Saturday 10,May 2025 {HMC} The United States has strongly warned Somali leaders over recent decisions made during the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting, cautioning against political consolidation and governance changes made without an inclusive national dialogue.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the United States Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs emphasized that broad-based participation is essential in shaping Somalia’s federal structure and electoral process.

“All relevant stakeholders should have a say in changes to Somalia’s federal and election systems. Decisions taken without broad based support will lack legitimacy and distract from pressing security challenges,” the post read.

The statement comes amid growing tensions following the latest NCC summit, which concluded in Mogadishu on Wednesday. The meeting, chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, excluded the leaders of Puntland and Jubbaland—two of Somalia’s key federal member states—who have both previously withdrawn from the consultative process over disputes with the federal government.

The summit communiqué pledged full support for the Somali National Army in its fight against Al-Shabaab and called for deeper cooperation between federal and regional administrations to bolster stability. However, the absence of Puntland and Jubbaland has raised concerns among opposition politicians and international partners that decisions made at the forum may lack national legitimacy.

Critics have accused the federal government of seeking to centralize power and alter the electoral process without securing consensus from all stakeholders, risking further fragmentation in the country’s fragile federal system.

The NCC is Somalia’s highest intergovernmental forum, designed to unify federal and state-level leadership around national priorities including security, governance, and democratic reforms. President Mohamud was joined at this week’s meeting by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, and the presidents of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West, SSC-Khaatumo, and the Banadir administration.

The international community, including the United Nations and African Union, has repeatedly urged Somali leaders to resolve political disputes through dialogue and consensus, warning that unilateral decisions could undermine efforts to defeat terrorism and consolidate democratic institutions.

Saturday 10,May 2025 {HMC} Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly criticized the outcomes of the recent National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu, warning that the federal government risks deepening political divisions and misusing the military for political purposes.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital on Friday, Sharif warned President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration against what he described as “reckless attempts” to impose political agendas through force, referencing recent tensions between the federal government and the Jubbaland administration.

“I call on the government—this is a time to unite the people and listen to their counsel,” Sharif said. “We’ve all seen where the country has ended up under your direction. You have no control, no advice. To suggest that a new administration can be built from this chaos is deeply regrettable.”
Sharif, who also heads the Himilo Qaran political party, said the outcomes of the NCC summit were disappointing and accused the participants of prioritizing political consolidation over meaningful consensus.

“You all saw that the only thing to emerge from the summit was talk of building a major political party,” he said. “This is short-sighted and divisive at a time when unity should be our top priority.”

He also praised Somali troops battling Al-Shabaab on the front lines but criticized federal leaders for failing to adequately support the military effort.

The NCC communiqué released earlier this week pledged full support for the Somali National Army and called for stronger cooperation between federal and state authorities. However, the absence of Jubbaland and Puntland—two key federal member states—has sparked criticism from opposition figures and international partners who warn that decisions made without broad-based consensus risk lacking legitimacy.

Sharif’s remarks come as political tensions escalate ahead of the 2026 elections, with some federal member states accusing Villa Somalia of undermining the federal system and attempting to centralize power.

Saturday 10,May 2025 {HMC} At least two people, a mother and her child, were killed after heavy rains battered the Somali capital, Mogadishu, overnight Friday, causing widespread flooding and severe damage to key roads, local officials said.

The victims died when their house collapsed in the Hamar Jajab district, according to the district commissioner. The rainfall, which lasted more than eight hours, submerged roads and washed away vehicles, including auto rickshaws, disrupting public transport and access to several neighborhoods.

Some of the worst-hit areas include recently constructed roads in Howlwadaag and Hodan districts, many of which were built by the Banadir regional administration. Authorities said these roads were severely damaged or rendered impassable.

The Banadir regional administration urged residents to avoid flooded areas and instructed district commissioners to assist those affected by the water, particularly families living in aging or poorly constructed homes.

Flash floods are a recurring problem in Mogadishu, where poor drainage and rapid urban growth have increased the vulnerability of residents, especially in low-lying areas.

Saturday 10,May 2025 {HMC} Turkiye has discovered up to 20 billion barrels of crude oil in Somalia, amid Ankara’s exploration drive to find further energy sources in the Horn of Africa region.

According to Turkish and Somalia media outlets, Turkish exploration missions discovered reserves that are estimated to contain up to 20 billion barrels of commercially viable crude oil.

While two blocks it operates in the region have reportedly resulted in significant yields, the third block is still being explored and is expected to also contain sufficient commercial quantities of oil.

The discovery of the vast oil reserves comes a month after Turkiye and Somalia signed a deal on onshore oil and gas exploration in the East African nation; under the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and Somali Petroleum Authority.

Although the deal has been touted as a benefit for Mogadishu and its energy development, it has also been criticised by many as an agreement that overly favours Ankara, as it grants the Turkish energy authorities around 90 pe rcent of the rights for Somalia’s oil and gas output, as well as exempting Turkish entities from paying upfront costs such as bonuses and administrative fees.