Sunday, 01, June 2025 {HMC} The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has officially announced the launch of the National Consultation Forum for political and civil society leaders, set to open in Mogadishu on June 15, 2025.

The forum follows weeks of private consultations with former national leaders, federal member state presidents, political groups, and civil society representatives.

The initiative stems from the President’s earlier call for an inclusive national dialogue and aims to establish a broad-based consensus on key state-building priorities.

These include national security and the fight against terrorism, democratization and electoral processes, completion of the constitution, national unity, and reconciliation.

The President emphasized the need for genuine consultations grounded in the collective interest of the Somali people, and he will continue holding preparatory meetings ahead of the forum.

All political stakeholders and community leaders have been urged to prepare for active participation and respond positively to the President’s official invitation.

The forum is seen as a crucial platform to shape Somalia’s governance trajectory.

A special committee led by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, H.E. Hassan Macalin Mahmoud, has been appointed to oversee the technical preparations and coordination for the upcoming forum.

Sunday, 01, June 2025 {HMC} The Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia held a special session today, chaired by Prime Minister H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, focusing on the national security situation and coordination among security agencies across the country.

The meeting assessed overall security conditions, emphasized the role of the public in promoting peace and stability, and discussed national preparedness for upcoming public celebrations, including Eid festivities, Independence Week, and national secondary school examinations.

The Cabinet also hailed Somalia’s recent membership in the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) as a historic achievement. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Somalia’s efforts to strengthen urban development and environmental sustainability through international cooperation.

Sunday 1, June  2025 {HMC}  Somalia’s federal cabinet has reappointed Mahad Mohamed Salad as the director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), replacing Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, known as Sanbaloolshe. The decision, made during an emergency session on Saturday, follows a recommendation from the Ministry of Internal Security.

Sanbaloolshe, who had been serving as NISA director since April 2024, was in his third term leading the agency, having previously held the position in both 2014 and 2017. In recent weeks, whispers of a potential shakeup had begun circulating in political and security circles, fueled by reports of strained relations between Sanbaloolshe and senior figures in Villa Somalia. Sources close to the presidency indicated that growing tensions over operational direction, leadership style, and internal disagreements ultimately prompted the decision to replace him.

Mahad Salad previously led NISA from August 2022 until April 2024, when he resigned to pursue a bid for the presidency of Galmudug state. His return to the helm of NISA comes at a critical time for Somalia’s national security, as the government intensifies its counterinsurgency campaign against the al-Shabab militant group and seeks to improve intelligence coordination across agencies.

A veteran politician and intelligence official, Mahad previously served in the same post, where he led a sweeping internal overhaul of the agency. He played a key role in the development and passage of the National Intelligence and Security Law in 2023. The legislation, which replaced outdated bylaws from the 1970s, aimed to formally regulate the agency’s operations and clarify its mandate after years of ambiguity.

Before leading NISA, Mahad held senior political positions, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2014 and State Minister for Presidential Affairs in 2015. He also served more than ten years as a federal lawmaker representing Dhusamareb in Galmudug before resigning to take on the intelligence leadership post.

Mahad is a close ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and is known for his hands-on approach to security operations.

The cabinet expressed confidence in Salad’s leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security institutions. Officials also extended their gratitude to outgoing director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali for his service and contributions during his tenure.

Source Hiiraan online

Sunday, 01, June 2025 {HMC} The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, departed this afternoon for the Republic of Djibouti on an official visit following an invitation extended by Djibouti’s President.

During the visit, Prime Minister Barre and Djiboutian leaders are expected to engage in high-level discussions covering key areas of mutual interest, including security, economic cooperation, and the fraternal relations between the two nations and their peoples.

Sunday 1, June  2025 {HMC} The Somali Salvation Forum, a coalition of key opposition groups led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of undermining national unity and the agreed-upon state-building process.

In a strongly worded statement released following a high-level meeting in Mogadishu on Saturday night, the Forum expressed alarm over what it called the President’s increasing political isolation and alleged attempts to consolidate power by aligning expired federal member states with his ruling party.

