Monday 2,June 2025 {HMC} The Wadajir Party, led by Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, has rebuked the ongoing process for appointing members to Somalia’s Independent Human Rights Commission, accusing the Presidency of interference and calling for an immediate suspension of the process.

In a statement released Monday, the party expressed deep concern over what it described as a non-transparent and flawed selection process. The Wadajir Party claimed that the Presidency’s involvement in selecting commission members undermines the independence of the body, which is tasked with promoting accountability, justice, equality, and reconciliation in Somalia.

The Commission, which is set to replace the UN Independent Expert on Human Rights in Somalia, is considered a cornerstone of Somalia’s justice and human rights framework. Its formation is seen as a step toward building local institutions capable of upholding and protecting human rights in line with the Constitution and international standards.

The Wadajir Party urged that the process be halted and restructured in full compliance with the Provisional Constitution, the Law of the House of the People, and international human rights norms.

The party emphasized that civil society and Parliament—not the Executive—should be the main drivers of the selection, warning that politicization of the Commission could erode public trust and the institution’s credibility.

The statement follows the administration of examinations for prospective commission members in Mogadishu, a process overseen by the Ministry of Family and Human Rights, along with government and civil society representatives.

The controversy adds to growing te

Monday 2,June 2025 {HMC} The Puntland regional administration has officially banned the administration of the Somaliland certificate examination in the Badhan district of Sanaag region, a territory claimed by both Puntland and Somaliland.

The Governor of the Sanaag region, from the Puntland administration, announced the decision on Sunday, declaring that no part of Sanaag Bari, including Badhan, will be permitted to host exams administered by the Somaliland authorities. He warned that strict action would be taken against any individual or group attempting to facilitate the exam.

The move follows reports that Somaliland is making renewed efforts to conduct its annual certificate exams in contested areas such as Badhan, with exams set to begin on June 21. Puntland officials described the as an attempt by Somaliland to assert its presence in the region through the education sector.

Tensions escalated after members of the Puntland parliament recently visited Badhan, where they faced sharp criticism from locals. Community members expressed frustration that students in Badhan are required to take two separate exams—one from Puntland and another from Somaliland—causing confusion and potentially undermining their academic future.

The Sanaag region, which remains divided in control between Puntland, SSC-Khatumo and Somaliland, continues to be a flashpoint in the broader territorial dispute between the three administrations. Puntland reaffirmed its commitment to defending its jurisdiction and accused Somaliland of using education as a political tool to expand influence.

Monday 2,June 2025 {HMC} Somali government, in coordination with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), has carried out two separate airstrikes targeting the Islamic State (ISIS) group in the Bari region of Puntland.

In a statement issued Sunday by the Somali Ministry of Information, authorities confirmed that the first airstrike occurred on May 31, approximately 75 kilometres south of Bosaso, followed by a second strike on June 1, about 72 kilometres south of the city.

While the government did not disclose casualty figures from the airstrikes, it emphasized that the joint operations were part of a broader strategy to disrupt ISIS-Somalia’s capacity to organize and launch attacks against civilians, Somali security forces, and international allies.

“These operations are part of a concerted effort to disrupt the ability of the ISIS-Somalia Khawarij group to plan and execute terrorist attacks that threaten the Somali people, the Somali armed forces, and international partners,” the statement said.

The Somali government also expressed gratitude to AFRICOM for its continued military support, particularly in air operations targeting both ISIS and Al-Shabaab insurgent groups. It reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorist threats through partnerships with local communities and the international community.

Monday 2,June 2025 {HMC} The Somali Salvation Forum, a coalition made up primarily of opposition members, has laid out preconditions for participating in the national consultation conference announced by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, set to open on June 15, 2025, in Mogadishu.

In a statement released following internal deliberations on Sunday, the Forum emphasized the need for the meeting to be genuinely inclusive and solution-oriented, warning that without a clear framework, the Forum could fail to address the country’s deepening political, security, and economic crises.

The Forum outlined three key conditions for their participation, one a platform for lasting political solutions. The Forum aims for the meeting to focus on resolving Somalia’s ongoing political conflicts, particularly through a constitutional review and planning for transparent elections at both the federal and regional levels. It also called for serious dialogue on eliminating terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS.

Second, the Forum insists that the conference must include all Federal Member State leaders and opposition politicians, not just government-aligned figures, to ensure balanced dialogue.

Third, they requested a clear and detailed agenda to be shared in advance of the meeting, ensuring transparency regarding the topics to be discussed.

In their statement, the Forum reaffirmed their commitment to national unity and dialogue, declaring their readiness to engage in “genuine discussions that promote the salvation of the Somali nation and end the political impasse.”

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud previously announced the national Forum as a platform to build consensus on key state-building issues, including security, democratization, constitutional completion, and reconciliation. A technical committee led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has been tasked with coordinating the event.

Monday 2 May 2025 {HMC}  H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, this morning held a significant meeting with Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at the AU Headquarters.

The high-level discussions focused on reinforcing the strategic partnership between the African Union and the Gates Foundation to advance critical development agendas across the continent.

Key areas of collaboration emphasized during the meeting included strengthening Africa’s health systems, expanding local manufacturing capabilities for vaccines and medicines, and enhancing food security initiatives.

These priorities align with the AU’s Agenda 2063 aspirations for a prosperous and healthy continent.

Chairperson Youssouf seized the opportunity to voice deep concerns regarding recent global aid cuts and the persistent failure to fulfill climate finance pledges made to African nations. Mr. Gates reportedly echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the disproportionate and unfair treatment Africa faces in global climate discussions, despite its minimal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

In response, Mr. Gates committed to advocating for sustained international aid and fostering deeper, more equitable partnerships to address these disparities.

Both the AU Commission Chairperson and Mr. Gates emphasized the urgent need for global solidarity in addressing pressing challenges.

 They jointly reaffirmed the critical importance of fair trade practices, substantial debt relief for African economies, and robust investment in African-led innovation, governance structures, and resilience-building efforts.

The meeting reflects a shared commitment to empowering African solutions for African challenges, highlighting the pivotal role of international collaboration in achieving sustainable development goals across the continent.

Monday 2 June 2025 {HMC} RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact, providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

The organization has distributed 2,290 food baskets and hygiene kits in Sarmada in the Idlib Governorate of the Syrian Arab Republic, benefiting 6,870 individuals. This effort is part of the second phase of a project to ease the suffering of Syrian families.

KSrelief in Somalia has distributed 1,200 food baskets to the neediest families in the Baidoa district in Bay region, assisting 7,200 people and supporting food security for vulnerable groups.

KSrelief in Sudan has distributed 825 food baskets to the most needy families in Blue Nile State, helping 3,986 people. This aid forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian efforts to support the Sudanese population amid the ongoing crisis in the country.

Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,438 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 107 countries, in partnership with more than 318 organizations.