Below is an excerpt of a report published by a Somalia Newsroom blogger on Sabahi Online. You can read the full analysis here. Somalia’s first permanent government in 22 years faces significant obstacles in getting the nation’s economy back on… Read More ›
Somali Government
Villa Somalia Bombing Shows Danger of “Defectors”
On 29 January 2013, an al-Shabaab “defector” made it through a series of checkpoints in the heavily guarded Villa Somalia government compound and detonated himself near Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon’s home. The attack killed the bomber, two other people,… Read More ›
Mohamud’s U.S. Visit Foreshadows Federalism Debate
One issue that stuck out during President Mohamud’s largely successful first visit to the United States was the future of federalism in Somalia. After a warm reception in the Washington, D.C. area, Mohamud encountered significant protests in his subsequent visit to… Read More ›
Jubaland Close to Becoming Somalia’s Next State
Brief Background on Jubaland Jubaland historically comprised of Lower and Middle Juba states. But military dictatator and ex-President Siad Barre split up the region in 1975, adding Gedo, Bay, and Bakool states. The region has seen decades of conflict due… Read More ›
2013 in Somalia: A Look at Security
This is the first in a multi-part series about Somalia in 2013. In 2012, the Somali National Army and its partners in AMISOM and Ethiopia retook major al-Shabaab strongholds–including the lucrative port of Kismayo–and essentially confined al-Shabaab to the southern… Read More ›
Uganda Withdrawal Threat A Reality Check for Somali Security
Uganda’s Security Minister Muruli Mukasa has stated that the country intends to withdraw its troops from Somalia and other conflict hotspots in response to the UN’s allegation that Uganda is supporting M23 rebels in DRC. Ugandan forces in Somalia—estimated to be at… Read More ›
Somalia’s New President A Symbol of Hope Amid Challenges
Against all likely odds, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emerged as victorious in Somalia’s presidential selection on 10 September 2012, held in Mogadishu’s Aden Adde airport. The results from the first round of voting seemed to favor the controversial incumbent Sheikh Sharif… Read More ›
In Somalia, A Presidential Battle and Country’s Future Looms
After weeks of delays and controversies, Somalia’s new parliament successfully elected 66-year old Afgoye native Mohamed Osman Jawaari as the new Speaker of Parliament. Jawari, who hails from the Digil/Mirifle (Rahanweyn) clan, served as Minister of Transport and Minister of Labor… Read More ›
Commission Organized to Elect Somali Parliament Speaker
On 21 August 2012, Somalia’s new parliament met in Mogadishu’s police headquarters at the School Polizio to organize the commission that will oversee the selection of the upcoming Speaker of Parliament. The meeting was chaired by interim Parliament Speaker General Musa… Read More ›
Formation of Somalia’s New Parliament Delayed By Disqualified Candidates
The process to select Somalia’s new 275-member parliament from a list candidates submitted by 135 traditional elders has been delayed because the list contains at least 50 former warlords and candidates with insufficient educational qualifications. UN Special Representative to Somalia… Read More ›