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Source: Hiiraan Online, Tuesday October 28, 2025

 
This map is for illustration purposes only. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the International Organization for Migration

Mogadishu (HOL) — The number of Somali migrants reaching Europe has tripled this year compared to 2024, according to new figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Between January and August 2025, at least 5,435 Somali nationals arrived by sea and land, reflecting one of the largest year-on-year increases in recent memory.

Nearly three-quarters of Somali arrivals landed in Italy or Spain, where migration along the Central and Western Mediterranean routes surged dramatically. Italy recorded about 1,575 arrivals, while Spain received 1,521, the report said. Smaller groups entered Greece and Cyprus via the Eastern Mediterranean route (26 percent) and the Canary Islands via the Western African Atlantic route (3 percent).

In Spain, Somali arrivals have skyrocketed from just two people in 2022 to more than 1,500 this year, making them the third-largest national group on the Algeria–Spain corridor. Many arrived in the Balearic Islands, where the route has become a major point of entry for migrants from East Africa

Most Somali migrants were young men between 18 and 29, according to IOM survey data collected in Italy and Spain. Women accounted for about 13 percent of arrivals. Before leaving Somalia, nearly half were unemployed, while 49 percent reported working or being self-employed.

An overwhelming majority (86 percent) departed directly from Somalia, while others left from countries such as Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, or Kenya after spending over a year there. Conflict and insecurity were the most cited reasons for migration; 87 percent of men and 94 percent of women mentioned war, while 63 percent of women also reported personal or targeted violence as a key factor.

Among those arriving in Spain, 97 percent said they intended to remain there. By contrast, most Somalis arriving in Italy hoped to move onward to other European countries such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom, with only 36 percent planning to stay in Italy.

The IOM estimated that the average journey cost ranged from $1,500 on the Atlantic route to $4,900 via Libya to Italy, with the Western Mediterranean route averaging about $3,600. Many travelled through multiple transit countries, often facing detention, exploitation, or maritime danger.

Humanitarian agencies warn that the Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Despite this, migration experts say the rise in Somali departures reflects a mix of desperation and determination as insecurity, unemployment, and climate pressures push more people to leave.

Somalis now make up about 4 percent of all migrants reaching Europe in 2025, placing them among the continent’s most represented African nationalities.

The IOM report suggests the trend reflects a crisis of opportunity, as Somalis risk dangerous sea journeys in search of stability and employment. It cautioned that the figures may understate the true scale of migration, as no surveys were conducted in Greece or Cyprus during the reporting period.

Updated data are expected later this year.

Somali migration to Europe surges threefold in 2025, IOM report shows

Tuesday October 28, 2025

 
This map is for illustration purposes only. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the International Organization for Migration

Mogadishu (HOL) — The number of Somali migrants reaching Europe has tripled this year compared to 2024, according to new figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Between January and August 2025, at least 5,435 Somali nationals arrived by sea and land, reflecting one of the largest year-on-year increases in recent memory.

Nearly three-quarters of Somali arrivals landed in Italy or Spain, where migration along the Central and Western Mediterranean routes surged dramatically. Italy recorded about 1,575 arrivals, while Spain received 1,521, the report said. Smaller groups entered Greece and Cyprus via the Eastern Mediterranean route (26 percent) and the Canary Islands via the Western African Atlantic route (3 percent).

In Spain, Somali arrivals have skyrocketed from just two people in 2022 to more than 1,500 this year, making them the third-largest national group on the Algeria–Spain corridor. Many arrived in the Balearic Islands, where the route has become a major point of entry for migrants from East Africa

Most Somali migrants were young men between 18 and 29, according to IOM survey data collected in Italy and Spain. Women accounted for about 13 percent of arrivals. Before leaving Somalia, nearly half were unemployed, while 49 percent reported working or being self-employed.

An overwhelming majority (86 percent) departed directly from Somalia, while others left from countries such as Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, or Kenya after spending over a year there. Conflict and insecurity were the most cited reasons for migration; 87 percent of men and 94 percent of women mentioned war, while 63 percent of women also reported personal or targeted violence as a key factor.

Among those arriving in Spain, 97 percent said they intended to remain there. By contrast, most Somalis arriving in Italy hoped to move onward to other European countries such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom, with only 36 percent planning to stay in Italy.

The IOM estimated that the average journey cost ranged from $1,500 on the Atlantic route to $4,900 via Libya to Italy, with the Western Mediterranean route averaging about $3,600. Many travelled through multiple transit countries, often facing detention, exploitation, or maritime danger.

Humanitarian agencies warn that the Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Despite this, migration experts say the rise in Somali departures reflects a mix of desperation and determination as insecurity, unemployment, and climate pressures push more people to leave.

Somalis now make up about 4 percent of all migrants reaching Europe in 2025, placing them among the continent’s most represented African nationalities.

The IOM report suggests the trend reflects a crisis of opportunity, as Somalis risk dangerous sea journeys in search of stability and employment. It cautioned that the figures may understate the true scale of migration, as no surveys were conducted in Greece or Cyprus during the reporting period.

Updated data are expected later this year.

Kenya’s navy intercepts a meth consignment worth $63 million

Source: AP, Monday October 27, 2025

A massive methamphetamine drug haul worth approximately $63 million was seized in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on Saturday, and six Iranian nationals were taken into custody by authorities.