While the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to fighting terrorism, including Al-Shabaab and ISIS, it criticized the government’s current war strategy. The opposition accused the administration of neglecting national forces and community fighters on the frontlines, urging a unified national strategy to safeguard Somalia’s stability.

The Forum highlighted concerns about the expired mandates of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Southwest state administration, warning that any extensions and alignment with the President’s party are unconstitutional and politically motivated. It described these actions as indicators of President Hassan Sheikh’s intent to seek an electoral advantage, potentially destabilizing the already fragile federal structure.

The statement warned of the President’s growing rift with Puntland and Jubbaland and condemned the federal government’s handling of the Gedo region, calling such actions politically incendiary. It also demanded the lifting of sanctions and restrictions on Jubbaland-administered areas.

The Forum proposed an urgent national summit involving federal and state leaders, as well as opposition groups, aimed at restoring unity and crafting a coordinated strategy to tackle terrorism, resolve constitutional disputes, and manage resource sharing.

On the electoral front, the Forum rejected any return to the 2022 model, instead backing one-person, one-vote elections anchored in the 2012 provisional constitution. They called for the process to be transparent, inclusive, and based on laws approved by previous parliaments, including the direct election law passed by the 10th Parliament.

The Forum also advocated for the resumption of Somalia–Somaliland talks, warning against what it described as foreign-driven agendas aimed at dividing the Somali nation.

The Somali Salvation Forum’s statement highlights the deepening of political divisions ahead of a contentious electoral period, signalling potential instability if inclusive dialogue and legal frameworks are not restored.

Sunday 1, June  2025 {HMC} Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, reaffirming Ankara’s unwavering support for Somalia’s development, security, and democratic aspirations.

According to a statement from the Turkish Presidency, the leaders discussed bilateral relations, recent regional and global developments, and areas of expanded cooperation, particularly in energy, fisheries, and defense.

President Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s strong commitment to Somalia’s fight against terrorism, pledging to deepen cooperation in the security and defence sectors.

“Turkey’s support for Somalia will continue to grow,” said Erdoğan, emphasizing the importance of stability through democracy and development.

Erdoğan noted that collaboration in these fields holds great promise for Somalia’s economic progress and resource management. This comes as both countries recently signed a series of strategic agreements aimed at enhancing military, economic, and infrastructure partnerships.

President Erdoğan also extended congratulations to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Somali people on the upcoming Eid al-Adha, reaffirming the strong cultural and religious bonds between the two nations.

Sunday 1, June  2025 {HMC} The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted continued rainfall in several parts of the country for the next five days, up to Tuesday next week.

Kenya Met, in its five-day weather forecast published on Friday, May 30, stated that moderate to heavy rains were expected in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Central Rift Valley, and the Coast.

In the Lake Victoria Basin and Rift Valley regions, rains were projected in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, and Narok.

According to Kenya Met, downpours in these counties would be heavy and were likely to begin in the afternoon, accompanied by thunderstorms.

“Sunny intervals are expected in the mornings, though occasional rains may occur over a few places. Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur over several places,” Kenya Met revealed.

While heavy rains were expected in the Lake Victoria Basin and Rift Valley regions, the weatherman projected moderate downpour in the Highlands East region, which encompasses Nairobi County.

Besides Nairobi, other counties within the Highlands East region are Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi.

Kenya Met noted that mornings in the aforementioned counties would be cloudy, giving way to sunny intervals and subsequently light afternoon and night showers.

A similar weather pattern was forecasted in the Coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale, as well as some parts of Tana River County, where light rains were expected in the morning hours.

In its advisory, the meteorological department also warned Kenyans who live in Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka and Nairobi to brace for very cold nights.

Kenya Met noted that cold temperatures of between 6°C and 8°C were expected in the said counties for the next five days beginning Friday, May 30.

Similarly, hot daytime temperatures were predicted in the counties found in the Coastal, Rift Valley, and Lake Victoria Basin. According to Kenya Met, daytime temperatures were expected to soar up to 36°C.

Counties in these regions include Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi.