By Abdullahi A. Nor The Standoff No One Saw Coming Cabinet reshuffles in Somalia often fail to garner significant attention, as they are widely perceived as superficial and ineffective. Nevertheless, in the grand theater of Somali politics, where power struggles often resemble a well-scripted drama, the latest showdown is unfolding at the Ministry of Defense....
By Isha Qarsoon[1] Introduction Somalia stands at a crossroads. So do its supporters. The international institutions and nations that have invested in Somalia’s institution-building—the United Nations and its agencies, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and key European nations such as...
The Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group was on the defensive in 2022 and 2023 after a concerted military push by the government and its international partners. But analysts say those gains are being reversed at a time when support from the United States and African Union is looking increasingly shaky. The group has seized key locations in...
JOHANNESBURG, (Xinhua) – Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s nomination of Leo Brent Bozell III as ambassador to South Africa amid tensions between the two countries, some analysts view this swift appointment as a sign that the Trump administration is ready to engage with South Africa. Local political analyst Sandile Swana on Wednesday described Bozell as...
By Abdulkadir Mohamed Osman Fahad Yasin, a prominent figure in President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s administration, held influential roles as Chief of Staff and Head of Intelligence. His immense influence within the government earned him the nickname “Milkeeleh Villa Somalia,” meaning the de facto owner of the government. Fahad’s central role in decision-making and his proximity...
By A. S. Ismail and Ahmed A. Hassan Life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short if there is no central authority Thomas Hobbes A 17th century philosopher Few of the residents of Muqdisho of today have probably heard of Hobbes, but most would likely agree and identify with his description of a state without authority. Therefore,...