The Kenyan Navy intercepted the consignment some 630 kilometers (391 miles) off the coast of Mombasa in the Indian Ocean and escorted the vessel safely to port under armed guard.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Amin Mohammed Ibrahim, said preliminary forensic tests confirmed the substance was crystal methamphetamine.

Kenya is facing a growing synthetic drug crisis, particularly along the coastline, where hundreds of young people are struggling with meth and heroin addiction.

Authorities have hailed the record interception of more than a ton (1,024 kilograms) of methamphetamine as a major breakthrough in Kenya’s ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction.

Last year, a smaller consignment of 1.15 kilograms (2.54 pounds) of methamphetamine was seized in the country’s main airport. 

Djibouti lifts presidential age limit, paving way for sixth Guelleh term
Source: By Faisal Ali and News Agencies
Monday October 27, 2025

 
President Ismail Omar Guelleh has been in charge of Djibouti for more than two decades [File: Eduardo Soteras/AFP]

Djibouti’s parliament has removed the constitutional age ceiling for presidential candidates, opening the door for Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek a sixth term despite being 77 years old.

All 65 lawmakers present voted on Sunday to eliminate the age restriction of 75 years, a move that would allow the veteran leader to contest elections scheduled for April 2026. The decision requires either presidential approval followed by a second parliamentary vote on November 2, or a national referendum.

Guelleh, known widely as IOG, has governed the Horn of Africa nation since 1999, when he succeeded Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the country’s founding president.

The constitutional barrier was introduced by Guelleh himself in 2010 alongside reforms that scrapped presidential term limits, but reduced each term from six to five years.

National Assembly Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita defended the change as essential for maintaining stability in a turbulent region. He said public support exceeded 80 percent for the measure, though Al Jazeera is not able to verify this claim.

Earlier this year, in an interview with the Jeune Afrique magazine, Guelleh gave an important indication that he had no plans to relinquish power. “All I can tell you is that I love my country too much to embark on an irresponsible adventure and be the cause of divisions,” he said.

Rights advocates condemned the move as a step toward permanent rule. “This revision prepares a presidency for life,” said Omar Ali Ewado, who heads the Djiboutian League for Human Rights, calling instead for a peaceful democratic transition.

Daher Ahmed Farah, a leader in the Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development, told Al Jazeera that international partners should reconsider their priorities. “The country is in a strategic position and hosts many bases, but these interests lie with the Djiboutian people, not with a single man,” he said.

Guelleh won his fifth term in 2021 with more than 98 percent of votes after opposition groups boycotted the election. At the time, the United States welcomed the result but encouraged the government “to further strengthen its democratic institutions and processes in line with recommendations from the observer missions”.

Guelleh is East Africa’s third-longest-serving leader behind Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, in power for nearly four decades, and Eritrea’s Isaias Afwerki, with a tenure reaching 27 years.

Despite its small population of one million, Djibouti wields outsized geopolitical influence. The country hosts the only permanent US military base in Africa, alongside installations operated by France, China, Japan and Italy. Its position overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait makes it vital for global shipping between Asia and Europe.

That strategic value has kept Djibouti stable while neighbouring states face mounting crises, including Sudan’s civil war and Somalia’s fragmentation. 

News|Sudan war

Battle for Sudan’s el-Fasher intensifies as RSF claims seizing army HQ

Source: Aljazeera, Despite this apparent victory for the paramilitary group, the besieged city of el-Fasher’s status has not changed.

By Mariamne Everett and Reuters

Published On 26 Oct 202526 Oct 2025

Fighting has intensified in Sudan’s besieged city of el-Fasher in North Darfur, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group claimed it had captured a government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) base seen as their last stronghold in the western region.

An RSF spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday that its forces “managed to liberate the 6th Division in El Fasher, breaking the back of the army and its allies by establishing full control over this strategic military base.” He called the development a significant turning point and “a step on the path to building a new state that all Sudanese will participate in establishing according to their aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice.”

Source: Hay’adda Duulista Rayidka Soomaaliyeed oo tababar dibadda ah u dirtay 21 ka mid ah howl wadeenadeeda

Sabti, October 11, 2025 (HOL) – Maareeyaha guud ee Hay’adda Duulista Rayidka Soomaaliyeed Axmed Macalin Xasan ayaa maanta magaalada Muqdisho ka sagootiyay 21- ka mid ah howl wadeenada hay’adda oo u ambabaxay tababar ku saabsan hagista diyaaradaha (Air Traffic Control – ATC), gaar ahaan qeybaha Aerodrome Control, Approach Control, iyo Area Control Center.

Munaasabad si heer sare ah loo agaasimay oo lagu sagootinaayay howl wadeenada tababarka u ambabaxayay ayaa ka dhacday gudaha garoonka diyaaradaha Cadde, waxaana halkaas ka hadlay masuuliyiin kala duwan oo ka tirsan hay’adda Duulista Rayidka Soomaaliyeed.

Maareeyaha guud ee hay’adda Axmed Macalin oo munaasabada ka hadlay ayaa ku dhiirigeliyay howl wadeenada inay si buuxda uga faa’iideystaan fursadda tababarka ee ay Hay’addu u suurtagelisay, islamarkaana laga doonayo iney dalka dib ula soo laabtaan aqoon iyo khibrad dheeraad ah oo ay ku hormariyaan adeegyada Duulista Dalka.

