By Hussien Mohamed Yusuf Dr. Abdirahman Duale Baileh’s appearance at a demonstration in New York calling for Somaliland’s recognition has stirred an understandably strong reaction. He is a former foreign minister and finance minister of Somalia, and his position today appears strikingly different from the one many people associated with his years in public office....
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...
By Abdullahi A. Nor President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s message to the United Nations reveals what may be the central contradiction of Somalia’s current political crisis. He wants the international community to support Somalia’s democratic transition — but he also appears to want the international community to accept the Federal Government’s definition of that transition without...
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...
By Abdiqani Haji Abdi President Said Abdullahi Deni is not only the president of Puntland. He is also among the political figures seeking a role in Somalia’s national leadership, making his recent position on Puntland’s relationship with Mogadishu particularly consequential. That creates a fundamental political contradiction. A politician seeking to lead Somalia nationally must explain...
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...