Tag: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
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Proxy pressures: Sudan urges Somalia to block UAE-linked mercenary networks
In a growing diplomatic rift, Sudan is urging Somalia to help cut off what it calls a dangerous flow of foreign mercenaries and weapons — allegedly routed through Puntland with backing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sudan’s intelligence chief, Lt-Gen Ahmed Ibrahim Ali Mufaddal, met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu this week,…
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Al-Shabab militants launch assault on strategic Somali town, as gov’t remains defiant
Al-Shabab fighters launched a coordinated dawn attack on the strategic town of Adan Yabaal in central Somalia on Wednesday (16 April), igniting heavy clashes with government troops and raising concerns over the sustainability of the country’s counterinsurgency campaign. The town, situated approximately 240 kilometers north of Mogadishu, serves as a critical logistical hub linking Hirshabelle…
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Türkiye deepens strategic footprint across Africa through diplomacy, security, and energy
Türkiye is steadily expanding its influence across Africa through a blend of diplomacy, military cooperation, and development initiatives, positioning itself as a strategic alternative to traditional powers like France and the United States. At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held from 11-13 April, African leaders, including Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, gathered with Turkish officials, highlighting…
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Egypt’s president warns Cairo won’t allow any threat to Somalia amid dispute with Ethiopia
Cairo will stand shoulder to shoulder with Somalia and will not allow any threat to the Horn of Africa country, Egypt’s president has said, referring specifically to Ethiopia’s recent agreement with the breakaway Somaliland that would give it access to the sea and allow it to establish a marine force base. “Egypt will not allow…
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Somalia’s new law ‘nullifies’ ‘illegal’ Ethiopia-Somaliland port-access deal
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed a law that “nullifies” the contentious memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and a breakaway Somaliland region in a largely symbolic move expressing his government’s displeasure over the deal to grant port access. As part of the deal that was announced on 1 January, the landlocked Ethiopia will gain…
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Somalia formally joins East Asian Community but enormous security challenges remain
Somalia has finally been admitted to the East African Community (EAC) as its eighth member, thirteen years after its original application to join, as the economic bloc seeks to expand free trade across the region. Somalia was officially admitted to the East African Community (EAC) at the Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads…
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Somalia: armed factions in Puntland agree ceasefire after clashes leave dozens dead
Armed factions in Somalia’s northern semi-autonomous state of Puntland have agreed to a ceasefire after dozens of people had been killed after the state’s parliament voted to change the region’s voting system. At least 26 people were killed and 30 injured on Tuesday (20 June) in clashes outside parliament in Garowe, the Puntland capital, between…
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Somalia: scores killed in a foiled beachside hotel siege claimed by Al-Shabab
Somali security forces have brought an end to a six-hour siege of a beachside hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, during which at least six civilians were killed and 10 wounded. Responsibility for the Friday evening’s attack on the popular, upmarket Pearl Restaurant was claimed by the armed group al-Shabab, the Somali Police Force said on…
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Al-Shabab looses its grip on Somalia, yet more terrorist attacks are expected
Al-Shabab has been on a gradual retreat in Somalia since the announcement of a “total war” against the al-Qaida-affiliated militant group by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in August 2022, and, according to experts, this could be the beginning of al-Shabab’s end. Mohamud announced the “total war” against the group days after it staged a…
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Somalia: at least 100 killed, 300 injured in “heinous” Mogadishu car bombing
There has been huge increase in death toll from the two successive car bombings in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu Saturday (29 October), blamed on the Al-Qaeda-allied al-Shabab terrorist organization, which has seen at least 100 killed and close to 300 others injured. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made the announcement after visiting the site of the…