Author: Abdihakim Siyad

As Somalia celebrates the 66th anniversary of its independence, the nation pauses to honor the brave men and women whose sacrifices made freedom possible. Every July 1, Somalis commemorate the historic union of the former British Somaliland Protectorate and the former Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian administration in 1960, a milestone that gave birth to the Somali Republic. Behind that historic achievement lies the story of countless patriots who refused to surrender their dream of a free nation. Among the most celebrated of these heroes is Hawo Osman Taako, popularly known as Haawo Taako, a fearless young nationalist whose…

For generations of Somalis, the mere mention of Talex Road evoked painful memories. It was a place associated with tragedy rather than celebration, where the sound of explosions often replaced the laughter of families and where ordinary citizens lived with the constant fear that any journey could become their last. The road became one of the most recognizable symbols of Mogadishu’s long struggle with insecurity. Bombings, targeted assassinations, attacks against government officials, and the loss of countless innocent lives turned Talex into more than just a street it became a reminder of the heavy price Somalia had paid during decades…

As another election season slowly begins to take shape across Northern Kenya, a familiar political ritual is quietly returning. Across Garissa, Wajir and  Mandera conversations are already taking place long before official campaigns begin. In villages and towns, inside hotels and community halls, under tents erected for political gatherings and in private meetings attended by influential figures, discussions are underway about who will occupy political office after the next election. For many residents, these developments are neither unusual nor unexpected. They have become part of the political culture of the region. Elders are consulting, political aspirants are building alliances, community leaders…

In what appears to be one of the most significant shifts in rhetoric from Somalia’s Federal Government in recent years, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has publicly softened his stance toward Somaliland, offering an apology for hostile remarks directed at the self-declared republic and signaling a willingness to reassess Mogadishu’s entire approach toward the northern regions. Speaking during Somalia’s 66th Independence Day celebrations in Mogadishu, President Hassan Sheikh delivered a message that contrasted sharply with the confrontational tone that had characterized recent exchanges between Villa Somalia and Somaliland authorities. The President acknowledged the historical contribution of Somaliland to Somalia’s independence struggle…

Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kaariye, popularly known as Qoor Qoor, has officially withdrawn from the race for the presidency of Galmudug, ending weeks of political uncertainty and paving the way for a new leadership transition in the federal member state. The announcement came after a series of high-level meetings in Dhuusamareeb involving Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Director Mahad Mohamed Salad, discussions that political observers say played a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the state’s electoral process. In a statement announcing his decision, President Qoor Qoor said he had chosen…

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly pushed back against claims by the European Union that Somalia has failed to cooperate in accepting deported individuals, insisting that the Federal Government has never refused to receive verified Somali citizens and that any disagreement revolves around the need for proper identification of those being returned. The issue emerged after the European Union announced visa restrictions affecting Somali passport holders, citing what it described as insufficient cooperation by Somalia in the readmission of individuals ordered to leave EU member states. The decision has generated widespread discussion among Somalis at home and abroad, with many…

Politics in Wajir County has entered a new and increasingly competitive phase following a public exchange between Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and Wajir East MP Adan Daud Mohamed, a dispute that on the surface appears to be about development projects but beneath it reveals a deeper struggle over political influence, public perception, and the future direction of leadership in the county. What began as a disagreement over governance responsibilities has rapidly evolved into one of the most significant political conversations currently shaping Wajir’s landscape. At the center of the debate is a fundamental question that resonates across many devolved counties in…

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre arrived in Dhuusamareeb on Wednesday amid growing political speculation and intense negotiations over the future leadership of Galmudug, one of the country’s key federal member states. His arrival marks the latest development in a series of high-level consultations involving senior federal and regional leaders as efforts continue to resolve disputes surrounding the state’s electoral process and political transition. The Prime Minister was received at Ugaas Nuur Airport by Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kaariye, widely known as Qoor Qoor, alongside the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Mahad Mohamed Salad. The warm…

President William Ruto has signed the Finance Bill 2026 into law, ushering in a new fiscal framework that the government says will accelerate economic growth, create jobs, improve public services and strengthen livelihoods across the country under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The President announced the signing of the Finance Act 2026 and the Appropriation Act 2026 while outlining major allocations across key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, sports, tourism, digital innovation and fuel stabilization. The government maintains that the new law does not introduce additional taxes on ordinary Kenyans and instead focuses on improving compliance, sealing tax leakages and…

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has been pardoned by the High Court after apologising for disobeying court orders related to the construction of a controversial U.S.-funded Ebola isolation facility at Laikipia Air Base. Justice Patricia Nyaundi declined to impose a custodial sentence on the Cabinet Secretary despite finding him guilty of contempt of court, instead accepting his apology and mitigation presented before the Milimani High Court. Duale had appeared in person before the court following a strict summons issued by Justice Nyaundi, requiring him to attend the proceedings and explain his conduct after being found in contempt over the implementation…