Audio By VocalizeThe integrity of the Kenyan citizenship documents including the birth certificate, identity card and passport will be under scrutiny in the coming days after a Somali minister surrendered Kenyan papers in Mogadishu last week. …
… Haji handed the passport to officials at the Kenyan Embassy in Mogadishu on Monday, describing the move as a voluntary administrative decision that reflects his commitment and loyalty Somalia. …
… 2026 08:00 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter FILE PHOTO: New recruits of Somalia's al-Qaeda linked al Shabaab militia march during a passing out parade at a military training base in Afgoye, west of Mogadishu …
… In recent months, Mogadishu has deepened maritime and defence ties with countries including Turkey and Egypt, while international partners have continued to support efforts to improve maritime domain awareness and coast guard operations. …
… Adawe made the announcement during a ceremony in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu attended by senior Federal Government officials, current and former political leaders.Others at the event are elders, intellectuals and representatives from the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. …
… The event which was held in Mogadishu was attended attended by Cabinet ministers, Members of the Federal Parliament, business leaders, civil society representatives, education stakeholders and development partners. …
… Adawe launched his bid during a ceremony in Mogadishu attended by senior Federal Government officials, current and former political leaders, elders, intellectuals and representatives from the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. …
… Adawe launched his bid during a ceremony in Mogadishu attended by senior Federal Government officials, current and former political leaders, elders, intellectuals and representatives from the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. …
United Nations operations in Somalia have started winding down following the withdrawal of United States financial support effective December 31, 2026, with the UN Support Office in Somalia seeking licensed auctioneers to sell equipment and vehicles including generators, computers, vehicles, and construction machinery.
United Nations operations in Somalia have started winding down following the withdrawal of United States financial support effective December 31, 2026, with the UN Support Office in Somalia seeking licensed auctioneers to sell equipment and vehicles including generators, computers, vehicles, and construction machinery.
A Somali minister surrendered Kenyan citizenship documents in Mogadishu, prompting scrutiny of Kenya's passport integrity and the dual citizenship status of Somali Federal Government officials. The move followed Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's order for ministers to surrender Kenyan citizenship documents or relinquish their positions, after two senior officials were deported from Kenya when their documents were rejected.
Somalia's Second Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji surrendered his Kenyan passport at the Kenyan Embassy in Mogadishu weeks after being deported from Nairobi when immigration authorities flagged the document at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Haji described the move as a voluntary administrative decision reflecting his commitment to Somalia, maintaining the passport was lawfully acquired and used in full compliance with Kenyan laws.
Leaders of African Union military mission countries said Friday they want to extend the AUSSOM mandate, which provides roughly 12,000 troops supporting Somalia against Al-Shabaab, despite the United States ending political and financial support to UN logistics that sustains the operation.
Uganda is hosting three meetings for countries contributing troops to the African Union peace mission in Somalia, culminating in a heads of state summit where participants will assess the security situation, strengthen coordination among contributors, and discuss measures against armed groups including Al Shabaab.
A four-day African Maritime Forces Summit in Rabat, Morocco brought representatives from more than 40 African countries and 20 international partner states to address maritime security challenges including piracy, illegal fishing, maritime terrorism, and transnational crime. Somalia's navy commander discussed measures his country has taken to improve security along its coastline despite a sharp fall in piracy over more than a decade, though experts warn of isolated recent attacks and persistent illegal fishing by foreign vessels.
Former senior government official Osman Mohamed Adawe has officially declared his candidacy for Somalia's Hirshabelle State presidential elections, outlining priorities including security against Al-Shabaab, reconciliation, economic expansion through agriculture and livestock, an independent justice system, and essential public services.
Somalia's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs said the country needs collaboration with humanitarian organisations to accelerate its development agenda. He spoke at an event celebrating 10 years of Samrado, a relief and development organisation working on water access, social welfare, and education for people with disabilities.
Former senior government official Osman Mohamed Adawe has declared his candidacy for the presidency of Somalia's Hirshabelle State, launching a campaign centred on security, reconciliation and economic transformation with five key priorities including promoting community reconciliation, strengthening security operations against Al-Shabaab, and expanding economic opportunities.
Former senior government official Osman Mohamed Adawe has declared his candidacy for Hirshabelle State's presidency, launching a campaign centred on security, reconciliation and economic transformation, with five key priorities including promoting community reconciliation, strengthening security operations against Al-Shabaab, and expanding economic opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji was deported from Kenya after immigration officers at JKIA suspected he had fraudulently acquired a Kenyan passport. The official, who arrived on a valid Somali diplomatic passport, admitted to possessing the fraudulent document but refused to surrender it, citing court proceedings.
Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji was denied entry and deported from Kenya on Wednesday at JKIA after immigration officers suspected he possessed a fraudulently obtained Kenyan passport. According to sources, Haji acknowledged having the Kenyan passport but refused to surrender it, insisting the matter be handled through court.
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.
Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji was deported from Kenya after immigration officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport questioned the authenticity of a Kenyan passport in his possession. When asked to surrender the document, he declined and was subsequently escorted to the VIP lounge and issued a return ticket to Mogadishu.
Terrorist organisations like Al-Shabaab and Islamic State Somalia are increasingly recruiting women for intelligence gathering, recruitment, weapons smuggling, and financial facilitation because their perceived harmlessness allows them to evade security detection. Kenya has responded by placing 13 terrorists, including women, on domestic terrorism sanctions lists and focusing on identifying Kenyan women recruited into these groups.
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.
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.
Somaliland has opened a new office in Taiwan and says it has the right to choose its own relationships, rejecting pressure from Beijing and Mogadishu to sever ties with the island. Somaliland and Taiwan established representative offices in each other's capitals in 2020.
Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent and experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football competition.
UEFA appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. Artan was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, and UEFA's appointment was announced as part of a cooperation accord with the African confederation.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a rare press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, facing tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has barred a top African referee, fans, and team officials from entering the country.
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.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to face questions about ticket prices and US immigration restrictions that have barred a top African referee, fans and team officials from entering the country.