Analysis

Khadija and Umal

Will the Controversy over Minister Khadija’s Pants Spark a Wider Debate

Somalia’s chaotic political and security life has recently sparked new controversy. The attire of a female minister drew the ire of a religious scholar. Those who think it’s just plain wrong to criticize pants or trousers do not appreciate its potential fallout. Those who stick to the apparent dichotomy that emerges from the confrontation of […]

Read More
NCC

Could Dispute between Federal and Regional Leaders Derail Debt Relief?

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s first four months at the helm of Somalia have been marred by conflicts on his own making. The latest conflict with regional states had been simmering for some time and erupted late last month. A concerted message came on August 31 from regional state governments, particularly their finance ministries, stating that […]

Read More
HSM and Deni

Somali President Entangled in his Secret Deals with Deni

President Hassan Sheikh Mahamood has been in the Somali regional state of Puntland for three days where he is trying to resolve a bitter dispute between him and the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni. Already, as soon as he arrived at the airport in Garowe, the capital of Puntland, Deni greeted him coldly and […]

Read More
Muse Bihi

Somaliland: Waking Up To The Hard Reality

This opinion piece first appeared on Caasimada.net on June 16, 2020. The author decided to edit it and republish it on Kormeeraha Magazine. A month ago a friend of mine added me to a WhatsApp group created by people from the northern provinces of Somalia discussing how to save Somaliland from its current downfall. Listening […]

Read More
M. Robow

Why a Terror Leader is Appointed Minister in Somalia

The long-awaited cabinet’s announcement last week, since the selection of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last May, left the Somali public reeling, but was greeted by representatives of Western nations in Somalia. Mukhtar Robow, former Al-Shabab deputy leader and spokesman who has been detained for the last four years, has been appointed Somalia’s Endowments and Religious […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
Avisioni tent

Public Anxiety As Somalia Awaits Presidential Election

There is one day left until the May 15 presidential election and anxiety is mounting with uncertainty over who will be Somalia’s next president. The indirect election, which has dragged on for a year and a half, has created unease throughout the country, especially since the people have no control over the process. A dozen […]

Read More