The Economist AT FIRST glance Somalia’s foreign-backed government seems to be doing well. In the past two years it has benefited from the recovery of the country’s main cities by African Union peacekeepers after two decades of clan warfare and intermittent Islamist rule. And on June 29th the government pulled off something of a coup...
By Mark Doyle BBC International Development Correspondent The apparently accidental publication of a diplomatic letter has exposed a rift between the Somali government and Kenyan troops – supposedly allies. The letter, verified as genuine by the BBC, accuses the Kenyan army of causing recent faction fighting that left at least 65 dead in the port...
Muqdisho, july 4, 2013 (WDN)- Warka Radio Wardheer, Qodobbada warka aad ku maqli doontaan dhageystayaal waxa ka mid ah, Ra’isul Wasaare Saacid oo booqday Xasan Daahir Aweys, kana hadlay xaaladiisa, Midowga Afrika oo ciidamo isku dhaf ah gayn doona Kismaayo, Madaxweyne Faroole oo khudbad jeediyay, Mursi oo la afganbiyay xabsi gurina laga dhigay iyo qodobo kale.
Somalia’s Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents have lost a series of towns to African Union and government troops, while commanders have initiated purges against rival factions. Here are a series of portraits of Shebab or rival Islamist leaders. AHMED ABDI GODANE: Top commander or “emir” of the Shebab, aged just 36 and with a $7 million...
The World Health Organization says at least 71 people have been killed and more than 300 wounded in ongoing fighting between rival militias in the Somali city of Kismayo. WHO said in a statement Thursday that fighting in the southern port city has displaced many and “continues to have a profound impact on civilians and...
By Farouk Chothia BBC Africa analyst The surrender of Somalia’s veteran militant Islamist, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, signals that his faction has lost the battle for control of the al-Shabab group to hardliners determined to step up their military campaign to establish an Islamic state in the East African country. The 78 year old –...
By Matt Shea There are a great many people in the UK who won’t have heard of khat. It’s not a drug that’s ever been glamourised in popular music or film; there is no khat Trainspotting or “Ebeneezer Goode”. Sure, the Mail may have linked it to terrorism and street attacks carried out by immigrants, but what haven’t the Mail linked to...
By Tom Perry and Yasmine Saleh CAIRO Egypt’s armed forces overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders. After a day of drama in which tanks and troops deployed near the presidential palace as a military deadline...
Nairobi, July 3, 2013–A court in the capital of the semi-autonomous republic of Somaliland today convicted the manager and editor of the independent daily Hubaal of defamation and sentenced them to prison. Hubaal‘s editor, Hussein Hassan Abdullahi, received two years, while the paper’s manager, Mohamed Ahmed Jama, was sentenced to one year in jail on charges of defamation and...
West London warehouse workers who import the herb believe Somalis will suffer but others say drug is tearing society apart Ian Sample, science correspondent The delivery trucks arrive with heavy loads and jostle for room on the grit and mud as men stand around or sit on forklifts, some chatting, some smoking, until the time comes...