“Shaqaalahan waa laf-dhabarta nidaamka Duulista, Tababarka ay qaadanayaan wuxuu sare u qaadi doonaa xirfaddooda iyo tayada adeegyada ATC ee dalka, tababarka wuxuu ka koobnaan doona theory iyo practical, kaaso leh aqoon dhamaystiran oo ku saabsan hagista diyaaradaha” ayuu yiri Maareeyaha guud ee hay’adda Duulista Axmed Macalin Xasan.

Maareeye Axmed Macalin Xasan wuxuu sidoo kale tilmaamay in talaabadan ay qayb ka tahay dadaalada lagu xoojinayo awoodda iyo tayada hagista diyaaradaha, taasoo muhiim u ah kor u qaadista amniga iyo badqabka Hawada Soomaaliya.

Ma ahan markii ugu horeysay oo ay hay’adda Duulista Rayidka Soomaaliyeed ay tababar u dirto koox ka mid ah howl wadeenadeeda waxaana haatan dalka Qatar uu tababar uga socda howlwadeeno ka tirsan hay’adda oo la filayo inay dhawaan dalka dib ugu soo laabtaan.

Source: The Guardian, UK’s biggest weapons firm BAE grounds ‘lifeline’ aircraft delivering food aid

Mark Townsend
Saturday October 25, 2025

 
One of BAE’s Advanced Turbo-Prop aeroplanes used by Kenya’s EnComm Aviation to deliver aid to Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Chad. EnComm claims BAE’s move to surrender its CAA type certificate has in effect grounded its fleet. Photograph: EnComm Aviation

Exclusive: In the year they announced record profits, Britain’s arms maker has revoked licence to fly for planes taking supplies of food to starving people in South Sudan, Somalia and DRC.

Britain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, has quietly scrapped support for a fleet of aircraft providing “life-saving” humanitarian aid to some of the world’s poorest countries.

The decision further reduces the distribution of vital aid to countries facing serious humanitarian crises, including South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

BAE Systems announced record profits this year of more than £3bn, buoyed by increased defence spending linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The decision to scrap support for the aid aircraft is thought to have been made in order for the defence firm to pursue projects related to Nato members’ 5% increase in spending on arms.

Several major humanitarian contracts have been cancelled since the decision, including one with the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) to fly aid to 12 destinations across Somalia where almost 5 million people face “crisis” levels of hunger.

The developments follow a decision by BAE Systems to voluntarily surrender the type certificate issued by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority for the Advanced Turbo-Prop (ATP), thereby revoking the airworthiness of its last commercial aircraft model.

BAE informed the European Union Aviation Safety Agency that these models were “no longer produced and that, to their knowledge, only few aircrafts are being operated”.

Though several countries have the ATP still registered, the last known operator was EnComm Aviation, a Kenyan air-cargo operator that specialised in delivering humanitarian aid across east Africa.

Jackton Obuola, EnComm Aviation’s director, said: “The aid our aircraft delivered provided a lifeline to the people of South Sudan, Somalia and the DRC at a time of great global instability.

“BAE’s decision to suddenly withdraw support for all our planes has grounded the fleet and cut off vital supplies to those most in need. Now, the people of east Africa face an increasingly perilous situation while BAE prioritise their own commercial interests.”

Between March 2023 and last month, EnComm Aviation’s aircraft delivered 18,677 tonnes of aid to Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Chad.

The WFP estimates that one tonne of food – usually cereals, pulses and oil – can meet the daily needs of about 1,660 people.

BAE’s ATP was considered ideal for humanitarian missions because it could operate on the shorter airstrips that are common in remote locations. Each aircraft could carry a payload of 8.2 tonnes (18,077lb).

A pre-action letter sent by lawyers acting for EnComm to BAE Systems, dated 13 October 2025, says that, since the decision, its 12 aid aircraft “cannot be operated” and are now “worthless for their intended purpose”.

The letter references emails and meetings between BAE’s senior leadership and EnComm Aviation that the Nairobi-based firm claims shows that it was led to believe BAE would provide continued support for its ATP for at least five years.

Sent by the London lawyers White & Case, the correspondence adds that the decision was taken “without any consultation with or formal notice to EnComm”.

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We do not comment on potential litigation.”

Correspondence from BAE Systems, meanwhile, shows that its decision to withdraw the airworthiness certificate for the ATP is “permanent and irreversible”.

A letter from the defence firm’s head of regional aircraft programmes, dated 27 May 2025, said the firm intended to inform the UK Civil Aviation Authority it wanted to “start the process to voluntarily surrender the aircraft type certificate for the BAE ATP. The objective being to complete this activity by December 2026.”

Among several humanitarian contracts that EnComm has had to cancel is a 10-year agreement to operate in the DRC.

Another involves WFP Somalia, with EnComm’s aircraft due to be based at two airports and four airstrips, where they would transport food to regions where the country’s food shortage is officially classed as a crisis. The contract, seen by the Guardian and agreed to run from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026, has been cancelled.

According to the UN, 4.6 million people are facing crisis levels of hunger in Somalia, while 1.8 million children aged under five are suffering from acute malnutrition.

In South Sudan – where EnComm flew to 12 different destinations – the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned that some regions are sliding into famine.

In total, 7.7 million people across South Sudan face acute food insecurity – more than half the entire population – with 2.3 million children malnourished.

Farther south – in the DRC – a record 27.7 million people are experiencing acute hunger amid conflict linked to huge displacement, climate crisis and rising food prices.

