Revealed: The true cost of climate crisis for world’s poorest countries

Source: Independent, Alicja Hagopian, Data correspondent
Monday May 26, 2025

A Somali family wades through flood waters as they flee after overnight rains destroyed their home, in Wadajir district of Mogadishu, Somalia, earlier this month (Reuters)

Extreme weather fuelled by the climate crisis has cost some of the world’s poorest countries $156bn (£116bn) across the past two decades, The Independent can reveal.

Intense drought, flooding, cyclones and more have impacted 364 million people and caused more than 42,000 deaths since 2000 – 17,000 of which can be directly attributed to climate change. The nations hardest hit are Somalia, Haiti and Uganda.

Researchers at ODI Global, an international think tank, also found the climate crisis had contributed to billions of dollars worth of agricultural losses, with farmers across Somalia and Ethiopia forced to abandon their livelihoods amid growing food scarcity, saying the stark findings should serve as a “wake-up call for global policymakers”.

“If the UK suffered tens of billions of pounds worth of damage caused by other countries’ actions, our government and the public would rightfully be shouting from the rooftops about the injustice,” Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, told The Independent.

“Yet this is the reality for many countries on the front lines of climate breakdown that have contributed virtually nothing to global emissions.”

With Donald Trump slashing US aid spending and the UK planning on cutting billions of pounds in funding, The Independent reports on the devastating impact on countries most affected by the climate crisis, due to losing support for food and disaster prevention.

“It’s deeply unjust that those who have done the least to contribute to the climate crisis are paying most dearly for it – the UK has a central role to play in righting that injustice,” Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, said. “While governments like ours delay, countries like Somalia and Ethiopia, and small island nations – some of the world’s poorest countries – are paying the price.”

“The government’s recent cuts to the foreign aid budget are particularly disturbing in this context, with so many across the world relying on essential humanitarian aid as a result of extreme weather caused by the climate crisis,” added Ms Denyer.

‘Every year we see more devastation’

The study of 53 low-income countries includes 36 small-island developing states in the Caribbean, Pacific and the Atlantic, and 17 countries in the Sahel and the Greater Horn of Africa.

Since the year 2000, these countries have suffered $395bn in losses and damages from extreme weather events, $156bn of which can be attributed to the climate crisis.

“Every year, we see more devastation from the worsening effects of climate change,” said Emily Wilkinson, principal research fellow at ODI Global.

“Wealthier nations urgently need to scale up climate finance and also make sure it reaches the right places. For remote or unstable places [facing conflict or other vulnerabilities], such as those featured in the study, getting projects off the ground might be harder, but the benefits will also be more keenly felt by affected populations.”

In 2023, the Cop28 climate summit agreed to the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund, which would provide financial support for some destruction caused by climate change. But wealthy, higher-polluting countries pledged a total of $768m to the fund; a fraction of the financial losses that vulnerable countries face, and will continue to face. It was agreed this year that the fund will pay out $250m of this sum until the end of 2026.

Hurricanes, droughts and flooding

To calculate the proportion of losses and damages resulting from climate change, ODI Global’s research uses climate mapping studies combined with figures from EM-DAT, the international database covering 26,00es0 mass disasters worldwide, and United Nations disaster reports.

Tropical cyclones – often referred to as hurricanes or typhoons – and flooding have caused the most damage in small-island developing states like the Bahamas, which has lost at least $4bn from climate-attributed events.

Scientists believe tropical cyclones are becoming more intense thanks to the climate crisis, due to warmer seas and stronger winds heightening their impact. Meanwhile, rising sea levels from melting ice caps will contribute to increased flooding of low-elevation islands.

Severe droughts and deadly flooding have ravaged the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, severely impacting many communities that rely on agriculture. The ODI Global report found that climate change contributed to at least $11.5bn in losses and damages to livestock and crops in these countries, causing lasting harm to livelihoods and food supplies in agrarian areas with already high poverty rates.

Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia have suffered tens of billions of dollars in losses between them, but Somalia has suffered the worst of all. Devastating droughts and subsequent floods have led to $151bn in losses and damages, $75bn of which ODI Global estimates is attributable to climate change.

