Monday 6,January 2025 {HMC} Sweden has announced plans to deport Somali nationals who lack citizenship, targeting those involved in criminal activities or whose asylum claims have been denied. Ambassador Joachim Waern stated that the new measures aim to balance immigration control with public safety, reflecting the government’s broader security priorities.

The deportation criteria specifically apply to Somali nationals convicted of crimes in Sweden or deemed ineligible for refugee status. Those with rejected asylum applications also fall under the scope of the policy.

Ambassador Waern emphasized that Sweden’s collaboration with Somalia is central to ensuring the humane reintegration of deportees. The partnership includes monitoring deportees’ progress and addressing recruitment risks by extremist groups. The changes aligns with Sweden’s commitment to counter-terrorism and international security.

The policy has major implications for Sweden’s Somali community, which numbered approximately 63,853 as of 2016, according to Statistics Sweden. Concentrated in cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, many Somalis fled to Sweden during the Somali Civil War, with most arriving after 2006.

Sweden’s actions align with wider European efforts to manage undocumented migration. Germany recently reached a similar agreement to deport Somali nationals, focusing on individuals convicted of serious crimes. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has supported voluntary returns, underscoring the importance of reintegration into Somali society.

Additionally, the European Union has introduced stricter visa rules for Somali nationals, including higher fees and longer processing times. These measures aim to encourage cooperation on readmissions while addressing irregular migration patterns.

The Somali community has raised concerns over the potential social and economic impact of deportations. Community organizations, many of which are clan-based, provide integration support but face challenges.

Monday 6,January 2025 {HMC}  The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mr. Hamza Abdi Barre, laid the foundation stone for the Daarul-Iftaa center of the Somali Scholars Council. The new facility will serve as a hub for issuing religious rulings and providing faith-based guidance to the Somali public.

Prime Minister Barre highlighted Somalis’ deep religiosity and noted that religious scholars have always played a pivotal role in guiding society. Recognizing the urgent need for structured religious counsel, the government launched this project to fortify national unity and social cohesion. “This Daarul-Iftaa center is among the projects most urgently needed by the Somali people,” he said, expressing optimism for its success in bolstering the unity of the Somali nation.

The Prime Minister also commended the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs for spearheading the initiative. He emphasized that the center will be constructed through local funding and cooperation, without external financial support, illustrating the Somali government’s commitment to self-reliance and local ownership.

Source SONNA

Monday 6,January 2025 {HMC} Puntland is enlisting the support of clans in the Bari region to combat the growing threat of ISIS, which has entrenched itself in parts of the region. The mobilization effort, spearheaded by First Deputy Speaker Mohamed Bari Shire, follows a deadly attack in Dharjaale village that exposed significant security vulnerabilities.

On December 31, 2024, Puntland security forces thwarted an ISIS assault on a military base in Dharjaale, killing 12 militants, including foreign fighters. The attack, marked by a suicide bombing and intense combat, leftover 20 soldiers dead and more than 30 injured. Deputy Speaker Mohamed Bari Shire narrowly survived the attack, which highlighted the increasing audacity of ISIS operations in the region.

Traditional leaders from remote eastern villages, particularly near Al Miskaad, have been urged to collaborate with Puntland authorities to drive ISIS militants out of their territories. During meetings with tribal elders, Shire described Bari as a “predator’s haven,” overrun by ISIS and Al-Shabaab. He stressed the urgent need for grassroots unity to reclaim the region from extremist groups.
“The fight cannot be won by security forces alone,” Shire stated. “We need the courage and cooperation of the people to secure our communities.”

The Dharjaale attack, in which militants travelled undetected through several villages, revealed major intelligence gaps. Residents, intimidated by ISIS’s brutal tactics, have been reluctant to share information with authorities. This silence has allowed militants to operate with impunity, underscoring the need for community-driven solutions.

Puntland’s security forces face challenges in monitoring the region’s vast, rugged terrain. Local participation is seen as critical to closing these intelligence gaps and preventing future attacks.

President Said Abdullahi Deni has announced Operation Hillaac, a large-scale counter-terrorism campaign to eradicate militant hideouts in Puntland’s mountainous terrain. “This is a fight for the survival and stability of Puntland and Somalia,” Deni stated.

Similarly, former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke called for greater federal support, emphasizing the need for a unified strategy. “We must eradicate the menace of ISIS and Al-Shabaab before 2025 ends,” he urged.

Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo commended Puntland’s efforts, describing the Dharjaale operation as integral to Somalia’s war on terror. “This courageous operation by Puntland’s security forces is a victory for all Somalis. The Federal Government must stand with Puntland in this national imperative,” Farmaajo said.

Analysts warn that Puntland’s strategic location and rugged terrain make it a key battleground for ISIS, which has bolstered its ranks with foreign fighters and extortion revenue. While Al-Shabaab remains the dominant militant force in Somalia, Abdulqadir Mumin, the leader of ISIS-Somalia, has positioned the group as a nerve center for jihadist operations in Africa, elevating its global profile.

Monday 6,January 2025 {HMC} Puntland and Galmudug regional administrations have started peace talks in Galkayo town to resolve a deadly clan conflict between militias from the two regions.

The conflict erupted over a land dispute in the Jiicbor village in the Galdadob district.

Officials from both sides emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue, pledging to hold a series of meetings to achieve reconciliation and restore peace in the affected areas.

During the talks, leaders from both regional states condemned the violence and underscored the need for long-term reconciliation to prevent future conflicts.

The recent clashes are part of a broader trend of escalating clan conflicts across Somalia, with incidents reported in Mudug, Galgadud, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, and Hiiraan regions.

Former government leaders, traditional elders, and religious clerics have condemned the violence and urged the federal government to take swift action to address the underlying issues driving the disputes.

Clan conflicts over resources and land remain a persistent challenge in Somalia, often destabilizing local communities and undermining broader efforts for national peace and stability.