Thursday 24,July ,2025 {HMC}  The Federal Government of Somalia’s Council of Ministers convened for its weekly meeting today, Thursday, July 24, 2025, where they officially approved a significant agreement between Somalia and Indonesia. This landmark deal aims to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports, streamlining travel between the two nations and fostering closer bilateral ties.

The meeting, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, also addressed pressing domestic issues. The Council received a comprehensive report from the committee tasked with resolving traffic congestion in the capital, Mogadishu. The report detailed the root causes of the severe traffic challenges and proposed sustainable solutions to alleviate the burden on the city’s road network, which has significantly impacted urban mobility and daily life for residents.

Furthermore, the Council of Ministers heard crucial security briefings from the Ministries of Internal Security and Defense. These reports provided updates on the ongoing national efforts related to security, liberation operations, and the stabilization of the country. The discussions underscore the government’s continued focus on strengthening national security and ensuring peace across Somalia.

The approval of the visa exemption agreement with Indonesia marks a positive step in Somalia’s diplomatic outreach, enhancing its international relations and facilitating official exchanges. Simultaneously, the focus on Mogadishu’s traffic issues reflects the government’s dedication to improving urban infrastructure and the quality of life for its citizens. The regular security updates highlight the persistent commitment to consolidating gains against security threats and securing the nation.

Source SONNA

Thursday 24,July ,2025 {HMC} Somalia on Wednesday demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of a cargo ship transporting military equipment that was seized by the semi-autonomous Puntland region, calling the move an “act of piracy.”

The oil-rich area declared its autonomy in 1998, and the region has had strained relations with the central government in Mogadishu.

Puntland forces intercepted the Comoros-flagged vessel last week when it was transporting military equipment to Turkey’s Camp Turksom in Mogadishu, Ankara’s largest overseas military base and training facility.

The government said the “hijacking” of the vessel was “carried out by individuals affiliated with the Puntland State” and was a violation of the constitution, adding it “constitutes an act of piracy.”

According to Mogadishu, the ship was carrying legally authorized military cargo, along with commercial goods belonging to Somali traders. It did not give further details.

Last week, sources told AFP the vessel was seized after a technical hitch forcing it to move closer to Puntland’s coast.

Fishermen near northeastern Bareeda town saw the stalled ship and called Puntland coastguards who boarded and inspected it, said police officer Abdullahi Ahmed.

A day after the ship was seized on July 19, Puntland said it had “unlawfully stayed at the coast of Bareeda… for two days without sending a distress call,” as required by law.

The Ministry of Information said the vessel was carrying a visible armory “that can pose security threats.”

“It is worth mentioning that the ship stayed at one of the zones of the war against the international terrorists, which poses further risk to the stability and security of Puntland,” the ministry said.

Bosaso city sources told AFP the ship remains docked, and that investigations are ongoing.

Somalia has vowed to take “lawful security measures” to safeguard its maritime zones and that it will not accept “any action that endangers the sovereignty of the nation or the security of its waters.”

Source Hiiraan online

Thursday 24,July ,2025 {HMC} Turkey and Britain on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, a significant step in Ankara’s efforts to modernize its air fleet.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defense industry fair in Istanbul, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense said.

NATO member Turkey has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium.

A Turkish defense ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries “one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon.”

“Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,” it added.

Britain’s BAE Systems, which is part of the consortium, welcomed the agreement, saying it would continue working with the Turkish and British governments to finalize the procurement deal.

Turkish officials have said that they are still negotiating over pricing and technical terms, saying that they have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter-proposal.

Turkey is also seeking to return to the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, from which the country was ousted in 2019, following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. The U.S. said the systems posed a risk to the F-35s.

Turkey is also developing a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, which is slated to be operational in 2028.

Source AP

Thursday 24,July ,2025 {HMC} Qatar will host a high-level ministerial summit on Sunday aimed at rallying international support for Somalia’s stability, development, and unity, as part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Somalia Contact Group.

The two-day summit in Doha brings together ministers and officials from OIC member states to strengthen coordination on Somalia’s most pressing challenges, including insecurity, economic stagnation, and climate-related disasters. The group was established in 2007 to channel collective efforts toward Somalia’s recovery after decades of conflict and institutional fragility.

The agenda includes scaling up humanitarian aid, deepening economic partnerships, and combating violent extremism, particularly through job creation and education for Somali youth, who represent the country’s largest demographic group. Delegates are expected to reaffirm support for inclusive governance, human rights, and the federal government’s debt relief efforts.

Qatar last hosted the Somalia Contact Group in 2019, where it pledged $25 million to help Somalia meet conditions under the World Bank’s Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The Gulf state has since invested in critical infrastructure and public services across Somalia, including schools, hospitals, health centers, and low-income housing. It also contributed to the Peace and Reconciliation Fund and provided funding for the development of Hobyo Port.

Qatar’s support for Somalia’s security sector has been carried out in coordination with the United Nations and in alignment with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

In June 2024, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani received Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro in Doha. Following the meeting, Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating that the country’s future must be built through constructive engagement among all its communities.

Officials hope this year’s summit will result in new aid pledges and commitments to long-term partnerships.

Source Hiiraan online

Thursday 24,July ,2025 {HMC} Puntland regional government has confirmed that a group of local fishermen briefly boarded the MV Sea World after the vessel experienced technical issues off the Bareda coast in the Ras Asayr region, raising concerns about stolen weapons before Puntland security forces intervened.

In a statement issued Thursday, Puntland said the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) successfully secured the vessel and its cargo on 18 July 2025, preventing potential misuse of the weapons onboard.

“That same evening, Somali traders in Mogadishu contacted the Puntland government, claiming ownership of the cargo and requesting the ship’s immediate release,” the statement said. “Simultaneously, the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia reached out, asserting that the cargo belonged to the Turkish Government.”
Puntland said it escorted the Sea World to the Port of Bosaso for further inspection in light of the competing claims. The vessel, which had loitered for two days near Bareda, was reportedly carrying a significant quantity of military equipment.

According to Puntland, as of 23 July 2025, the federal government had not issued any direct communication or initiated formal contact with Puntland authorities regarding the incident. The regional government said this lack of coordination casts doubt on the actual ownership of the cargo.

Puntland disputed claims made by the federal government that the ship was also carrying commercial goods for Somali traders.

“We confirm that the entire cargo aboard the MV Sea World consists solely of military equipment. There are no commercial goods on board,” the statement read. “We continue to investigate the origin and ownership of the weapons to ensure they do not fall into unauthorized hands that could threaten Somalia’s security and stability.”

Despite the ongoing standoff, Puntland welcomed the involvement of both the Federal Government of Somalia and the Turkish Government in concluding a joint investigation.

The federal government, for its part, has demanded the vessel’s immediate and unconditional release. Officials in Mogadishu said the ship was en route to the TÜRKSOM Military Training Centre in Mogadishu as part of a bilateral defense agreement between Somalia and Türkiye.

In a statement on 23 July, the federal government accused Puntland of violating Article 54 of the Provisional Constitution, which places matters of national defense—including maritime security—under the sole authority of the federal government.

“The hijacking of this vessel is not only a grave violation of Somalia’s Provisional Constitution but also an attack on the country’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” the federal government said.

It warned Puntland against continuing what it called “unilateral and unauthorized operations” along Somalia’s coastline and urged all Federal Member States to respect the constitutional division of powers.

The dispute has reignited long-standing tensions between the federal government and Puntland, particularly over maritime governance and control of arms imports in a country still grappling with security threats from extremist groups.

Source Hiiraan online