Author: Abdihakim Siyad

The armed confrontation that shook Mogadishu for more than 48 hours in this week was not merely another security incident in Somalia’s long and turbulent political history. It was a moment that exposed the fragile relationship between political competition and state power, revealed the growing role of foreign actors in Somali affairs, and highlighted how regional geopolitics are increasingly shaping events inside the country. What began as a political standoff between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition leaders led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire quickly evolved into one of the most…

Mogadishu has experienced one of its most intense political-military crises in recent years after heavy gunfire and armed clashes erupted across multiple districts of the capital, involving government forces and armed groups linked to opposition leaders during a high-stakes period of political tension. What began as a reported attack on a mediation meeting involving traditional elders quickly escalated into citywide fighting, leaving parts of the capital paralyzed for over 20 hours before finally calming down following mediation efforts and international pressure. The crisis reportedly began on Wednesday afternoon when heavy gunfire broke out at a residence where traditional elders and…

A silent crisis is unfolding in Northern Kenya. It does not arrive with explosions or headlines breaking across television screens every hour. It moves quietly through villages, schools, WhatsApp groups and desperate conversations inside struggling homes. It begins with promises. Promises of jobs. Promises of Europe. Promises of a better life. But for many young girls and boys from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and other parts of the North Eastern region, that journey ends not in opportunity, but in the deserts of Libya trapped, tortured, abandoned and sometimes never seen again. The reported disappearance of young girls from Iftin Primary School in…

When President William Ruto rallied East African leaders behind a new funding formula for the East African Community (EAC), he was pushing for more than a budget adjustment. He was seeking to reform a system that had increasingly become a source of financial strain for one of Africa’s most ambitious regional blocs. The decision, adopted by EAC Heads of State during their summit in Arusha, Tanzania, will see Kenya’s annual contribution to the Community rise sharply from $7 million to $11.6 million in the next financial year, representing a 67 percent increase. While the move means Kenya will shoulder a…

President William Ruto on Tuesday concluded a three-day development tour of Wajir and Garissa counties, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transforming Northern Kenya through major investments in infrastructure, education, water, housing, and economic development. The tour culminated in Eldas Constituency, Wajir County, where the President launched and inspected several flagship projects aimed at accelerating growth and improving the livelihoods of residents across the region. Among the key milestones was the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of 580-bed student hostels at Eldas Teachers Training College. The project forms part of the Government’s broader KSh15 billion investment package in…

The cheers inside Wajir Stadium on Madaraka Day were loud enough to shake the stands. The colourful cultural performances, the military parade and the arrival of President William Ruto created a festive atmosphere befitting a national celebration. Yet beneath the excitement lay something deeper something emotional, something historical. For many people across North Eastern Kenya, June 1, 2026, was not merely a day to celebrate Kenya’s independence journey. It was a day that felt like recognition. It was a day when a region that has often felt distant from the centre of power suddenly found itself at the centre of…

For years, the question of Somaliland’s future has remained one of the most sensitive and politically charged issues in the Horn of Africa. While Somaliland has operated as a self-governing entity since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, it has never secured formal international recognition as a sovereign state. Supporters of Somaliland often point to its relative stability, democratic development, and security achievements as justification for recognition, while Somalia continues to insist that Somaliland remains an integral part of its territory. Against this backdrop, a newly released report to the United States Congress has delivered one of the clearest statements…

“I am not doing things for people to vote for me. I am doing them because I am the President of Kenya. They do not have another president and I am doing them because it is the right thing to do.” Those were the words of President William Ruto during an extensive engagement with North Eastern media practitioners at the Wajir State Lounge following the historic Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir County. The media roundtable provided President Ruto with an opportunity to reflect on his administration’s development agenda, address concerns affecting Northern Kenya, discuss relations with neighbouring Somalia, and defend…

After weeks of public debate, political criticism, and widespread speculation, President William Ruto has finally responded to concerns surrounding Kenya’s decision to host an Ebola preparedness and response facility at Laikipia Air Base. Speaking during the North Eastern Media Roundtable shortly after the Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir County, the President defended the government’s decision, arguing that the arrangement is rooted in Kenya’s long-standing partnership with the United States and is intended to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to future health emergencies. The issue first gained national attention after reports emerged that Kenya had agreed to host a facility…

During the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Wajir, President William Ruto officially agreed to rename the newly constructed Wajir Stadium as Ahmed Khalif Wajir Stadium, following a formal request from Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi. The decision marked a defining moment of recognition for one of the region’s most remembered political figures, the late Hon. Ahmed Khalif, former Wajir West MP and Cabinet Minister. The renaming came after Governor Ahmed Abdullahi used his address during the national celebration to propose that the modern stadium be permanently named in honour of the late leader. The Governor framed the request as a…