China sends new navy fleet on Gulf of Aden escort mission

Source: Xinhua, Monday December 16, 2024

A farewell ceremony is held for a Chinese navy fleet at a port in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang province, Dec 15, 2024. A new fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy set sail from a military port in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang province on Sunday to take over an escort mission from the previous fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HANGZHOU – A new fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy set sail from a military port in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang province on Sunday to take over an escort mission from the previous fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.

The 47th navy fleet comprises a guided-missile destroyer, a missile frigate and a supply vessel. It carries over 700 officers and soldiers, with two helicopters and more than 10 special force members on board.

Prior to the departure, the fleet conducted trainings focused primarily on the armed rescue of hijacked merchant ships, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy, as well as on the practical use of weapons. 

U.S. congressman introduces bill to recognize Somaliland as an independent state

Source: Hiiraan Online, Monday December 16, 2024


Rep. Scott Perry addresses reporters during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, highlighting ongoing debt limit negotiations in Washington, D.C., on March 10. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Mogadishu (HOL) — A Republican-sponsored resolution seeking U.S. recognition of Somaliland as an independent state has been introduced in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The proposal, H.R. 10402, submitted by Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania on December 12, has sparked debate but faces steep odds of advancing in Congress.

The resolution advocates for a shift in U.S. policy to acknowledge Somaliland’s self-declared independence. Perry and his Republican allies frame Somaliland as a strategic partner in a region where China and Russia continue to expand their influence. Despite Somaliland’s record of stability since 1991, the resolution’s prospects remain uncertain due to long-standing U.S. support for a unified Somalia.

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative policy roadmap embraced by Trump-aligned Republicans, explicitly mentions Somaliland. The document proposes U.S. recognition of Somaliland as a strategic move to counter China’s influence in the Horn of Africa. Republican policymakers view Somaliland’s stability and governance as aligning with U.S. strategic interests in Africa. 

Trump’s past criticisms of Somalia—he once referred to it as a “failed state”—have further emboldened efforts to elevate Somaliland’s case. Supporters argue that recognizing Somaliland could provide Washington with a reliable partner in an increasingly contested region.

“For over three decades, Somaliland has proven itself as a peaceful, functioning democracy,” said a senior Republican foreign policy advisor. “This resolution is a step toward rewarding that success.”

The Somali government has vehemently opposed the resolution, describing it as a threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and regional stability.

Somalia’s leaders have consistently warned that any move to recognize Somaliland could embolden separatist movements across Africa and jeopardize Somalia’s fragile progress.

Somaliland, located in northern Somalia, declared independence in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. For over three decades, it has operated as a de facto state, with democratic elections, relative peace, and functional institutions setting it apart from the rest of Somalia. Despite these achievements, no country formally recognizes Somaliland’s sovereignty.

Somaliland officials view Perry’s resolution as a long-overdue acknowledgment of their successes and a potential turning point for their international standing.

The resolution comes as geopolitical competition intensifies in the Horn of Africa. China and Russia have deepened their regional involvement through infrastructure deals and military partnerships, heightening concerns in Washington. Somaliland’s supporters argue that recognition would give the United States a strategic advantage and counterbalance rival powers.

However, analysts warn that formal recognition would provoke strong opposition from the African Union (AU), which views such moves as a threat to the territorial integrity of its member states, including Somalia. The AU’s position is deeply rooted in Africa’s colonial history, when European powers drew arbitrary borders at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, disregarding ethnic, tribal, and clan boundaries. These borders, though artificial, were upheld in the 1964 Cairo Declaration to maintain peace and stability across the continent.

The African Union fears that recognizing Somaliland’s independence could open a Pandora’s box of secessionist claims, encouraging separatist movements in regions like Biafra in Nigeria, Ambazonia in Cameroon, and Casamance in Senegal. Such a precedent risks destabilizing fragile states grappling with ethnic divisions, governance challenges, and territorial disputes. 

Diplomatically, analysts suggest that U.S. recognition of Somaliland could strain relations with key African nations and regional bodies like the AU and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development). African leaders may interpret such a move as a dangerous precedent undermining established norms, creating a rift in U.S.-Africa relations at a time when Washington seeks to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.

While H.R. 10402 has brought renewed attention to Somaliland’s aspirations, its path forward remains uncertain. Historically, only about 5% of all bills introduced in Congress become law, and the odds drop to around 1-2% when the proposal involves a major policy shift, such as altering foreign recognition. Perry’s resolution, introduced with less than a month remaining in the current session of Congress, faces significant procedural challenges. The lame-duck session—a period following elections where outgoing lawmakers have diminished influence—further complicates its chances of passage.

In addition to time constraints, foreign policy initiatives of this magnitude often stall due to competing legislative priorities, particularly during the end-of-year period when Congress focuses on critical budget approvals and must-pass bills. Analysts suggest Perry’s resolution is unlikely to progress beyond committee review.

It is not the first time Congressman Perry has advocated for Somaliland’s recognition. In March 2022, he introduced the “Republic of Somaliland Independence Act” (H.R. 7170), which authorized the President to recognize Somaliland as a separate, independent country. Like the current resolution, H.R. 7170 was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs but did not advance further.