Somalia’s extended droughts have been exacerbated by the climate crisis, researchers have found, contributing to lower rainfall, warmer air temperatures, and higher evapotranspiration – the combined processes that move water from the Earth’s surface into the atmosphere.

These droughts in recent years have caused widespread crop failures and livestock losses, plunging many farmers and herders into poverty. Nearly half of Somalia’s eight-million-strong population has also faced food insecurity. As The Independent has reported, Somalia is facing drought and low crop yields once again; this time, charities are worried that aid cuts will limit their ability to respond to food shortages.

Many of the nations included in the ODI Global study have smaller economies, increasing the impact of climate crisis-related losses. On the Caribbean island of Dominica, such damage has cost nearly a tenth (9.25 per cent) of gross domestic product (GDP) each year on average over the last two decades.

Haiti, Kenya and Grenada are among the nations already facing substantial losses, more than two per cent of their GDP per year, thanks to climate change. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes can increase that number substantially, given the damage they can do quickly.

This means that poorer nations, some of whom are facing further strain from regional conflicts, are disproportionately taking the brunt of climate-related destruction.

These effects will only continue to get worse, warn ODI Global’s researchers, who estimate at least a further $235bn in these countries from climate-related damages if the planet warms by 2C compared to pre-industrial levels. According to climate scientists at Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), each of the past 10 years (2015–2024) was one of the 10 warmest years on record. The monthly global average temperature exceeded 1.5C above pre-industrial levels for 11 months of the year.

“The escalating costs from climate change will have a serious toll on economic growth and living standards, and a wider risk of geopolitical stability in some regions,” Ms Wilkinson, a research fellow at ODI Global, said. “Climate change contributing to a poorer, more dangerous, future is bad for everyone, but we are not too late to change course.”

Disruptions to aid increase risk of famine and poverty

In the wake of extreme weather events, communities are heavily reliant on aid as people are displaced from their homes and access to food and infrastructure is disrupted.

In 2023 alone, the countries in this study received some £7.5nn in aid from the US and the UK, with millions of people relying on life-saving food assistance.

But with the total dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and UK cuts threatening access to aid for some 55 million people, this support is drying up while the consequences of climate change are worsening.

In Ethiopia, food shortages in the northern region have led to starvation. A funding gap of $222m has already forced the World Food Programme to suspend malnutrition treatment for 650,000 women and children.

Just this week, the UK government refused to reconsider its cuts to aid spending and could not commit to funding for nutrition, the International Development Committee reported.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “Demands for action from the world’s most vulnerable and the requirements for delivering security for British citizens are fundamentally aligned.

“That is why we are supporting those who are experiencing the worst impacts of the climate crisis and working together with partners to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement.”

This article was produced as part of The Independent’s Rethinking Global Aid project

Talo muhiim ah oo Somalia kuwajahan

Madaxweynaha Somalia, Arriswasaaraha Somalia, wakiilo ka socda baarlamaanka, wakiilo ka socda ururada mucaaraddka, wakiilo ka socda bulshada ariyaga) waa iney kulan deg deg ah iskugu yimaadaan danta guud ee dalka awgeed, hana  joojiyeen  dagaalka siyaasiyeed ee xukun jaceelka ah oo wax dan ah ugu jirin shacabka Somaliyeed, dhibaato weyna ku abuuri kara dalka Somalia.

Somalia maanta qalalaasi siyaasadeed uma baahna, caalamkuna indhaha ayuu ku yaan Siyaasiyiinta Somalia, iyo mustaqbalka Somalia.

Horumamarka dalkiina iyo dadkiina wax walba ka hormariya haddi aad wadaniyiin tihiin.

JOOJIYA QABYAALADDA OO XILIGII XURIYADDA Somalia qaadatay 1960 la burburiyey.

Siyaasiga Somaliyeed oo maanta qabiil aaminsan waa cadawga kowaad iyo  khaanu-wadan ee Somalia allah ha ka qabto shacabka iyo dalka Somaiia.