The situation is worst in its eastern provinces – North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika – where families have lost access to their livelihoods after prolonged conflict in the region.

EnComm’s contract for the country involved flights to 11 destinations including the city of Goma, which was seized by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels at the start of the year.

Since BAE signalled its intention over the aircraft, EnComm Aviation has closed operations in Kenya. It is now seeking £187m in losses and damages claiming “negligent misrepresentation and misstatement” by BAE.

Analysts expect BAE system’s profits to increase further this year as it benefits from increased military spending globally amid growing instability.

Source: Hiiraan Online, 25 October 2025, Somaliland oo Dowladda Soomaaliya ku eedaysay in maamulka hawada ay u adeegsanayso cadaadinta shacabka

Sabti, October 25, 2025 (HOL) – Xukuumadda Somaliland ayaa Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya ku eedaysay inay soo qorshaysay dagaal la xidhiidha maamulka hawada iyo socdaalka diyaaradaha, kaas oo la doonayo in lagu cunaqabateeyo shacabka Somaliland.

Wasiirka Madaxtooyada Somaliland, Khadar Xuseen Cabdi (Khadar Looge), oo maanta warbaahinta la hadlay, ayaa sheegay in dagaalka hawada ee ka dhexeeya Somaliland iyo Dowladda Soomaaliya uu yahay mid lagu soo qaaday Somaliland, si cadaadis loogu saaro.Waxa uu intaas ku daray in iyadoo Dowladda Soomaaliya sheeganayso “Soomaalinimo”, haddana ay dagaal ku hayso Somaliland.

“Dowladda Soomaaliya iyo Soomaalida ay metesho ceeb iyo ayaan-darro ayay ku tahay in iyagoo hawshoodii ku fashilmay ay hadh iyo habeen isku dayaan inay Somaliland hagardaameeyaan. Waa nusqaan weyn oo iyaga ku timid, waayo afka ayay ka leeyihiin ‘Soomaalinimo’ ayaan rabnaa, balse dhab ahaantii waxa ay doonayaan waa in ay shacabka Somaliland dhibaan si kasta oo ay u awoodaan,” ayuu yidhi Wasiir Khadar Looge.

Wasiirku waxa uu sheegay in Guddoomiyaha xisbiga mucaaradka ah ee KAAH, Maxamuud Xaashi Cabdi, uu masuul ka yahay in maamulka hawada si buuxda loogu wareejiyo Dowladda Soomaaliya, isla markaana uu saxeexay heshiiska ay Soomaaliya hawada kula wareegtay xilligii uu Wasiirka Duulista iyo Hawada ka ahaa xukuumaddii Madaxweyne Axmed Siilaanyo.

“Sidee ayay ku heleen maamulka hawada? Inaga ayaa u wareejinnay oo u ogolaanay inay maamulaan. Rag inaga mid ah ayaa saxeexay heshiiskaas, waxuuna ninka heshiiskaas galay ahaa Guddoomiyaha xisbiga KAAH,” ayuu yidhi Wasiir Khadar.

Isagoo musuqmaasuq toos ah ku eedeeyay Guddoomiyaha KAAH, Wasiir Khadar waxa uu yidhi: “Guddoomiyaha KAAH waxaa ka xidhan inuu ka hadlo saddex arrimood. Midda koowaad waa arrimaha hawada, midda labaad waa arrimaha biyaha, waayo waraaqihiisii biyaha la xidhiidhay way yaallaan, midda saddexaadna waa musuqmaasuqa.”

Wasiirku waxa uu sheegay in iyada oo hawada ay gacanta ku hayso hay’ad caalami ah, uu Guddoomiye Xaashi si toos ah ugu wareejiyay Dowladda Soomaaliya, isla markaana waxa maanta dhacaya ay yihiin natiijada falkaas uu sameeyay. Guddoomiye Xaashi ayaa dhawaan sheegay in arrinta hawadu ay tahay tijaabo ay marayso xukuumadda Somaliland.

Dhanka kale, Guddoomiyaha Maxkamadda Sare ee Somaliland, Aadan Xaaji Cali, ayaa sheegay in sharciga dal-ku-galka danabaysan ee ay Soomaaliya hirgelisay uu yahay mid lagu doonayo in lagu go’doomiyo shacabka Somaliland, isaga oo reer Somaliland ugu baaqay midnimo iyo wadajir.

Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya ayaa dhawaan hirgelisay nidaam la magac baxay dal-ku-galka danabaysan, kaas oo dadka Somaliland u safraya ku qasbaya inay dal-ku-gal ka dalbadaan hay’adda hawada Soomaaliya iyagoo adeegsanaya mareeg internet ah. Arrintani waxay caqabad ku noqotay shacabka Somaliland, maadaama xukuumadda Somaliland ay si cad u diidan tahay nidaamkaas.

Source: by: Horn Observer Contributor | 20 October 2025 15:34

South Africa, Somalia ‘kingmakers’ as geopolitical strategies play out in Africa

Source: by: Horn Observer Contributor | 20 October 2025 15:34

Photo: Pixabay/Wikilmages

While the Trump administration’s tariff hikes have dominated headlines this year, a significant powerplay is quietly unfolding in Africa.

Deteriorating relations between Taiwan and economic powerhouse South Africa and the Federal Republic of Somalia, both of which are fervent backers of the “one-China” principle, have highlighted the surging influence of Beijing in Africa.