Shirweynaha 15aad ee Daraasaadka Soomaaliya oo Muqdisho kafurmay

Shir weynaha 15aad ee Daraasaadka Soomaaliya oo Muqdisho kafurmay

Waa tibaabo horey loo qaaday sanado kadib. Hambalyo!!!

Shir weynaha 15aad ee Daraasaadka Soomaaliya oo Muqdisho kafurmay

Axad, December, 15, 2024 (HOL) – Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud ayaa maanta magaalada Muqdisho ka Daah furay, Shirweynaha 15-aad ee Ururka Caalamiga ah ee Daraasaadka Soomaaliyeed, waana 35 sano kadib oo Muqdisho lagu qabanayo shirkaan.

Madaxweyne Xasan Sheekh ayaa dul istaagay ahmiyadda ay dowlad-dhiska iyo sookabashada Qaranka Soomaaliyeed ay u leedahay, in hab cilmiyeysan loo darso caqabadaha ku gudban horumarka dowladnimo, dhaqaale iyo aqoon ee Ummadda Soomaaliyeed.

Madaxweynaha ayaa sidoo kale tilmaamay in ay dowladda ka go’an tahay, garab istaagga Aqoonyahannada iyo cilmi baarayaasha Soomaaliyeed, si xal waara loogu helo mushkiladaha hortaagan isku filnaanshaha dadka Soomaaliyeed.

“Halganka dowlad-dhiska ee aan kusoo jirnay tan iyo burburkii, mar waliba waxaan dareemeynay maqnaanshaha kaalinta mufakiriinta Soomaaliyeed ee si dhab ah u darsilahaa mushkiladaha na haysta, nasiib wanaag Shirkan, waxa uu kusoo aaday waqtigii ugu mudnaa oo ay tahay in aan uga faa’iideysanno si dhaqsi leh” Ayuu yiri Madaxweyne Xasan.

Shirweynaha meertada 15-aad ee Ururka caalamiga ah ee Daraasaadka Soomaaliyeed, oo markiisii ugu horreysay la qabtay sanadkii 1979-kii ayaa sanadkan waxaa ka qayb galaya, in ka badan 400 oo ergo ah, kuwaasi oo isugu jira aqoonyahanno Soomaaliyeed, cilmi baarayaal caalami ah iyo qaar kamid ah mas’uuliyiinta Jaamacadaha geeska Afrika, waxaana gabagabada Shirkan laga soo saaridoona, Daraasado ku saabsan horumarinta Mujtamaca Soomaaliyeed.

The UAE Casts Curious Shadow in Africa

 Source: Wrote by The Geneva-based The Responsible Security Association published on 4 December 2024 a commentary titled “Casting a Shadow: The UAE in Africa” by Raphael Parens, Foreign Policy Research Institute.  

The UAE is heavily involved in civil wars in Libya and Sudan.  Illicit gold flows through Abu Dhabi fund armed groups, mercenaries, and juntas in West Africa.  The UAE may even be considering establishing its own “foreign legions,” drawing from the examples of the Russian Wagner Group and the French Foreign Legion to build the country’s brand of aggressive foreign involvement.  

US ‘welcomes’ Ethiopia-Somalia deal on sea access

Source: AFP, Saturday December 14, 2024

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday said it welcomed the accord reached by Somalia and Ethiopia to end regional tensions, sparked by Addis Ababa’s push for maritime access.

The two countries had been at loggerheads since landlocked Ethiopia struck a deal in January with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to lease a stretch of coastline for a port and military base.But on Wednesday, regional power Turkiye, which had brokered talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, announced the two sides had reached a deal that would ensure “reliable, safe and sustainable access” to the sea for Ethiopia, “under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”

“The United States welcomes the December 11 Declaration between the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia reaffirming each country’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity,” top US diplomat Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken added the United States was looking forward to the “technical negotiations” that would spell out Ethiopia’s sea access “while respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity.”

After Ethiopia had announced its original deal with Somaliland — which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 — authorities in the region said Ethiopia would give their government formal recognition.

The pledge was never confirmed by Addis Ababa.

Somalia branded the deal a violation of its sovereignty, setting international alarm bells ringing over the risk of renewed conflict in the volatile region.

Blinken also thanked Turkiye for “facilitating” the new agreement.

The statement came as he was in talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on the situation in Syria.

“We encourage Ethiopia and Somalia to intensify their cooperation on mutual security interests, particularly the fight against Al-Shabab,” Blinken said

Somali government clarifies AUSSOM troop selection not part of Ankara talks

Source: hIIRAAN ONLINE, Saturday December 14, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government confirmed Thursday that the AUSSOM troop deployment plan was not part of the Ankara talks that resolved a year-long diplomatic dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia. 

Speaking during a Twitter space session, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, emphasized that the federal government retains full authority over selecting countries contributing to the African Union Somalia Mission (AUSSOM), which will replace the ATMIS mission in January 2024. 

“The Ankara Declaration reaffirmed Somalia’s independence, unity, and territorial integrity,” said Fiqi. “While regional cooperation is vital, Somalia alone will decide the composition of AUSSOM troops.” 

