UN Human Rights Council Calls for Arms Ban on Israel: Resolution Highlights ‘Plausible Risk of Genocide’
This is the first time the UN’s top human rights body has taken a position on Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since October 7. What Does the Resolution Call for? Israel: ‘A Vote for Hamas’ How Did Countries Vote? Algeria Bangladesh Belgium Brazil Burundi Chile China Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Cuba Eritrea Finland Gambia Ghana Honduras Indonesia Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Luxembourg Malaysia Maldives Morocco Qatar Somalia South Africa Sudan United Arab Emirates Vietnam Argentina Bulgaria Germany Malawi Paraguay United States Albania Bulgaria Cameroon Costa Rica Dominican Republic France Georgia India Japan Lithuania Montenegro Netherlands Romania What is the Human Rights Council? Gaza Genocide2024-04-05 | Blog, News, gaza
A renewed Somalia embraces change through constitutional reform
In the labyrinth of state-building and democratic evolution, nations often face pivotal moments that define their trajectory towards prosperity and stability. Somalia, a state with a history marked by challenges, has embarked recently on a commendable journey of constitutional reform, signalling a beacon of hope and progress for its people. The completion of the review and amendment of the first2024-03-28 | Africa, Article, Opinion
NGOs call on Morocco to save 6 men sentenced to death in Somalia
Non-governmental organisations in Morocco have called on their government to intervene and prevent the sentencing of six Moroccans to death in Somalia. In a joint statement, the six bodies explained that they learned about the verdict issued by a military court in northern Somalia on 2 March, which sentenced six Moroccans to death by firing squad on charges of belonging2024-03-27 | Africa, Morocco, News
UKMTO flags up boarding incident east of Somalia
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said on Tuesday that it had received a report of a boarding incident 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, Reuters has reported. “Authorities are investigating,” said the agency. “Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.” No further details were provided. British maritime security firm2024-03-12 | Africa, Europe & Russia, News
Turkiye signs energy cooperation deal with Somalia
Turkiye signed an offshore oil and natural gas cooperation deal with Somalia on Thursday, the Turkish Energy Ministry said, further strengthening bilateral ties after agreeing a defence deal last month, Reuters reports. According to the report, the Energy Ministry said the deal, which it described as an inter-governmental agreement, includes exploration, evaluation, development and production of oil in Somalia’s land2024-03-07 | Africa, Europe & Russia, News
Vessel reports incident south-east of Yemen's Aden, UKMTO says
A vessel, on Monday, reported an incident south-east of the Yemeni port city of Aden, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said, and British security firm, Ambrey, said the container ship was struck and issued a distress signal, Reuters reports. It remained unconfirmed whether the vessel was directly impacted or sustained damage due to nearby explosions, Ambrey said. UKMTO2024-03-04 | Europe & Russia, Israel, Middle East
Yemen Houthis deny Israel claims they targeted underwater communications cables
Yemen’s Houthis, on Tuesday, dismissed Israeli prosecutors that they had targeted submarine communications cables in the Red Sea, Anadolu Agency reports. Hebrew-language financial daily, Globes, reported that four underwater communications cables between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti have been taken out of commission due to Houthi attacks. The Houthi-run Communications Ministry said the Yemeni group is committed “to ensure the safety2024-02-27 | Asia & Americas, Israel, Middle East
Somalia’s Mogadishu bans face masks, hats in public
The Benadir regional administration in Somalia announced late yesterday that the Mogadishu municipality imposed a complete ban on face masks and hats in public. Administration spokesman Salah Dheere told reporters that the ban was imposed for security reasons. The administration of Banadir region has also banned the use of light weapons on public transportation, and owners of taxis have been2024-02-15 | Africa, Asia & Americas, AU
From the MuslimMatters Bookshelf: Black (Muslim) History Month Reads
KIDLIT – “Salat in Secret” by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow – “ ear Muslim Child” by Rahma Rodaah – “The Masjid Kamal Loves” by Ashley Franklin – “Room for Everyone” by Naaz Khan ADULT FICTION – “River Spirit” by Leila Aboulela – “Bird Summons“ by Leila Aboulela – “Rekiya & Z“ by Muti’ah Badruddeen – “From Somalia, With Love“ by Na’ima B. Robert ADULT NON-FICTION – “Servants of Allah: African Muslims Enslaved in2024-02-12 | #Culture, Books, featured
Somalia positive for economic revival after IMF debt relief
