Also known as: President Mohamud · President Hassan Sheikh · President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud · his Somalia counterpart · Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
President of Somalia facing succession in upcoming elections, whose one-year term extension announced in May 2026 triggered political tensions.
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The Standard
… The election comes as Somalia's Federal Government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, continues to advocate electoral reforms to replace the country's indirect voting model with universal suffrage for electing regional legislators and state leaders.Supporters of the reforms …
Somalia's SINCAD nominates Adawe for Galmudug presidencyThe Standard
Audio By VocalizePresident Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (left) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) meet with members of their delegations during a previous diplomatic meeting. …
Saudi-backed programme trains thousands of Somali troopsThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeSomalia's next presidential election is beginning to dominate political discourse, with four prominent figures emerging as the leading contenders to succeed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. …
Somalia's presidential race takes shape as four candidates emergeThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeSomalia's next presidential election is beginning to dominate political discourse, with four prominent figures emerging as the leading contenders to succeed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. …
Somalia's presidential race takes shape as four candidates battle it outCitizen Digital
… As speculation grows over who could succeed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, four names continue to dominate conversations in Mogadishu’s political circles: former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon (Saacid), an …
Four candidates, one presidency: Who will succeed Hassan Sheikh in Somalia?The Standard
… The decision by the regional states, Jubaland and Puntland comes at a time when there’s heightened tension between the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and federal member states and the opposition over the issues touching on the electoral process to be adopted and th …
Letter from Mogadishu: Somalia peacekeeping force in jeopardy as Trump cuts fundsThe Standard
… While no venue has been set for the talks Nairobi is likely to be a neutral ground for the two after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was summoned to Nairobi last week for a tete-a-tete with his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto. …
Letter from Mogadishu: Kenya gets tough, deports top Somali politicianCitizen Digital
… President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had the constitution changed earlier this year, extending his term by a year after it expired on May 15. …
African Union calls emergency meeting as US ends Somalia army fundsThe Standard
… President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had the constitution changed earlier this year, extending his term by a year after it expired on May 15. …
African Union calls emergency meeting as US ends Somalia army fundsThe Standard
Audio By Vocalize Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attends the inauguration ceremony of the Northeastern State administration in Las Anod, Somalia on January 17, 2026. …
US to end UN logistical support for AU mission in SomaliaSomalia's SINCAD Party has nominated Abduqadir Abdullahi Diriye Adawe as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Galmudug, a federal member state. Adawe pledged to prioritise security, reconciliation and economic development if elected.
17 July 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's SINCAD Party has nominated Abduqadir Abdullahi Diriye Adawe as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Galmudug, a federal member state. Adawe pledged to prioritise security, reconciliation and economic development if elected.
17 July 2026 · The Standard →
Saudi Arabia is supporting a programme to train 5,107 Somali soldiers at two camps in Somalia's Galgaduud region, with foreign military instructors from Romania, Ukraine, South Africa and Colombia conducting the training over nine months.
12 July 2026 · The Standard →
Four prominent figures—former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, and businessman Omar Abdulkadir Ahmed Fiqi—are emerging as leading contenders to succeed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Somalia's next presidential election. Each candidate presents a distinct vision for addressing the nation's persistent insecurity, fragile state institutions, and economic challenges.
12 July 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's next presidential election is beginning to dominate political discourse, with four prominent figures — former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon (Saacid), and businessman Omar Abdulkadir Ahmed Fiqi — emerging as leading contenders to succeed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Each candidate brings a distinct vision for addressing the nation's persistent insecurity, fragile state institutions and economic challenges.
12 July 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's next presidential election is approaching, with four names dominating political circles in Mogadishu: former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon (Saacid), and businessman Omar Abdulkadir Ahmed Fiqi. Each candidate presents a different vision for addressing Somalia's insecurity, political fragmentation, and economic challenges.
11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Trump administration has notified the African Union that it will no longer support the UN Support Office in Somalia after December 31, 2026, jeopardizing the logistical operations that sustain nearly 12,000 AU personnel deployed in the country. The AU convened its Peace and Security Council to examine the implications and explore alternatives to keep the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia operational.
10 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya detained and deported Somalia's deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, accusing him of undermining regional security, suspected passport fraud, and involvement in activities threatening the Kenya-Somalia border area. Haji arrived with a valid diplomatic passport and visa but was held overnight before being put on the first flight to Mogadishu.
6 July 2026 · The Standard →
The US announced it would end critical funding for the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), which provides the bulk of funding to the African Union's military mission (AUSSOM) supporting the Somali army, over lack of progress against Al-Shabaab. The AU convened an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the future of the mission.
