Author: Abdihakim Siyad

A growing political storm has erupted after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appeared to link Somali-owned businesses to alleged financial crimes in the United States,  remarks that North Eastern MPs say risk fueling division, mistrust, and hostility toward an entire community.  Led by Dadaab MP Hon. Farah maalim alongside Hon. Mohamed Abdikeir,  Major Bashir Abdullahi and Hon. Yusuf Hassan, the legislators delivered a strong rebuttal at the Parliament Media Centre, warning that reckless political rhetoric is reopening painful wounds around discrimination and ethnic profiling in Kenya.   The Heart of the Dispute: Security Narrative vs Community Identity  The MPs accused Gachagua of carelessly…

UAE Aligns Publicly With Somalia’s Unity For the first time, the United Arab Emirates has openly opposed Somaliland’s controversial recognition claims, declaring full respect for the sovereignty and territorial unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In a rare and carefully worded statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Abu Dhabi “respects the independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia.” The announcement came shortly after a joint communiqué released by the African Union and the UAE a move widely interpreted as a turning point of Abu Dhabi’s regional diplomacy. This development marks a significant turn in the Horn of…

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco continued to deliver gripping knockout-stage drama as Egypt and Nigeria sealed their places in the quarter-finals. With incredible performances, crucial goals, and moments of individual brilliance, both sides showed the pedigree expected of African football giants as the tournament moves deeper into the business end. Egypt Hold Nerve to Advance Egypt booked their spot in the last eight after a composed and well-managed victory in the Round of 16. The Pharaohs relied on their experience and tactical maturity, controlling long spells of possession while keeping their defensive structure tight. A decisive goal…

Venezuelan former President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a U.S. federal court in Manhattan, where he firmly pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking charges. During the arraignment, Maduro responded to the judge by saying, “I am innocent. I am a decent man. I am not guilty. I am the President of Venezuela.” He went on to describe himself as a “prisoner of war”, claiming he had been captured from his home in Caracas before being brought to the United States. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to related drug-trafficking charges during the same hearing. The former Venezuelan leader…

Mogadishu -Somalia  President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has delivered a strongly-worded address to the Federal Government Cabinet, calling for unity, political discipline and collective responsibility as Somalia continues navigating heightened regional and diplomatic tensions. Chairing the cabinet meeting alongside Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the President dedicated much of his briefing to three key themes which includes,national unity, the future of elections in Somalia, and the ongoing dispute with Israel. President Hassan Sheikh stressed that strengthening unity within government and across Somali society must remain a top priority. He warned ministers against engaging in public disagreements, particularly on social media…

Wajir Governor and Chairman of the Council of Governors, Ahmed Abdullahi, has strongly condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over recent remarks targeting Somali business owners in Kenya. The Governor accused Gachagua of fueling what he described as Somaliphobia and spreading defamatory claims against respected entrepreneurs in the country. Governor Defends Somali Business Community and BBS Mall Investors In a sharply-worded statement, Governor Abdullahi said Gachagua had “taken Somaliphobia to an unacceptable level,” adding that his comments unfairly portrayed Somali business owners as beneficiaries of misused disability funds from Minnesota in the United States. He insisted that the U.S. government…

Fresh political wrangles is unfolding inside the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as divisions deepen over the future of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who currently serves as the party’s Secretary General. The party’s National Central Committee is expected to meet this week to deliberate on a proposal to replace him a move insiders say enjoys the backing of a majority of senior officials. This development comes amid growing public disagreements among ODM leaders, reviving long-standing internal issues that intensified following the death of former party leader Raila Odinga. With Odinga gone, the party has struggled to maintain cohesion, as rivals pushing and…

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco delivered drama and high-stakes football in its Round of 16 as the tournament moved into the knockout phase. From commanding performances by traditional powerhouses to nail-biting penalty shootouts and narrow victories, the path to the quarter-finals is beginning to take shape. Senegal Shows Class to Reach Quarters In one of the standout matches of the round, Senegal overcame Sudan 3-1 in Tangier to become the first team to book their spot in the quarter-finals. Sudan stunned many by taking an early lead through Aamir Abdallah, but the Teranga Lions responded with authority.…

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ignited a political war with allegations targeting the Somali community in Kenya, while also dragging the United States into Kenya’s domestic political arena. Speaking during a church service in Kiambu, Gachagua claimed that funds intended to assist people with disabilities in Minnesota, United States, were allegedly stolen, sent to Kenya, and used to acquire property, including farms, houses, and businesses. He specifically linked one Eastleigh mall to these funds, asserting that the owner is a business partner of President William Ruto. Gachagua urged U.S. President Donald Trump to conduct in Kenya a forceful operation…

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud paid a rare late-night visit to the residence of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu, in a political development that has captured national political attention. The visit which reportedly lasted around two hours comes after months of visible political distance between the two leaders, who have previously worked together but increasingly found themselves on opposite sides of Somalia’s current political arena. Although the official reason for the meeting was not immediately disclosed, both sides later confirmed that key political grievances were discussed and resolved.  The meeting was also notable for the informal tone of the visit, which…