"We're very happy because we're going to see our economy improve. This will relieve us of a heavy burden'"Somalia will benefit from this major debt relief: Somalia can now issue its own currency, the country's economy will improve and we will be able to build infrastructures such as a new airport."2023-12-15 |
African Union endorses Somalia's peacekeepers drawdown pause request
The African Union has endorsed Somalia’s request to the UN Security Council for a three-month tactical pause to a drawdown of international troops fighting the Al-Shabaab terrorist group in the country’s central regions amid military setbacks, Anadolu Agency reports. In a communiqué issued by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council late on Thursday, the African Union Transition Mission in2023-10-06 | Africa, African Union, AU
US offers $5m reward for info on deputy Al-Shabaab leader in Somalia
The State Department, on Thursday, offered a reward of up to $5 million for information on Abukar Ali Adan, the deputy leader of the Somalia-based militant group, Al-Shabaab, Anadolu Agency reports. “Up to $5 Million for Info on Abukar Ali Adan. Help us find this terrorist key leader. Help us stop this terrorist key leader,” the Rewards for Justice Program said. “In2023-09-28 | Africa, Asia & Americas, News
Iran announces restoration of diplomatic ties with Djibouti after 7-year hiatus
Iran, on Friday, announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Djibouti after a seven-year hiatus caused by the East African country’s backing for Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric in 2016, Anadolu Agency reports. Iran and Djibouti agreed to restore diplomatic ties late Thursday during a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and his Djiboutian counterpart, Mahamoud2023-09-22 | Africa, Djibouti, Iran
UK announces $6.2m to support Somalia in counter-terrorism
The UK, on Tuesday, announced the equivalent of $6.2 million in funding to support Somali security forces as they combat terrorism and work to restore stability in areas liberated from the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, Anadolu Agency reports. The UK Government has announced a further £5 million in funding for the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Trust Fund to support2023-09-19 | Africa, Europe & Russia, News
EU withholds food aid in Somalia after widespread theft uncovered by UN
The European Union has temporarily suspended funding for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Somalia, two senior officials told Reuters on Monday. The move follows a UN investigation which discovered widespread theft and misuse of aid meant to avert famine. The European Commission gave more than $7 million in aid to the WFP operations in Somalia last year, a fraction2023-09-19 | Africa, EU, Europe & Russia
4.3m people displaced internally in Somalia due to drought, insecurity: Report
A quarter of all people in Somalia are now displaced due to drought and conflict, as the country’s displacement crisis hits record levels, according to a UK-based humanitarian organisation, Anadolu Agency reports. The Islamic Relief said, in its latest report which was released late Wednesday, that more than 4.3 million people are internally displaced within Somalia – the highest figure2023-08-31 | Africa, International Organisations, News
Somalia suspends Chairwoman of National Athletics Federation
4×400 metres mixed relay race final held during the 17th World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar on September 29, 2019. [Serhat Çağdaş – Anadolu Agency] " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190929_2_38477303_48028790.jpg?resize=500%2C333&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190929_2_38477303_48028790.jpg?resize=933%2C622&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1" />The Somali Olympic Committee announced, Wednesday, that it has suspended the Chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation for selecting an "unskilled" female athlete to represent the country at the FISU World University Games2023-08-03 | Africa, Asia & Americas, China
US airstrike kills 5 Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia
An airstrike carried out by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Thursday resulted in the death of five Al-Shabaab terrorists in a remote area near Galcad region of Somalia, Anadolu Agency reports. The AFRICOM said in a statement that the airstrike was in support of Somalia National Army forces engaged by the terrorist organisation, and was conducted at the request of2023-07-20 | Africa, Asia & Americas, News
UN appeals for urgent funds to deliver life-saving aid to drought-stricken Somalia
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on Tuesday, appealed for urgent humanitarian funds to assist drought-stricken Somalia, where half of the country's population is at risk of losing vital life-saving assistance due to funding shortages, Anadolu Agency reports. The OCHA said the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for this year is only 30.5 per cent funded ($7932023-07-18 | Africa, International Organisations, News