4 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The African Union called an emergency meeting on its military mission in Somalia after Washington announced it would end critical funding to UN logistics that support AUSSOM, the leading force aiding the Somali army against the Al-Shabaab insurgency. The US said in a July 1 letter it would halt payments to the UN Support Office in Somalia at year-end and block further UN logistical support to AUSSOM at the Security Council.
3 July 2026 · The Standard →
The United States announced it will withdraw support for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia after 2026, a move that could affect peace operations in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. UNSOS provides air transport, engineering, medical support and equipment to African Union forces; its withdrawal would require the AU and troop-contributing countries to find alternative funding and support arrangements.
2 July 2026 · The Standard →
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made an unexpected visit to Kenya and met with President William Ruto at Ruto's private residence in Narok County. According to official information, the two discussed bilateral issues and mechanisms for regional peace and stabilisation, though insiders noted Mohamud had been summoned to receive a brief from G7 leaders concerned about Somalia's deteriorating political situation.
26 June 2026 · The Standard →
Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation arrived in Mogadishu to lead talks between Somalia's Federal government and opposition groups, as tensions escalate between the central government and regional leaders of Jubaland and Puntland over federal governance.
19 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia held one-person-one-vote elections in parts of southern Somalia on December 25, 2025, marking a historic shift toward universal suffrage after decades in which such elections were viewed as aspirational rather than realistic. The move has drawn both support and criticism over concerns about political motives, security, and lack of consensus on constitutional reforms.
18 June 2026 · The Standard →
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's four-year tenure has seen notable progress in governance, diplomacy and economic reform, including $4.5 billion in debt relief under the HIPC Initiative in December 2023, but Somalia continues to face challenges in security, federal relations and climate resilience.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inaugurated infrastructure projects in Hirshabelle State, focusing on roads and development to strengthen institutions, create jobs, and improve market access for local businesses across the East African region.
12 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup finals, was barred from entering the United States and returned to Mogadishu, where he pledged to participate in the next World Cup in 2030 despite the rejection.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Somalia's government expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the World Cup finals. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," making him ineligible for admission.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA confirmed that award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States and will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Had he participated, Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup; FIFA said it has no authority over host-country immigration decisions.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first from his country to officiate at World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. Somalia is on a travel ban list under President Donald Trump's administration, though Artan held a valid US visa.
8 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Heavy gunfire erupted in Mogadishu on Thursday as Somalia faced a fresh political crisis, with former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo attacking President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for using force to suppress dissent and for extending his tenure by one year after his term expired on May 15, a move opposition leaders say undermines constitutional and democratic processes.
4 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Heavy gunfire and clashes erupted in Somalia's capital overnight between rival political factions as opposition leaders gathered for planned protests against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's announced one-year extension of his term. Armed forces were deployed on the streets as residents reported sporadic fighting continuing into Thursday morning.
4 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Heavy gunfire and fighting erupted overnight in Mogadishu after clashes broke out between rival political factions ahead of planned demonstrations against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's one-year term extension announced in mid-May. Armed forces deployed on streets as police conducted a "large-scale security operation" against what they described as "heavily armed militias."
4 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's government declared the country in a "transition period" after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term ended Friday without an agreement with the opposition on holding elections. Talks between government and opposition, facilitated by British and U.S. diplomats, failed to reach a compromise.
16 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia visited BBS Mall in Eastleigh and lauded its role in entrepreneurship, job creation, and urban transformation, describing it as the largest shopping mall in East and Central Africa and praising its owner's vision and social responsibility.
15 May 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece cautions against reopening the Kenya-Somalia border after years of closure due to insecurity, citing 72 terror-related attacks in 2025 along the border counties that killed 50 people, despite the border being closed. The author acknowledges President William Ruto's planned formal reopening announcement during Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir on June 1, 2026, citing trade benefits, but argues that security concerns must be weighed against economic gains.
12 May 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's opposition leaders, including former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, have called for mass protests in Mogadishu on Sunday over alleged forced evictions and demolitions of informal settlements that have displaced vulnerable residents over the past two years, escalating tensions days before President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term ends.
7 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Since taking office in late 2020, Hirshabelle State President Ali Guudlaawe Hussein has focused on practical development projects, including school construction across both regions and refurbishment of government offices in Jowhar.
5 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Journalists in Somalia continue to face killings, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation by security forces, with rights groups warning conditions will worsen as elections approach. The Somali Journalists Syndicate has recorded at least 18 violations against journalists since January 2026, including arbitrary arrests, threats, torture, and equipment confiscation.
3 May 2026 · The Standard →
With two weeks before his four-year mandate expires, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is courting Somalia's traditional clan leaders to support universal suffrage and abandon the indirect clan-based electoral system in place since 2004. Opposition factions and two Federal Member States oppose the shift, citing security concerns and questioning the legality of the president's tenure.
2 May 2026 · The Standard →