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Somalia

Trump's return brings uncertainty for Friends of Somalia

The "Friends of Somalia" group has not met since last October. Although a meeting was due to be held in Mogadishu, no date has been given to the five member countries, which include the United States.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 27.02.2025

Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud prepares country for new campaign against al-Shabaab

Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud in Ankara, Turkey, 11 December 2024. © Mehmet Ali Ozcan/Anadolu via AFP

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 26.02.2025

New AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia to be discussed in Addis Ababa and Doha

A meeting between all the parties involved in Aussom, the African Union's new support and stabilisation mission in Somalia, is due to take place on 24 and 25 February in Addis Ababa.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 21.02.2025

Somaliland's new president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, in Hargeisa, 10 November 2024. © Luis Tato/AFP

Recently elected President Irro juggles diplomatic and security issues

Although he wanted to play the regional multipartnership card, Somaliland's new strongman is already caught in the crosshairs. This is fertile ground for foreign interests in a territory that is not recognised by the international community.

Subscribers only Politics 17.01.2025

Sheikh Ahmed Madobe in Kismaayo, South Somalia, in 2012. © Tobin Jones/Alamy

Spotlight
Jubaland keen to de-escalate with Mogadishu after Ras Kamboni battle

Jubaland gained the upper hand over national forces in a short bout of fighting two weeks ago. It hopes to capitalise on its strong position to engage in dialogue with the federal government. The easing of tensions with Ethiopia thanks to Turkish mediation may also prove helpful in local negotiations.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 24.12.2024

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud (left) on 15 June 2024 in Lucerne (Switzerland) and Jubaland president Ahmed Madobe on 22 August 2019 in Kismayo. © Michael Buholzer/Pool/EPA/MaxPPP//Stringer/AFP

Spotlight
Mogadishu turns to Nairobi amid row with Jubaland

Somalia's central government wants Kenya's help in unseating the newly elected president of its largest federal state. Tension continues to mount in southern Somalia, under the watchful eye of its international security partners.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 05.12.2024

Puntland's battle against Islamic State hampered by the Yemeni connection

Amid a rapprochement between Houthi rebels and armed groups operating in the Horn, the president of the autonomous Puntland region, Said Deni, is also having to contend with Mogadishu's plans to appoint a new ambassador in Aden.

Subscribers only Politics 16.01.2025

Thanks to Turkish mediation, AUSSOM might include Ethiopian troops after all

The meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on 11 December in Turkey helped to ease relations between their two countries after a year of extreme tension.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 17.12.2024

National football coach takes pay complaint to FIFA

Rachid Loustèque is owed some €30,000 in back pay.

Subscribers only Business 22.11.2024

Paramilitary defectors alter security balance between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu

A few months after Ethiopia released their leader, several members of the Liyu Police, suspected of numerous abuses, returned in numbers to neighbouring Jubaland in Somalia. And the Somali president has just appointed one of these ex-paramilitaries to head the army.

Subscribers only Defence 15.11.2024

Ruto sketches out next phase of Kenyan military presence in Somalia

As the African Union's military engagement in Somalia enters a third chapter in January, Kenya is keen to keep its boots on the ground to counter the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 31.10.2024

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Nairobi on 22 October 2024.

Somali squad pulls out of African Nations due to lack of funds

Its withdrawal means Burundi qualifies automatically for the second round.

Subscribers only Business 24.10.2024

Salaam Group moves to clean up its US image

The Somali group has hired PR consultancy Whitestar Business Group to represent their interests in Washington.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 16.10.2024

Spotlight
Khartoum, Mogadishu: crises in the Horn the focus of tense UN negotiations

With just a few days to go before the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, the European and American blocs are struggling to speak with one voice as the number of conflicts in Africa grows and Western donor funding dries up.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 18.09.2024

The United Nations Headquarters building in New York City on 16 July 2024.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud suffers mid-term blues

Somalia's leader is in a fragile position on political, diplomatic and security fronts with less than two years to go before the next national presidential election. He will have to resolve a number of dilemmas regarding the allies he has chosen.

Subscribers only Defence 27.08.2024

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in his office in Mogadishu in February 2024.

Ex-president Farmajo maps out path back to power

Casting their net wide from Doha to Nairobi, the former leader and his entourage are scoping out potential allies in the diaspora and the Gulf states. The elections for the presidency of Galmudug State in November will be a first test of their strategy.

Subscribers only Politics 21.08.2024

Outgoing president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, aka Farmajo, at the inauguration ceremony of his successor, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on 9 June 2022 in Mogadishu.

Trump camp ponders Somaliland strategy

Former diplomats in charge of Donald Trump's Africa policy want him to include recognition of Somaliland's independence in his programme. But regional tensions mean not everyone is convinced.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 02.08.2024

Doha regains foothold in Mogadishu

Qatar is taking advantage of a lull in relations between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates to move its pawns into play. Its diplomats are already starting to take the lead in upcoming talks with Al-Shabaab.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 11.07.2024

Djibouti-Somaliland tensions rise

The presidents of Djibouti and Somaliland have accused each other of destabilisation. Djibouti is quietly training new republican guard recruits and denies any malice towards its neighbour, but is having trouble digesting the deal Somaliland signed with Ethiopia in January.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 08.07.2024

President of Somaliland Muse Bihi (left) and Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti.

