Deconstructing Trump’s “Garbage” Remarks and Their Strategic Resonance
The remarks made by US President Donald Trump, describing US Representative Ilhan Omar and Somali Americans as "garbage," go far beyond a simple inflammatory statement.
Somalia’s Quiet Entanglement in Sudan’s War
Somalia has not officially chosen a side in Sudan’s civil war. Yet, through silence and deniability, it finds itself entangled in the conflict...
The Dawn of a New Era: The Formation of Somalia’s North-East State
On July 30, 2025, a new chapter began in northern Somalia. Following a constitutional convention with 417 delegates in Las Anod, the former SSC-Khatumo state was officially renamed and expanded…
Broken Trust: The 12-Day War and the Death of Diplomacy
The recent 12-day war on Iran did not erupt in a vacuum. It was the culmination of years of shadow war, nuclear brinksmanship, and shifting regional alliances.
Stability, According to Ismaïl Omar Guelleh
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (IOG), Djibouti’s immovable president, has once again granted an interview — an exercise he indulges in from time to time, with the self-assurance of a man convinced…
Power and Impunity: MPs expose Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Today, the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stands at the centre of an intensifying storm driven by persistent allegations from opposition lawmakers, growing public scrutiny, and deepening institutional tensions.
Beyond Clan Politics: Opportunities for Peace and Growth in Somalia
Somalia is not a failed state or a country defined by its past conflicts; it is a nation of extraordinary potential, filled with young minds eager to rebuild and a…
A Persistent Existential Threat: Somalia’s Historical View of Ethiopia
The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia is one of the most protracted and deeply rooted conflicts in the Horn of Africa. For Somalis, Ethiopia ...
Uniting for Change: Overcoming Inequality, Violence against Women and Minorities
As I traveled through various cities in Somalia and interacted with different people, I was struck by the common challenges faced by the Somali community. From pervasive inequality to violence…
The Unilateral Gamble: Risking Somalia’s Fragile Unity for a New Constitution
On March 30, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made a fateful unilateral gamble, forcing through a new constitutional draft in a move that is now risking Somalia's fragile unity.