Somalia's 2026 Mandate Test: Federal–State Election Rift Deepens Ahead of Polls

Somalia is entering a critical political year as preparations begin for the 2026 mandate cycle, with the central government and Federal Member States (FMS) increasingly divided over who should control upcoming elections. The debate touches on the core of Somalia's federal model — whether elections belong under the jurisdiction of federal states or the national government in Mogadishu....

Somalia:Growing Coalition Backs Liban Ahmed as Galmudug's Political Landscape Shifts

The race for Galmudug state leadership has taken a remarkable turn as a broad political and community coalition has rallied behind Liban Ahmed, signaling a significant change in the dynamics of the upcoming election. What began as a quiet consultation among elders has transformed into a movement uniting diverse societal and clan interests....

Alasow Foundation CLG Officially Registered in Ireland

Dublin, Ireland – A major milestone has been reached in the world of Somali humanitarian work after Alasow Foundation CLG was officially registered in the Republic of Ireland as a non-profit organisation. The registration was completed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO), granting the foundation full legal status and the authority to operate transparently within Ireland and internationally....

Somalia Opposition Leader Condemns Arrest of Community Leader in Mogadishu, Calls for Immediate Release

Mogadishu – Former Somali President and opposition leader Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly condemned the arrest of Nabadoon Cabdirisaaq Nuur Xalane, who was detained today in the Somali capital after speaking out on land-grabs in Mogadishu. In a forceful post on social media, Sharif stated: "I condemn in the strongest terms the arbitrary arrest of Nabadoon Cabdirisaaq Nuur Xalane… I call on the senior leadership of the Federal Government to halt these reprehensible actions targeting community elders."...

Trump Immigration Order Sends Shockwaves Through Minnesota's Somali Community as Anxiety Deepens

Minneapolis – A new immigration directive issued by U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited uncertainty and alarm within Minnesota's Somali community, one of the largest East African diasporas in the world. The executive move — which cancels previously granted protections preventing the deportation of Somali nationals — marks one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. immigration policy toward Somalis in recent years. Officials confirm that work permits, pending residency cases and deportation appeals may be immediately affected....

Somali Cabinet Approves Landmark Bill Banning Female Genital Mutilation and Major International Agreements

Mogadishu – The Cabinet of the Federal Government of Somalia has today approved a landmark bill banning female genital mutilation (FGM), marking a historic step toward protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls across the country. The newly approved legislation criminalizes all forms of FGM and introduces severe penalties for anyone who conducts, orders, assists, or promotes the practice. Government officials emphasized that the bill forms part of a broader national effort to eliminate gender-based violence and uphold women's rights in Somalia....

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Growing Concerns Over Somalia's e-Visa System: Financial Transparency Questions Raised Over Premier Bank and Empire Tech Solutions

For several months, Somali travellers—both inside the country and across the diaspora—have heavily relied on the newly introduced e-Visa system that allows visa payments to be processed digitally. While the system has facilitated easier access to visas, new allegations are emerging that raise serious concerns about the financial transparency and regulatory compliance behind the project....

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Somalia:Official Report: Construction of Hobyo Port Officially Begins

Hobyo, Galmudug –The long-anticipated construction of Hobyo Port has officially commenced, marking a major step forward for trade, investment, and maritime infrastructure in Galmudug State and Somalia at large. The project is being executed by a prominent Turkish construction company, whose team of experienced engineers has arrived in Hobyo to oversee and lead the implementation of the port development....

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Iran Seizes Oil Tanker Bound for UAE, Raising Fresh Tensions in the Gulf

Tehran, Iran – Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized an oil tanker that was reportedly on its way to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to reports by Reuters. Iranian authorities have not yet provided official details about the reasons behind the seizure, but the incident has drawn regional and international attention, as tensions in Gulf waters remain high....

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Ambassador Jamal Bakar Appointed as Ethiopia's Envoy to the United Arab Emirates

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Government of Ethiopia has appointed Ambassador Jamal Bakar, a native of the Somali Regional State, as the country's new Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)....

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Former President Farmaajo Returns to Mogadishu Ahead of Election Season

Mogadishu, Somalia – Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo arrived in Mogadishu on Thursday morning, marking his first visit to the capital in several months. Farmaajo and his delegation landed at Aden Adde International Airport, where they were received by members of parliament, political figures, and sections of the public who gathered to welcome him....

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Alasow Foundation Officially Registered in the Netherlands and the United States

Breda, Netherlands / Wilmington, Delaware – November 2025 The Alasow Foundation, a global humanitarian organization, has been officially registered as a legal nonprofit entity in both the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the State of Delaware, United States of America....

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Somalia's Political Cycle of Betrayal: From Mubarak to Saacid – History Repeats Itself

By Dahir Alasow | Investigative Journalist In the Middle East and Africa, politics has often been a theater of betrayal — where allies turn against each other, and power devours its own makers. The stories of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, Mohamed Morsi, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi mirror a political pattern that is now re-emerging in Somalia....

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Somalia: Favori Company Fires Somali Airport Workers Without Cause as Mogadishu Airport Operations Collapse

Mogadishu, Somalia – Tensions have escalated at Aden Adde International Airport after Turkish management firm Favori LLC allegedly fired dozens of Somali workers without any clear reason, leading to widespread disruption and public outrage. Eyewitnesses told Sunatimes.com that baggage handling, cleaning, and terminal operations came to a halt on Tuesday morning after the mass dismissal. "No Somali employees were allowed to work today; the Turkish managers told us to leave without explanation," said one dismissed staff member, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation....

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