oil and gas deal with Türkiye, giving the Turkish state oil company, TPAO, exclusive rights to explore and develop petroleum across Somalia’s land and waters. It was sold to the public as a major breakthrough, a...
By Prof. Abdinasir Ali OsmanThis investigative analysis delves into the intricate details of the hydrocarbon agreement between Turkey and Somalia, a deal that has generated considerable scrutiny due to its implications for both nations and the broader East African region. The agreement, formally submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly for ratification on April 22,...