It comes at a time when the relationship between Pretoria and Washington has soured due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 30% tariff on South African exports, largely stemming from the republic’s genocide case against American ally Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The U.S. government also slashed USAID-backed projects worth more than $400m in famine-affected Somalia this year, according to documents leaked by Congress and analysed by The Independent news outlet in the UK.

South Africa, a BRICS member, and Somalia have made no secret of their allegiance to China as titanic geopolitical shifts unfold.

Similarly, Xi Jinping’s government has been quick to spot an opportunity to further cement its influence in Africa while furthering its ambitions to bring Taiwan, another U.S. ally, into its fold after decades of tense stand-off.

Both South Africa and Somalia have taken steps against Taiwan in recent months, which, while seemingly slight within the broader global context, sends a clear signal that they stand firmly on the side of China.

Earlier this year, South Africa officially withdrew its recognition of Taiwan’s representative office in the capital of Pretoria – reportedly without even consulting Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

South Africa has been putting pressure on Taiwan to move its office out of the capital to Johannesburg, arguing that having it in the administrative seat of government violates the country’s one-China principle, adopted in 1998.

Yet Pretoria also insists its relationship with Taiwan is “non-political” and any decision made is based on “fundamentally shifting” economic diplomacy.

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 was adopted in 1971 to accommodate the People’s Republic of China’s inclusion. It meant that the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, could no longer be represented.

Taiwan initially did not take South Africa’s pressure to relocate its office lying down.

In September, it rolled out a series of restrictions on the export of advanced semiconductor chips to South Africa – crucial to the republic’s automotive sector, which is already struggling under U.S. tariffs.

Taiwan then backtracked on the move, ostensibly because it would hurt the interests of theTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest chip manufacturer.

The about-turn was also driven by South Africa’s willingness to engage in talks.

Somalia, meanwhile, was even more explicit in its actions against Taiwan, banning all Taiwanese passport-holders from entering the country in April.

This, too, was later lifted due to pressure from the United States.

Taiwan has ramped up efforts to establish strong ties with Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia 34 years ago.

While Somaliland is not recognised by any sovereign state, Taiwan has now established a diplomatic office there and Somaliland one in Taipei. In addition, Taiwan and Somaliland are on the brink of signing an historic military cooperation agreement.

Taiwan has already provided military training to Somaliland’s soldiers.

As these developments occur, China is using its economic might to ensure its two African supporters continue to solidify its position on the continent.

In 2024 alone, China invested $13.21 billion in South Africa, 92% of which was in the form of manufactured goods. Chinese carmakers Chery and GWM also intend assembling vehicles in South Africa, where their brands’ market share is soaring annually.

Last year, China and Somalia also announced a $1.2 billion investment partnership to improve infrastructure, energy and agriculture sectors in the East African nation.

Furthermore, China is significantly bolstering Somalia’s aquaculture industry through financial support and training.

With all that has occurred in the past 24 months, it is apparent that South Africa and Somalia are increasingly being viewed as important strategic points in an intensifying geopolitical battle between China and the U.S.

In a climate of trade uncertainty and blatant power-brokerage, these two nations suddenly find themselves in the once-unlikely position of kingmaker.

Though China currently holds sway, South Africa and Somalia also recognise that they cannot yet afford to completely sever ties with the U.S. or Taiwan.

Doing so would deal a crippling economic blow, particularly to South Africa’s auto sector.

For Somalia, which retains its status as a key U.S. ally in the region despite the travel ban friction with Taiwan, there is still a reliance on American aid, even if it is not what it once was.

The next 12 months will prove decisive in which way the pendulum swings.

Kingmakers they may be, but South Africa and Somalia also will need to perform a fine balancing act if they are to safeguard their own interests.

By: John Harvey is a South African journalist and can be reached at:  johnmarshallsea@gmail.com

USAID cuts had ‘severe impact’ on Somalia’s economy, says development bank chief

Source: Returers, Wednesday October 22, 2025

The closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development earlier this year hit Somalia’s economy and tax revenues, the head of the country’s development bank said on Tuesday.

“In Somalia (it) really impacted our GDP,” Hodan Osman, president of the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank told the Financial Times Africa Summit in London on Tuesday.

She said aid cuts reverberated in the economy in ways authorities didn’t expect, hurting economic activity and impacting sales tax revenues for the government.

U.S. President Donald Trump has slashed the country’s foreign aid budget, and shuttered USAID earlier this year. The agency had supported health, education and development worldwide.

But Osman said the country faced a broader economic hit. “It also had (a) severe impact just on the economy alone that we weren’t really thinking about,” she said.

Reporting by Libby George, editing by Karin Strohecker and Ros Russell 

Egypt and Somalia discuss deployment of Egyptian troops under AU mission

l
Source: Hiiraan Online, Tuesday October 21, 2025

Cairo (HOL) — Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met Monday with his Somali counterpart, Abdelsalam Abdi Ali, on the sidelines of the fifth Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development.

The two ministers discussed arrangements for deploying Egyptian forces under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Egypt’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Cairo’s commitment to supporting efforts to strengthen security and stability in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa.Abdelatty expressed hope that procedures for deploying Egyptian troops would be finalized soon, emphasizing the importance of securing sustainable international funding to ensure the mission’s effectiveness.

The talks also addressed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, development, and health. Abdelatty proposed holding the second Egypt–Somalia Business Forum in the near future to further expand economic relations.

