Somalia is likely to miss a deadline to conclude long-delayed parliamentary elections as political disagreements continue in the country. The federal government had set a deadline of March 15 to complete the polls, but more than 50 seats in the legislature are yet to be filled. This could in turn …
Read More »Somalia: further postponement of electoral deadlines
Somali authorities have once again extended the deadline for the completion of the elections scheduled for February 25, privately owned Radio Risala reported Somalis will go to the polls on March 15, according to reports. Somali leaders cited drought reasons, security concerns and financial challenges for the extension of the …
Read More »Somalia: Al-Shabab militants spend millions on weapons
The Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabab spent huge sums of money in 2021 to purchase weapons, according to a report by a Mogadishu-based research group, the Hiraal Institute. The research group claims that Al Shabab spent around $24 million to purchase weapons. The report further alleges that al-Shabab, which is …
Read More »Somalia: army commander killed in clash between security forces
A senior commander in Somalia’s central Hiiran region has been killed during a clash between the country’s security forces, local media report. Haram’ad paramilitary unit officers had a scuffle with local police and the police chief was shot during the incident. The paramilitary officers had been deployed to Beledweyne district …
Read More »Somalia: police officers arrested for torturing journalists
The Somali government has said that police officers accused of torturing journalists covering al-Shabab attacks in the capital, Mogadishu, have been arrested. Interior Security Minister Abdullahi Nur said “the armed forces will be accountable for their actions”. The state-owned Somali National TV tweeted a photo of the journalists lying on …
Read More »Somalia: several killed in Al-Shabab attack in Mogadishu
At least five people have been killed and more than 16 others injured during attacks by al-Shabab Islamist militants on the outskirts of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Police say the early morning attacks targeted police stations and security checkpoints. Al-Shabab spokesman, Abdiasis Abu Musab, said the fighters hit government targets in …
Read More »Somalia: Mogadishu hit by gunfire and explosions
Several police stations and security checkpoints in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, were attacked early on Wednesday, officials and militants said. It comes as the nation prepares for a much-delayed presidential election. Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Nor accused Al Shabaab militants of carrying out the attack. Al-Shabab spokesman, Abdiasis Abu Musab, …
Read More »US State Department announces visa restrictions for Somali officials
The United States announced visa restrictions against current or former Somali officials whom it accused of undermining democratic processes. The restriction comes as the United States pushes for credible elections in Somalia – which have long been delayed. In a statement, State Secretary Antony Blinken said the visa restrictions applied …
Read More »Somalia: several killed and injured in suicide blast in Mogadishu
At least four people have been killed and 10 others injured on Tuesday in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu in a suicide bombing at a tea-shop near a military base, state-run SONNA news agency reported. Patrons, who included both soldiers and civilians, were sipping tea when the bomber blew himself up, Reuters …
Read More »Somalia: government spokesman wounded in a suicide bomb attack
Somali government spokesperson Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu was injured on Sunday in an explosion at a road junction in the capital Mogadishu, police and the national news agency reported. The explosion was set off by a suicide bomber, reports said. The al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, in comments on its …
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