News as at
April 20, 2026, 6:54 am
Somaliland Pushes Back Against Foreign Stance, Reaffirms Sovereignty
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- The Government of the Republic of Somaliland on Sunday reaffirmed its sovereignty, responding to a recent joint statement issued by several foreign ministers, stating that its status is grounded in "facts and international law."
Bangladesh Condemns Appointment of Israeli Envoy to Somaliland
- [Shabelle] Dhaka -- 12 Muslim countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have strongly condemned Israel's move to appoint an ambassador to Somaliland, which seeks to secede from Somalia.
Ethiopia's PM Abiy Ahmed Renews Call for Sea Access
- [Shabelle] Addis Ababa -- Abiy Ahmed has reiterated his country's determination to secure direct sea access, as Ethiopia keeps a close eye on the port of Assab in neighboring Eritrea, located near Ethiopia's border.
Arab, Islamic Countries Condemn Israel for Appointing Diplomatic Representative to 'Somaliland'
- [Shabelle] Riyadh -- The foreign ministers of several Arab and Islamic countries slammed Israel on Saturday for announcing the appointment of a diplomatic representative to the so-called "Somaliland" in "flagrant violation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia."
Somali Deputy Speaker Addresses Global Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul
- [Shabelle] Istanbul -- Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, Second Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, delivered a wide-ranging address on Sunday at a global parliamentary conference held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Somaliland Welcomes Taiwan Leader's First Africa Visit
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- The Government of the Republic of Somaliland on Sunday welcomed the upcoming official visit of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te to the Kingdom of Eswatini, describing it as a significant diplomatic step and his first visit to Africa since taking office.
Somalia Finance Minister Urges Revenue Reforms At World Bank Meeting
- [Shabelle] Washington -- Bihi Iiman Igeh, Somalia's finance minister, delivered a wide-ranging address at a plenary session chaired by Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, highlighting fiscal reforms and economic priorities for Somalia.
Somaliland Rejects Somalian Government Claims Over Sovereign Diplomacy
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- The government of Somaliland has firmly rejected what it described as "misleading claims" by the Somalian Government regarding its sovereign diplomatic relations, including engagement with Israel, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indian Diplomat Presents Credentials in Somalia
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Indian Ambassador-designate to Somalia, Dr. Adarsh Swaika, met Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali in the capital, Mogadishu, reaffirming both nations' commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
Puntland Warns of Political Uncertainty As Somali President's Term Set to End in 30 Days
- [Shabelle] Garowe, Somalia -- The Puntland Council of Ministers, chaired by President Said Abdullahi Deni alongside Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, convened on Thursday to address the deepening political uncertainty in Somalia following the expiration of the federal parliament's mandate on April 14, 2026.
Somalia Condemns Israeli Move to Appoint Diplomatic Envoy to Northern Regions
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's federal government on Thursday strongly condemned Israel's reported decision to appoint a diplomatic representative to the country's northern regions, calling the move a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israel Appoints First Ambassador to Somaliland After Recognition
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- Israel has appointed its first ambassador to the Republic of Somaliland, marking a significant step in deepening diplomatic ties four months after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.
Puntland Launches Operations Against Islamic State Fighters in Somalia's Bari Region
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Security forces in Somalia's Puntland have launched large-scale military operations against fighters linked to the Islamic State in parts of the Bari region, officials said.
Somaliland President Calls Tree Planting National Duty
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro on Wednesday called for a unified national effort to protect the environment and expand tree planting, warning that climate change and environmental degradation pose growing risks to livelihoods across Somaliland.
China's Military Support for Somalia Is On the Rise - What Taiwan and Somaliland Have to Do With It
- [The Conversation Africa] China recently pledged to expand military support to Somalia in its fight against al-Shabaab militants. Beijing has promised equipment, training and closer security cooperation with Mogadishu. This marks a shift from China's traditionally cautious and small presence in the country. Brendon J. Cannon has researched how external powers - including China - engage with sub-Saharan Africa. He explains how these dynamics are converging in Somalia.
Somali Officials Brief Diplomats As Political Uncertainty Grows Over Elections
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Senior Somali government officials led by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh held a closed-door meeting with international diplomats in Mogadishu on Wednesday, amid growing political uncertainty following the expiry of parliament's term.
Somali PM Hosts Puntland Elders for Talks On Stability and Cooperation
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Hamza Abdi Barre hosted a dinner meeting at his residence in Mogadishu with several traditional elders from Puntland, officials said on Wednesday.
Somalia Enters Political Uncertainty As Parliament Term Expires
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- The four-year term of Somalia's 11th parliament expired on Tuesday, pushing the Horn of Africa nation into a sensitive political phase amid mounting tensions over elections and constitutional changes.
Somali Army, Jubaland Forces Launch Major Operations in Jubba Regions
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's national army and Jubbaland security forces have launched a large-scale military operation across parts of the Lower and Middle Jubba regions, targeting suspected Al-Shabaab positions, officials said Tuesday.
Former President Warns Somalia Entering 'Dangerous Phase' Amid Electoral Uncertainty
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Former Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo warned Tuesday that Somalia has entered a "dangerous phase" that could affect national security, unity and state institutions, citing uncertainty surrounding elections and the democratic process.
UN Delegation Visits Baidoa for Talks With Southwest State Leader
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- A senior delegation from the United Nations visited Baidoa on Tuesday and held talks with leaders of Somalia's South West state on political developments, cooperation and state-building efforts.
Somaliland President Outlines Reforms, Recognition Push in Annual Address
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- Somaliland president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro on Tuesday set out his government's achievements, challenges and priorities in a State of the Nation address to parliament, highlighting security reforms, economic resilience and a renewed push for international recognition.
All of Africa Today - April 13, 2026
- [allAfrica]
Somalia Officials, Partners Discuss Women's Role in State-Building
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Interior Ministry hosted a key meeting on Tuesday focused on strengthening the role of Somali women in state-building, peacebuilding and national development, officials said.
Somali Cabinet Appoints New Immigration Chief, Approves General Pardon Decree
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, approved the appointment of Hussein Qasim Yusuf as the new Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Agency during an extraordinary session on Monday.
Somali PM Marks 66th Anniversary of National Army, Hails Security Gains
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Hamza Abdi Barre attended a ceremony on Sunday evening marking the 66th anniversary of the founding of the Somali National Army, stressing the importance of building a strong and disciplined military to safeguard national sovereignty.
Somaliland Holds Red Sea Maritime Security Meeting
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- The Republic of Somaliland convened a high-level maritime security coordination meeting on Monday, bringing together key government institutions to assess emerging threats and strengthen national coordination along one of the world's most strategic shipping corridors.
South West Somalia Interim Leader Holds Security Meeting in Baidoa
- [Shabelle] Baidoa -- Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, the interim leader of the South West State of Somalia, convened senior security officials on Sunday to review the security situation across the regional administration and accelerate stabilization efforts.
