Somalia: General Asad Diyaano Transforms Somali Police Force
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Nearly two years after taking command of the Somali Police Force, General Asad Osman Abdullahi, widely known as Asad Diyaano, is increasingly associated with an ambitious effort to transform one of Somalia's most important security institutions from a force shaped by decades of conflict into a more structured, professional and accountable national police service. Since assuming command in September 2024, General Asad has placed particular emphasis on command discipline, regular operational reviews, officer training, institutional modernisation, community policing and cooperation with international law-enforcement partners....
Somali Government Rejects Decision by Southwest Leader Aden Madobe
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Somalia's Federal Government has publicly distanced itself from claims that former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and his administration have been designated as terrorists, exposing an apparent contradiction between Mogadishu and the administration currently controlling Baidoa....
Ethiopia Weighs Stronger Central Rule as Abiy Eyes Major Federal Overhaul
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Ethiopia is entering a potentially historic restructuring of its political system as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government considers reforms that could strengthen central authority and significantly reshape the ethnic-based federal order that has governed the country for more than three decades....
Somalia: Ex-NISA Chief Fahad Yasin Links Somalia's New Speaker to Doolow Drone Strike
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin has escalated the controversy surrounding the Doolow drone strike, linking Somalia's newly elected Speaker of the House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, to the attack that targeted former Custodial Corps commander General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, widely known as "General Shub."...
Somali Opposition Accuses Türkiye of Using Military Aircraft Against Political Rivals
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 4, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Somalia's political opposition and regional leaders opposed to Villa Somalia have intensified criticism of Türkiye's expanding military role in the country, accusing Ankara of allowing its military capabilities to become involved in Somalia's increasingly violent domestic political disputes....FEATURED ITEMS
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Veteran Somali Journalist Mohamoud Khalif Ali "Shaakhooz" and His Career in the Media
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Mohamoud Khalif Ali, widely known by his nickname "Shaakhooz," is a Somali journalist and media professional with experience spanning several Somali news organisations....
Somalia: Political Dispute Shifts Toward Military Confrontation
The attack on the residence of former Somali Custodial Corps commander General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, widely known as "General Shub," has intensified concerns that Somalia's political and constitutional crisis is entering a new phase in which military force is playing an increasingly prominent role....
Somalia: Turkish Drone Strike Targets Somalia's Former Prisons Chief
Former Somali Prisons Chief Survives Doolow Airstrike as Opposition Accuses Government of Militarising Political Disputes DOOLOW, Somalia — September 4, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Former Somali Custodial Corps Commander Brigadier General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, widely known as General Mahad "Shub," survived an overnight airstrike targeting his residence in Doolow district of Somalia's Gedo region, in an attack that has triggered accusations that foreign-supplied military capabilities are being drawn into Somalia's escalating domestic political confrontation....
Dutch Lawyer Challenges IND Rejection of Veteran Somali Journalist Nimco Mohamed Bashir's Asylum Claim
UTRECHT/BREDA, Netherlands – August 28, 2026 (Sunatimes) – A Dutch law firm representing veteran Somali journalist Nimco Mohamed Bashir has challenged the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service's decision to reject her asylum application, arguing that the case was not sufficiently or carefully assessed....
Somalia:Tensions Rise in Galkayo as Puntland Opposes Somali President's Planned Visit
Fears of a possible armed confrontation are growing in Galkayo after Puntland reportedly declared that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud would not be allowed to visit the Galmudug-administered side of the divided city....
Somalia: Corruption Legalized and Granted Immunity
MOGADISHU — For decades, corruption in Somalia was widely regarded as a problem spread across numerous government institutions, ministries and public offices. Today, however, many residents and critics believe that the system has changed: corruption has allegedly become increasingly centralized, politically protected and disguised as lawful government policy....
Somalia's Election Theatre: When Appointment Is Presented as Democracy
Somalia's political leadership continues to describe the country's emerging political process as a democratic election. However, what is being prepared increasingly resembles a centrally managed appointment system rather than a free, competitive and independently administered national vote. An election should allow citizens to choose their representatives without intimidation, bribery, political interference or predetermined outcomes. It should also be governed by an independent electoral institution, accepted constitutional rules and an inclusive agreement among Somalia's political stakeholders....
Somalia:Weapons From Galkayo PSF Base Allegedly Sold to Al-Shabaab
Serious security concerns have emerged following reports that weapons and ammunition removed from a Puntland Security Force (PSF) military installation during this week's deadly confrontation in Galkayo may have subsequently entered illicit arms networks, with security information reviewed by SOLDA Safety Network alleging that some of the weapons were sold to individuals associated with the Al-Shabaab militant group....
Somalia's Security Depends on Political Consensus, Kampala Summit Warns
Somalia's security is directly tied to the country's ability to achieve an inclusive political settlement, according to the communiqué issued following the Second Extraordinary Summit of troop-contributing countries to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)....
Somalia: General Asad Diyaano Transforms Somali Police Force
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Nearly two years after taking command of the Somali Police Force, General Asad Osman Abdullahi, widely known as Asad Diyaano, is increasingly associated with an ambitious effort to transform one of Somalia's most important security institutions from a force shaped by decades of conflict into a more structured, professional and accountable national police service. Since assuming command in September 2024, General Asad has placed particular emphasis on command discipline, regular operational reviews, officer training, institutional modernisation, community policing and cooperation with international law-enforcement partners....
Somali Government Rejects Decision by Southwest Leader Aden Madobe
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Somalia's Federal Government has publicly distanced itself from claims that former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and his administration have been designated as terrorists, exposing an apparent contradiction between Mogadishu and the administration currently controlling Baidoa....
Ethiopia Weighs Stronger Central Rule as Abiy Eyes Major Federal Overhaul
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Ethiopia is entering a potentially historic restructuring of its political system as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government considers reforms that could strengthen central authority and significantly reshape the ethnic-based federal order that has governed the country for more than three decades....
Somalia: Ex-NISA Chief Fahad Yasin Links Somalia's New Speaker to Doolow Drone Strike
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 5, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin has escalated the controversy surrounding the Doolow drone strike, linking Somalia's newly elected Speaker of the House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, to the attack that targeted former Custodial Corps commander General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, widely known as "General Shub."...
Somali Opposition Accuses Türkiye of Using Military Aircraft Against Political Rivals
MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 4, 2026 (Sunatimes) — Somalia's political opposition and regional leaders opposed to Villa Somalia have intensified criticism of Türkiye's expanding military role in the country, accusing Ankara of allowing its military capabilities to become involved in Somalia's increasingly violent domestic political disputes....
