Society

Las Anod Protest

Why Somaliland’s Attempt to Subdue Las Anod is Doomed

The war to control Las Anod is in its eighth day and despite public outcry and international condemnation over the atrocities committed, is not about to end. Somaliland’s stubbornness to subdue the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn region despite the locals’ rejection of secession is hard to understand given the lessons from our history.

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Khadija and Umal

Will the Controversy over Minister Khadija’s Pants Spark a Wider Debate

Somalia’s chaotic political and security life has recently sparked new controversy. The attire of a female minister drew the ire of a religious scholar. Those who think it’s just plain wrong to criticize pants or trousers do not appreciate its potential fallout.

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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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Somali puzzle

The 4.5 Clan Model: A Somali-owned Solution

For decades, Somalia has been using a clan-power sharing model known as “4.5”. Some believe the model has an external origin (Sodere, 1997) and was institutionalized in the Arta (2000) peace process, in Djibouti. In reality, the initial shape of this model was locally devised in January 1991.

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The Beautiful People of Mogadishu

In September 2021, my mother and I got the opportunity to visit Mogadishu, the White Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was my first visit to Somalia’s capital city since I was born and raised abroad. But my mother was no stranger to the city of hope. Her first trip was in the 1970s, and […]

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The Gravedigger's Wife

What The Gravedigger’s Wife Win Means For Somali Film Future

The Gravedigger’s Wife won the grand prize at the prestigious Pan-African Film Festival, FESPACO, in Burkina Faso…

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Somaliland Democracy

Debunking “Democracy” In Somaliland

In most African nations, and particularly in disarticulated Somalia, democracy is conflated with elections, multiparty system or as a sign of political maturity…

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Somali Women in Photography

Still Life is the handiwork of Sagal Ali, the director of the Somali Arts Foundation, which she founded in September 2020…

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Somali Centre Deemed Not Black Enough: Canadian Government

Founders of the Somali Centre for Family Services in Ottawa were stunned to learn they were deemed not Black enough after their application for a government-funded program was rejected.

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