Tuesday 22,July 2025 {HMC}  The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has concluded a two- day training on journalism and disability with focus on media skills, perspectives and empowerment in Mogadishu city that have been conducted with the support of Finnish foundation for Media and Development (VIKES).

Thirty participants in attendance of the training were journalists and people with disabilities from the faculty of Journalism, Somali National University (SNU), Lecturer, Somali National University (SNU), Somali Disable Umbrella (SDU), Somali Visually Impaired Youth Organization (UDHAN), Somali National Association of the Deaf (SONAD), Hamar Press Newspaper, SDO, Disability Inclusion Network Alliance (DINA) and Freelancer.

The participants have benefited from the training on journalism and disability, emphasizing media skills, inclusive perspectives, and empowerment have been in progress from 14th to 15th July 2025 at Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu city, Somalia.

Senior trainers from FESOJ, VIKES and CAFIS have been facilitating presentations focusing on main themes including Inclusive media, the intention and the role of media on how to formulate the public view about the people with disabilities.

In his opening remarks, Wali Hashi, VIKES representative in Somalia pointed out “The intention of the training is to empower both journalists and persons with disabilities through knowledge sharing and advocacy for inclusive representation in the media sector.”

Farah Omar Nur, FESOJ Secretary General indicated the significance of the training program mainly is focusing on how to improve the media skills of journalists in reporting on disability-related issues accurately and ethically.

On his part, Mohamed Mohamud Adde, Chairperson of CAFIS organization and senior media trainer has highlighted the training program is aiming to promote inclusive perspectives in media content by challenging stereotypes and fostering understanding of the rights and experiences of persons with disabilities.

During the two- day training proceedings, the participants have been taken through significant topics including: Introduction to Disability Rights and Inclusion, Ethical and Inclusive Reporting, media skills development, voices of persons with disabilities and advocacy and empowerment through the media.

Then, a presentation was delivered focusing on the practical aspects of interviewing persons with disabilities, highlighting why such interactions require special attention, sensitivity, and ethical considerations.

For discussion purposes, a video clip produced by a visually impaired journalist was screened. The clip featured a powerful and emotional story of a visually impaired young girl who experienced arranged marriage, early pregnancy, and subsequent divorce—illustrating the serious violations of her fundamental human rights.

In conclusion, Farah Omar Nur, Secretary General of FESOJ, emphasized that participants are expected to benefit significantly from the two-day training, particularly the practical guidelines provided. He highlighted the importance of empowering journalists with disabilities, noting that with the right support and opportunities, they can demonstrate their full potential and overcome the marginalization they have historically faced.

“There is a need to develop engaging, meaningful, and actionable media programs aimed at raising public awareness,” he stated.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Wali Hashi, VIKES Representative in Somalia, expressed his gratitude to all participants for their active engagement throughout the training. He noted that the sessions were productive and concluded successfully. Mr. Hashi also commended FESOJ and CAFIS for their excellent cooperation and collaboration in organizing the program.

Tuesday 22,July 2025 {HMC} Heavy fighting erupted Tuesday in the southern border town of Beled Hawo after the Somali federal government deployed Abdirashid Janan, a controversial former Jubbaland security minister, as the new regional intelligence chief, triggering a fierce response from Jubbaland forces who later claimed full control of the town.

The clashes began shortly after Janan arrived from Mogadishu aboard a Somali military helicopter, escorted by senior officers and additional troops. His deployment reignited long-standing tensions between federal and Jubbaland-aligned forces, both of which claim authority over Gedo, a strategically vital region bordering Kenya and Ethiopia.

At least five soldiers were reportedly killed, and dozens more were wounded, including civilians caught in the crossfire, according to initial casualty estimates. The full toll remains unconfirmed due to limited access to the area.
Residents described heavy gunfire near the regional administration compound and other key sites in Beled Hawo, forcing civilians to shelter indoors as sporadic shots rang out for much of the day. By Tuesday evening, the town was reported calm but tense, with fears that fighting could resume.

In a statement released by Jubbaland’s state-run media, the administration claimed its forces had regained full control of the district headquarters and surrounding areas. The statement said several members of the federal-aligned militia had been captured and that Janan, who arrived earlier that morning, had fled and was being pursued.

“Jubbaland forces are now in full control of Beled Hawo,” the statement read. “Security disruptions have been contained, and operations are ongoing to apprehend remaining hostile elements.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Security described the assault as “a deliberate attempt to destabilize constitutional order and national sovereignty,” blaming militias loyal to Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe. The government warned that those responsible would face legal consequences, adding that the use of force to alter the political status of federal territory would not be tolerated.

In a counterstatement, Jubbaland officials accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his forces of launching “an unjustified attack on the peace-loving residents of Beled-Hawo.” They said that Jubbaland forces stationed in the area “defended against militias acting under the direct command of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his group.”