Ethiopia has expressed interest in remaining part of Somalia’s peacekeeping operations and joining the upcoming AUSSOM mission. However, Somalia previously announced Ethiopia’s exclusion, mandating the withdrawal of its forces. 

The clarification follows the Turkish-brokered agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia, signed on December 11, 2024, after extensive negotiations in Ankara. The deal aimed to resolve tensions, including Ethiopia’s controversial 2024 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Somaliland. The MOU proposed leasing coastal land for a naval base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence, a move Somalia condemned as an attack on its sovereignty. 

The agreement guarantees Ethiopia’s access to the sea while respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations. 

Fiqi reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding Somalia’s sovereignty and maintaining control over critical decisions, including peacekeeping partnerships.

EU welcomes Ethiopia-Somalia agreement, acknowledges Türkiye’s ‘important’ role

Source: Anadolu Agency, Selen Valente Rasquinho
Saturday December 14, 2024

The EU on Thursday expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, recognizing Türkiye’s “important” role in the process.

EU Spokesman for Foreign Affairs Anouar El Anouni, responding to Anadolu’s question during a daily press briefing, commented on the Ankara Declaration signed on Wednesday between Ethiopia and Somalia, with Türkiye acting as the facilitator.

“The European Union welcomes the declaration agreed in Ankara on the 11th of December,” El Anouni said.

He noted that the resolution highlights the importance of mutual respect and dialogue in reducing tensions across Africa. He reiterated the EU’s support for the “unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Somalia and Ethiopia, “pursuant to principles entrenched in international law.”

Acknowledging Türkiye’s key facilitation role, El Anouni said: “We recognize the important role taken by the Republic of Türkiye in achieving this agreement.”

He also affirmed the EU’s readiness to support further efforts and mediation initiatives.

Ankara Declaration

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted his Somalian counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara on Wednesday before the three leaders announced the Ankara Declaration.

“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace, cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia,” Erdogan said at a joint news conference in the Turkish capital.

The leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia “reaffirmed their respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the principles enshrined in international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union,” Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said.

The two East African countries have been at odds since Ethiopia struck a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland on Jan. 1 to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. Türkiye has been working to end tensions between the two countries.

Somaliland to reassess Ethiopia MoU following Ankara agreement

Source: Hiiraan Online, Saturday December 14, 2024

Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland’s new government announced plans to reevaluate its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia following the recent Somalia-Ethiopia agreement mediated by Turkey, which resolved a year-long diplomatic dispute over the MoU. 

Mohamed Farah Abdi, spokesperson for the ruling Waddani Party, told BBC Somali on Friday that the Turkish-brokered Ankara agreement, signed on December 11, 2024, does not directly affect Somaliland. 

“The agreement in Ankara has nothing to do with us; it was signed between two neighboring countries. We are Somaliland,” Abdi said. 

The spokesperson revealed that Somaliland’s government has yet to review the contentious MoU, signed in 2024 and proposed leasing coastal land to Ethiopia for a naval base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. Somalia strongly opposed the deal, calling it a violation of its sovereignty. 
“The new government will study the MoU. If it aligns with Somaliland’s interests, it will proceed. If not, it will be shelved,” Abdi stated. 

The newly elected government, led by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, has committed to reassessing all major agreements to ensure they serve Somaliland’s long-term interests.

The Somalia-Ethiopia agreement, facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. Former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed the MoU in Addis Ababa on January 1, 2024.

Somaliland President Irro unveils full cabinet after election victory

Source: Hiiraan Online, Saturday December 14, 2024

Hargeisa (HOL)— Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro announced his Council of Ministers on Saturday, unveiling a 48-member cabinet shortly after his inauguration as the region’s sixth president. 

The cabinet includes 28 ministers, 16 deputy ministers, and four state ministers. 

Ministers: 

1. Abdalla Mohamed Arab (Sandheere): Minister of Internal Security. 
2. Hassan Ahmed Duale (Macallin): Minister of Local Government and Urban Development. 
3. Yoonis Ahmed Yoonis Muxummad: Minister of Justice. 
4. Abdillaahi Hassan Adan Awaale: Minister of Finance and Economic Development. 
5. Abdirahman Dahir Adan Bakaal: Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. 
6. Dr. Hussein Bashir Hirsi Wahan: Minister of Health Development. 
7. Hussein Ahmed Aydiid Warsame: Minister of Public Works, Land, and Housing. 
8. Khadar Hussein Abdi Looge Minister of the Presidency. 
9. Ali Jama Farah (Buureed): Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
10. Mohamed Yusuf Ali Ahmed (Ilkacase): Minister of Defense and Security. 
11. Eng. Ahmed Jama Barre Rooble: Minister of Energy and Minerals. 
12. Ms. Kaltuun Sh. Hassan Abdi Madar: Minister of National Planning and Development. 
13. Osman Ibrahim Nuur (Af-gaab): Minister of Transport and Road Development. 
14. Prof. Ismail Yusuf Duale Guuleed: Minister of Education, Training, and Science. 
15. Abubakar Abdirahman Good Wacays: Minister of Water. 
16. Ms. Milgo Mohamed Cilmi (Sambalooshe): Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family. 
17. Mahmoud Cige Yusuf: Minister of Agricultural Development. 
18. Mr. Fu’aad Ahmed Nuux Nuur: Minister of Aviation, Air, and Airport Development. 
19. Ahmed Yasin Sh. Ali Ayaanle: Minister of Information, Awareness, and Culture. 
20. Abdillaahi Osman Jama (Geel-jire): Minister of Environment and Climate Change. 
21. Ahmed Aw-daahir Haji Hassan: Minister of Parliamentary Relations and Constitutional Affairs. 
22. Jamaal Mohamed Jama Ahmed: Minister of Communications and Technology. 
23. Saleebaan Duale Haji Jama: Minister of Resettlement and Humanitarian Affairs. 
24. Ahmed Mohamed Farah Coofle: Minister of Sports and Youth. 
25. Omar Shucayb Mohamed Cabsiiye: Minister of Rural Development and Welfare. 
26. Sheikh Abdillaahi Dahir Jamaac (Baashe): Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments. 
27. Abdirahman Hassan Nur Furre: Minister of Commerce and Tourism. 
28. Said Mohamed Burale Carraale: Minister of Investment and Industrial Development. 

