The latest news from Somalia, summarised in English from the local press: politics, business, society, culture and sport. 20 articles published.
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Former leader of Somalia’s South-West, Cabdicasiis Xasan Maxamed Laftagareen, is in Nairobi with members of his former administration and is reportedly holding political consultations there. His presence comes as fighting continues in the South-West and accusations of links with Al-Shabaab could affect relations between Somalia and Kenya, according to Goobjoog.
Source: Goobjoog
Puntland Vice-President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor has called on Mogadishu residents to oppose the Somali government of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whom he accuses of promoting an election that threatens the country’s unity. He warned that Puntland would make its own decisions if no electoral agreement were reached, Puntland Post reports.
Source: Puntlandpost
The Shabelle River has reached 5.38 metres in Jowhar, just 13 centimetres below the flooding threshold, threatening the town, Balcad and riverside villages. Rain in Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands could raise it further, according to FAO-SWALIM data reported by Goobjoog.
Source: Goobjoog
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met federal MPs who are members of the Justice and Solidarity Party, as discussions on organising the 2027 elections intensify. The meeting comes amid rising political tensions over the electoral process, Goobjoog reports.
Source: Goobjoog
Somaliland authorities have made their position known on the ongoing regional tensions. Caasimada Online reported the statement and published a photograph of leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, but the details of the statements were not available in the material provided.
Source: Caasimada Online
Former Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo rejected the election timetable announced by the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which schedules parliamentary elections for 15 April 2027 and the presidential election for 15 May. He accuses the process of lacking consultation and calls for dialogue to continue to organise an inclusive vote, according to Caasimada Online.
Source: Caasimada Online
Torrential rains have flooded Godob-yar, in Buurtinle district in Somalia’s Puntland, forcing residents to leave their homes. The locality has no passable roads, food or shelter, while sewage mixed with stagnant water is raising fears of disease, Puntland Post reports.
Source: Puntlandpost
Somalia’s Health Minister, Cali Xaaji Aadan Abuubakar, chaired several meetings of the 73rd session of the World Health Organisation’s regional committee in Cairo. The discussions bring together representatives of 22 countries on regional health priorities and policies, Goobjoog reports.
Source: Goobjoog
Donald Trump referred to Somaliland as a “country” at an election rally in Ohio, without formally announcing recognition. Somalia called on Washington to respect its sovereignty, while Somaliland authorities welcomed remarks they said offered hope, RFI reports.
Source: RFI
Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority has presented the government with a plan to reactivate the international airline ticket settlement system, which facilitates payments between agencies and airlines. The system is expected to reduce Somali agencies’ reliance on foreign systems and support air transport, tourism and trade, Shabelle Media reports.
Source: Shabellemedia
The Somali government has adopted a resolution to speed up implementation of the Constitution and called on public institutions to align their work with its provisions. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre chaired the meeting that established ministerial and technical commissions to coordinate the process, reports Caasimada Online.
Source: Caasimada Online
Somali House of the People Speaker Cabdulqaadir Maxamed Nuur discussed modernising the penal code with the committee on justice and religious affairs. The draft includes a response to new forms of crime linked to technology and information systems, according to Goobjoog.
Source: Goobjoog
Somalia’s National Anti-Money Laundering Committee has added ten people to its financial sanctions list, including Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, former president of the South West State. Authorities must freeze their assets and report their financial transactions, according to Goobjoog, citing a statement dated 13 October 2026.
Source: Goobjoog
The president of Somalia’s House of the People, Cabdulqaadir Maxamed Nuur (Jaamac), received Türkiye’s new ambassador to Somalia, Ferhat Alkan, in Mogadishu. They discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and Turkish support, notably through projects in Somalia, according to Shabellemedia.
Source: Shabellemedia
Ethiopian news agency ENA removed an article accusing Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of betraying Ethiopia. The publication referred to Mogadishu’s growing ties with Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan, amid a dispute over the agreement concluded with Somaliland, Caasimada Online reports.
Source: Caasimada Online
Somalia’s Office of the Auditor General has launched an audit of grants awarded to schools participating in the Human Capital Development in Education project. The review is starting in Banaadir and is expected to extend to the federal member states, focusing in particular on the use of funds and compliance with rules, Goobjoog reports.
Source: Goobjoog
A Somali MP who fell ill during a session was evacuated by ambulance from Parliament in Mogadishu. House speaker Cabdulqaadir Maxamed Nuur confirmed the evacuation and defended salary deductions targeting absent lawmakers, reports Caasimada Online.
Source: Caasimada Online
Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre accuses the government of fuelling tensions in Mogadishu by deploying forces near the residences of opposition figures. He warns that these military movements could trigger new clashes and political instability in the capital, reports Caasimada Online.
Source: Caasimada Online
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