Sunday July 20, 2025 {HMC}  President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held his third meeting with leaders of the Somali National Salvation Forum on Sunday, as the federal government seeks to resolve mounting political tensions over constitutional reforms and the country’s electoral future.

The talks took place at Villa Somalia and followed a previous round of dialogue held on July 3. Officials said the president used the meeting to hear the opposition’s concerns over the government’s handling of the constitutional review process and preparations for upcoming elections.

Led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the National Salvation Forum includes several former prime ministers, ex-parliamentary speakers, and senior opposition figures. The group has publicly criticized what it calls unilateral decision-making by the federal government on key national matters.

Sunday’s meeting comes at a time of growing political uncertainty, particularly as federal member states Puntland and Jubbaland continue to reject the current path toward constitutional amendments and electoral planning. Both administrations argue the process lacks consultation and risks undermining Somalia’s federal framework.

The provisional constitution, adopted in 2012, remains incomplete. Reaching consensus on its final form is seen as critical to establishing a unified legal foundation for Somalia’s federal institutions. Similarly, the design of a new electoral model remains unresolved, despite repeated pledges by the federal government to introduce direct elections.

While no official statement was issued following the meeting, the continued dialogue has drawn attention from international partners and Somali citizens alike, many of whom view political compromise as essential to the country’s stability.

Source Hiiraan onnline

Sunday July 20, 2025 {HMC}  Somaliland has renewed its criticism of the United Nations’ 2023 decision to lift a decades-long arms embargo on Somalia, arguing the move has destabilized the region, after Puntland authorities seized a vessel allegedly transporting weapons last week off the coast of northeastern Somalia.

The ship, identified as Sea World, was intercepted by Puntland maritime forces on July 18 around 2:00 p.m. near the coastal town of Bareeda in the Bari region. Authorities believe the vessel was carrying a cache of illicit arms, some of which may have ended up in the hands of civilians in Bareeda and Caluula, according to an official directive issued by the regional prosecutor’s office in Raas Asayr.

In a letter dated July 19, Raas Asayr regional prosecutor Abdirahman Mahamud Ali ordered a full criminal investigation under Article 24 of Somalia’s Criminal Procedure Code. The directive instructed police to trace the cargo’s entry, determine how the weapons were handled, and identify individuals responsible. The letter was also copied to the Puntland Attorney General and the General Command of the Puntland Police, elevating the case to the highest levels of state authority.

Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan cited the incident as further evidence that the UN’s embargo lift has worsened arms proliferation in Somalia.

“The decision to lift the UN arms embargo on the failed state of Somalia has had far-reaching and destabilizing consequences; rather than contributing to peace and stability, it has emboldened extremist elements and further undermined security across the region.”

He called on the international community to urgently reassess the embargo’s removal, citing growing threats across the Horn of Africa.

The UN Security Council lifted the embargo in December 2023, ending a ban first imposed in 1992 during Somalia’s civil war. The Somali federal government welcomed the decision at the time, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud describing it as a “historic milestone” that would enhance national sovereignty and counterterrorism capabilities.

But the move faced immediate skepticism from regional actors, including Puntland and Somaliland, who warned that Somalia lacked the institutional oversight needed to manage weapons imports. Security analysts told Hiiraan Online that lifting the embargo risked fueling arms leakage to clan militias and extremist networks.

The Puntland government has not disclosed the origin or destination of the Sea World, but officials are treating the incident as a serious security breach.

Tensions over security governance have simmered for over a year. In May 2024, Puntland declared that it would no longer cooperate with federal security deployments unless prior consultations were held, citing concerns about unilateral decisions and a lack of transparency.

Somaliland’s latest remarks align with longstanding grievances over centralized arms control in Somalia. Like Puntland, it has pushed back against federal control over weapons procurement and military oversight, particularly following the end of the arms embargo.

The Somali federal government has not issued a statement regarding the Sea World incident.

Source Hiiraan onnline

Sunday July 20, 2025 {HMC}  Somali government has welcomed the ceasefire agreement signed Saturday between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, describing it as a significant step toward restoring peace in the conflict-ravaged eastern region of the DRC.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Somalia—currently serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council—praised the deal and the diplomatic efforts that led to its signing.

“Somalia expresses its sincere appreciation for the constructive mediation efforts of the brotherly State of Qatar, whose facilitation of the talks in Doha has been vital in bringing the parties together,” the statement read.
The ministry emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue and full implementation of the agreement to achieve lasting peace and stability for the people of the DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.

