News

News in and outside Somalia.

NCC members

Public outcry after Somali leaders’ decision to extend their mandate

On the evening of May 27, the National Consultative Council (NCC) announced that a decision had been made by its eight participants present to overhaul the constitution, opening the way to direct voting. Despite the laudable goal, this has prompted an almost consensual public outcry as it appeared that the president and his pals are […]

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Borama Protest1

Why and How Awdal Uprising Started

A massive public uprising in Borama, Awdal, started at 8:00 in the morning today. Shortly after, it spread out to different districts and towns in Awdal Region. So far, the protests have taken place in Borama, Dilla, Garbadadar, Lowyada and Boon, which makes it the biggest uprising in Awdal recently. Also, this is the second […]

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President Cagjar in Harawo

President Mustafa Cagjar’s Visit to Harawo District

President Mustafa Cagjar’s recent visit to the Harawo area marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the region’s long-standing demand for recognition as an official full region within the Somali Regional State.

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Villa Rose Hotel

Security Forces Struggle to End Villa Rose Hotel Siege

Another terrorist attack against a hotel in Mogadishu, another siege and yet again the same security gaps as the militant group Al-Shabab has intensified its attacks in recent months. The police spokesman said 6 assailants stormed the Villa Rose Guest House early evening yesterday. Government officials and ministers have used the hotel as their residence […]

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Macawisley

Ma’awisley Vigilantes: The Surge to Oust Al-Shabab

It has already been three months since a motley array of Somali forces have been fighting the extremist group Al-Shabab on several fronts in the southern regions of Somalia. At the center of the surge, the Ma’awisley vigilantes, local self-defense groups, supplemented by the regular army and the police. However, mixed forces fighting on an […]

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Zoobe 2

Terror attacks on Soobe: All you need to know

More details are emerging from yesterday’s terror attacks that rocked Mogadishu. The two explosions that took place outside the Department of Education at the busy Soobe intersection were reportedly carried out by Al-Shabab suicide bombers who detonated their car bombs. The site of the twin blasts is near the Somali Ministry of Education, but the […]

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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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Thank you Farmajo

A Nation’s Gratitude: Somalis Unite to Honor President Farmajo

President Farmajo’s integrity is an oddity in a country plagued by endemic corruption

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NISA under Mahad Salad

New NISA Chief Stormed Fahad Yasin’s Residence

The new director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Mahad Salad, stormed Fahad Yasin’s residence, grabbed any valuables he could find there, then ransacked the place while the former spymaster was on a trip. This incident happened yesterday. Fahad Yassin’s bodyguards, NISA agents themselves, had in their possession two armored vehicles. The vehicles […]

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