Wednesday 11, June 2025 {HMC} North Korea stated on Tuesday that it has no interest in being included or excluded from the US list of countries banned from its domestic travel, state media reported.

While Pyongyang was not included on the list, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a response days after US President Donald Trump issued a travel ban on 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Trump justified his move, which went into effect on Monday, by citing protection from “foreign terrorists” and security threats.

A news report in March suggested that North Korea and Russia were also among the countries considered for the travel ban, but both were omitted from the final list.

The KCNA reported that North Korea’s omission from the list may reflect the US’ “carrot” approach toward Pyongyang to open the door to resuming dialogue.

Pyongyang added that only the US could explain why North Korea was not included on the list, whether for technical or political reasons, but “one obvious fact is that we are not in the least interested in the matter of entry into the US.”

Even if the present US administration has not placed North Korea intentionally on the list of countries subject to an entry ban, Pyongyang is unconcerned and has no reason to rejoice, the KCNA reported.

Writing by Aamir Latif

Wednesday 11, June 2025 {HMC} Security officers from the anti-terror police unit killed two terrorists during an ambush in Mandera on Monday.

According to the Counter Terrorism Policing, officers from the elite Special Operations Group (SOG), acting on intelligence, launched an operation in the wee hours of the night in Mandera and ambushed the terrorists as they were planning to launch an attack.

The militants from the Al Shabaab terror group were reportedly planning to terrorise Kenyans using the Alungu-Elwak road, Mandera County.

Further, the police report revealed that the insurgents were in the final stages of planting explosives on the main road, in a bid to target civilian vehicles.

During the incident, a fierce firefight ensued, during which two militants were felled as others sustained serious injuries before fleeing into nearby thickets with officers in hot pursuit.

”Acting on credible intelligence, the elite Special Operations Group launched a pre-dawn operation on Al Shabaab militants who were planning to terrorise Kenyans using the Alungu-Elwak road, Mandera County.

The terrorists were also in the final stages of placing explosives on the main road, targeting civilian vehicles,” a police report confirmed.

“The terrorists were caught in the act of setting up the IED. A fierce firefight ensued, during which two militants were neutralised and others sustained serious injuries.”

The elite unit managed to recover two AK-47 rifles, a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) warhead, and a fully assembled IED.

Preliminary assessments indicated that the operation managed to avert a potential large-scale attack on civilian traffic in the area.

Meanwhile, authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Kenya’s security forces through intensified operations and sustained efforts in the fight against terrorism.

In a related development, on the morning of May 8, the elite SOG neutralised an Al-Shabaab terrorist in Garissa while responding to the reports by locals of militants attempting to plant improved explosive devices (IEDs) along the Dadaab-Hagadera road, targeting civilians and security vehicles.

During the exchange of fire, one militant was killed, and three others were injured. Security officers also managed to arrest one of the suspects.

The authorities recovered several weapons from the scene, including a PKM machine gun, an AK-47, a pistol, a comms radio, and an IED remote.

Wednesday 11, June 2025 {HMC} The Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Hon. MP Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh), welcomed the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador James Swan, for a high-level meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters. The discussions centered on strengthening collaboration around Somalia’s ongoing state-building agenda, with a focus on stabilization, reconciliation, elections, and public service delivery.

The meeting highlighted the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the United Nations to accelerate progress on shared priorities. Minister Ali Yusuf Ali and Ambassador Swan reviewed the current state of joint initiatives, underscoring the need for continued coordination to consolidate peace and strengthen governance structures.

Key areas of discussion included advancing reconciliation efforts at community and regional levels, supporting preparations for upcoming elections, and expanding the reach and quality of essential public services across the country.

Both sides agreed on the critical importance of enhancing local governance systems as a foundation for long-term stability and development. The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to inclusive dialogue, accountable leadership, and citizen-centered service delivery.

Ambassador Swan reaffirmed the United Nations’ ongoing support for Somalia’s peacebuilding and development journey, noting the UN’s readiness to align its programs with national priorities and to support Somali-led solutions.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to sustained collaboration aimed at achieving tangible progress in Somalia’s stabilization and state-building agenda.

Wednesday 11, June 2025 {HMC} – On the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators for the Implementation of Follow-Up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), currently underway in Changsha, Hunan Province,

the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, held a productive meeting on Tuesday, 10 June, with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, H.E. Hussein Al-Haj.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance joint cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest. The meeting also touched on regional stability and focused particularly on the latest political and security developments in Sudan.

Minister Abdisalam reaffirmed Somalia’s solidarity with the people of Sudan and expressed support for ongoing international efforts aimed at ending the conflict and restoring peace and stability in the brotherly country.

Introduction

Since the collapse of the central government in 1991, Somalia has struggled with political efforts to rebuild its statehood. Despite transitional and federal governments being formed, the hopes of the people have often been shattered. Today, Somalis are asking: who is responsible for crippling the nation? The opposition? Or the federal leadership?

1. The Opposition: Loud Criticism, Little Vision
The opposition plays a vital role in any democracy, but in Somalia, the opposition has often been destructive rather than constructive. It lacks a unified agenda and is driven by clan interests, personal ambition, and rivalry.

Opposition figures have disrupted election periods by creating political unrest and sometimes even violent tensions.
Some opposition leaders are known to have ties with foreign interests that undermine national progress.

2. The Federal Leadership: Power Retention over Good Governance

The federal leadership is frequently accused of focusing more on holding onto power than on delivering essential services to the public. Widespread corruption, lack of accountability, and divisive political practices are common.

The government has failed to establish strong institutions and a sustainable legal system.
Constant tensions between the federal government and regional states have weakened national unity.

3. A Nation Sabotaged or Neglected?

Both opposition and leadership appear to have abandoned the Somali people. Today’s politics are driven by personal gain, clan loyalty, and ongoing instability.

Disillusioned youth are turning to migration, radicalism, and rebellion.
The public feels betrayed and lost in a web of broken promises.

Conclusion

Somalia needs a constructive opposition and responsible leadership. The opposition must offer real solutions and vision. Government leaders must prioritize the needs of the people over political survival. Without true leadership on both sides, Somalia will continue teetering on the edge of political failure and social collapse.