By Mohamed Ali Mirreh In the spring of 1998, an ordinary morning at a prestigious European university took a dramatic turn for Mohamud, a geology student. On this day, a British professor named Richard entered the lecture hall with more than just a lesson plan, he brought a challenge that would reveal a hidden paradox...
By Mohamed M. Ibrahim In 2015, I met with Mohamud Muse Hersi, also known as Adde Musa, the former president of Puntland State, at Rugsan Hotel in Garowe. During our conversation, he shared a poignant reflection on Somalia’s untapped oil potential, recounting how his father began working for Sinclair Oil Corporation in 1956. This was...
By Dr. Hassan A. Hussein Introduction Oil is a basic commodity linked to nearly all human activities, and its price volatility has a significant negative impact on economic growth and money supply. The recent oil price fluctuations due to ongoing wars—Russia-Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, as well as Houthi attacks on oil tankers—have led to global economic...
By Mohamed Ali Mirreh Somalia, a nation long synonymous with instability and ineffective governance still faces a long road toward the transformative changes needed to lift its people out of poverty. Paradoxically, despite its many struggles, the country is believed to have vast untapped reserves of oil, gas, and minerals. Recent geological surveys and exploration...
By Mohamed Ali Mirreh As we are getting ready to celebrate one year after the successful liberation of Lasanod city from Somaliland’s secessionist forces, it’s essential to reflect on the challenges that have emerged since. The SSC-Khatumo administration initially had high hopes of being recognized as a new federal state within Somalia. Khatumo State was...
By Mohamed Ali Mire The recent visit of the British Ambassador to Somalia Mr. Michael Nithavrianak, in Garowe, the capital city of Puntland, has stirred significant attention, particularly in the context of the ongoing election crisis in the region. The ambassador engaged in discussions with the Puntland Government, ostensibly aiming to facilitate a resolution to...
By Mohamed A Mire The much-vaunted secessionist enclave, known as Somaliland and situated in northern Somalia, finds itself at the precipice of collapse. This impending upheaval is the result of a remarkable and recent defeat suffered by its military forces in the Sool region at the hands of SSC (Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn) forces. The...
By Ali H. Abdulla Receding Hope Hope for Somalia emerging from its prolonged failed-state status seems to be receding . The country, where thousands of vulnerable people perish for lack of water and recurring famine, might be sliding once again towards a never-ending cycle of violence and disintegration. This perceived lack of hope has forced...