Sudan: Burhan reiterates rejection of Kenya's chair of IGAD Quartet
The head of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council, army commander General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, has reiterated his rejection of Kenya's chairmanship of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Quartet High-Level Delegation for the Peace Process in Sudan, tasked with mediating the crisis in his country. Burhan made his comment amid ongoing fighting between his troops and the Rapid Support Forces in2023-07-06 | Africa, Kenya, News
Casualties feared as twin blasts rock Somalia town
Multiple casualties are feared after two huge bomb blasts rocked Somalia's south-western town of Bardhere in the Gedo region on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reports. The explosions targeted a base housing the Somali national army and Ethiopia's forces serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), according to State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Adan Aw Hirsi. "Our2023-06-21 | Africa, News, Somalia
UAE promotes economic and security interests through regional ports
Ports operated by the giant companies DP World and Abu Dhabi Ports along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean coasts are being developed to serve the economic and security interests of the UAE, Le Monde has reported. According to Arabi21, the report by the French newspaper said that DP World is continuing to expand towards Kenya. It is, apparently, on2023-06-05 | Middle East, News, UAE
World leaders congratulate Turkish President Erdogan on reelection victory
The leaders of Qatar, Hungary, Somalia and Pakistan were among the first heads of state and government on Sunday to congratulate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is leading in the presidential runoff election. "My dear brother, congratulations on your victory, and I wish you success in your new term, and that you achieve in it what the brotherly Turkish people2023-05-28 | Asia & Americas, Hungary, Middle East
Russia, Somalia mull establishment of platform for trade cooperation
Somali Foreign Minister, Abshir Omar Jama, said on Friday that he discussed a possibility of creating trade platforms with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, at a meeting in Moscow, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking at a news conference, Jama said the Russian establishment of such a platform would allow Russian and Somalia trade operators and businesses to interact more effectively and2023-05-26 | Africa, Europe & Russia, News
Edna Adan Ismail from Somaliland wins Templeton Prize
Edna Adan Ismail, 85, from Somaliland, won the 2023 Templeton Prize on Tuesday – the first African woman to win the prestigious award, Anadolu News Agency reports. The nurse, midwife, activist and former politician was honoured for her contributions to women's health. "Every many achievements include the founding of the Edna Adan University and Edna Adan Hospital, which has significantly2023-05-16 | Africa, News, Somaliland
Somalia sees an intertwined destiny with the Turkiye people
Turkiye, which has a deep-rooted historical connection with Somalia, has gained an indispensable place in the hearts of Somalis through bilateral relations built on mutual trust, friendship and a win-win understanding. Millions of Somalis around the world express their unwavering gratitude for the unconditional support provided by Turkiye, under the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As a reflection2023-05-12 | Africa, Article, Europe & Russia
Scarcity of Financing Slow Down ATMIS Somalia Exist
Somali National Army soldiers at the Atmis Sector 6 headquarters in Kismayo on October 13, 2022. AU says it will delay withdrawal of its sanctioned military forces in Somalia. PHOTO | STEVE OTIENO | NMG UN special session Deliver a full transition Strategies, concrete actions Amisom peacekeepers in Somalia preparing for night patrol in 2019. Questions of accountability are starting to emerge as different2023-04-09 | Conflict/Crime, Law & Order, Somalia
UN Chief says fasting showed him 'true face of Islam'
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said joining Muslims as they fast during Islam's holy month of Ramadan showed him "the true face of Islam", Anadolu News Agency reports. "The sense of peace, the sense of solidarity, the sense of generosity that I witnessed in the communities hosting refugees, and also the resilience, the courage of the refugees themselves was extremely inspiring,"2023-04-06 | International Organisations, News, UN
President Bihi Calls For Somaliland-Owned Negotiated Settlement to the Las Anod Situation
