Sunday 18, 2025 {HMC}  The leader of the SSC-Khaatumo administration, Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Ali (Firdhiye), held a key meeting on Saturday with Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yi at the Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu, focusing on strengthening development ties and cooperation.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the longstanding partnership between Somalia and China, emphasizing extending strategic development support to the SSC-Khaatumo region.

Ambassador Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s commitment to Somalia’s growth, referencing bilateral agreements and initiatives under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). He highlighted that China is dedicated to launching sustainable, large-scale development projects across Somalia, including in emerging federal member states such as SSC-Khaatumo.

Firdhiye appreciated the warm reception and praised China’s continued support in Somalia’s state-building efforts. He emphasized the need for inclusive development, especially in conflict-affected and historically marginalized regions, noting that equitable progress is essential for lasting peace and unity.

The meeting signals growing international engagement with SSC-Khaatumo following its official recognition by the Federal Government of Somalia, as development actors increasingly explore ways to contribute to stabilization and reconstruction in the region.

Sunday 18, 2025 {HMC}  The Somali Ministry of Education and Higher Education has officially announced that this year’s National Secondary School Examinations will be held from June 14 to June 29, 2025, across most regions of the country.

In a press release on Saturday, the ministry urged graduating students to prepare thoroughly, highlighting that some changes have been made to the examination subjects. Notably, the subject of Business has been introduced for the first time, following the addition of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in the previous year.

“We call on students to focus on their preparation as this year’s exams include new subjects, such as Business,” the statement read.

The ministry also noted that it would soon publish guidelines detailing the requirements for students, teachers, and examination supervisors to ensure a smooth and fair examination process.

The unified national exam—introduced to standardize education and certification across the country—is not implemented in Puntland, which maintains its own education curriculum, or Somaliland, which operates separately as a self-declared independent state.

This year’s exam comes amid financial concerns in some regions, such as SSC-Khaatumo, where students are being asked to pay a \$10 fee due to lack of federal funding—a departure from last year, when the federal government covered all exam-related expenses.

Sunday 18,May 2025 {HMC} The SSC-Khaatumo regional government announced that the federal government of Somalia has informed them that there will be no financial support for administering the 2024/2025 National Secondary School Examinations in the region.

Farduus Qaran Bila, the Director General of Education for SSC-Khaatumo, said on Saturday that due to the funding shortfall, the ministry has imposed a \$10 fee per student to cover the costs of conducting the exams.

“This year, we were informed that there would be no funding for the certificate exam, so it was decided that each student would pay a \$10 fee, which is a legal matter that came out of the ministry,” said Farduus.
She also apologized for an earlier letter that erroneously stated students would be charged \$20, clarifying that it was a mistake and not an official policy.

The SSC-Khaatumo administration had its first federal-backed exam administration in 2023, with the Somali federal government covering all costs. The sudden withdrawal of federal funding raises concerns about whether students in other regions, including Mogadishu, will face similar charges this year.

The Somali government has previously abolished examination fees nationwide. However, it remains unclear whether this policy change applies only to SSC-Khaatumo or nationwide amid ongoing financial and political challenges.

The funding issue comes after the Federal Government of Somalia formally recognized SSC-Khaatumo as part of its federal structure — a development hailed by local leaders but now shadowed by financial uncertainty.

Sunday 18,May 2025 {HMC} NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeated his rejection of a joint Israeli-US plan to bypass his organization in delivering aid to Gaza.

The UN chief’s comments came two days after satellite imagery revealed construction of new aid distribution centers in the enclave.

Guterres was speaking on Saturday at the annual Arab League summit in Baghdad, where the situation in Gaza dominated the agenda.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani said in his opening speech at the summit: “This genocide (in Gaza) has reached a level of ugliness unparalleled in all conflicts in history.”

As well as Gaza, the UN chief also drew attention to events in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya.

He opened his speech by praising Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit and said that the UN hopes to “further strengthen” its partnership with the league.

“I am alarmed by reported plans by Israel to expand ground operations and more,” he added, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unimpeded flow of aid to the enclave.