Mogadishu has not publicly commented on the status of Janan, whose reported appointment as both the Gedo regional director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and head of stabilization operations was seen as a bold move by Villa Somalia to consolidate federal authority in the region.

Puntland authorities also weighed in, condemning what they called a federal military incursion into territory under Jubbaland’s administration. State Minister for Presidential Affairs Abdifatah Abdi Nur Mohamed accused the federal government of jeopardizing national unity and undermining efforts against Al-Shabaab by escalating intergovernmental conflicts.

“These kinds of actions weaken national cohesion and threaten the shared efforts to secure Somalia,” Abdifatah said, warning that such deployments could distract from the broader security threats posed by extremist groups.

Beled Hawo has long been a flashpoint in the power struggle between the federal government and Jubbaland, particularly following disputed elections that saw Ahmed Mohamed Islam, known as Ahmed Madobe, re-elected as Jubbaland president amid controversy over Gedo’s parliamentary representation. The federal government has been accused of attempting to establish an alternative administration in Gedo, a move Jubbaland strongly opposes.

Though Ethiopian troops aligned with Jubbaland currently control many of Gedo’s airstrips, the federal government appears intent on reversing that dynamic. Sources close to the federal side told HOL that the latest deployment is part of a broader effort to assert control ahead of planned one-person, one-vote elections in six districts of Gedo.

Hiiraan Online will continue to monitor developments in Gedo.

Tuesday 22,July 2025 {HMC} Kenya dropped terror charges against prominent activist Boniface Mwangi on Monday, following widespread condemnation, hitting him with a lesser charge of unlawful possession of ammunition.

The east African country has seen a wave of deadly protests against President William Ruto and police brutality that have left dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed.

Rights groups have criticised the government’s heavy-handed response, including the recent use of terrorism charges against protesters.

Mwangi was detained on Saturday and accused by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations of the “facilitation of terrorist acts”, which he denied, declaring in an image on X: “I am not a terrorist”.

He appeared in a Nairobi court on Monday chanting “Ruto Must Go”.

His charge sheet, seen by AFP, accused him of “possession of noxious substances to wit three teargas cannisters without lawful authority”, as well as a single round of blank ammunition.

He pleaded not guilty, denying all charges, and was released on a one-million-shilling (around $7,000) personal bond.

“The truth is our president is scared of young people, because young people are organising by themselves, they are going to the streets, they are demanding better,” Mwangi told supporters and journalists outside the court.

“Our president thinks people are being paid to go to the streets, and they think I am the financer.

“People hate Ruto for free,” he said.

‘Abandon this approach’
A coalition of rights groups welcomed the court’s decision to drop the terrorism charges, but said they remained “deeply concerned” by its use “in more than 100 other cases”.

The coalition urged the authorities to “abandon this dangerous approach to managing public dissent”.

Last week, interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen said that 71 people were facing charges related to acts of terrorism following the recent violent protests.

Responding to the criticism, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the charges should be “understood within the framework of established legal thresholds and national security imperatives rather than interpreted as efforts to suppress legitimate political expression”.

Mwangi’s detention over the weekend triggered significant online condemnation under the hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi.

The search warrant police used to raid his home and office accused the campaigner of paying “goons” to stoke unrest at protests last month.

Mwangi has been arrested multiple times in Kenya.

He was also detained in May in neighbouring Tanzania, where he was attending the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire say they were tortured and sexually abused while in the custody of Tanzanian police before being returned to their respective countries.

The pair brought a case against the Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan governments to the East African Court of Justice last week.

Mass protests initially broke out in Kenya in June 2024 over tax rises, and reignited last month over police violence and illegal detentions.

Rights groups say more than 100 people have been killed by police since the protests began last year.

Tuesday 22,July 2025 {HMC} Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the Nile River represents a national security issue for his country, during a meeting Sunday in Cairo with Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command.

Sisi and Kurilla discussed regional water issues, with the Egyptian leader stressing the “critical importance” of the Nile River to Egypt’s national security, the presidency said in a statement.

Last Tuesday, Sisi expressed appreciation for US President Donald Trump’s “keenness” on reaching a just agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a dam project built by Addis Ababa on the Blue Nile, a tributary of the Nile River.

His remarks followed Trump’s statement that Washington was working to resolve the dam dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia quickly.

Egypt and Sudan have long pushed for a legally binding agreement with Ethiopia on how the GERD is filled and operated, especially during periods of drought, to secure their share of Nile water.

Ethiopia, however, says the dam is essential for the country’s development process and vowed not to harm downstream nations.

In early July, Ethiopia announced the completion of the GERD, in preparation for an official inauguration in September.

Construction on the GERD began in 2011. Over the years, it has become a point of diplomatic tension, particularly between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, which fears reduced water flows could affect its share of the Nile.

Despite years of negotiations under the African Union and international mediation, the three countries have yet to reach a legally binding agreement on long-term water management.