State Ministers: 

29. Mohamed Yusuf Ibrahim Faacuul: State Minister for Education. 
30. Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed (Magaalo): State Minister for Internal Security. 
31. Ismail Mawliid Abdillaahi Hassan: State Minister for Finance and Economic Development. 

Deputy Ministers: 

32. Mukhtaar Haaji Muxummad: Deputy Minister of Agriculture. 
33. Ahmed Omar Haaji Abdillaahi (Xamarji): Deputy Minister of Local Government. 
34. Muse Askar Guled Jamac: Deputy Minister of Information. 
35. Ms. Samsam Mohamed Salah Yacniile: Deputy Minister of Health Development. 
36. Jamaal Jamac Xamud Dhunkaal: Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs. 
37. Ali Ahmed Abdi Cantar: Deputy Minister of Livestock and Rural Development. 
38. Yusuf Nuux Yusuf (Tadhase): Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports. 
39. Mohamed Muse Haaji Abdi (Galaydh): Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family. 
40. Sharmaake Abdi Muse Mohamed: Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
41. Abdirahman Shide Bile Dharaar: Deputy Minister of Resettlement and Humanitarian Affairs. 
42. Yusuf Kayse Abdillaahi Adan: Deputy Minister of Aviation and Airports. 
43. Dr. Mohamed Aw Dahir Ibrahim: Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change. 
44. Eng. Mohamed Elmi Hussein (Huuno): Deputy Minister of Investment and Industry. 
45. Jawhar Siciid Warsame: Deputy Minister of Commerce and Tourism. 
46. Eng. Maliki Abdi Hassan Hirsi: Deputy Minister of Communications and Technology. 
47. Mohamed Muse Bucul Bookh: Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Relations and Constitutional Affairs. 
48. Mohamed Abdimaalik Ahmed: Deputy Minister of Transport and Roads. 

The newly elected government, led by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, pledged to soon appoint the remaining deputy and state ministers, though no reason was provided for the delay. 

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the region’s former opposition leader elected in November 2024, became the sixth president of Somaliland, taking over from Muse Bihi Abdi during an inauguration ceremony in Hargeisa. 

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia over 30 years ago but remains unrecognized by the African Union, the United Nations, or any country as an independent state. Somalia continues to regard Somaliland as part of its territory. 

Source: Hiiraan Online, Ethiopia, Somalia resolve year-long feud in Turkey-brokered agreement

Thursday December 12, 2024



Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan poses with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed following a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, December 11, 2024. Murat Kula/Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS 

ANKARA, Turkey (HOL) —  Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to resolve a year-long diplomatic feud in a historic agreement brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on December 11, 2024. The deal, reached after marathon negotiations in Ankara, seeks to ensure Ethiopia’s access to the sea while respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity.

“This historic agreement is a first step towards peace and cooperation,” Erdogan announced at a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The leaders agreed to initiate technical talks by February 2025, aiming to conclude within four months, with Turkey providing support if needed.

“This agreement is a turning point for Somalia and Ethiopia, moving us toward a future of peace and mutual benefit,” Erdogan said at a press conference following the talks.

According to a government source, the meeting was reportedly requested by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Abiy emphasized Ethiopia’s peaceful intentions, calling the agreement a “positive undertaking” that would bring economic benefits to both nations. “Our aspiration for secure and reliable access to the sea is a venture that benefits not only Ethiopia but the entire Horn of Africa region,” Abiy stated. President Mohamud echoed these sentiments, underscoring Somalia’s readiness to work collaboratively, adding, “The Horn of Africa needs our cooperation more than ever.”

The agreement comes after a year of heightened tensions following Ethiopia’s controversial January memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Somaliland. The MOU proposed leasing coastal land to Ethiopia for a naval base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence, which Somalia condemned as a violation of its sovereignty. 

The dispute escalated with diplomatic expulsions and culminated with Somalia’s pledge to exclude Ethiopian troops from the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) unless the MOU was annulled. According to a source close to the talks, Somalia’s firm stance altered Ethiopia’s approach.

