News as at
July 10, 2026, 1:45 pm
Somalia's President Inaugurates Upgraded Presidential Guard Headquarters
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 9 -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday inaugurated a newly rebuilt and modernized headquarters for the 77th Brigade of the Somali National Army, the unit responsible for protecting the presidency and senior state officials.
Somalia Government, Opposition Agree to Continue Political Talks
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's federal government and opposition representatives have agreed to continue political dialogue aimed at easing tensions over the country's political future, according to a joint statement released by the Ministry of Information on Wednesday.
Somali Defence Minister Visits Military Training School, Urges Troops to Prepare for Anti-Militant Operations
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi visited the Qorilow military training school in the Middle Shabelle region, urging troops to strengthen their readiness for operations against Islamist militants, the government said.
Somalia Approves Maritime Cooperation Deal With Egypt
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 9 -- Somalia's cabinet has approved a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation with Egypt aimed at strengthening collaboration in ports and maritime transport, the government said on Thursday.
Mauritanian President Receives Message From Somalia's Counterpart Hassan Sheikh
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, met Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani on Wednesday and delivered a message from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia's foreign ministry said.
UK Parliament Event Highlights Türkiye-UK-Somalia Cooperation for Somalia's Future
- [Shabelle] London -- Türkiye's long-term engagement in Somalia, built on development, security cooperation and sustained political commitment, has created a foundation for stability that could be strengthened through closer cooperation with the UK, speakers said during a discussion at the UK Parliament.
Somaliland Launches Groundbreaking Seawater Desalination Project
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- Somaliland on Wednesday launched construction of a major seawater desalination project in the coastal district of Saylac, marking what officials described as one of the country's most significant investments in water infrastructure to address chronic water shortages.
IGAD Steps Up Support for Somalia's Ratification and Implementation of the Free Movement of Persons Protocol
- [Shabelle] The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Wednesday intensified its support to Somalia to accelerate the ratification and implementation of the IGAD Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. As part of these efforts, an IGAD delegation held separate meetings with leaders of Somali trade unions and journalists. The engagements form part of IGAD's ongoing activities in Somalia to support the implementation of the Protocol.
Somaliland President Pardons 609 Prisoners Nationwide
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa -- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) on Tuesday granted a general presidential pardon to 609 prisoners convicted of minor offences, exercising his constitutional authority to extend clemency to eligible inmates.
Somalia Condemns 'Terrorist Attack' in Syria's Damascus, Pledges Support for Anti-Extremism Efforts
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's federal government on Wednesday strongly condemned a "terrorist attack" in the Syrian capital Damascus, reaffirming its opposition to terrorism and violent extremism.
Northeastern Administration Excluded From Somalia's $12 Million Climate Resilience Project
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's federal government has launched a $12 million international climate resilience project covering 17 cities across the country, but areas administered by the Northeastern Administration were not included among the project sites.
Somali Minister Meets Traditional Elders and Religious Leaders in Baidoa Amid Consultations Ahead of Parliamentary Bid
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- Somalia's Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdiqadir Mohamed Nur Jama, who is a candidate for the position of Speaker of the Federal Parliament's House of the People, held talks on Tuesday with traditional elders, clan leaders and religious scholars in the southwestern city of Baidoa.
Somalia, Italy Discuss Strengthening Cooperation in Media, Culture and Tourism
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Abdulfatah Qasim Mohamud on Tuesday received Italy's Ambassador to Somalia Pier Mario Daccò Coppi for talks focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Somalia's Defence Minister Visits Troops On Front Lines in Middle Shabelle Region
- [Shabelle] Wargaadhi -- Somalia's Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and the commander of the Somali National Army (SNA), Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, visited military units and local forces stationed in Wargaadhi, in the Middle Shabelle region, the government said.
Puntland Calls for Credible National Elections, Criticises Somalia's One-Person-One-Vote Push
- [Shabelle] Garowe, July 7 -- Somalia's Puntland regional administration called for what it described as a legitimate, transparent and broadly accepted electoral process, criticising President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's renewed push for one-person-one-vote elections.