Migrants deported from US to South Sudan held in Djibouti

Source: ARAB NEWS, Saturday May 24, 2025

The US government claims it expelled the eight migrants from a range of nations due to their past convictions for violent crimes [GETTY]

A group of migrants deported from the United States towards conflict-torn South Sudan will be held for now in Djibouti after a court ruling, the Trump administration lamented Thursday.

The US government claims it expelled the eight migrants from a range of nations due to their past convictions for violent crimes.

The migrants left the United States on a flight on Tuesday bound for South Sudan instead of their nations of origin, after Washington failed to obtain approval from their respective governments to take them back.

They are currently detained by the Department of Homeland Security in Djibouti, where there is a major US military base.

US District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston ruled Wednesday evening that the Trump administration had violated one of his previous orders, calling the timeframe given for the migrants to contest their expulsions to South Sudan “plainly insufficient.”

South Sudan, an impoverished nation which has long grappled with insecurity and political instability, has an advisory against travel from the US State Department.

In his ruling, Murphy said that migrants had to receive greater notice and at least ten days to appeal the decision, as required by the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

He also ruled that six of the migrants were entitled to invoke, with the aid of a lawyer, their “fear” of torture or ill-treatment in the third country.

And if the Department of Homeland Security deemed the fear unfounded, it still needed to grant at least 15 days to appeal the expulsion procedure.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Thursday to decry Murphy’s order, saying he “has ordered that EIGHT of the most violent criminals on Earth curtail their journey to South Sudan, and instead remain in Djibouti.”

“He would not allow these monsters to proceed to their final destination,” he continued, claiming that the courts are “absolutely out of control.”

The White House identified the eight men as two citizens of Myanmar, two Cubans, a Vietnamese man, a Laotian, a Mexican and a South Sudanese citizen.

While the government said those scheduled for expulsion had ample warning, lawyers for the Vietnamese national and one citizen of Myanmar said in court filings that their clients only learned the night before or on Tuesday, when the flight left.

For their part, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that South Sudan was not the “final destination” for the migrants.

Kenya Moves Closer to China

 Source: The Star published on 18 May 2025 an article titled “US at a Crossroads in Africa as China Rekindles Ties with Kenya” by Eliud Kibii.

Kenya’s increasing engagement with China raises concerns about the future of Kenya-US relations.  Unlike China, the US also lacks a coherent, long-term strategy toward Africa.

Sudan: Sudan Armed Forces Makes Gains in Spite of Drone Attacks

 Source: AEI Critical Threats published on 22 May 2025 an analysis titled “SAF Advances across Sudan Despite RSF Drone Strikes” by Kathryn Tyson.

The Sudan Armed Forces have made incremental progress against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in spite of successful RSF drone strikes on Port Sudan.

Migrants deported from US to South Sudan held in Djibouti

Source: Arab News, Saturday May 24, 2025

The US government claims it expelled the eight migrants from a range of nations due to their past convictions for violent crimes [GETTY]

A group of migrants deported from the United States towards conflict-torn South Sudan will be held for now in Djibouti after a court ruling, the Trump administration lamented Thursday.

The US government claims it expelled the eight migrants from a range of nations due to their past convictions for violent crimes.

The migrants left the United States on a flight on Tuesday bound for South Sudan instead of their nations of origin, after Washington failed to obtain approval from their respective governments to take them back.

They are currently detained by the Department of Homeland Security in Djibouti, where there is a major US military base.

US District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston ruled Wednesday evening that the Trump administration had violated one of his previous orders, calling the timeframe given for the migrants to contest their expulsions to South Sudan “plainly insufficient.”

South Sudan, an impoverished nation which has long grappled with insecurity and political instability, has an advisory against travel from the US State Department.

In his ruling, Murphy said that migrants had to receive greater notice and at least ten days to appeal the decision, as required by the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

He also ruled that six of the migrants were entitled to invoke, with the aid of a lawyer, their “fear” of torture or ill-treatment in the third country.

And if the Department of Homeland Security deemed the fear unfounded, it still needed to grant at least 15 days to appeal the expulsion procedure.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Thursday to decry Murphy’s order, saying he “has ordered that EIGHT of the most violent criminals on Earth curtail their journey to South Sudan, and instead remain in Djibouti.”