Spotlight
Horn of Africa corridor competition intensifies as regional rivalry deepens

Ethiopia, Africa's most populous landlocked country, hopes to diversify supply routes to reduce its dependence on Djibouti. The future transport corridors are attracting the attention of international development partners and of the Gulf States, which are battling for influence in the region.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.05.2024

Swiss seek mediation role in East African crises

Bern is looking to boost its influence by using its soft power to help address the many crises in the region. It is also hoping to grow trade with the continent.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Diplomacy 11.04.2024

Re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border back on hold

Kenyan security services reckon the security needed to resume cross-border trade is not yet in place. This is putting the brakes on Somalia's integration into the East African Community.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.03.2024

Kenyan security officers in Liboi, near the Kenyan border with Somalia, in 2011.

The AU's strategy for replacing its transition mission

The African Union will not withdraw from Somalia entirely. But the nature of the force that will replace the AU's transition mission will depend on the success of its withdrawal and on significant budgetary constraints.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 19.02.2024

Abiy-Bihi memorandum of understanding puts Paris in awkward position

Landlocked Ethiopia is counting on France to speed up the training of its currently fleetless navy. But the prospect of an Ethiopian naval base being established in the secessionist territory of Somaliland risks upsetting the two countries' military cooperation.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 29.01.2024

Spotlight
Mogadishu seeks to thwart Addis promise to recognise Somaliland

Somalia is trying to scupper a provisional deal for Ethiopia to recognise Somaliland's independence in exchange for a military base and access to the sea.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 26.01.2024

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Kampala on 19 January 2024.

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Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Morocco
US-China trade war threatens Morocco's nascent battery industry

Somalia

Trump's return brings uncertainty for Friends of Somalia

Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud prepares country for new campaign against al-Shabaab

New AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia to be discussed in Addis Ababa and Doha

Recently elected President Irro juggles diplomatic and security issues

Spotlight
Jubaland keen to de-escalate with Mogadishu after Ras Kamboni battle

Spotlight
Mogadishu turns to Nairobi amid row with Jubaland

Puntland's battle against Islamic State hampered by the Yemeni connection

Thanks to Turkish mediation, AUSSOM might include Ethiopian troops after all

National football coach takes pay complaint to FIFA

Paramilitary defectors alter security balance between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu

Ruto sketches out next phase of Kenyan military presence in Somalia

Somali squad pulls out of African Nations due to lack of funds

Salaam Group moves to clean up its US image

Spotlight
Khartoum, Mogadishu: crises in the Horn the focus of tense UN negotiations

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud suffers mid-term blues

Ex-president Farmajo maps out path back to power

Trump camp ponders Somaliland strategy

Doha regains foothold in Mogadishu

Djibouti-Somaliland tensions rise

Spotlight
Horn of Africa corridor competition intensifies as regional rivalry deepens

Swiss seek mediation role in East African crises

Re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border back on hold

The AU's strategy for replacing its transition mission

Abiy-Bihi memorandum of understanding puts Paris in awkward position

Spotlight
Mogadishu seeks to thwart Addis promise to recognise Somaliland

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Indigo Publications' websites

Senegal Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Morocco US-China trade war threatens Morocco's nascent battery industry

West African cocoa cartel battles with the traders

Makhzen Inc. or the ever more prosperous business empire of Mohammed VI's entourage

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

Somalia

Trump's return brings uncertainty for Friends of Somalia

Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud prepares country for new campaign against al-Shabaab

New AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia to be discussed in Addis Ababa and Doha

Recently elected President Irro juggles diplomatic and security issues

Spotlight Jubaland keen to de-escalate with Mogadishu after Ras Kamboni battle

Spotlight Mogadishu turns to Nairobi amid row with Jubaland

Puntland's battle against Islamic State hampered by the Yemeni connection

Thanks to Turkish mediation, AUSSOM might include Ethiopian troops after all

National football coach takes pay complaint to FIFA

Paramilitary defectors alter security balance between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu

Ruto sketches out next phase of Kenyan military presence in Somalia

Somali squad pulls out of African Nations due to lack of funds

Salaam Group moves to clean up its US image

Spotlight Khartoum, Mogadishu: crises in the Horn the focus of tense UN negotiations

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud suffers mid-term blues

Ex-president Farmajo maps out path back to power

Trump camp ponders Somaliland strategy

Doha regains foothold in Mogadishu

Djibouti-Somaliland tensions rise

Spotlight Horn of Africa corridor competition intensifies as regional rivalry deepens

Swiss seek mediation role in East African crises

Re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border back on hold

The AU's strategy for replacing its transition mission

Abiy-Bihi memorandum of understanding puts Paris in awkward position

Spotlight Mogadishu seeks to thwart Addis promise to recognise Somaliland

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Morocco
US-China trade war threatens Morocco's nascent battery industry

Spotlight
Jubaland keen to de-escalate with Mogadishu after Ras Kamboni battle

Spotlight
Mogadishu turns to Nairobi amid row with Jubaland

Spotlight
Khartoum, Mogadishu: crises in the Horn the focus of tense UN negotiations

Spotlight
Horn of Africa corridor competition intensifies as regional rivalry deepens

Spotlight
Mogadishu seeks to thwart Addis promise to recognise Somaliland