For his part, Minister Abdi Ali thanked Egypt for its continued political and developmental support and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Cairo.

Egypt announced its participation in AUSSOM in December 2024, four months after signing a military cooperation protocol with Somalia. At the time, Abdelatty said the deployment came “at the request of the Somali government and with the approval of the African Union Peace and Security Council.”

Egyptian troops are expected to arrive in Somalia in the coming weeks, despite the AUSSOM mission facing funding challenges.

Ahmed Madobe: Jubaland intelligence outpaces Somalia’s NISA in regional security operations

Source: Hiiraan Online, Tuesday October 21, 2025

Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, known as Ahmed Madobe, speaks with senior officials at the new Jubaland Intelligence and Security Agency (JISA) headquarters in Kismayo on Tuesday. Madobe said the regional agency now outpaces Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in regional security operations. SUPPLIED. Kismayo (HOL) — Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, known as Ahmed Madobe, has declared that his regional intelligence service has become one of the most capable in the Horn of Africa, surpassing Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in gathering and analyzing security information.

Madobe made the remarks Tuesday during the opening of the new Jubaland Intelligence and Security Agency (JISA) headquarters in Kismayo, describing the facility as one of the country’s most technologically advanced intelligence centers.

“When it comes to security information in the Horn of Africa, the agency everyone turns to today is Jubaland’s Intelligence and Security Agency,” Madobe said. “I am confident that even Somalia’s federal government comes after us.”

The regional president said JISA’s progress is the result of more than a decade of investment and institutional development since its founding in 2013. The new headquarters, equipped with advanced surveillance and communications systems, allows officers to detect and respond to emerging security threats more efficiently.

Madobe added that the agency’s personnel have received specialized training to conduct intelligence operations and counterterrorism activities targeting Al-Shabaab and other regional threats.

Madobe’s comments come on the heels of renewed political tensions between Somalia’s federal government and Jubaland over control of security institutions and governance in the Gedo region. Earlier this month, Somali lawmakers representing Jubaland constituencies warned President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud against “political interference” in regional affairs, accusing the federal government of undermining the country’s federal system. They cited the use of security forces for political purposes as a threat to national cohesion.

Relations between Kismayo and Mogadishu have been strained since the disputed 2024 Jubaland election, which President Mohamud’s administration refused to recognize. Despite recent talks in Kismayo brokered by Kenya, both sides failed to reach agreement on rejoining the National Consultative Council (NCC), a forum that coordinates cooperation between the federal government and member states. In a statement issued after the meeting, Jubaland said it remained committed to dialogue but criticized Mogadishu for what it called an “erosion of federal trust.”

The Kenyan government, which maintains close ties with Jubaland, has called for sustained dialogue to prevent cross-border instability.

The talks followed months of sporadic clashes between federal and Jubaland-aligned forces in Gedo, where both sides have traded accusations of instigating violence.

In August, the federal government accused Jubaland forces of attacking national army positions near Balad Hawo, while Jubaland’s security ministry blamed the federal government for provoking conflict. The same month, Jubaland alleged that Mogadishu’s military operations in Gedo were influenced by external agendas linked to the Nile River dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Cirro arrives in Ethiopia for official visit

Source: Hiiraan Online, Wednesday October 15, 2025

Addis Ababa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilaahi (Cirro) arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday following an official invitation from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Somaliland Presidency said in a statement.

President Cirro and his delegation were received at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timotheos and other senior government officials.The Somaliland Presidency described the reception as “a high-protocol welcome,” noting that the delegation was hosted in the VIP lounge at the airport before being escorted to their accommodation in the capital.

According to Somaliland’s statement, the visit aims to strengthen cooperation between Hargeisa and Addis Ababa in areas including trade, cargo transport, security, and sustainable development.

“This visit provides an opportunity to discuss important issues related to security and the regional situation, setting a new direction for cooperation and connectivity between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa,” Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The ministry added that the trip “is not just a state visit, but a message that carries profound lessons about our historical relationship and our shared aspiration for stability and development in the Horn of Africa.”

This marks President Cirro’s first visit to Ethiopia since taking office earlier this year.

The visit also coincides with the presence of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ethiopia, where he is holding separate talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Somalia elects nine lawmakers to East African Legislative Assembly for first time

Source: Hiiraan Online, Wednesday October 15, 2025

Somalia’s newly elected representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) are pictured in a composite graphic created by Hiiraan Online. The nine lawmakers (L to R) — Hussein Hassan Mohamed, Ilhaan Ali Gasar, Faysal Abdi Roble, Abdisalaam Hadliye, Abdirahman Bashir Sharif, Fahma Ahmed Nur, Fadumo Abdullahi, Abukar Mardaadi, and Sahra Ali Hassan — will represent Somalia in the regional parliament, marking the country’s first full participation in the East African Community (EAC) since joining the bloc in 2024.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Federal Parliament on Wednesday elected nine lawmakers to represent the country in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), finalizing a crucial step in Somalia’s integration into the East African Community (EAC) less than a year after joining the regional bloc.

The joint session, held at Villa Hargeisa in Mogadishu, brought together both Houses of Parliament to vote on the new representatives. The election followed months of preparations that began in February 2024, when Parliament ratified Somalia’s EAC accession law and formed a special five-member committee to oversee the nomination and vetting process.

