News as at
October 13, 2026, 1:11 am
Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia Meet to Discuss Tensions and Unresolved Issues in the Horn of Africa
- [Agenzia Fides] El Alamein -- As geopolitical tensions and internal conflicts continue to shake the Horn of Africa, the presidents of Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea, together with the head of Sudan's Transitional Council, met in El Alamein on Sunday, 4 October, to discuss the main challenges facing the region.
Somalia's Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Denies Nisa Allegations
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Former Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has denied allegations made by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) against his security guards, accusing the agency of misrepresenting a series of incidents around his residence.
Somali Opposition Council Accuses President of Intimidating Former Leader
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's opposition-led Future Council has accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of intimidating former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, warning that security operations around his residence could trigger clashes and threaten national stability.
Somalia's Former Prime Minister Warns of Risks From Military Moves Near Former Leaders' Homes
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Former Somali prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire has warned that military movements targeting the homes of former national leaders in Mogadishu could fuel instability and deepen the country's political crisis.
Somaliland Backs Ethiopia's Sea Access, Urges Dialogue
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa, Oct 12 -- Somaliland is ready to discuss arrangements for Ethiopia to access its coastline and use the port of Berbera, Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan Bakal said, describing the neighbouring country as a close ally whose maritime needs Somaliland understands.
Somalia Seeks More UPDF Training Support As Military Chiefs Agree to Expand Bilateral Ties
- [UG Diplomat] The Chief of Defence Forces of the Somali National Army, Brig Gen Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, has praised Uganda's training and mentorship support to his forces and appealed for further training partnership.
Somali Opposition Party Warns Against Possible Military Action Against Opposition Leaders
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Himilo Qaran party has warned against possible military action targeting opposition politicians' offices, saying President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud would bear responsibility for any consequences if such an attack occurred.
Somaliland Warns of Heavy Rains, Flash Floods
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa, Somaliland, Oct 11 -- Somaliland's government warned on Sunday that heavy rainfall and possible flash floods could affect several towns across the country, urging residents to avoid flood-prone areas and calling on police and electricity companies to take precautionary measures.
Somali Parliament Speaker Urges Faster Work On Bills Protecting Women and Children
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's House of the People Speaker, Abdukadir Mohamed Nur Jama, has urged a parliamentary committee to accelerate its work on pending legislation, with a particular focus on laws protecting the rights of women, families and children.
Puntland Acting President Meets Ethiopian Consul Amid Regional Tensions
- [Shabelle] Garowe, Somalia -- Puntland's acting president, Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, met Ethiopia's consul general to the Somali regional administration on Saturday to discuss bilateral cooperation in security, trade and economic development.
Somali Information Minister Meets U.S. Counterterrorism Adviser
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu, Oct. 11, 2026 -- Somalia's Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud, met on Sunday with Robert Flannery, an adviser to the US government's East Africa Counterterrorism Programme, to discuss cooperation in countering extremism, the ministry said.
How Middle Eastern Powers Are Reshaping Somalia's Political Order
- [African Arguments] In June, when Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, stood alongside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the latter drew attention to the geography connecting them. Israel and Somaliland, Netanyahu said, sit at opposite ends of the Red Sea but share an interest in confronting "extremism, terrorism and chaos".
Trump Urges Minnesotans to 'Fight Back' Against Somali Immigrants
- [Shabelle] Washington -- US President Donald Trump on Thursday continued his long-running attacks on Somalis by urging Minnesotans to "fight back" against the Somali community in the state.
Somalia's National Human Rights Commission Seeks Stronger Ties With National University
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's National Independent Human Rights Commission is seeking to strengthen cooperation with Somali National University in research, education and the promotion of human rights, the commission said following a working visit to the institution.
Somalia Joins Regional Talks On Marine Conservation and Climate Change in Tanzania
- [Shabelle] Dar es Salaam -- Somalia is participating in the 12th Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP12) in Tanzania, with discussions focusing on marine and coastal conservation, climate change and the sustainable use of ocean resources.
