The Latest Breaking News from Somalia

Trainee cop who was held down and cut with razor aged 6 vows to help other FGM survivors

Shamsa Sharawe who grew up in Somalia wants to help other survivors seek help and therapy for FGM - which involves partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

Daily Mirror · Mar 12, 2022

Somali capital opens first horse riding stable in decades

On a tree-lined, unpaved road in Somalia's capital, people duck out of their homes to stare in awe at an unusual sight: two young men atop white horses, racing neck and neck, in training for what would be the city's first horse races in decades.

Reuters · Mar 3, 2022

African states need a vision for relations with the Indo-Pacific

This year sees the 25th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Nine of the organisation’s member states are African, ranging from Somalia in the north west to South Africa in the south. It also includes islands, such as Mauritius, off the western seaboard. It brings together governments, business and…

The Conversation · Feb 28, 2022

Somalia's elections are finally under way: five things you should know

Following a series of setbacks going back more than a year, Somalia is nearly wrapping up parliamentary elections (Lower House) leading to presidential elections. The Horn of Africa country uses a complex indirect model, whereby state legislatures and clan delegates pick lawmakers for the national parliament, who will in turn…

The Conversation · Feb 23, 2022

UN Says Internal Displacement, Refugee Influx Continues in Yemen

Internal displacement remains one of the defining features of the Yemen crisis after over 157,000 Yemenis were forced to flee their homes due to conflict, announced the United Nations. The UN indicated that the arrivals to Yemen from the East and Horn of Africa mainly represent migratory movements, and asylum…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 23, 2022

China appoints new special envoy for turbulent Horn of Africa region

China has appointed senior diplomat Xue Bing as its new special envoy for the Horn of Africa, a region that is currently troubled by conflict including in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.

Reuters · Feb 22, 2022

Somalia: Dozens of Casualties in Suicide Blast

At least 15 people were killed in the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Saturday, state television said, after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in a restaurant that witnesses said was packed with local officials and politicians. A further 18 people were injured in the Beledweyne attack, the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 19, 2022

At least seven people killed by blast in central Somalia

At least seven people were killed in the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Saturday after a suicide bomber blew themselves up in a restaurant packed with local officials and politicians, witnesses said.

Reuters · Feb 19, 2022

Exclusive-Voting delays risk starving Somalia of budget funds, says IMF

A key IMF-supported programme funding military wages and other essential services in Somalia could expire in May if there are any further delays to elections, the chief International Monetary Fund representative in the country said.

Reuters · Feb 18, 2022

Somalis in crowded camps on ‘brink of death’ as drought worsens

UN warns of looming catastrophe as hundreds of thousands more arrive at settlements that do not have enough food or water

The Guardian - UK · Feb 18, 2022