“He would not allow these monsters to proceed to their final destination,” he continued, claiming that the courts are “absolutely out of control.”

The White House identified the eight men as two citizens of Myanmar, two Cubans, a Vietnamese man, a Laotian, a Mexican and a South Sudanese citizen.

While the government said those scheduled for expulsion had ample warning, lawyers for the Vietnamese national and one citizen of Myanmar said in court filings that their clients only learned the night before or on Tuesday, when the flight left.

For their part, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that South Sudan was not the “final destination” for the migrants.

South Sudan refugees in Ethiopia face ‘health catastrophe’, charity warns

Source: Saturday May 24, 2025

Thousands of South Sudanese refugees face worsening health conditions in Ethiopia as cholera spreads and conflict escalates.


A group of women collect water from a water point set up by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in South Sudan, February 13, 2025 [File: Diego Menjibar/EPA-EFE]

An international medical charity has warned of a looming “health catastrophe” among South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, citing surging cholera cases and widespread malnutrition in overcrowded camps near the border.

In a statement issued Friday, Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said the local health system is overwhelmed and unable to cope with the needs of tens of thousands of new arrivals.

“With waterborne illnesses like cholera and acute watery diarrhoea on the rise, the risk of a public health catastrophe is imminent,” MSF said.

The influx follows renewed violence in South Sudan, where a fragile power-sharing deal has broken down.

Clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rival groups aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar have intensified, forcing many to flee. Machar was placed under house arrest in March, further straining the peace process.

Between 35,000 and 85,000 refugees have fled to Mattar, an Ethiopian border town, according to MSF.

The organisation reported treating more than 1,200 cholera patients, warning that the disease can be deadly in up to 20 percent of cases if untreated. It also noted that more than 40 percent of malaria tests have come back positive, and nearly 7 percent of children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

‘Dire humanitarian situation’

Since February, more than 200 people with war injuries have arrived at MSF clinics in the area.

MSF urged all parties to the conflict to ensure humanitarian access and called on international donors to increase support. “Shelter, water and medical care are severely lacking in Mattar,” it said.

The UN warned on Friday that the situation in South Sudan is deteriorating quickly and on the brink of a wider crisis. “The escalating hostilities… portend a real risk of further exacerbating the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation,” said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, urging all sides to pull back immediately.

Between 3-20 May, fighting reportedly killed at least 75 civilians and injured dozens more. UN reports say the South Sudanese military carried out air, ground and river assaults in populated areas, including attacks on an MSF-run health facility.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies

Somali Government warns opposition over security criticism and use of heavy weapons in Mogadishu

Source: Hiiraan Online, Saturday May 24, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – The Somali government issued a sharp response on Friday to opposition leaders who criticized the Council of Ministers for allegedly failing to ensure security in the capital, Mogadishu.

State Minister of Defense Omar Abdi Ali rebuked claims made during an opposition meeting, particularly remarks by opposition figure Abdirahmaan Abdishakur, accusing him of spreading false information about the capital’s security situation.

“Abdirahmaan Abdishakur is staying at the airport in Mogadishu, and he went to Siigaale. If he is called from anywhere else tomorrow, he will go. Who is ensuring his safety?” the minister asked. “Mogadishu is safe. What he said is false, and anyone who lies about the city’s security will be exposed by the people living here.”

Minister Omar emphasized that while the opposition has the constitutional right to assemble in Mogadishu, they are not permitted to bring heavy weapons into the capital. He warned that any attempt to disrupt security or incite unrest would result in legal consequences.

He further announced that government troops who escorted opposition leaders during Friday’s event would be held accountable, stressing that soldiers acting outside official orders would face disciplinary action.

“Heavy weapons are prohibited in Mogadishu. If vehicles with heavy weapons are found, they will be dealt with. Unauthorized soldiers and unregistered vehicles will also be held responsible,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Abdulqaad Haaji (Jeego) called on all Somali citizens to support national security forces and contribute to efforts to maintain peace in Mogadishu and across the country.

This exchange of accusations and warnings comes as opposition groups prepare for a major political conference in Mogadishu in the coming days, which is expected to address governance, security, and the upcoming elections. The government’s firm stance signals rising political tensions amid growing opposition activity.