UK Raises Concern Over Somaliland Journalist Arrests
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa, Somaliland -- Britain has expressed concern over the number of journalist arrests in Somaliland, saying more than 50 cases had been recorded in less than two years and warning that repeated detentions risk undermining its democratic reputation.
South West State Cabinet Reviews Security, Floods and Youth Employment
- [Shabelle] Baidoa, Somalia -- South West Somalia's cabinet has discussed security, flooding risks, youth employment and the delivery of basic public services at a meeting chaired by the state's leader, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe.
Somalia Cabinet Approves Ebola Preparedness Measures, Forms Six-Ministry Committee
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's cabinet has approved measures to prepare for a possible Ebola outbreak and formed a six-ministry committee to coordinate the government's response, the government said.
South West State Steps Up El Niño Preparations Amid Flood Fears
- [Shabelle] Baidoa -- Authorities in Somalia's South West state have stepped up preparations for possible flooding as seasonal rains linked to El Niño are expected to begin in the coming days, officials said.
Beyond Irro's U.S. Visit - Next Steps for Washington-Hargeisa Relations
- [Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi 'Irro' spent nearly two weeks in the United States from 5 to 19 September 2026, engaging in Washington and New York to press Somaliland's case for deeper international engagement. His program includes discussions with lawmakers, policy institutions, and engagement with the Somaliland diaspora. The visit gave Somaliland access to audiences that matter in American foreign-policy debates, but access by itself is not a policy outcome
Somalia Says Al-Shabab Amniyat Chief Killed in Nisa Operation
- [Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somalia's intelligence agency said a former head of al-Shabab's Amniyat security wing was killed in a planned operation carried out with international partners in the southern town of Jilib.
Somalia, Türkiye Discuss Stronger Parliamentary Ties At IPU Assembly
- [Shabelle] Arusha, Tanzania -- Somalia's parliamentary speaker, Abdirahman Mohamed Nur Jama, held talks with a delegation from Türkiye's Grand National Assembly on the sidelines of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania.
Namibia-Somaliland Diplomats Discuss Trade, Regional Cooperation
- [Horn Diplomat] Nairobi, Kenya, Oct 7 -- Namibia's Honorary Consul in Kenya, Said Ali, met Somaliland's representative to Kenya, Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Omar, on Wednesday for talks focused on trade, regional cooperation and diplomatic ties.
Somaliland Parliament Congratulates Shide, Ethiopia's Parliamentary Leadership
- [Horn Diplomat] Hargeisa, Somaliland, Oct 7 -- Somaliland's House of Representatives has congratulated Ahmed Shide on his election as speaker of Ethiopia's House of People's Representatives, highlighting the historic significance of his appointment and calling for stronger cooperation between the two legislatures.
Somalia and Azerbaijan Discuss Expanding Education Cooperation
- [Shabelle] Baku -- Somalia and Azerbaijan have discussed ways to strengthen education cooperation, including expanding opportunities for Somali students and supporting those currently studying in Azerbaijan, Somalia's embassy said Wednesday.
Somali Parliament Speaker Highlights Democratic Transition At Ipu Conference in Tanzania
- [Shabelle] Arusha -- Somalia's parliamentary speaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur on Tuesday highlighted the country's democratic transition and called for stronger parliamentary institutions and political dialogue during the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tanzania.
All 7 Surviving Pakistani Crew Members Rescued After Somalia Pirate Hijacking
- [Shabelle] Islamabad -- All seven Pakistani crew members who survived a pirate attack off Somalia's coast have been rescued, Pakistan's foreign minister said Monday.
Ethiopian State Media Attacks Somali President Over Regional Diplomacy
- [Shabelle] Addis Ababa -- Ethiopia's state-run news agency has criticised Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud over his recent regional diplomacy, arguing that Somalia's growing alignment with Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan could conflict with Ethiopia's strategic interests.