Since March, Israel has implemented a total blockade of humanitarian aid entering Gaza in a bid to step up pressure on Hamas.

The latest Israeli plan to allow third parties to deliver aid aims to ensure deliveries reach the right people, the country’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, has said.

However, Guterres has repeatedly rejected the Israeli plan.

“I emphasize that the UN will not participate in any so-called aid operation that does not adhere to international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” he said on Saturday.

The UN chief also highlighted the situation in the West Bank, where settler annexation and the building of illegal settlements has escalated.

“Annexation is illegal. Settlements are illegal,” he said.

Guterres highlighted next month’s high-level conference on the Palestinian issue, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, as an “important opportunity.”

He said: “The world, the region — and, most of all, the people of Palestine and Israel — cannot afford to watch the two-state solution disappear before our eyes.”

On Lebanon, Guterres praised the “stated commitment by Lebanese officials to ensure a state monopoly over weapons.”

It comes as the UN’s peacekeeping force in the country, UNIFIL, works in tandem with the Lebanese army to seize Hezbollah arms caches in the country’s south.

In neighboring Syria, a political process “based on the key principles of Security Council resolution 2254” will “safeguard the rights and participation of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity and religion, and ensure their protection,” Guterres said.

The UN chief also welcomed the Houthi-US ceasefire mediated by Oman that was reached earlier this month.

“The trajectory of violence must cease as we work for a negotiated Yemeni-led political settlement,” he said.

Guterres said he was “very grateful” to the Arab League and African Union for “the excellent coordination meeting that we managed to have yesterday” on the situation in Sudan.

“In Libya, we are actively engaging with national and international actors to end the confrontation between armed groups, to preserve the independence of key oversight institutions, to address the obstacles preventing national elections, and set the course for long-term stability and prosperity — in line with the Libyan people’s needs and aspirations,” he said.

The Arab League is a “vital partner” in these efforts, he added.

“Despite the enormous challenges, let us draw lessons and hope from here in Baghdad. Working in unity and solidarity, we can help resolve conflicts and build a future of peace and prosperity,” Guterres said.

“That is the shared goal of the Arab League and the UN, and I look forward to continue to deepen our partnership together.”

Sunday 18,May 2025 {HMC} Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has established an Aircraft Accident Investigation Team to review past aircraft accidents involving Kenyan-registered or operated planes in South Sudan and Somalia over the past five years.

The team comprises 11 members who have been tasked with five crucial roles as the Ministry aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 53 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport establishes the Aircraft Accident Investigation Team,” the notice read in part.

It will be led by Peter Maranga as the Chairperson and Fredrick Kabunge as the Co-chairperson, while Fredrick Aggrey will take the role of Vice-chairperson.

Other members are Captain Nduati Herman Njama, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mike Mulwa, Ephantus Kamau, Captain Valentine Wendoh, and James Mwangi. The joint secretaries appointed to support the team are Brenda Mwango, Mathias Ombasa, and Albert Mwangeka.

The CS has entrusted the team with five crucial roles. The roles are to review all the preliminary reports of past aircraft accidents in the two regions.

To investigate any other matter relating to or consequential to the accidents, verify report findings through analysis, testing, and evaluation, and gather insights by engaging industry experts.

Further, the team has been mandated to engage industry experts. They may conduct interviews with aviation professionals to gather more insights.

The special investigation team is also expected to co-opt additional experts if necessary, to bring in more specialists to assist with investigations.

After gathering all this information, the CS expects the team to prepare and submit a comprehensive report of its findings and make any recommendations to address any safety issues that may be identified from the findings for action by the aviation industry in Kenya.

The committee has three months to complete this crucial role; however, Chirchir may extend their term if need be.

“The term of office for the Team shall be three months, with effect from March 27, and the Cabinet Secretary may, if necessary, extend the term of the office of the Team,” the notice continued.

There have been several aircraft accidents involving Kenyan-registered or operated planes in South Sudan and Somalia over the years. The most recent incident happened on March 22, 2025, when a Kenyan cargo aircraft crashed near Mogadishu, Somalia, killing all five people on board.