Ethiopia Signs $1.7 Billion in Investment Deals, Mostly with Chinese Companies

 Source: Reuters published on 14 May 2025 an article titled “Ethiopia Agrees Minerals, Energy Deals Worth $1.7 Billion, Chiefly with Chinese Companies” by Dawit Endeshaw.  

Companies attending a two-day investment conference in Addis Ababa signed agreements valued at $1.7 billion for a variety of mineral, coal, and solar energy deals.  Chinese companies were well represented.  

 Source: Foreign Policy published on 19 May 2025 a commentary titled “The ‘America First’ Case for U.S. Engagement in Africa” by Curtis Bell and Christopher Faulkner, both at the U.S. Naval War College.

Instead of retreating from Africa, the Trump administration should embrace a smarter form of transactionalism.  The authors argue that US policy toward Africa should refocus around four strategic priorities: supporting resilient and self-sufficient regional organizations; curbing threats to US security at their source; fostering African support for US positions in international institutions; and co-developing a positive economic vision for the continent that promotes economic development and integration while resisting extractive and abusive economic practices of rival global powers.

UN expert urges international community not to leave Somalia behind

Source: Hiiraan, Thursday May 22, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — A United Nations expert has called on the international community not to abandon Somalia as it faces persistent and complex challenges in its fight against terrorism.

Speaking at the end of an official visit on Wednesday, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, Ben Saul, expressed solidarity with the Somali people and government in the face of persistent terrorist threats, while warning against human rights setbacks in the name of security.

“I recognise the extensive efforts by the Somali authorities to prevent terrorism, through a comprehensive strategy combining law enforcement, military operations, combating violent extremism and addressing the root causes of terrorist recruitment,” the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Saul said.

“I also acknowledge Somalia’s severe security and resource constraints,” he added.

However, Saul noted with concern that Somalia has adopted excessive and overbroad terrorist definitions and offences, as well as expansive intelligence and security powers that could compromise fundamental human rights. He warned that some terrorism offences attract the death penalty even when they do not involve intentional killing, as required under international law.

During his visit, the expert received reports of arbitrary arrests, protracted pre-trial detention, lack of legal representation, possible enforced disappearance, excessive use of force, and ill-treatment in detention.

“I am deeply concerned about widespread violations against children in armed conflict, including killings, maiming, forced recruitment, sexual and gender-based violence, and trafficking,” the Special Rapporteur said.
Saul said he was particularly concerned about the use of military courts to try terrorist suspects, which lack sufficient independence and fair trial safeguards.

“Prison conditions also do not meet international standards,” he said.
While acknowledging progress in military operations against terrorist groups, Saul expressed concern about what he described as military forces lacking the necessary rules, procedures and accountability mechanisms to prevent, prosecute and remedy violations. He also expressed deep concern over the use of clan militias alongside the military, in the absence of a legal framework to safeguard human rights.

The expert called on Somalia and its international partners to prioritize the rehabilitation and reintegration of former combatants, especially women who have survived sexual and gender-based violence within extremist groups. He also warned that counter-terrorism financing laws risk hampering the delivery of humanitarian aid to communities in desperate need.

“Counter-terrorism laws are also adversely affecting the freedom of the media to report on security matters and restricting and chilling the human rights work of civil society organizations,” Saul said.

“I encourage Somalia to establish independent and effective oversight and accountability mechanisms for all counter-terrorism actors, redouble efforts to address root causes, pursue conflict resolution and peace-making, strive for inclusive and participatory governance, and combat corruption, poverty and discrimination against minorities.”

He encouraged international partners to maintain political and financial support for Somalia, in the face of devastating recent funding cuts by some donors.

“This is a critical moment for Somalia,” he said. “Sustained international engagement is essential to support national efforts to build lasting peace, strengthen rule of law, and protect human rights while countering terrorism.”

