News as at
December 22, 2025, 5:04 am
At Least 19 Killed in Borama Protests, Somaliland Authorities Say
- [Shabelle] Borama -- At least 19 people were killed and 214 others wounded in protests earlier this month in the northwestern Somaliland city of Borama after clashes between security forces and demonstrators, authorities said.
Somali Fisheries Minister Meets Turkish Counterpart in Ankara to Strengthen Cooperation
- [Shabelle] Ankara, Turkey -- Somalia's Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Aden, held a productive meeting in Ankara with Turkey's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumakli, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two ministries, officials said.
Somali Pirates Using GPS Technology, Raising Security Fears
- [Shabelle] Bosaso -- Somali pirates have begun using modern GPS technology to track commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean, heightening concerns over maritime security along Somalia's coast, regional and Western officials say.
Somalia PM Closes East Africa Defence Chiefs Meeting in Mogadishu
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Thursday closed the 35th ordinary meeting of East African defence ministers in Mogadishu, hailing the event as a sign of improving security and growing regional confidence in Somalia.
Somalia, Ethiopia Officials Meet in Mogadishu to Boost Bilateral Cooperation
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalan Abdi Ali, met on Thursday with Ethiopia's ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo Woshe, in Mogadishu in a bid to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
Somalia Minister Defends Right to Opposition Meeting Ahead of Kismayo Talks
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's interior minister defended the federal government's position ahead of a planned opposition conference in the southern port city of Kismayo, saying authorities respect the right to assembly while accusing critics of undermining democratic progress.
Somalia, Djibouti Defence Chiefs Hold Talks On Security Cooperation in Mogadishu
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi held talks on Wednesday in Mogadishu with his Djiboutian counterpart, Hassan Omar Mohamed, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation in security and defence, officials said.
Speaker of Somali Parliament Meets Saudi Ambassador to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- The Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), met on Wednesday with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Somalia, Ahmed bin Mohammed Almowallad, in a productive discussion aimed at deepening the historic ties between the two nations.
U.S. Forces Conduct Strikes Targeting ISIS-Somalia
- [Africom] Stuttgart, Germany -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia on Dec. 15-16, 2025.
Somali Intelligence Forces Kill Nine Al-Shabaab Fighters in Hiiraan Operation
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), working with international partners, killed at least nine Al-Shabaab fighters during a planned operation carried out on Tuesday in the Tardo area of Hiiraan region, authorities said.
Djibouti Defence Minister Arrives in Mogadishu for Regional Security Talks
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Djibouti's Defence Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed arrived in the Somali capital on Tuesday to attend a key regional security meeting, Somali officials said.
Somalia, Turkey Sign Deal to Boost Marine Production and Blue Economy
- [Shabelle] Ankara -- Somalia and Turkey have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at developing Somalia's marine production and blue economy, Somali officials said on Tuesday.
U.S. Carries Out Airstrike On Al-Shabaab Near Kismayo, South of Somalia
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- The United States military said on Monday it carried out an airstrike against the Islamist group Al-Shabaab in coordination with the Somali government, targeting militants about 50 kilometres (30 miles) northeast of Kismayo, the interim capital of Somalia's Jubaland state.
All of Africa Today - December 15, 2025
- [allAfrica]
Somalia, China Mark 65 Years of Diplomatic Ties in Mogadishu
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Tuesday attended a ceremony in Mogadishu marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Somalia and China, hailing what he described as a long-standing partnership built on mutual respect and cooperation.
Somali Army Ground Forces Chief Tours Frontline Areas in Central Region
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- The commander of the Somali National Army's ground forces, Brigadier General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, has carried out an operational tour of areas along the Shabelle River in the central Shabelle Middle region, military officials said.
Somalia Promotes Trade Integration At Africa Free Trade Forum in Morocco
- [Shabelle] Marrakech, Morocco -- Somalia's deputy minister of commerce and industry, Mahmoud Ahmed Abdullahi, took part in the second Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum held in Marrakech, Moroccan and Somali officials said.
Jubaland Minister Calls for Stronger Federal Control Ahead of Opposition Summit
- [Shabelle] Kismayo, Somalia -- Jubaland's Minister of Information, Abdifitah Mukhtar, said on Tuesday that Somalia's federal government needs to assert stronger control over the country, comments coming ahead of an opposition summit set to open in Kismaayo later in the day.
Somalia, International Partners Warn of Looming Funding Shortfall for Security Forces
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- The Somali federal government, the African Union's AUSSOM mission, and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) on Monday jointly warned that a shortfall in international funding could jeopardize the operations of Somali security forces.
Somali PM's Office Accused of Facilitating Deportations of Somalis From Sweden
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Prime Minister's Office has come under criticism after allegations emerged that it is helping facilitate the deportation of Somali nationals from Sweden, as Stockholm steps up enforcement of rejected asylum decisions.
UN Security Council Renews Sanctions Panel On Al-Shabaab in Somalia
- [Shabelle] New York -- The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously renewed the mandate of the panel monitoring sanctions on Somalia-based Al-Shabaab, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.
Somalia's Prime Minister Reshuffles Cabinet, Appoints New Ministers
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre has carried out a cabinet reshuffle, appointing new ministers and removing some from their previous positions, a government statement said Sunday.
Severe Drought in Puntland Drives Up Food Prices, Worsens Living Conditions
- [Shabelle] Garowe, 14 December 2025 -- A severe drought in Somalia's Puntland region has pushed up the cost of essential food items, leaving residents struggling with worsening living conditions, local officials said Sunday.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms As Drought Deepens and Funding Declines
- [OCHA] December 14, 2025 - Mogadishu: The Somali NGO Consortium (SNC) raises alarm over the rapidly worsening drought conditions, warning of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe as a sharp decline in international funding coincides with escalating humanitarian needs.
Jubaland President Meets UN, EU Envoys to Discuss Somalia's Political Challenges
- [Shabelle] Kismaayo, Somalia -- Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam met on Sunday with United Nations Special Representative for Somalia James Swan and European Union Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro to discuss the country's ongoing political challenges.
Somalia's Lower House Swears in New Minister, Advances Two Draft Bills
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Lower House of Parliament on Monday convened its 22nd session of the 7th legislative term, swearing in a new minister and advancing two draft bills for initial reading.
AUSSOM Commanders Meet in Mogadishu to Review Mandate Implementation Amid Financial Constraints
- [Capital FM] Nairobi -- Senior military leaders serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have convened in Mogadishu for the AUSSOM Force and Sector Commanders Conference, aimed at reviewing operational progress, addressing emerging challenges, and refining plans for mandate implementation in line with the Mission's Concept of Operations (CONOPS).
A New Way Forward Is Needed for Somalia
- [The New Humanitarian] Mogadishu -- If donors are to salvage their sizable investments in Somalia, a shift in strategy is urgently needed.
EU Expected to Resume Funding Somalia AU Mission in Early 2026
- [Shabelle] Brussels -- The European Union is expected to formally announce funding for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in early 2026, after a two-year pause in direct financial support, according to documents and diplomatic sources linked to the United Nations and the African Union.