“By threatening to exclude Ethiopian forces from AUSSOM unless the MOU was annulled, Somalia effectively forced Ethiopia into a diplomatic pivot.”

The feud also amplified regional instability, drawing in neighboring Egypt, which bolstered ties with Somalia as part of its broader rivalry with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). In August 2024, Egypt signed a security agreement with Somalia, providing military aid to counter Ethiopian influence. However, its relationship with Somalia is intricately tied to its broader rivalry with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). With Ethiopia and Somalia now seeking reconciliation, Egypt’s future role in AUSSOM may face recalibration.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab capitalized on the uncertainty, using the crisis as a recruitment tool. The group has also intensified attacks across Somalia and raised concerns about the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts in the region.

Abiy appeared to disavow previous comments suggesting that his nation would gain access to the sea ‘by force’ if necessary and emphasized the peaceful intent of his country’s maritime aspirations, stating, “This venture will benefit all our neighbours and foster regional cooperation.” Somali President Mohamud echoed these sentiments, calling the agreement a “halt to differences” and pledging to collaborate for mutual prosperity.

Ethiopia’s pursuit of maritime access is driven by economic and political pressures, including reliance on landlocked trade routes and internal instability caused by Oromo and Amhara militant conflicts. The MOU with Somaliland, though intended to secure sea access, exacerbated Ethiopia’s diplomatic isolation and drew criticism from Somalia, Egypt, as well as other regional and international actors. 

Turkey, which has strengthened ties with both nations through economic and defence agreements, played a pivotal role in mediating the talks after two earlier rounds failed to yield progress. 

Turkey’s mediation aligns with its geopolitical interests, including recent agreements with Somalia on maritime defence and hydrocarbon exploration. 

The Ankara agreement marks a major milestone in reshaping the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa. While the deal offers a pathway toward stability and cooperation, lingering questions remain about its implementation and long-term implications. 

Somali president leads talks in Turkey over tensions with Ethiopia

Source: Hiiraan Online, Wednesday December 11, 2024

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrives in Ankara, Turkey, leading a delegation for critical talks with Ethiopian officials. The discussions, mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, aim to address escalating tensions over Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland. Ankara (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ankara on Monday night, leading a delegation to join talks mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Now, in their third round, the discussions aim to resolve escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over a contentious agreement with Somaliland.

The Somali government has drawn a clear line: no direct engagement with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unless Addis Ababa retracts its deal with Somaliland and acknowledges Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity.

The talks come at a critical juncture for Somalia, which views Ethiopia’s actions as an affront to its territorial integrity. President Mohamud’s delegation includes Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, intelligence chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali “Sanbalolshe”, former Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled, National Security Advisor, Hussein Moalim, Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. Their presence underscores Mogadishu’s determination to defend its national interests.

“Somalia remains steadfast in its commitment to sovereignty and unity,” a Somali government official stated. “Any negotiations must respect these principles.”

Somali International Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC)  www.sirclund.se . Waxay usoo jeedinaysaa Dawladda Federaalka  Somalia in cabashada ururka haweenka Somaliyeed  oo laxiriira Guriga Haweenka Somaliyeed ee Mugdisho in Dawladda Federaalka  si deg deg ah wax uga qabato bacdamaa haweenka Somaliyeed yihiin lafdhabarka Somalia. Maamulka gurigood oo dawladdii Siyaad Barre udhistay haweenka Somaliyeed yaan lagu faragalin!!!

Abdillahi Jama

Interview: Ethiopia and Abiy Ahmed

#81: With Tom Gardner

Source, Tom Gardner, The Economist, Dec 03, 2024

Welcome to The Hundred! If you would like to support our work, you can order my new book, How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive. I’m delighted to say that The Economist recommends it as one of the best books of the year. If you’re in Europe, the book is available right now. In the US, it will be published six days before Trump’s inauguration.Subscribe

Tom Gardner is the author of The Abiy Project: God, Power and War in the New Ethiopia. Gardner moved to Addis Ababa in 2016 as The Economist’s Horn of Africa Correspondent. He covered Ethiopia during its most tumultuous years in decades, travelling to all corners of the country before his expulsion by the Abiy Ahmed government at the height of the Tigray war in 2022. Since 2024 he has been The Economist’s Africa Correspondent based in Nairobi. Our questions are in bold, his answers in block quotes.

Who is Abiy Ahmed?

Abiy is Ethiopia’s prime minister, a Nobel peace laureate, and—in my view—the most historically significant African leader of his generation. But I also think that his importance goes beyond Africa. Few leaders anywhere in the world today so vividly embody the politics of our age: an icon of religious (Christian) evangelical revival; a master of disinformation and ‘post-truth’; and, above all, a creature of our fragmenting, increasingly lawless, multipolar world.

Why were there such high hopes when Abiy came to power?

In short, the world got Abiy wrong. When he came to power in 2018, he was feted in the West as a liberal reformer, one who’d shepherd an Ethiopia bedevilled by ethnic division into a democratic and “post-ethnic” future. As the first leader in Ethiopia’s modern history to identify as Oromo, the largest but historically among the most politically under-represented of the country’s many ethnic groups, Abiy was thought to be a unifier after years of fracture. It is worth noting that he came to power in the early Trump era, a time when there was a certain yearning among Western liberals (diplomats, academics, politicians, journalists) for a saviour, someone who could restore their faith in the arc of history.

