Somalia

Aerial Standoff: How Somalia’s Airspace Became a Conflict Zone

A dangerous dispute over Somalia’s skies has escalated in 2024, pitting the federal government against the breakaway region of Somaliland…

Why Somaliland Poses an Existential Risk to the Somali Nation

The recent actions of Musa Bihi Abdi, the leader of the breakaway Somaliland region, have sparked significant concerns about the existential risk this renegade region poses to all of Somalia…

Somali nation in unison to reject Ethiopia’ encroachment

Since Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a memorandum of understanding on January 1 with Musa Bihi Abdi, the leader of the breakaway Somaliland region, the Somali nation reacted in unison by rejecting what it saw as yet another Ethiopian attempt to encroach on its territory. Even though street protests, meetings, online discussions and local […]

Somali Government Empowered Secessionist Leader

After two days meeting in Djibouti, from December 28 and 29, an agreement to restart talk on Somaliland secession between the federal government of Somalia and the secessionist region have set in motion a crisis in the Horn of Africa. This meeting, held at the behest of the British ambassador to Somalia, was hosted by […]

Somalia Mourns Loss of Minister Khadija Diriye

The Somali nation mourns the unexpected loss of Khadija Mohamed Diriye, Somali Minister for Women and Human Rights Development, yesterday in Djibouti, at the age of 74. Ms. Diriye was born, raised and educated in Somalia. She was a colorful politician with a strong personality. She was respected by her male counterparts, even in a […]

Somalia’s EAC Accession: A Strategic Leap from Isolation to Integration

On December 15, 2023, Somalia’s membership in the East African Community became a reality—a landmark decision that promises to redefine our nation’s regional standing. While debate continues, this is not a sign of division but of democratic engagement. This move marks a decisive break from decades of diplomatic isolation and opens a new chapter of […]

Somali president’s son flees Turkiye after killing courier

Somali president’s son crashed into a Turkish motorcycle courier on a busy highway in Istanbul on November 30. Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mahamud was driving a diplomatic registered car even though he is not attached to the Somali embassy or holds no official role while in Turkiye. The victim, father of two young children, sole breadwinner, […]

President pressures Somali national to withdraw from race for IPU presidency

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s efforts to force a Somali national to withdraw from an international body election race in favor of a Tanzanian national once again highlight the level of corruption Somalia is dipped in under his tenure.

Farmajo denounced government’s plan to tamper with the constitution

Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, now in self-imposed exile in Turkey, made a rare entrance into Somalia’s federal politics to warn the nation about government’s plan to tamper with the constitution without any oversight. In his press release published on X (twitter) and Facebook, Farmajo denounced the actions of the current government aimed at unilaterally […]

What reopening Somaliland constitution means for Awdal

Last week, to everyone’s surprise, parliamentarians representing Awdal succeeded for the first time in getting their bill to reopen the Somaliland constitution approved by the breakaway Somali region’s House of Representatives.

Canadian Forces Abuses In Somalia, 29 Years Later (15,943)
Canadian soldiers sent to Somalia as part of the global humanitarian effort captured a 16 year-old child named Shidane Abukar Arone and viciously tortured him to death in their camp.
The Reason Behind the Erroneous Assumption that Somalis are Caucasian (15,509)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a belief known as the Hamitic theory gained popularity as an anthropological and linguistic theory.
Dila Massacre 1991 (14,683)
The Dila Massacre, the focal atrocity, involved a series of clan-based mass executions carried out by rebels of the Somali National Movement (SNM), dominated by the Isaaq clan, against the townspeople just after the collapse of the Somali government in early February 1991.
Borama Massacre: The Right To Remember (13,788)
After three decades, the right to remember the victims of the Borama massacre and to speak publicly about the killings committed by the SNM militia is still banned by the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.
How Foreign Lobbying for Somaliland Ignores a Tinderbox (10,867)
Foreign lobbyists campaigning for Somaliland base their arguments on carefully selected clichés or guided tours in Hargeisa...
Why the 1969 Revolution is still relevant today (8,627)
Today is the anniversary of the October 21, 1969 revolution that put the armed forces in control of Somalia. It all started with a bloodless coup after the assassination of the first democratically elected president, Abdirashi Ali Sharmarke, on October 15, 1969.
How Las Anod Killings Initiated SSC Self-rule (7,256)
By attempting to violently stifle the power of the people, the oppressive secessionist regime of Somaliland not only hastened its downfall but began the countdown to self-rule for Sol, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC).
The Flag Martyrs Of Somaliland (7,101)
Young people, girls and boys, who were celebrating the country's independence on June 26 outside the city of Borama were seized by police and then were taken to Hargeisa, Gabiley and Mandera Prison...
Factors Impeding Somalia-Somaliland Talks (6,968)
the issues I have discussed will provide readers with valuable insights into the factors impeding Somalia–Somaliland talks. I believe this will empower them to challenge the political elites who benefit from the status quo...
Awdal to Break Free from Somaliland (6,894)
Now that Las Anod regained its freedom, all eyes are on Awdal to break free from Somaliland oppressive choke-hold.
The 4.5 Clan Model: A Somali-owned Solution (6,418)
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.
How Roble Prepared For His Coup Attempt (5,934)
Few people expected that Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, described as a peacemaker for his apparent neutrality and his apolitical past, would be at the origin of this new crisis.
Somalia Elects Parliament Speakers Amid Controversy (5,929)
Following a tumultuous week, the two chambers of the 11th Somali parliament, whose members were sworn in on April 14, finally elected their speakers...
How Abiy’s Red Sea Speech Aims to Reshape the Horn of Africa (5,832)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's obsession with access to the Red Sea came to light after the broadcast, on October 13, of a speech to parliamentarians...
The Irir Samaale Ploy to Divide and Perpetuate Chaos (5,747)
The clan-based political alliance around Irir Samaale, hatched by the Djiboutian president and his allies in Somalia, the president of the federal government and the head of the separatist region of Somaliland, has recently caused concern among the Somali public...