ADDIS ABABA, (Reuters) – Ethiopia plans to keep its troops in Somalia until the Horn of Africa country ratifies a constitution and its military is able to fend off militant threats on its own, an official said on Friday, signalling a change in policy. Addis Ababa rolled hundreds of troops across its border in November…
Kenya: TFG Defectors Blamed for Destabilizing North Eastern Province
Garissa (SDN)-Soldiers linked to the transitional federal government of Somalia are accused of disturbing the peace in a northern Kenya border town. According to Philip Ndolo the deputy in charge of the NorthEastern province police force, Al-Shabaab is not the only destabilizing force in Northern Kenya. He points the finger at transitional federal government soldiers…
Somali Asylum Seekers Arrested in Angola
Luanda (SDN) -Officials with the government of Angola have conducted a series of raids over the last few days in an attempt to round up dozens of Somali asylum seekers living in the capital city of Luanda. Somalis in Luanda have been living in fear and constant worry since the start of operations a few…
UK: Amina Adan’s Killer sentenced to 26 years in prison
London (SDN)-A Somali man accused of killing his girlfriend one year ago plead guilty to the murder in a London court. Zakaria Mohamed an asylum seeker and Amina Adan a recruitment consultant for Al Jazeera news lived together in an east London dwelling where Zakaria Mohamed stabbed the victim 57 times. Zakaria was on probation…
Somalia’s Prime Minister heads to Nairobi to finalize Roadmap
Mogadishu (SDN) – Somalia’s Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli Mahamed Ali left Mogadishu’s Aadan Adde airport for Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi today. He is expected to take part in meetings with signatories and stakeholders in the Roadmap to peace process. The Prime Minister was accompanied by a delegation of several ministers from his administration. Prime…
Al-Shabaab Leader Releases Recording
Afgooye (SDN) The leader of Al Shabaab Sheikh Muqtaar Abdirahman (Abu Zubayr) released an audio recording today which revealed that he is still in Somalia organizing insurgency operations. He also said that Al Shabaab will continue its campaign against the transitional federal government of Somalia and AMISOM troops. He went on to say that AMISOM…
Somaliland Unveils 5 Year Health Sector Development Plan
Doctors and specialists from Somaliland’s various regions met at the Mansoor Hotel in the city of Hargeisa today to discuss the development of a five year plan to improve Somaliland’s health care system. Abdi Ahmed Nuur, the general director of the Ministry of Health spoke at the event which is expected to take place over…
No consensus on way ahead for world’s biggest refugee camp
NAIROBI (IRIN) – Key stakeholders meeting on 14 June to discuss the future of Dadaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya acknowledge that there are tough choices ahead, but no agreed way forward. The panel discussion, entitled “Dadaab 20 years on: what next?”, was organized by NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Nairobi, and included government…
A refugee, an amputee, a marathon runner: Abdifatah’s story
For someone who struggles to run a few metres before collapsing with a stitch, I’m constantly amazed by the skill of long-distance runners, and used to think crossing the finishing line of a marathon was the height of physical achievement — until meeting Abdifatah Dhuhulow. An amputee, Abdifatah lost his left leg due to injuries…
Dadaab: the camps cannot go on-MSF calls for solutions for Dadaab’s half a million Somali refugees
It is only a matter of time before the next emergency hits Dadaab refugee camp, says a briefing paper released today by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) ahead of World Refugee Day. Dadaab: Shadows of Lives describes the plight of half a million refugees living in increasingly insecure conditions with nowhere else to go,…
U.S. to act firmly on Somalis who hinder roadmap
Nairobi (Reuters) The United States will impose travel sanctions and freeze assets of Somalis who hinder a political roadmap towards a new constitution and president in the Horn-of-Africa nation, a senior State Department official said on Sunday. Somalia faces an August deadline to achieve both targets, which are a key step towards restoring stability after…
Al-Shabaab Accused of Destroying Wells in Southern Somalia
Balad-Haawo (SDN) Army officials with the transitional federal government of Somalia in the region of Gedo have accused the militant group Al-Shabaab of destroying water wells used by local citizens. According to statements made by Joon Abdillahi Hasan an official with the TFG armed forces, Al-Shabaab lodged an attack on the wells located in the…
Somaliland Responds to Somalia’s Reunification Agenda
Hargeisa (SDN)-The government of Somaliland recently responded to statements made by the transitional federal government of Somalia regarding their intention to pursue unification of the two states. Ali Yusuf the second deputy chairman of Somaliland’s parliament spoke to journalists today saying the current talks between Somaliland and Somalia is meant to promote positive relations between…
Relief Agencies Highlight Urgent Needs in Somalia
16 relief agencies working to save lives and provide vital basic services in Somalia are calling on the international community to maintain their support for humanitarian needs in the country. Agencies are fearful that a political vision for Somalia’s future development may come at the cost of lifesaving interventions for communities still caught up in…
Somalia Joins Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
Geneva-Somalia has joined the landmark Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention, becoming the 160th State Party to the international treaty which bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. With Somalia’s accession, every state in Sub-Saharan Africa is now bound by the Convention. “Somalia’s decision to join this international movement is significant,”…
Two Danish brothers originally from Somalia busted on suspicion of plotting terror attack
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) – Two Danish brothers originally from Somalia were arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack, Denmark’s security service said Tuesday. The two brothers, ages 18 and 23, were arrested late Monday — one in the western city of Aarhus and the other as he arrived by plane at Copenhagen’s international airport, said…
UN Secretary General marks Africa Day
UN-Each year, Africa Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the peoples and Governments of Africa and to reaffirm the support of the United Nations for their efforts to build a better future. The United Nations commends Africa’s recent efforts to consolidate its peace and security architecture, and to reject unconstitutional changes of…
Al-Shabaab Goes Off the Air
Lower Shabelle (SDN)- The Undulus broadcasting station used by the Al-Shabaab militant group’s communication arm has been off the air for the last few days following the expansion of AMISOM’s offensive military campaign in the region. The city of Ceelasha Biyaha where the broadcaster is located has been under siege for several days in a…
Permanent homes in Somaliland for 300 displaced persons
Burao (UNHCR/NRC)-A total of 50 permanent shelters, which will benefit 300 people, were constructed by members of the community with the training, technical assistance and supervision of NRC. The Somaliland Government was also instrumental in the success of the project. Each home consists of two rooms and outdoor space totalling 144 square metres. NRC provided…
Citizens Internally Displaced by Military Activity in Southern Somalia
Mogadishu (SDN) Towns in southern Somalia including Ceelasha biyaha, Lafoole, Carbiska, and Xaawo-Cabdi in the Lower Shabeelle region are at the centre of an unprecedented exodus. Hundreds of families have taken advantage of the reopening of the Afgooye-Mogadishu road that connects the regions of Banaadir and Lower Shabeelle. Some of those taking the journey told…