Abiy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. For what?

When we talk about the world getting Abiy wrong, the awarding him with the Nobel prize in 2019 is the high-point of what I call the era of delusionally naive “Abiymania”. Ostensibly, the reason was that in 2018, shortly after coming to power, he made a historic peace with Eritrea, Ethiopia’s smaller neighbour which seceded in 1993. The Nobel committee’s chair said the prize recognised Abiy’s “efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”. He also praised Abiy’s domestic reform efforts, including the release of tens of thousands of prisoners and the return of once-banned opposition groups.

Why did Abiy make peace with Eritrea?

The reality, though, was more complicated—far more complicated, and frankly sinister, than the Nobel committee could have realised, even if they had done their homework properly. The peace deal was really anything but: it was a security pact in all but name, between him and Eritrea’s long-standing dictator, Isaias Afewerki. Abiy and Isaias shared a common enemy; the leaders of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which abuts Eritrea’s southern border. This alliance ultimately paved the way for the war against Tigray, one of the very worst wars of the 21st century so far, which began two years later.

What role did Abiy play in the Ethiopian civil war?

Abiy was the war’s chief architect. Unlike some analysts, I don’t believe that his antagonists in Tigray—the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)—a controversial former liberation movement which had held outsized power in Ethiopian national politics for much of the previous three decades, was innocent. They too played a part in the tit-for-tat escalatory spiral which led to war in 2020. But Abiy was prime minister, and the buck ultimately stops with him. In a more overarching sense, too, my central contention is that Abiy’s highly idiosyncratic and personalised rule heightened what sociologists might call the Ethiopian state’s ‘structural contradictions’ to the point of near total collapse. As the country’s disrupter in chief, who took a sledgehammer to an already combustible set of political arrangements, Abiy was the prime catalyst for the country’s spectacular unravelling after 2018.

You wrote that he “may go down as the most controversial recipient of the Nobel peace prize since Henry Kissinger”. What makes you say so?

I think it is worth dwelling here on the horrors of his time in office. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps a million, people died in the Tigray War, which ended in 2022. His government committed extensive human rights abuses; what UN investigators have described as crimes against humanity, including the crime of forced starvation. Many would, fairly convincingly, argue that this was in fact a genocide. It involved rape as a weapon of war on an industrial scale.

Abiy was no bystander in this: ultimately, he licensed it—including by inviting troops from Eritrea, who had their own troubled history with Tigrayans, into the country to wage total war against their common foe. But there’s more than just this: mass violence has been the defining feature of the Abiy era, from before the war in Tigray, and after. His troops continue to wage brutal campaigns against insurgents in other parts of the country today, notably the Amhara and Oromo regions, the two largest in the country. Abiy shows no signs of wanting to end these conflicts; and he has skillfully avoided any accountability for any of the crimes committed in the past six years.

What role do regional powers play in enabling him?

Abiy has one key regional sponsor: the United Arab Emirates, and in particular its ruler Mohammed bin Zayed. The two leaders have a close, almost brotherly relationship—MbZ clearly sees something of himself in Abiy, in his vaulting ambitions to reshape his country and immediate neighborhood in his own image. MbZ has bankrolled Abiy’s government since 2018; furnished his armed forces with hi-tech equipment including the drones which arguably played the decisive role in the Tigray War; and is now funding the transformation of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, into a Dubai-like urban playground.

How high is the risk of another civil war in Ethiopia?

Ethiopia’s civil war never really ended. There was a peace deal in 2022 which brought fighting in Tigray to a close. But it is extremely fragile, and could easily erupt again, not least because Abiy has failed to implement certain key provisions. And, regardless, by ending that war in the way he did he sowed the seeds for another: in Amhara, which has been a conflict zone since early 2023. Moreover, the Ethiopian state—once the strongest in Africa—is now so weak that almost nowhere is entirely safe and secure. Kidnapping, for example, is now rampant across much of the country outside of Addis Ababa.

What’s a question you wish you were asked and what’s your answer to it?

What is Abiy’s role in the wider region? It is in the broader Horn of Africa region that Abiy could yet play the most dangerous role. He is currently embroiled in a bitter dispute over sea access with neighboring Somalia, which has pitted him not only against Somalia’s president but also his previously close ally, Isaias of Eritrea. These tensions are drawing in regional powers, including Egypt, Turkey and the UAE. There is a real chance of a broader regional war in the coming years, most likely between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which previously fought a border war in 1998-2000 in which perhaps 100,000 died. My main warning these days is this: the worst may well be yet to come.

UNESCO Recognizes Xeer Ciise as Intangible Cultural Heritage, Celebrating Somali-Issa Traditions

Source: Horn of Africa Observer, Saturday December 07, 2024 – 11:38:19 in Latest News by Horn Observer Contribute

Xeer Ciise was established over 500 years ago on Sitti Mountain in Ethiopia by 44 elders representing 12 Somali-Issa clans.