The Special Rapporteur is expected to present a detailed report of his findings to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026

UN misses deadline to fund new AU mission in Somalia, raising concerns over peacekeeping future

Source: Hiiraan, Friday May 16, 2025

Members of the United Nations Security Council convene on December 27, 2024, in New York to adopt Resolution 2767, approving the deployment of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for an initial 12-month period beginning January 1, 2025. CREDIT/ UNMogadishu (HOL) — The United Nations Security Council has failed to authorize a critical funding framework for the African Union’s new peace mission in Somalia, missing a self-imposed May 15 deadline and casting doubt on the operation’s viability before its scheduled launch.

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), slated to replace the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on July 1, was expected to receive partial funding through a hybrid model established by Security Council Resolution 2719. That framework would allow the UN to finance up to 75% of eligible AU-led operations, with the AU and other donors covering the remaining 25%. However, the implementation of this mechanism depended on the Council adopting a follow-up resolution by May 15 under the terms of Resolution 2767—a deadline that has now passed without action.

The delay has fueled anxiety among African troop-contributing countries and regional security officials. AUSSOM was envisioned as a streamlined successor to ATMIS, tasked with supporting Somali-led stabilization efforts while addressing long-standing concerns over the sustainability and accountability of AU-led missions.

While the AU and UN took steps to reduce AUSSOM’s projected annual budget from $190.2 million to $166.5 million, the mission still faces a substantial funding shortfall. A joint review process—led by independent experts and coordinated by the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS)—identified $124.9 million in cost savings through phased reductions in operational support, staffing, aviation, and equipment. The savings were achieved by freezing troop stipends at $828 monthly, eliminating death and disability insurance from assessed contributions, and shifting mine-clearing work by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to voluntary funding streams.

Despite these measures, only $14.5 million in extra-budgetary resources have been secured to date—$10 million from the AU Peace Fund and $4.5 million from Japan and South Korea, leaving a $27 million gap in the AU’s 25% cost-share obligation. The AU, which already owes $96 million in unpaid stipends to member states from prior operations, is under growing pressure to secure additional contributions.

Most Council members, including the A3+ group (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana), the European Union, Panama, and the Republic of Korea, supported activating the Resolution 2719 framework. China, Russia, and Pakistan also backed the hybrid model, emphasizing the need for equitable cost-sharing and continued international support for African-led operations.

But the United States remains firmly opposed. Citing concerns about financial transparency and human rights compliance, U.S. lawmakers introduced the AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025 on May 2, prohibiting any U.S. contributions under the 2719 framework and requiring Washington to block related Security Council actions. While the Biden administration had avoided a direct confrontation over the issue last December, it ultimately left the decision to the incoming Trump administration, which has maintained a hard line.

Diplomatic efforts to salvage the funding plan included a visit by a senior AU delegation to Washington earlier this year in a final appeal for U.S. support. That push failed to shift the U.S. position, leaving the Council unable to act before the deadline.

AU and UN officials had hoped that a hybrid model backed by UN-assessed contributions would help overcome the chronic funding instability that plagued previous missions like AMISOM and ATMIS. Both operations suffered from delayed troop reimbursements, debt burdens, and overreliance on European donors, many of whom have signalled they are no longer willing to underwrite African peace missions alone.

With the Council deadlocked, stakeholders are exploring alternative funding avenues. The European Union has floated a €60 million support package, split between AUSSOM and bilateral security partnerships. Plans are also underway to convene a pledging conference in Doha or London to attract contributions from Gulf and Asian partners.

Despite the current financial uncertainty, AU officials have encouraged troop-contributing countries to remain committed to AUSSOM. But analysts warn that if funding gaps persist, the mission could be scaled back or delayed, risking a security vacuum as Somali forces continue to battle an entrenched Al-Shabaab insurgency.

The Council’s inaction has reignited concerns over whether global powers remain committed to stabilizing Somalia and supporting African-led peace operations. For now, AUSSOM remains scheduled to begin in July, but its future hangs in the balance without a secured funding plan.

Somalia, Turkey deepen ties in fisheries and blue economy cooperation

Source: Hiiraan Online, Wednesday May 14, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Aden, held a high-level meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktas, in Mogadishu to advance bilateral cooperation in the fisheries and maritime sectors.

The two officials discussed expanding joint efforts in sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture development, capacity building, and investment opportunities in Somalia’s vast marine resources. They emphasized the importance of technical exchange, infrastructure development, and combating illegal fishing in Somali waters.