The nine lawmakers elected to represent Somalia at EALA are Hussein Hassan Mohamed, Ilhaan Ali Gasar, Faysal Abdi Roble, Abdisalaam Hadliye, Abdirahman Bashir Sharif, Fahma Ahmed Nur, Fadumo Abdullahi, Abukar Mardaadi, and Sahra Ali Hassan.

 The committee, chaired by MP Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan (Nuuh) and deputized by Senator Zamzam Ibrahim Ali, was tasked with shortlisting eligible candidates and verifying their qualifications before submitting the final list for confirmation. Lawmakers added that the move aimed to ensure transparency and timely participation in the upcoming EALA sessions in Arusha, Tanzania.

By filling its nine seats, Somalia becomes a full parliamentary participant in the EAC’s legislative body, joining Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The EALA serves as the bloc’s lawmaking arm, responsible for drafting and passing legislation to promote regional integration, trade, and the free movement of people and goods.

Somalia’s accession to the East African Community was formally approved by regional heads of state in November 2024. Since then, Mogadishu has played a more active role in regional affairs. Earlier this year, it hosted the East African Cooperation Conference (EACON 2025), which brought together over 350 delegates from across the bloc to discuss economic partnerships and integration priorities.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has also announced plans to introduce Swahili, the lingua franca of the region, into Somalia’s school and university curricula to foster closer linguistic and cultural integration with fellow EAC states.

Former Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga has died, source says

Source: Reuters, Wednesday October 15, 2025

 
Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga addresses a press conference on the sidelines of the anti-government protests dubbed “Saba Saba People’s March”, at the Serena hotel in Nairobi, Kenya July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80, a source in Odinga’s office told Reuters on Wednesday, without giving further details.

Indian newspaper Mathrubhumi earlier reported that Odinga, who was undergoing treatment in the southern Indian city of Kochi, suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday and was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As opposition leader, Odinga lost all five of his presidential campaigns, with two of the votes leading to chaotic bouts of bloodletting and recrimination a decade apart.

His work as a democracy activist over the years helped seal two of the country’s most important reforms: multiparty democracy in 1991 and a new constitution in 2010.

He led the protests after the disputed 2007 election that plunged the country into its most serious episode of political violence since independence. About 1,300 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes in the battles.

Reporting by George Obulutsa and Ammu Kannampilly; Editing by Alison Williams 

AU appoints ex-Somali PM Abdiweli Gaas to lead peace mission in South Sudan

Source: Hiiraan Online, Monday October 13, 2025

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (right) meets with Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, the newly appointed AU Special Envoy and Head of Mission to South Sudan, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday.  

Mogadishu (HOL) — The African Union has appointed former Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas as its new Special Envoy and Head of Mission to South Sudan, tasking him with leading mediation and peacebuilding efforts in a nation teetering on renewed conflict.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, officially welcomed Dr. Gaas to the position on Monday, calling the appointment “a pivotal step in strengthening the AU’s engagement in South Sudan.” He expressed confidence that Dr. Gaas’s “deep regional understanding and extensive political experience” would help revive the country’s faltering peace process.

Dr. Gaas, a seasoned Somali statesman and academic, served as Somalia’s Prime Minister from June 2011 to October 2012, where he oversaw the country’s transition from a transitional government to a permanent political framework. He is widely credited with authoring the “Roadmap for the End of Transition,” which laid the foundation for Somalia’s democratic institutions after two decades of instability.

After leaving office, he briefly served in the Federal Parliament before being elected as the fifth President of Puntland State in January 2014, leading the autonomous region for five years. His tenure in Puntland focused on governance reform, institutional development, and regional diplomacy.

The appointment comes at a volatile moment for South Sudan, where rival factions continue to recruit fighters, including children, in violation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Recent field reports by the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) have warned of “a growing risk of full-scale civil war” as political tensions deepen.

In August 2025, the AU’s Peace and Security Council conducted a field mission to Juba, meeting with government officials, opposition representatives, and regional mediators to encourage renewed commitment to the peace deal. The PSC’s June 2025 communiqué also expressed “deep concern” about the deterioration of security and called for a ceasefire, the release of detained officials, and full implementation of the R-ARCSS.

The AU has been coordinating its efforts with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and neighbouring states including Uganda, which recently deployed special forces to support President Salva Kiir’s government amid fears of renewed fighting.

Dr. Gaas will oversee the AU’s field engagement in South Sudan, working to bridge gaps between rival factions, ensure protection of civilians, and promote governance reform. His mission will also involve coordination with international partners to support peace consolidation and institutional rebuilding in the world’s youngest country.

“I intend to focus on practical, African-led solutions that bring sustainable peace and unity to the people of South Sudan,” Dr. Gaas said in remarks following his appointment.

IMF, Somalia agree on $30 million credit facility boost to support reforms

Source: Hiiraan Online, Monday October 13, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Somali government have reached a staff-level agreement on the fourth review of Somalia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF), a deal that could release US$30 million in new funding to support reforms and stabilize the nation’s fragile economy.

The agreement, announced Sunday, follows two weeks of discussions led by IMF Mission Chief Ran Bi and Finance Minister Bihi Egeh in Washington, D.C., and Mogadishu. It will be submitted to the IMF Executive Board for approval in the coming weeks.

If approved, the disbursement will bring Somalia’s total ECF funding to nearly US$100 million since the program began in December 2023, as part of a three-year arrangement designed to strengthen fiscal discipline, modernize public institutions, and sustain growth after years of debt relief.

