Monday 19, May 2025 {HMC} The Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Ahmed Amir, held a high-level meeting with James Swan, Head of the United Nations Office in Somalia, to discuss plans for democratization and preparations for local elections aimed at restoring power to the people.

The two sides also reviewed the humanitarian impact of recent heavy rains in Mogadishu, exploring areas for collaboration in emergency response, reconstruction of critical infrastructure, and creating employment opportunities for Somali youth.

Mayor Amir thanked the United Nations for its continued support in strengthening governance, promoting institutional development, and delivering humanitarian aid. Both parties agreed to enhance joint efforts in scaling up development projects across the capital through the UN’s Somalia office.

Sunday May 19, 2025 {HMC}  A high-level national consultative conference on the draft of Business Registration and Licensing Bill officially opened today in Mogadishu, marking a significant step toward unifying Somalia’s commercial legal framework.

The conference, led by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Mohamud Aydid Geesood, brought together commerce ministers from South West, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, SSC-Khaatumo, and senior officials from Jubbaland’s Ministry of Commerce. The aim is to establish a standardized national system for business registration and licensing to promote transparency, investor confidence, and economic growth.

Minister Geesood emphasized the urgent need to end the current overlap and fragmentation among licensing authorities and to adopt a unified legal framework that applies consistently across the country.

The conference is expected to produce key policy recommendations to strengthen cooperation between the federal government and member states, paving the way for sustainable economic development and a stable business environment.

Sunday May 19, 2025 {HMC}  The Somali National Army (SNA), with the support of local defence fighters from Hiiraan, has successfully repelled a series of Al-Shabaab attacks along the Hiiraan–Middle Shabelle border, killing more than 70 militants in a 48-hour military operation, according to government sources.

The joint offensive marks a significant blow to the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group, which has been attempting to expand its foothold in central Somalia. The operation also led to the seizure of a large cache of weapons, disrupting the group’s operational capacity in the region.

The Federal Government of Somalia praised the army and resilience of the national forces and local communities, especially those in Hiiraan, for their critical role in resisting extremist threats and safeguarding national stability.

This military success comes just days after the assassination of Colonel Abdirahmaan Hujaale, a respected battalion commander in Hiran, and weeks after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud survived an Al-Shabaab assassination attempt.

The government reiterated its unwavering commitment to eradicating Al-Shabaab and pledged to continue offensive operations in partnership with Somali citizens and international allies working to restore peace and security across the country.

Sunday May 19, 2025 {HMC}  The Djiboutian government has launched a wide-scale crackdown on undocumented migrants and refugees, arresting and deporting Yemeni, Somali, and Ethiopian nationals over violations of residency and work permit regulations.

The deportations come amid growing international concern, as many affected had fled worsening security and economic crise in their home countries. Local sources and affected individuals report that hundreds have been detained in recent raids on informal settlements, with plans underway to forcibly return them to countries still grappling with conflict, instability, and repression.

Djibouti, located in the Horn of Africa, has long been a transit and host country for migrants and refugees fleeing war and hardship, particularly from Yemen, where an ongoing conflict has driven tens of thousands to seek safety across the Red Sea. The country also hosts significant refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.

Humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm at the campaign, warning that returning vulnerable populations to unsafe regions, particularly women, children, and the elderly, could expose them to grave dangers, including violence and exploitation. They called on the Djiboutian authorities to respect international obligations by ensuring the basic rights of migrants and refugees and halting deportations to conflict zones.

There has been no official response from the Djiboutian government addressing the concerns raised by rights groups.

Sunday May 19, 2025 {HMC}  The Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned the “terrorist” attack that targeted the Somali army’s Damaanyo camp in the capital, Mogadishu, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah reiterated Jordan’s full solidarity with Somalia in confronting the “heinous act”, stressing the Kingdom’s rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilising security and stability.

Qudah extended condolences to the government and people of Somalia, as well as to the families of the victims, wishing the injured a swift recovery, according to a ministry statement.

Several people were killed and others wounded when a suicide bomber, thought to be from the Al-Shabab militant group, targeted an army recruitment centre in Mogadishu on Sunday, Somali authorities and witnesses said, according to AFP.

The attacker, disguised as a civilian, detonated explosives outside the XeroDamaayo camp in southern Mogadishu at 9:20 am (0620 GMT), the information ministry said.

“Casualties have been reported, but details are still being verified,” the ministry said.

“Security forces are on the scene and have launched an investigation.”

Islamist militant group Al Shabab, which is linked to Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the bombing.

“The Mujahidin carried out an explosion targeting apostates who stayed in front of XeroDamaayo in Mogadishu’s Hodon district. They were enlisting to join the forces,” the group said.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and casualties near the blast site.

Adan Yare, a Tuktuk driver who was passing close to the area, said the road had been crowded with civilians when the explosion occurred, with people waiting to enter the military camp.

“I was very lucky because when the explosion occurred, I had already driven past the area.

“The explosion shook my Tuktuk and when I stopped and looked back, there were several people lying (on the ground), some of them dead and others wounded,” he said.

Another witness, Saalim Nur, said he saw the bodies of five civilians.

“I was in a minibus. We were about a few hundred metres away from the scene when the explosion occurred.

“The whole area has become rubble, with stones and sand flying,” he said.

Somalia has suffered a resurgence of attacks by Al Shabab in recent months.

The group, which is fighting to overthrow the government, has intensified its campaign in the impoverished and climate-vulnerable country.

In March, Al Shabab claimed responsibility for a bomb that narrowly missed the presidential convoy in Mogadishu, and in April, militants fired mortar shells near the capital’s airport.F