Somalia: Vote Counting Begins After Mogadishu Local Council Polls

Vote counting got underway after residents of Somalia's capital cast ballots in local council elections that officials said were held peacefully with strong turnout. Read more »

Somalia: Arab Parliament Backs Mogadishu Vote, Calls It Milestone for Somalia

Somalia's decision to organise direct local elections in Mogadishu has been welcomed by the Arab Parliament, which described the vote as a landmark moment in the country's… Read more »

Somalia: Somali President Urges Residents to Turn Out in Historic Mogadishu Local Elections

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described the ongoing Banadir regional local council elections as a historic milestone and a symbol of the country's democratic… Read more »

Somalia: Polling Opens in Mogadishu As Residents Vote in Local Elections

Under tight security, Polling opened at 6 a.m. on Thursday in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, with residents queuing early to cast their ballots in local council elections, officials… Read more »

Somalia: Election Chief Tours Polling Stations As Mogadishu Votes in Historic Local Polls

Senior election and security officials on Thursday toured polling stations across Mogadishu as voting continued in the Somali capital's landmark local council elections, amid tight… Read more »

Somalia: UN Security Council Renews Mandate of Peacekeeping Force in Somalia for Another Year

The UN Security Council on Tuesday renewed the mandate of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for another year. Read more »

Somalia: Somali President Backs National Dialogue, Rejects Opposition 'Threats' Over 2026 Vote

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Tuesday his government has accepted opposition calls for a national dialogue on the country's 2026 elections and constitutional… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia Parliament Approves $1.38 Billion Budget for 2026

Somalia's parliament on Tuesday approved the federal government's 2026 national budget, totaling $1.39 billion, during a joint session of both chambers in the capital, Mogadishu. Read more »

Somalia: At Least 11 Soldiers Arrested in Crackdown On Armed Personnel Ahead of Elections

Somali authorities have detained 11 soldiers for carrying weapons illegally in Mogadishu, in a move aimed at ensuring security ahead of the Banadir Regional Council elections… Read more »

Somalia: U.S. Recalls Dozens of Ambassadors, Including Somalia Envoy, in 'America First' Shift

The United States has recalled nearly 30 senior diplomats, including its ambassador to Somalia, as part of a sweeping overhaul of foreign policy aimed at aligning with the "America… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia's Drought Crisis Worsens, Over 4.6 Million Affected

Somalia's drought crisis is deepening, with more than 4.6 million people -- nearly a quarter of the population -- affected by prolonged dry conditions, authorities and the UN… Read more »

Somalia: Somali Forces Launch Operation Against Al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle Region

Somali National Army forces, working alongside the National Intelligence and local residents, carried out a planned operation targeting Al-Shabaab in the Lower Shabelle region. Read more »

Somalia: Farmajo Says Somalia's Governance Has Deviated From Constitutional Path

Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has issued a detailed political statement expressing deep concern over the country's security, political, economic, and social… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia to Assume UN Security Council Presidency in January 2026

Somalia will take over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in January 2026, marking a landmark diplomatic moment for the country and elevating its voice… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia to Shut Mogadishu Airport for One Day Over Local Elections

Somalia's civil aviation authority announced on Tuesday that Mogadishu's main international airport will be closed for one day next week due to local elections, suspending all… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia, Egypt Seek Deeper Cooperation On Security and Regional Stability

Somalia and Egypt on Saturday pledged to strengthen cooperation on security and development during talks between their foreign ministers on the sidelines of a Russia-Africa… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia's Lower House Speaker Inspects New Parliamentary Facilities

The Speaker of Somalia's lower house of parliament, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe), on Saturday inspected newly constructed office facilities added to the House of the People's… Read more »

Somalia: Somali Police Announce Citywide Movement Restrictions for Banadir Election

The Somali Police Force has announced comprehensive restrictions on vehicular and public movement across Mogadishu on Thursday, December 25, to ensure the safety and security of… Read more »

Africa: Somalia Backs Multilateral Cooperation At Russia-Africa Forum in Cairo

Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali represented the country at the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, held in Cairo from December 19 to… Read more »

Africa: Kenya Defence Chief Visits Troops in Somalia On AU Mission

Kenya's Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya flew to Somalia on Friday to visit Kenyan troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia Marks 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations With China

Somalia and China on Tuesday marked the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, vowing to elevate their mutual cooperation and pursue more productive and shared interests. Read more »

Somalia: Somalia Deploys Nearly 10,000 Police to Secure Mogadishu Local Elections

Somali security authorities said nearly 10,000 police officers will be deployed to secure local council elections scheduled to take place in the capital Mogadishu on December 25. Read more »

Somalia: Opposition Meeting Puts Pressure On Somali Government to Negotiate

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sought on Saturday to ease political tensions by signalling readiness for dialogue and compromise, as an opposition-backed conference… Read more »

Somalia: At Least 19 Killed in Borama Protests, Somaliland Authorities Say

At least 19 people were killed and 214 others wounded in protests earlier this month in the northwestern Somaliland city of Borama after clashes between security forces and… Read more »

Somalia: Somali Fisheries Minister Meets Turkish Counterpart in Ankara to Strengthen Cooperation

Somalia's Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Aden, held a productive meeting in Ankara with Turkey's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumakli,… Read more »