Saturday 11,Jan,2025 {HMC} The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened a meeting at the Presidential Palace with representatives of Somali civil society networks.

During the meeting, the President listened to the participants’ perspectives and recommendations on key national issues, including political developments, elections, reconciliation, and security.

President Hassan Sheikh shared a comprehensive update on the current state of the nation, highlighting achievements in expanding public services, restoring Somalia’s global standing, advancing economic development, combating terrorism, and preparing for the implementation of direct elections.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to realizing the Somali people’s aspiration for one-person-one-vote elections. He urged all sectors of society to play an active role in achieving this milestone.

Civil society representatives praised the government’s progress in enhancing Somalia’s diplomatic presence on the international stage and efforts to eradicate extremist groups. They also pledged to contribute significantly to public awareness campaigns and state-building initiatives.

Saturday 11,Jan,2025 {HMC} Federal Minister of Interior Ali Yusuf Hoosh has sharply criticized Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni for what he described as a failure to effectively address the growing security threats in the region, particularly from ISIS.

“The Puntland leadership has failed to prioritize the fight against ISIS over the past few years, allowing the group to strengthen its foothold,” Minister Hoosh said in a statement. He accused the regional administration of neglecting its responsibilities and contributing to the security crisis now threatening Puntland and Somalia.

Minister Hoosh called on Puntland’s intellectuals and people to critically assess the current direction of the administration, which he claimed has strayed from the principles on which it was founded.

“It is unacceptable for Puntland to be driven by personal interests and divisive policies,” he said, urging the regional leadership to align its policies with national unity and solidarity.

The minister also highlighted the Somali federal government’s recent progress in various sectors, emphasizing the need for Puntland to play a more active role in fostering political stability and unity across the country.

The criticism comes two weeks after the ISIS fighters attacked a military base in Dharjaale in the Bari region. ISIS claimed responsibility for the assault, alleging that 22 Puntland soldiers were killed and dozens injured. At the same time, Puntland authorities have disputed these figures.

ISIS established a foothold in Puntland’s remote Al Miskat Mountains in 2015 and has since leveraged the area’s rugged terrain and Puntland’s strategic location to expand its operations. The group funds its activities through extortion and smuggling networks, posing a persistent threat to regional security.

Saturday 11,Jan,2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday for bilateral discussions to re-enhance relations between the neighboring countries.

President Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are expected to focus on a range of critical issues, including implementing the Ankara Agreement and Ethiopia’s role in the new peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Both leaders aim to enhance collaboration on regional stability, economic cooperation, and political alignment.

This visit marks President Hassan Sheikh’s first trip to Addis Ababa since February 17, 2023, when he attended the 37th African Union Summit. That visit was overshadowed by allegations from Somali officials, who claimed that Ethiopian security forces attempted to restrict the president’s movements, forcing him to join the convoy of Djibouti’s president to leave his hotel.

The two neighbouring countries in the Horn of Africa have seen tensions escalate since Ethiopia struck a deal in January with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to lease a stretch of its coastline for an Ethiopian port and military base in exchange for diplomatic recognition.

Diplomatic efforts, including Turkey’s Ankara Declaration in December 2024, played a pivotal role in easing tensions. The agreement reaffirmed Somalia’s territorial integrity while granting Ethiopia conditional access to Somali ports, balancing Ethiopia’s economic interests with Somalia’s sovereignty concerns.

President Hassan Sheikh’s upcoming visit underscores the importance of addressing unresolved issues while seeking to strengthen bilateral ties. The outcome of these talks could shape the future of Somalia-Ethiopia relations and have broader implications for regional peace and development.

Saturday 11,Jan,2025 {HMC} Egypt’s Minister of Defence and Military Production Abdel Mageed Saqr discussed regional and international developments and their implications on Africa’s security with Somali counterpart Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and his delegation during their visit to Egypt on Thursday.

According to the Egyptian army, Saqr commended the deep historical ties between Egypt and Somalia and expressed pride in the partnership between the armed forces of both nations.

For his part, the Somali defence minister expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in establishing the foundations of security and stability across African nations.

Nur welcomed Egypt’s participation in the African Union Mission in Somalia and highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Egyptian and Somali armed forces across various fields.

Lieutenant-General Ahmed Khalifa, chief of staff of the armed forces, the commanders of the main branches, and several senior officials attended the meeting.