Speaking at the Iftar dinner which he hosted on Sunday night at the Presidency in Hargeisa, President Muse Bihi reiterated his determination to seek a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Laascaanood. As he addressed a gathering of hundreds of Sheikhs and Islamic scholars, the President confirmed his long-held position on the situation. “The people of Somaliland and I are2023-04-05 | Somaliland, Las Anod, Shabaab
African Union peacekeepers hit by explosion in Somali capital
An African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) convoy was hit by an explosion in the capital, Mogadishu, on Monday, with no word yet on possible casualties, Anadolu News Agency reports. Osman Ahmed, a security officer in Mogadishu, told Anadolu over the phone that the convoy was hit near Somalia's Criminal Investigation Department headquarters in the capital. "They were targeted2023-04-03 | Africa, African Union, International Organisations
How China Is Buying the World
Vice President Kamala Harris African tour was intended to shore up US support in Africa amid widespread Chinese influence within the continent. REUTERS Honduras is the latest country to fall under the sway of China. Shutterstock China oversaw the financing and construction of the Coca-Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant in Ecuador. Xinhua/Shutterstock Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe (L) sits with his predecessor Gotabaya2023-04-03 | Politics/Diplomacy, World News/International, China Influence
A distracted World Forgets Plight of Somalia Drought Victims
‘When you have children, you have no choice’. Trapped between ruthless militants and the worst drought in four decades, a young Somali mother made an agonising decision. Aisha’s impossible choice Women at an unnamed camp in northern Somalia. There are no aid agencies at this desert settlement. Foreign Correspondent: Matt Davis ‘By then it’ll be too late’ The remnants of a river on the2023-03-23 | Nature/Environment/Resources, Somalia, Conflict
US Secretary of State meets Ethiopia officials to repair ties
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Wednesday met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, and other officials in the capital, Addis Ababa, as both countries look to repair ties following war in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, Anadolu News Agency reports. "Probably the most important thing is to deepen the peace that has taken hold in the north," Blinken told2023-03-15 | Africa, Asia & Americas, Ethiopia
Somali ‘Rehab’: Re-education Camps Where Children Are Locked Up, Beaten and Abused
Westernised children of Somalis are being forcibly detained for years ‘back home’ in unregulated, brutal dhaqan celis sites where sexual abuse is rife It was not until Fadumo* was sitting in an unfamiliar room on Mogadishu’s outskirts, and the smile vanished from her mother’s face, that the 16-year-old realised she was not going on holiday to Dubai. Fadumo ‘Do you know where we2023-03-14 | Civil/Human Rights, Social Issues, Somali
Somaliland: 50 More Cheetahs Rescued from Avaricious Smugglers
More than 50 cheetahs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade have been relocated to a compound in Somaliland, East Africa, amid a report that reveals global demand for exotic pets remains high. Two siblings — Cizi and Bagheer — brought into the Cheetah Conservation Fund as cubs were rescued by the Somaliland government in 2020 and are among the first to2023-03-14 | Law & Order, Nature/Environment/Resources, Somaliland
Stop human traffickers, Pope Francis says after Italy's migrant shipwreck
Pope Francis on Sunday called on authorities to stop human traffickers operating in the Mediterranean, as he expressed his sorrow over last week's migrant boat disaster off Italy's Calabrian coast, in which dozens of people were killed. "I renew my appeal to prevent such tragedies from happening again. May traffickers of human beings are stopped," the pope said in his weekly address2023-03-05 | Afghanistan, Africa, Asia & Americas
72 Hours With the President of the Most Dangerous Country in the World
INSIDE VILLA SOMALIA: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says the county’s factions can find peace, political Islam need not be violent and democracy can grow. Here’s his exclusive interview with the Observer Debris in the streets of Mogadishu after a car bombing targeted the education ministry on 29 October 2022. Photograph: Hassan Ali Elmi/AFP/Getty Images The skyline of Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. Photograph: Girma Berta Mohamud,2023-02-05 | Somalia, Conflict, development
How Somaliland’s Oil Find Can Reset the Regional Balance
The presence of oil in Somaliland has been confirmed by a recent exploration. The discovery has raised the stakes in Somaliland’s claim for independence from Somalia as it holds the potential for a new stream of revenue for the semi-autonomous state. But the oil exploration is deepening the rift with Somalia, which claims sovereignty over the region. Michael Walls answers2023-01-28 | Economy/Business, Somaliland, ethiopia
