From May to September, Negotiations Have Produced Meetings, Statements and More Disagreement — But No Political Settlement MOGADISHU (WDN) — Somalia’s political dialogue is once again heading back to the negotiating table, but after months of meetings, diplomatic appeals and repeated promises of compromise, there is little evidence that the country’s political leaders have moved...
Saudi Arabia Backs Somalia as Rival Gulf Powers Face Off Across the Red Sea Riyadh / Mogadishu (WDN) — Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland has done more than alter a diplomatic equation in the Horn of Africa. It has opened another front in a widening geopolitical contest stretching from the Red Sea and Gulf of...
Former Enemies Unite as Tigray Fighting Shatters the Post-Pretoria Order and Opens a New Front Across Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (WDN) — Eight years after Abiy Ahmed came to power promising political reform, reconciliation and a break with Ethiopia’s old order, his government is confronting an extraordinary reversal: former enemies who once fought one another are...
Prisoners Captured in SIBU 1 Operation Escape During Transfer to Garowe, Raising Serious Questions Over Security and Custodial Procedures Garowe (WDN) — Nearly 20 suspected Somali pirates reportedly escaped Puntland custody on Thursday night while being transported from Garacad to Garowe, exposing what appears to be a serious breakdown in the security arrangements responsible for...
Prime Minister Says Voting Will Take Place Wherever Possible — But the Federal Government Still Faces a Political and Territorial Deadlock With Puntland and Jubaland Mogadishu (WDN)- Somalia’s federal government is pressing ahead with its election plans, but Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s latest comments have exposed a fundamental problem: Mogadishu is outlining how elections...
Puntland Maritime Police Say Their Forces Recaptured the Hijacked Tanker After a 48-Hour Operation, while an Iraqi Tribe Claims Its Members Helped Free the Vessel GAROWE (WDN) — A dramatic rescue of the hijacked oil tanker MT SIBU 1 off Somalia has triggered competing accounts over who actually carried out the operation, with Puntland authorities...
ADDIS ABABA (WDN) — In a striking development as Ethiopia faces renewed fighting and the emergence of a broad anti-government alliance, senior Oromo political figures have reportedly held talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali over the country’s political future, national unity and the growing security crisis. The discussions reportedly focused on what has gone...
Former Intelligence Chief Says Reductions Send a “Deeply Disappointing” Message to Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives and Health for the State Mogadishu (WDN) — Former National Intelligence and Security Agency chief Fahad Yasin has sharply condemned what he says is a decision by Somalia’s Federal Government to reduce financial benefits for military retirees, soldiers disabled...
Puntland, Jubaland and Salvation Forum Bloc Says It Recognizes Farmaajo as an Opposition Figure Aligned with Its Position Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia’s Future Council has drawn a sharper political distinction within the country’s opposition movement, saying it recognizes former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmaajo” as an opposition figure aligned with its political position, while rejecting...
Internet and Phone Disruptions Leave Millions Struggling to Access Money, Information and Essential Services as Fighting Returns Mekelle (WDN) — Tigray is once again being pushed into isolation. Internet and telephone services have been severely disrupted across the northern Ethiopian region following the latest outbreak of fighting, cutting millions of people off from essential communications...