Thursday 30,Jan,2025 {HMC}.  Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, signed three strategic agreements with Tanzanian officials on Wednesday to enhance collaboration in security, cultural development, and the exchange of prisoners.

The agreements were signed alongside Tanzanian Minister of Information, Heritage, Culture and Sports Prof. Palamagamba John Aidan Mwaluko and Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Innocent Lugha Bashungwa, in a ceremony held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The agreements covered cooperation in security and safety, the exchange of prisoners, and a Memorandum of Understanding on developing the Swahili language and culture.

The event was attended by Somali Minister of Water and Energy, MP Abdullahi Bidhan, Somali Ambassador to Tanzania Ilyas Ali Hassan, and Deputy Director of the Somali Presidential Palace Mohamed Amin Osman.

The Somali government stated that the agreements, particularly regarding the exchange of prisoners, are significant as they will facilitate the repatriation of Somali citizens currently held in Tanzanian prisons.

Swahili, one of the official languages of the East African Community (EAC)—of which Somalia became a member in March 2024—is spoken by many member states. The new cooperation aims to promote Swahili language development, which is seen as an important aspect of regional integration.

In December 2024, Somalia and Tanzania had already signed four key agreements covering political cooperation, defense, health, and tourism during a meeting in Mogadishu, further underscoring the strengthening ties between the two nations.

Thursday 30,Jan,2025 {HMC} The Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), attended the condolence gathering for the late Ugaas Cabdi-Daahir Ugaas Nuur.

During the event, Speaker Madoobe extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and the entire Somali nation, mourning the loss of the respected traditional leader.

As a mark of respect, the Speaker also signed the condolence book in honor of the late Ugaas Cabdi-Daahir Ugaas Nuur.

SOURCE SONNA

Thursday 30,Jan,2025 {HMC} Somali National Army (SNA) conducted security operations on Wednesday in several areas of the Bakool region as part of preparations for a large-scale military offensive in Southwest State to eliminate AS strongholds.

The operations targeted Wargolole, Hooyaley, and Abagbeday, areas located north of Hudur district in the Bakool region. According to an officer from the 9th Brigade of the 60th Division, the mission’s primary objective was to secure Hudur district and strengthen overall security in the region ahead of intensified military efforts.

No casualties or clashes with AS fighters were reported during the operation, according to the SNA officer.

The military operations come two days after Somalia’s Ministry of Defense announced that federal forces and local fighters had killed over 40 AS militants during Tuesday’s intense operations in the Hiiraan region.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Abukar Mohamed, detailed the successful strikes in Beera Yabaal, Addow Gurey, and other locations along the Shabelle River as federal forces work to clear key areas from militant control.

Source Hiiraan online

Thursday 30, Jan 2025 {HMC} t least 11 soldiers from the Somali National Army surrendered to Kenya at the Hulugho border.

Officials said the group was armed with rifles with more than 1,000 bullets when they surrendered on Sunday evening, witnesses and military officials said.

Locals reported that a group of the Somali National Army was heading for Garabey, Kenya, near the main border.

This prompted Kenya Defence Forces personnel and other multi-agencies to move to the area, where they found the defectors already sited and waiting for further instructions.

According to officials, some of the defectors were Kenyans.

One of the defectors had an AK47 rifle with 30 bullets, another had a Rocket Propelled Grenade launcher and three pieces of warhead while the third individual was armed with a PKM with 267 bullets.

The fourth soldier had an AK47 rifle with 30 bullets, another had an AK47 with 120 bullets while the sixth soldier had a similar rifle with 120 bullets.

Officials said another soldier was armed with an AK47 rifle with 120 bullets and another one had a similar weapon with 30 bullets.

A ninth soldier was carrying an AK47 rifle with 60 bullets while the tenth one had a similar weapon and 46 bullets.

The eleventh soldier, a Kenyan was not armed, officials said.

They told the Kenyan team they defected because of harassment and discrimination.

There was no immediate comment from the KDF in Nairobi and SNA over the latest developments.

Sources said the Somali nationals will be taken back to Mogadishu while the Kenyans will be debriefed for further action.

The area where they were escaping from, which is in Jubaland has been experiencing clashes between local soldiers and those from SNA.

Last December, at least 300 SNA soldiers surrendered to Kenya after being overrun by Jubaland forces in brief clashes in the Raaskambooni area near the main border.

Source: 

by CYRUS OMBATI