Month: July 2022

Al-Shabab Aato

Al-Shabaab cross-border clashes with Ethiopian troops: An analysis

Since last week, Al-Shabaab (AS) launched several attacks in towns straddling the borders of Somalia and Ethiopia, sparking heavy clashes that claimed the lives of dozens of people. Some suggested that this was a comprehensive campaign by AS to establish a new front in Ethiopia, but this ignores a number of realities. First, AS’ is […]

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Somali trained in Eritrea

Controversy over Somali Soldiers Stranded in Eritrea Unlikely to Fade with A Visit

A Visit Fraught with Controversy Villa Somalia has seen no respite since, against all odds, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took a trip to Eritrea on July 10 to visit Somali soldiers in training there and, in the process, signed bilateral agreements with his Eritrean counterpart. The Somali President was welcomed by President Isaias Afeworki […]

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President HSM Visit to Turkey

Why Somalia’s President Cannot Afford to Upset Turkey

Why President Mohamud’s “Two-Day” Trip Turned into a Tense Waiting Game Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud returned from a five-day visit to Turkey on July 8 for an initially planned “two-day visit” after he received an invitation from Turkey. Similarly, he had announced a two-day visit to Abu Dhabi on June 19, a murky visit […]

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HSM and MBZ

Gulf Strong-Arm Tactics: Was the President Assaulted in Abu Dhabi?

Ever since Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud appeared in a video with obvious signs of assault on his face, speculation has been rife regarding his safety and the true nature of a recent trip to the United Arab Emirates.

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