“The Federal Republic of Somalia reiterates its solidarity with the peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region in their pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity,” the statement added. “Somalia remains committed to supporting all regional and international efforts to achieve durable stability and development.”

The ceasefire was formalized through a declaration of principles signed in Doha. The DRC and the M23 rebels—widely believed to be backed by Rwanda—have been locked in intense fighting, especially since the group’s violent January assault and capture of two major cities in eastern Congo.

The M23 movement, composed primarily of ethnic Tutsi fighters, traces its origins to longstanding regional tensions that followed the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The group has been involved in multiple uprisings since 2012, contributing to decades of instability in eastern DRC.

Source Hiiraan onnline

Sunday 20, July -2025  {HMC} With just two weeks to go, anticipation is building as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania enter the final phase of preparations to co-host the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

This year’s tournament marks a historic first: three nations co-hosting a major CAF competition. The 8th edition of CHAN, reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues, runs from 2 to 30 August 2025 and promises a vibrant celebration of local talent, regional unity, and African pride.

Each host country will play a vital role in delivering a top-tier football experience. The opening match kicks off at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The action then shifts to Kampala, Uganda, for the third-place playoff, with the final showdown set for Nairobi, Kenya, where a new champion will be crowned.

CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba expressed optimism ahead of the tournament: “We are just two weeks away from writing a new chapter in African football. The CHAN 2024 is more than a tournament—it’s a powerful statement of African excellence, unity, and belief in local talent. East Africa is ready to welcome the continent.”

The final draw has already placed 19 teams, including reigning champions Senegal, into their groups. Fans can expect fierce competition, national pride, and the emergence of new stars on Africa’s biggest homegrown stage.

With the countdown underway, CAF and local organizing committees are finalizing logistics, stadium readiness, and fan engagement strategies.

Ticketing and marketing campaigns will be launched shortly to bring supporters even closer to the action as East Africa stands on the brink of a sporting milestone.

Source

Sunday 20, July -2025  {HMC}  The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end fighting in eastern Congo.

The declaration was signed on Saturday between representatives of both sides in Doha.

The DRC and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have been engaged in heavy fighting, spurred by M23’s bloody January assault and capture of the DRC’s two largest cities.

The decades-long conflict has roots in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with M23 made up primarily of ethnic Tutsi fighters.

The Congolese fighting has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year, while escalating the risk of a full-blown regional war.

Several of DRC’s neighbours already have troops deployed in the volatile region.

Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani, reporting from Goma in the DRC, said the development was significant for the people of the country. He said the situation had been “very unstable on the ground” before the agreement.

“The declaration signed today between the DR Congo government and M23 paves the way for a widespread discussion,” he added.

Uaykani underscored that M23 has said there should be trust between the sides to talk about the root causes of the conflict, and the deal might potentially establish that.

The African Union said the deal was a “significant development”.

“This … marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region,” AU chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said in a statement.

In March, Qatar brokered a surprise meeting between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, during which they called for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire.

That led to direct talks, also in Doha, between the DRC and M23.

The DRC had previously rejected the idea of holding talks with M23, branding it a “terrorist group”, but in April, both sides pledged to work towards a ceasefire.

The deal does not address important questions concerning the possible Rwandan and M23 withdrawals from eastern DR Congo.

It says DR Congo and M23 agree state authority should be restored “on all national territories” as part of an eventual peace agreement but does not give details.

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya nevertheless said on X on Saturday that the declaration “takes into account the red lines we have always defended, including the non-negotiable withdrawal” of M23.

Negotiations for a peace agreement are to start no later than August 8, according to the declaration, which would give the parties less than two weeks to finalise a deal if they stick to their new August 18 deadline.

Talks in the US
Washington has also hosted talks between the DRC and Rwanda in June.

On June 27, the two countries’ foreign ministers signed a peace deal and met with United States President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump warned of “very severe penalties, financial and otherwise” if the deal is violated.

Trump had also invited Tshisekedi and Kagame to Washington to sign a package of deals that Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, dubbed the “Washington Accord”.

But he had also said US officials hope to have a deal in Doha finalised by then.

The DRC, the United Nations and Western powers say Rwanda is supporting M23 by sending troops and arms.

Rwanda has long denied helping M23 and says its forces are acting in self-defence against the DRC’s army and ethnic Hutu fighters linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Source Hiiraan online