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially recognized Xeer Ciise, the customary law system of the Somali-Issa communities in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia, as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This historic decision was announced last Thursday.

Xeer Ciise was established over 500 years ago on Sitti Mountain in Ethiopia by 44 elders representing 12 Somali-Issa clans. Convening for a year under a tree, these elders codified the laws to resolve inter-clan disputes and govern community matters.

Xeer Ciise addresses issues such as homicide, blood compensation, livestock theft, marriage, and sexual violence.

It remains a cornerstone of conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and governance in the region. Complex cases are escalated to the Gande, the highest court, led by the Ugaas, the spiritual and political leader of the Somali-Issa.

UNESCO’s recognition not only celebrates the historical and cultural significance of Xeer Ciise but also underscores its role in uniting Somali-Issa communities across the Horn of Africa, promoting peace, equality, and good governance.

It is seen as a vital living heritage that strengthens community ties and preserves traditional knowledge.

Cultural expert and poet Yusuf Shaacir from Hargeisa called this recognition “a big success for all Somali communities, who will feel proud because of this acknowledgment.”

However, he noted the need to update Xeer Ciise’s 365 articles to align with Islamic law and to expand its application for broader use among local communities in the Horn of Africa.

This recognition follows a nomination submitted by Ethiopia and Djibouti last year, inspired by a major Somali-Issa clan assembly held in Ethiopia’s Somali region.

Several books have been published about Xeer Ciise in Somali, English, and other languages, further documenting its significance.

UNESCO stated that Xeer Ciise exemplifies how cultural traditions can sustain unity, social equity, and peaceful coexistence in a diverse region

Somali pirates demand ransom for Chinese vessel, after first being paid to protect it

Source: AFP, Sunday December 8, 2024


FILE PHOTO – Reuters

The 18 crew were taken hostage by the same men who were contracted to provide the ship with protection, with other pirates as reinforcement

Somali pirates who hijacked a Chinese fishing boat have demanded a ransom payment for the vessel and its 18 crew members, police and local officials said on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear when the ship was taken hostage by gunmen wielding AK-47 assault rifles but the European Union’s anti-piracy force drew global attention to the incident on Thursday.

“The pirates are moving the ship off the coast … they are looking for a safe haven,” said Mohamed Dini, a police officer in Eyl, a traditional pirate stronghold on Puntland’s east coast.

The boat was hijacked by men who had been contracted to provide “protection” before later being reinforced by other pirates, Dini said, adding that they had demanded payment for its release.

Ali Warsame, a local elder familiar with the case, said a Somali company acting on the boat’s behalf had offered to pay a US$300,000 ransom. But the proposal was declined by the pirates.

Local fishermen said the boat came close to Eyl on Friday, but the pirates pushed back into the sea out of fear of Puntland’s coastguards. But “they cannot move deeper towards the ocean because they are afraid of the foreign military ships”, said fisherman Abdirahman Said.

EU’s anti-piracy naval force Atalanta on Friday said it was closely monitoring the event “classified as armed robbery at sea”. “The crew remains safe, with no injuries,” it added.

The incident is the latest episode in a surge of Somali pirate activity after years of lull.

In March, Somali pirates hijacked a Bangladeshi cargo ship transporting more than 55,000 tonnes (60,600 tons) of coal from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates.

The bulk carrier MV Abdullah was freed after its Bangladeshi owners, KSRM Group, paid a hefty ransom that was airdropped over the vessel in sackloads of US dollars. The ransom amount was not disclosed by the company.

A series of incidents since then has fuelled concerns about a resurgence of Indian Ocean raids by opportunistic pirates exploiting a security gap after the redeployment of international forces.

Somalia accuses Ethiopia of ‘interference’, inciting conflict among clans

Source: AFP, Saturday December 7, 2024



Somalia on Friday accused Ethiopia of interfering in its southern Jubaland region, the latest upset in a nearly year-long bitter dispute between the two nations.

The neighbours have been at loggerheads since landlocked Ethiopia in January struck a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region Somaliland to lease a stretch of coastline for a port and military base in exchange for recognition, although this has not been confirmed by Addis Ababa.

Conflict-weary Somalia is a federation of five semi-autonomous member states — Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle and South West — and a central government in Mogadishu.

The Somali accusation also comes shortly after Jubaland re-election of former warlord Ahmed Madobe, much to the chagrin of central government which had hoped to align the polls with future nationwide elections.

A statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism claimed that Ethiopian forces were moved towards Bulohawo district in southern Gedo on Friday, before being “confronted by local communities and the armed forces” who stopped the advance.

“The Somali government strongly condemns the damning acts the Ethiopian government is carrying in the Gedo region to start conflict among the clans in the area,” the ministry said.

“This is part of the interference of the Addis-Ababa administration against the sovereignty and unity of Somalia,” it added.

It said while the country was open to “peaceful co-existence”, the Ethiopian moves would “create fresh conflicts in the region”.

Somalia was prepared “to defend its independence and sovereignty,” it said, urging the international community to condemn the alleged movements.

Addis Ababa has made no comment on the allegations.

Somalia marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Source: Thursday December 5, 2024



The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Disability Agency (NDA), Somalia, in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), joined forces in celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2024 in Somalia with remarkable achievements made under a joint initiative aimed at empowering the persons with disabilities in Somalia.  