Minister Ahmed Hassan expressed gratitude for Turkey’s ongoing support to Somalia’s fisheries sector, noting that there are substantial opportunities for Turkish investors in fish processing, cold storage, and coastal development.

Ambassador Aktas reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Somalia in the blue economy, pledging to share Turkish expertise and invest in Somalia’s maritime development to help unlock the country’s economic potential.

The meeting underscores the growing partnership between Somalia and Turkey, particularly in strategic sectors like fisheries that are central to Somalia’s economic recovery and food security.

U.S. rejects appeal to fund peacekeeping operations in crisis-hit East African nation

Source: Business Insider Africa
Solomon Ekanem
Tuesday May 13, 2025

US rejects appeal to fund peacekeeping operations in crisis-hit East African nation

The Trump-led administration has rejected an African Union appeal to fund its new Somalia peace mission, citing operational concerns and poor burden-sharing.

A senior AU delegation visited Washington recently in a final push to secure backing for AUSSOM, which is set to replace ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) in July.

ATMIS is an AU-authorized peacekeeping mission that replaced the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and aims to support the Somali Security Forces in combating al-Shabaab and securing the country.

On 2 May, US senators introduced the “AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025,” aiming to block US contributions to AUSSOM under resolution 2719.

The U.S. decision has dealt a major blow to international efforts aimed at stabilizing the country as it transitions from ATMIS to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM).

Despite nearly two decades of military presence by the African Union in Somalia, the Islamist insurgent group Al-Shabaab remains deeply entrenched and increasingly emboldened.

While initial AU deployments helped reclaim key areas from militant control, recent offensives by Al-Shabaab have reversed many of those gains.

AU’s financial burden
ATMIS, the outgoing African Union mission, faces a severe financial crisis, with nearly $100 million in unpaid salaries and mounting debts, undermining peacekeeper morale and raising concerns about a potential security vacuum in Somalia.

According to a report by the Security Council Report, the US has expressed consistent opposition to the use of the 2719 framework for Somalia.

The framework was adopted in December 2023 and marks a significant development in the financing of African Union (AU)-led peace support operations (PSOs), allowing, for the first time, the use of UN-assessed contributions to fund such missions on a case-by-case basis

“The US has maintained that Somalia is not an appropriate context for the application of the 2719 framework and has opposed the hybrid implementation model, arguing that it does not reflect the spirit or intent of resolution 2719. The US has suggested exploring alternative financing options that extend beyond the traditional donor base.” the report noted

To address this, the UN and AU have agreed to cut $124.9 million from the AUSSOM budget by reducing peacekeeper pay, removing insurance costs, and cutting back on flights and equipment.

As a result, the revised AUSSOM budget is now $166.5 million, down from the projected $190.2 million.

They also hope to fund mine-clearing work through donations instead of the main budget. The UN says these cuts were tough decisions but necessary to keep the mission going without asking member countries to pay more.

Several Security Council members, including EU countries, have stressed the need for diversified funding and cost-sharing for Somalia’s peace mission, while China has urged traditional donors to maintain strong financial support.

In contrast, the US has consistently opposed using the 2719 framework for Somalia.

The ongoing crisis in Somalia has led to widespread suffering, with millions facing food insecurity and displacement due to conflict between Somali forces and Al-Shabaab. Political instability and clan divisions have further weakened the government’s authority.

While Somalia plans to hold direct elections in 2025, the crisis may disrupt the process. Displacement and Al-Shabaab’s control over regions could limit voting, while political tensions between federal states may undermine the elections’ credibility, affecting turnout and legitimacy.

Azerbaijan President ratifies defense cooperation agreement with Somalia

Source: Hiiraan Online, <Tuesday May 13, 2025

Photo: AZERTAC

Baku (HOL) – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has ratified a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government of Somalia on cooperation in the field of defense and the defense industry, marking a significant step forward in military and strategic ties between the two nations.

The agreement, titled “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia on Cooperation in the Field of Defense and the Defense Industry,” was signed on February 12, 2025, in Baku by Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov.

