Wednesday 1, May 2024 {HMC}  Kenyan security agencies have announced the arrest of Mustakima Mohammed Ali, also known as Abu Mahir, who is alleged to be a member of Al-Shabaab.

He has been wanted by the Kenyan government since 2019, accused of killing a police officer and two other individuals in Lamu, a coastal region.

Security forces apprehended Mustakima while he was traveling by bus from Lamu to Malindi.

Kenya stated that Mustakima had been hiding in the Boni Forest before fleeing to Somalia due to increased security operations by Kenyan forces.

The news report described the capture of Mustakima as a significant success against terrorism and noted that the government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism.

Kenya claims its fight against Al-Shabaab in Lamu has led to a decrease in terrorist attacks, the completion of development projects, and the revitalization of the tourism sector.

Wednesday -1, May 2024 {HMC} There are multiple reports of heavy fighting between federal government forces and Al-Shabaab fighters in Sabit, near Afgoye town in the Lower Shabelle region.

The conflict began after Al-Shabaab fighters reportedly attacked a Somali military base in the area, resulting in a direct battle with federal government forces. The government forces successfully repelled the attack.

According to a local source, the battle lasted several hours and involved various types of weapons. However, the official casualty figures have not yet been confirmed.

Federal government officials in the area stated that they successfully pushed back Al-Shabaab attackers from the Sabit area and are now conducting operations to stabilize the region.

Al-Shabaab fighters, on the other hand, claimed they attacked federal government forces in the Said area and inflicted heavy losses on the government forces stationed there.

The situation in the area remains tense, with government forces actively conducting operations in the aftermath of the battle.

Wednesday -1, May 2024 {HMC} The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, congratulated all Somali workers on the occasion of International Labor Day, celebrated on May 1 each year.

In recognition of International Labor Day, Prime Minister Barre praised the resilience, patience, and steadfastness of Somali workers in achieving significant victories in the battle for reconstruction, development, and revival of the federal government of Somalia.

The Prime Minister extended special thanks to the workers for their hard work and dedication in nation-building, wishing them and their families good health and prosperity.

Barre expressed encouragement and hope in seeing many workers dedicated to their jobs in the country. He urged them to continue delivering high-quality work that benefits their families, society, and businesses, accelerating the rebuilding of the economy in their beloved country.

Wednesday -1, May 2024 {HMC} In an effort to address the recurring tribal conflicts plaguing Somalia’s Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions, Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbalooshe, the Director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), has issued a fervent call for unity among Somali communities. Speaking out against the recent tribal clashes and the proliferation of checkpoints in the region, Sanbalooshe emphasized the need for reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts.

Expressing his dismay over the tribal hostilities, Sanbalooshe labeled the disputes between communities as regrettable and stressed that no Somali leader would condone such violence. He underscored the common enemy facing the nation, emphasizing that internal divisions only serve to weaken Somalia’s collective strength.

Addressing intellectuals and community leaders, Sanbalooshe urged collaborative efforts to foster peaceful coexistence and put an end to the ongoing skirmishes. He emphasized the pivotal role of peace in facilitating development and restoring essential services that have been disrupted by the conflicts.

Furthermore, Sanbalooshe announced the federal government’s stance on eliminating tribal checkpoints in the Hirshabelle administrative areas, particularly emphasizing the need to curtail their prevalence in the region. He affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing measures aimed at dismantling unnecessary barriers and ensuring free movement for all citizens.

Asserting the government’s resolve, Sanbalooshe emphasized that the era of tribal checkpoints in Hirshabelle would come to an end, signaling a decisive shift towards greater inclusivity and unity. He called upon communities to align with the government’s vision and actively contribute to the realization of a peaceful and prosperous Somalia.

Sanbalooshe’s remarks were made during a community reconciliation event attended by local leaders, including Hassan Ali Noor Shute and Ali Jayte Osman, leader of the Mawisley army. The gathering served as a platform for dialogue and solidarity-building efforts aimed at fostering understanding and cooperation among communities affected by the border disputes.

Wednesday -1, May 2024 {HMC} The Somaliland government reiterated its commitment to completing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia within two months, despite Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed facing international pressure to cancel the deal.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Isse Keyd Mohamud, stated that negotiations between the two countries are ongoing. Technical committees have been established to facilitate finalizing the agreement between President Muse Bihi and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

In January, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, acknowledged that his administration is under mounting international pressure to revoke its pact with Somaliland.

The agreement, which includes provisions for a 20-kilometre stretch of Somaliland’s coastline for naval access in exchange for potential recognition of the self-declared republic, has been met with skepticism and alarm. Critics, including neighbouring countries and international organizations, view this as a potentially destabilizing act in a geopolitically sensitive region.

Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago but is not recognized by the African Union (AU) or the UN as an independent state.

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Wednesday -1, May 2024 {HMC} The countries in the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan strongly supported the Somali government in its efforts to preserve Somali sovereignty on land, sea and air.

During their third session held Tuesday in Doha, the ministers from the countries affirmed the right of the Federal Republic of Somalia to legitimately defend its lands in accordance with what was stipulated in Article (51) of the United Nations Charter, and the relevant articles of the Charter of the League of Arab States.

The Ministers affirmed their solidarity and full support for the position of the Somali State with all its agencies, which considered the “Memorandum of Understanding” signed on January 1st, 2024 between the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the “Somaliland” region null, void and unacceptable, and constitute a flagrant violation of the principles of International Law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, good-neighborly relations, peaceful coexistence and stability the region.
The Ministers expressed their rejection to the memorandum and any legal, political, commercial or military implications arising from it, and urged all countries to condemn and reject this memorandum.

“We rejected attempts to benefit from the aforementioned “Memorandum of Understanding” to create a new geopolitical reality in the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali coast and the Red Sea, and considered it a threatening step to Arab national security and navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” the statement added.

The Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Economy, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, and HE Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the League of Arab States Secretary-General participated in the Forum.

In January, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, acknowledged that his administration is under mounting international pressure to revoke its pact with Somaliland.

The agreement, which includes provisions for a 20-kilometre stretch of Somaliland’s coastline for naval access in exchange for potential recognition of the self-declared republic, has been met with skepticism and alarm. Critics, including neighbouring countries and international organizations, view this as a potentially destabilizing act in a geopolitically sensitive region.

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Wednesday -1, May 2024 {HMC} The chief of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalın and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a meeting in Mogadishu on Tuesday.

According to a statement by the Somali presidency, they discussed ways to further strengthen Türkiye-Somalia strategic cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including security, intelligence, joint counter-terrorism efforts, and promoting regional stability.

Also present in the meeting was Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, chief of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).

In February, Türkiye signed a defense and economic cooperation agreement with Somalia and will provide maritime security support to help the African country defend its territorial waters.

Türkiye, a close ally of the Horn of Africa nation, has invested in its education, infrastructure and health, and given it extensive humanitarian aid.

Türkiye has its largest embassy in Africa in the Somali capital Mogadishu and also built its largest overseas military facility there to train the Somali national army.

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Wednesday -30, April 2024 {HMC} The State of Qatar participated in the Sixth meeting of the quint group on Somalia, held today in London, with the participation of the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Turkiye and the Federal Republic of Somalia.

HE Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab led the State of Qatar’s delegation to the meeting.

The meeting discussed the current security and political situation in Somalia and ways to coordinate shared action.

HE Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs underscored, during the meeting, the importance strengthening the efforts dedicated to supporting security, stability, unity, and sovereignty over its entire territory.

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