Northeastern Somali Regional Forces Deny Defections to Somaliland
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 7 -- The command of the Darawiish forces of Somalia's Northeastern regional administration has denied reports that soldiers and a military vehicle defected to Somaliland, dismissing the claims as false.
Somalia Rejects Crisis Group Report On Al-Shabaab, Says It Distorts Counterterrorism Campaign
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 7 -- Somalia's Ministry of Defence rejected a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) on the country's fight against the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, accusing the organisation of publishing an unbalanced assessment that misrepresented the government's counterterrorism campaign.
Berbera Airport Being Transformed Into Military Hub, French Newspaper Reports
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 7 -- A major military construction project is underway at Berbera airport in Somaliland, according to a report by French daily Le Monde, which said the facility is being converted from a civilian airport into a strategic military base for the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the United States.
Somali, Saudi Foreign Ministers Discuss Bilateral Ties and Maritime Security
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 7 -- Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali held a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to discuss bilateral relations and regional security, Somalia's foreign ministry said.
A Report Warns Somalia Security Deteriorating Amid Political Divisions
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- The European Union's asylum agency has warned that Somalia's security situation has significantly worsened, citing deepening political divisions and growing instability that have allowed the Al-Shabaab militant group to expand its influence.
Somali Defence Minister Visits Ceeldheer, Urges Support for Anti-Al-Shabaab Operations
- [Shabelle] Ceeldheer, Somalia -- Somalia's defence minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi on Monday held talks with residents in the central town of Ceeldheer in the Galgaduud region, as government forces intensify operations against the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Somaliland President Backs Modern Voter Registration Rollout
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa, Somaliland -- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) on Monday met the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to review plans for a nationwide modern voter registration exercise, reaffirming the government's commitment to financing the project as part of efforts to strengthen the country's democratic institutions and electoral credibility.
Somalia's Intelligence Agency Arrests Two Suspects Over Illegal Weapons
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said on Monday it had arrested two men in the central Galgaduud region and transferred them to Mogadishu to face prosecution over alleged illegal possession of firearms.
Somali President Arrives in Baidoa for South West State Leadership Inauguration
- [Shabelle] Baidoa -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in the southwestern city of Baidoa on Monday to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly installed leadership of South West State.
Mogadishu Port Chief Visits Seattle to Strengthen Institutional Cooperation
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- The Director General of the Port of Mogadishu, Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur, widely known as "Ameriko", visited the city of SeaTac in the U.S. state of Washington on Monday as part of an official trip aimed at strengthening institutional ties and expanding cooperation.
Somali Foreign Minister Bids Farewell to Departing EU Ambassador
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 5 -- Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali received the European Union's ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, on Sunday for a farewell meeting as the diplomat concludes her posting in the Horn of Africa nation.
Puntland Rejects Federal Role in Approving Resource Deals
- [Shabelle] Garowe, Somalia, July 5 -- Puntland region said on Sunday that it holds the constitutional authority to manage and exploit natural resources within its territory and territorial waters, rejecting any federal government role in approving such activities without its consent.
Turkey's New Somalia Spaceport Doubles As Missile Range, Threatening Israel
- [Shabelle] Mogadisho -- The facility is only designed to accommodate systems with a range of up to 2,000 km., placing Israel outside of reach; Somaliland, militarily supported by Israel, is within the projected range.
Somalia's President Meets Somali-American Mayor, Urges Stronger U.S. Ties
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, July 5 -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday received Nadia Mohamed, the Somali-American mayor of St. Louis Park, at the presidential palace in Mogadishu, praising her political achievements and calling for stronger ties between Somalia and the United States.
African Union Calls Emergency Meeting As U.S. Ends Somalia Army Funds
- [Vanguard] The African Union called an emergency meeting on its military mission in Somalia on Friday after Washington announced it would end critical funding over the lack of progress against Islamist insurgents.