Officials from both sides hailed the deal as a milestone in expanding defense and military industry collaboration, potentially paving the way for technology transfer, training programs, and joint defense initiatives.

The ratification comes after high-level talks between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and President Ilham Aliyev, during which the leaders discussed a broad range of strategic issues, including green energy, economic cooperation, and enhanced defense relations.

Azerbaijan’s parliament had approved the agreement during a plenary session on April 22, affirming the country’s intent to deepen engagement with Somalia across multiple sectors.

The agreement reflects the growing strategic partnership between Baku and Mogadishu, as Somalia continues to seek global allies in its efforts to strengthen national security and defense capabilities.

Has US Given Up on Preventing Wars in Horn of Africa?

 Source: The New York Times published on 9 May 2025 a commentary titled “The Wars We Still Can Stop” by Cameron Hudson, Center for Strategic and International Studies.

As the Trump administration steps back from the Horn of Africa and guts existing diplomacy tools, it raises the question whether Washington has abdicated its peacemaking role in the region.  The author asks, “how many American warriors do we intend to commit to wars we could have stopped before they started?

Ethiopian Government Paper Praises Relations with China

 Source: The government-sponsored Ethiopian Herald published on 6 May 2025 an article titled “The Deepening Strategic Relations between Ethiopia, China.”

The article summarizes recent cooperation between China and Ethiopia in the fields of financing, infrastructure, investment, trade, and space.  It concludes that “the overall trajectory of Ethiopia-China relations remains positive, characterized by mutual benefits and shared aspirations for economic development and modernization.”  It suggests that the China-Ethiopia “partnership serves as a model for South-South cooperation.”

Sudan Conflict Increasingly Becomes a Drone War

 Source: Aljazeera published on 13 May 2025 an article titled “Drones, Gold, and Threats: Sudan’s War Raises Regional Tensions” by Mat Nashed.

As Sudan’s civil war enters its third year, drones are playing a larger role in the conflict.  The Sudan Armed Forces relies on the relatively affordable Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones.  The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces uses Chinese-made drones purchased and supplied by the UAE. 

Revealed: UAE deploys Israeli radar in Somalia under secret deal

Puntland’s President Said Abdullahi Deni turns Bosaso airport over to the United Arab Emirates without parliamentary approval

A satellite image taken near Puntland’s Bosaso airport on 5 March shows an Israeli-made ELM-2084 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array Multi-Mission Radar supplied by the UAE (Google Earth)

Source: By Ragip Soylu in Ankara

Published date: 24 April 2025 14:14 BST | Last update: 2 weeks 1 day ago

The United Arab Emirates deployed a military radar in Somalia’s Puntland earlier this year to defend Bosaso airport against potential Houthi attacks from Yemen, sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye.

Satellite imagery from early March reveals that the Israeli-made ELM-2084 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array Multi-Mission Radar was installed near the airport.

Publicly available air traffic data indicates that the UAE is increasingly using Bosaso airport to supply the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.

The RSF has been engaged in a war with the Sudanese military for two years.

Earlier this year, the Sudanese government filed a lawsuit against the UAE at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide due to its links with the RSF. The UAE denies it backs the RSF militarily.

No water, no power – Port Sudan reeling after week of attacks

10 May 2025

Mohamed Osman & Priya Sippy

Source: BBC News Arabic & BBC News, Port Sudan & London

A massive increase in the price of water is just one consequence of a week of aerial attacks on the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.

Once seen as a relatively safe haven from Sudan’s devastating civil war, Port Sudan is now reeling from days of bombardment from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.

After six days of drone attacks, smoke is still rising from three fuel depots which were targeted. Rescue teams are gathered around the destroyed sites, but they are struggling to put the fires out.

The conflict, which began as a struggle between the leaders of the RSF and the army more than two years ago, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and forced more than 12 million people from their homes.

One of those who fled to Port Sudan is 26-year-old Mutasim, who did not want his second name published for safety reasons.

The BBC spoke to him after he had waited hours for a water vendor to turn up.

The vital commodity has become scarce. The explosions at the fuel depots have left Port Sudan without the diesel used to power the pumps that bring up the groundwater.

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