Somalia’s economy, which grew 4.1 percent in 2024, is expected to slow to 3 percent in 2025 and 3.3 percent in 2026 due to foreign aid cuts and recurring climate shocks, according to IMF projections. Inflation is forecast to remain stable at 3.5 percent, though food prices are likely to remain high.

Despite these challenges, the IMF noted that Somalia’s fiscal performance has stayed broadly on track. The country’s budget deficit is projected at 0.3 percent of GDP in 2025, rising slightly to 0.75 percent in 2026 as the government expands social spending and prepares for national elections.

Authorities have requested an augmentation of access under the current ECF by SDR 30 million (about US$40 million) to cushion against aid disruptions and fund social programs.

The IMF commended Somalia’s continued reform drive, highlighting strong income tax collection under a new tax law, customs modernization, and strict control over spending.

The Central Bank of Somalia has strengthened its regulatory framework and advanced plans for a future currency board arrangement that would stabilize the Somali shilling. The government has also implemented a new extractive industries law to increase transparency in resource management and attract investment in oil and gas.

“To mitigate the negative impact of foreign aid cuts and support their reform efforts, the authorities have requested an augmentation of access under the ECF arrangement,” said IMF Mission Chief Ran Bi, praising the Somali government’s commitment to reform despite economic challenges.

The ECF program builds on Somalia’s historic debt relief milestone in 2023, when 99 percent of its bilateral debt was cancelled by Paris Club creditors under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The move allowed Somalia to regain access to global financial markets for the first time in three decades.

Continued international support, the IMF said, remains crucial to maintain momentum amid uncertainty surrounding aid flows and worsening climate shocks.

If the Executive Board approves the latest review, Somalia will gain access to the next tranche of financing before the end of the year.

South Sudan president ousts military chief, reinstates predecessor

Source: Copyright © africanews

Brian Inganga/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved.

By Agencies

 Last updated: 19 hours ago

Salva Kiir

In a sudden move, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed the current military chief after just three months in the role and reinstated his predecessor, Paul Nang Majok, who was removed in July.

The announcement was made via the state broadcaster, without any public explanation. The former chief, Dau Aturjong, has been reassigned as a technical adviser to the defense ministry.

This reshuffle is the latest in a pattern of frequent changes in the country’s military and government leadership. Analysts interpret President Kiir’s decision as a maneuver to maintain control over competing factions amid growing internal tensions and ongoing armed conflict.

Kiir, who has led South Sudan since its 2011 independence, is operating within a fragile transitional government after repeatedly delaying national elections. His longtime rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, is currently facing treason charges over alleged support for militia activity — a development that has stoked fears of renewed civil war.

Observers view the reinstatement of Majok as an attempt by Kiir to balance loyalties within the military and to reassure segments of the security establishment unsettled by Aturjong’s appointment. The precise motivations behind this sudden change, however, remain unclear.

Ethiopia claims Eritrea is readying to ‘wage war’ against it

In a letter to the UN, Ethiopia’s foreign minister claims Eritrea is colluding with a Tigray-based opposition group.

Source: AFB, By Stephen Quillen and AFP

Published On 8 Oct 20258 Oct 2025

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea’s government of working with an opposition group based in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region to prepare for a military offensive, underscoring concerns of renewed conflict in the region.

Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos made the claim in a letter appealing to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, cited by the AFP news agency and Ethiopian media on Wednesday.

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In the letter, Timothewos claims there is clear “collusion” between Eritrea’s government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a once-dominant political force in Ethiopia that fought a two-year civil war with Addis Ababa, ending in 2022.

“The collusion between the Eritrean government and the TPLF has become more evident over the past few months,” said the letter, quoted by AFP. “The hardliner faction of the TPLF and the Eritrean government are actively preparing to wage war against Ethiopia.”

In the letter, Addis Ababa also accuses Asmara and the TPLF of “funding, mobilising and directing armed groups” in the northern Amhara region, where the federal army has been facing rebels for several years.

Somalia welcomes Hamas-Israel agreement reached in Egypt

Source: Hiiraan Online, Friday October 10, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government has welcomed regional and international efforts that led to the recent agreement between Hamas and Israel, reached in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Thursday.

The agreement includes key provisions aimed at achieving a ceasefire, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, releasing prisoners and detainees, and resuming political negotiations under international sponsorship.“Somalia hopes that this agreement will serve as a genuine step towards achieving a just and comprehensive peace that ends the suffering of the Palestinian people and consolidates security and stability in the region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry reaffirmed Somalia’s steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people — foremost among them, the right to establish an independent and sovereign state.

“This principled stance reflects Somalia’s firm commitment to international legitimacy and to the values of dignity, justice, and peaceful coexistence,” the statement added.

The Federal Republic of Somalia expressed its full support for all efforts and initiatives aimed at protecting human dignity, reinforcing respect for international law, and contributing to a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian cause.

The war has deepened Israel’s international isolation and reshaped dynamics across the Middle East, drawing in regional actors including Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. It has also strained U.S.-Israeli relations, with President Donald Trump reportedly pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a settlement.

Israelis and Palestinians alike celebrated the announcement of the deal — the most significant breakthrough yet in ending the two-year conflict that has claimed more than 67,000 Palestinian lives and aims to secure the release of the remaining hostages seized by Hamas during the attacks that ignited the war.