As part of the celebration, UNDP and KSrelief handed over assistive equipment and other support to the Persons with Disabilities in Somalia through the National Disability Agency, while expressing commitment to continue the support in advancing the rights of the PWDs. 

Launched in March 2024, the Capacity Development and Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities Project, funded by KSrelief has been providing policy and advocacy support as well as training and assistive logistics and infrastructure to advance the rights of PWDs in Somalia. Over the last few months, the project has delivered catalytic results, including the provision of a 15-seat customized vehicle to the National Disability Agency, setting a benchmark for inclusive transportation solutions and distribution of over 1,240 wheelchairs, 750 white canes, and 750 crutches, empowering individuals to actively participate in society.  

Besides, training of 50 individuals in sign language, refurbishment of three psychosocial centers with accessible facilities and the establishment of a functional hotline (9944) have collectively provided a critical responsive mechanism for delivering timely support, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable empowerment and inclusion. 

His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Al Bediri, Chargé d’Affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Somalia, expressed pride in the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts, particularly the Capacity Development and Empowerment Project for Persons with Disabilities, implemented with UNDP. He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through education, vocational training, and employment, fostering their active integration into Somali society. Highlighting the Kingdom’s historic support for Somalia, with over 135 projects worth $326.3 million benefiting millions, he expressed hope that this initiative would improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities.  

“On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate these achievements and reaffirm our dedication to building an inclusive society,” said Lionel LAURENS, United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative. “Together with KSrelief, we’re promoting disability inclusion in Somalia–advocating policy changes, combating stigma and discrimination, empowering communities, and equipping persons with disabilities with much-needed skills, tools and vital assistive devices.” 

The Capacity Development and Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Project. The project focuses on promoting inclusivity, advocating for the rights of PWDs, and providing essential services to improve their quality of life. The project has made substantial progress in promoting inclusivity, advocating for the rights of PWDs, and providing essential equipment and services to improve their quality of life.

Somali Gender Director appointed chairperson of IGAD Women Peace and Security Forum

Source: Hiiran Online, Thursday December 5, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) — Gender Director of Somalia’s Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, Sadia Noor, was named Chairperson of the IGAD Women Peace and Security Forum (IWPSF) during a meeting held in Mombasa, Kenya, on Wednesday. 

The Ministry of Family praised the newly elected leadership team’s collaborative efforts, including Deputy Chairperson Amer Manyok Deng from South Sudan and Secretary Hon. Dora Byamukama from Uganda. 

“The workshop concluded with celebrations as the newly elected Chair, Mrs. Sadia Mohamed Nur from Somalia, Vice Chair, Mrs. Amer Manyok Deng from South Sudan, and Secretary, Hon. Dora Byamukama from Uganda, were announced. They promised to work collaboratively to advance the IWPSF agenda,” IGAD stated. 

Established in 2013 after the 2011 IGAD Women and Peace Conference, the IWPSF seeks to enhance women’s participation in conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution. The forum’s board includes executive, legislative, and civil society representatives, with IGAD serving as its secretariat.

Trump in Africa

 Source: The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 29 November 2024 a 50-minute podcast titled “Trump in Africa” with Richard Atwood and the ICG’s Africa director, Murithi Mutiga. 

The program is less about what President-elect Trump might do in Africa than the crises he will face there. African countries that may face challenges in a Trump administration include South Africa and Somalia.  Those that may benefit during a Trump administration include Kenya, Rwanda, and Eritrea.  

At least 15 killed and more than 100 missing after landslides bury homes in Uganda

Source: by Associated Press

Published 11:13 AM EST, Thu November 28, 2024

Rescue workers and people search for bodies after landslides following heavy rains in the mountainous district of Bulambuli, eastern Uganda. Jean Watala/APAP — 

At least 15 people have died and 113 others are still missing after landslides buried homes in six villages in eastern Uganda, police said.

Another 15 injured people have been rescued and admitted to Buluganya Health Center.

The Uganda Red Cross Society said Thursday that 13 bodies had been recovered after landslides buried 40 homes and the rescue effort was continuing.

Local media reported that authorities expect the death toll could rise to 30.

The landslides happened after heavy rains on Wednesday night in the mountainous district of Bulambuli, where landslides are common. The district is about 280 kilometers (173miles) east of the capital, Kampala.

More than a hundred people were missing on Thursday, after the landslides buried homes across six villages. Jean Watala/AP

A journalist in the area told The Associated Press that local officials said an excavator would be brought to assist in the rescue efforts, but the roads were covered in mud and the rain was still falling.

The affected area is about 50 acres (20ha) with homesteads and farmlands spread downhill.

Photos and videos of people digging through mud in search of victims were shared on social media platforms. Some of the houses were completed covered by mud while others only had a roof showing above the ground.

The Daily Monitor newspaper reported that most of the bodies recovered so far were those of children.

The prime minister’s office issued a disaster alert on Wednesday stating that heavy rains across the country had cut off major roads.

Two rescue boats capsized on Wednesday during a rescue mission on River Nile where Pakwach bridge was submerged.