Month: July 2022

Al-Shabab Aato

Al-Shabaab cross-border clashes with Ethiopian troops: An analysis

Since last week, Al-Shabaab (AS) launched several attacks in towns straddling the borders of Somalia and Ethiopia, sparking heavy clashes that claimed the lives of dozens of people. Some suggested that this was a comprehensive campaign by AS to establish a new front in Ethiopia, but this ignores a number of realities. First, AS’ is […]

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Somali trained in Eritrea

Controversy over Somali Soldiers Stranded in Eritrea Unlikely to Fade with A Visit

Villa Somalia has seen no respite since, against all odds, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took a trip to Eritrea on July 10 to visit Somali soldiers in training there and, in the process, signed bilateral agreements with his Eritrean counterpart. The Somali President was welcomed by President Isaias Afeworki with great pomp and with […]

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President HSM Visit to Turkey

Why Somali President Cannot Afford to Upset Turkey

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud returned from a five-day visit to Turkey on July 8 for an initially planned “two-day visit” after he received an invitation from Turkey. Similarly, he had announced a two-day visit to Abu Dhabi on June 19, a murky visit that also lasted five days. These sloppily arranged visits, if carried […]

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HSM and MBZ

Somali President Assaulted in Abu Dhabi

Ever since Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud appeared on video with obvious signs of assault on his face, stories have been rife. The video released by the Villa Somalia presidential palace was an attempt to dispel concerns over the president’s isolation since returning from the United Arab Emirates on June 24. What has fueled more […]

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