Somali journalist Abdalle Ahmed Mumin faces judicial harassment
Members of AFEX: ADISI-Cameroon Africa Freedom of Information Centre Association for Media Development in South Sudan Center for Media Studies and Peace Building Collaboration on International ICT Policy in Eastern and Southern Africa (CIPESA) Freedom of Expression Institute Gambia Press Union (GPU) Human Rights Network for Journalists – Uganda Institute for Media and Society International Press Centre Journaliste en danger Media Foundation for West Africa Media Institute of Southern Africa Media Rights Agenda West African2023-01-24 | News
Turkiye condemns 'heinous' terrorist attacks in Somalia
Turkiye, on Friday, strongly condemned "heinous" terrorist attacks targeting military bases in Somalia's central Galgaduud region, Anadolu News Agency reports. "We are deeply saddened to learn that many soldiers lost their lives and were injured in the terrorist attack that took place today against the military bases in the Galgaduud region of Somalia," said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement. Some2023-01-20 | Africa, Europe & Russia, News
Weapons Contractors Kill 11,000 Children While Reading Fairy Tales
A UN report recently revealed that at least 11,000 children have been killed or maimed in the US-backed War in Yemen. At the same time, the weapons contractors that helped create this massacre are reading fairy tales to British children! You probably already know that, as reported by Alex Kane for In These Times in 2019, “Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s2023-01-12 | Behind The Headlines, Foreign Affairs, News
President Hassan opens the annual meeting of the Judiciary
Share Mogadishu, (SONNA) – The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who opened the annual meeting of the country’s judiciary, noted the importance of the Somali government in the unification of the judiciary and the implementation of justice. The President said that the Federal Government has taken important steps to […]2023-01-11 | Local
Minister of Planning listens to reports from the Ministry staff
Share Mogadishu, (SONNA) – The Minister of Investment Planning and Economic Development of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E Mohamud Abdirahman (Beenebeene) heard a report from the leadership and technicians of the SCRP and Biole Projects. The leadership of both parties shared with the Minister the progress of the projects, the preliminary activities that are […]2023-01-11 | Local
Ethiopia’s Tigray forces begin handing over heavy weapons
by Tesfa-Alem Tekle January 11, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Forces in Ethiopia’s northernmost Tigray region on Wednesday announced starting the handing over of heavy weapons to the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) as part of an African Union-led peace process. The disarmament process is a central part of the peace deal signed last November between the federal government and the Tigray2023-01-11 | Africa, News, Ethiopia
It’s Time to Get Serious About Eritrea
Almost every U.S. administration pays lip service to Africa, but few sustain attention. “Africa’s success and prosperity is essential to ensuring a better future for all of us,” declared President Joe Biden at last month’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Africa has many success stories and ready partners—Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Somaliland, and South Africa are […] The post It’s Time to2023-01-11 | Africa, Politics/Diplomacy, Somaliland
Laas Geel Is Somaliland’s Best Kept Secret
Laas Geel in Somaliland is Africa’s best-kept secret; these intriguing cave paintings fascinate people all over the world Hailing from thousands of years ago, Laas Geel in Somaliland is Africa’s best-kept secret. While Africa is famous for wildlife and national parks, stretching deserts, incredible waterfalls, heart-thumping safari adventures, and diverse ethnic groups, Somaliland is barely […] The post Laas Geel Is2023-01-11 | Art/Literature, Somaliland, Travel/Migration
Education Minister : We are grateful to Egyptian Government for providing 450 scholarships to Somalia
Share Mogadishu(SONNA)-The Minister of Education, Culture, and Higher Education, Farah Sheikh Abdukadir has expressed his gratitude to the government of Egypt for their commitment to providing 450 scholarships to Somalia on an annual basis. “We are very pleased to announce this historic agreement between the governments of Egypt and Somalia to provide educational opportunities to […]2023-01-11 | Local
Tigray rebels start handing over weapons to Ethiopian army
Surrendering weapons is a central part of the November ceasefire agreement which seeks to end a conflict that has killed thousands Tigrayan rebels have begun handing in heavy weapons, a key part of an agreement signed more than two months ago to end a deadly conflict in northern Ethiopia, a spokesperson for the rebel authorities said. The demobilisation of Tigray forces is2023-01-11 | News