Author: Abdikarin Dahir

Somalia is emerging as a key player in an ambitious space infrastructure project that could redefine its role in global aerospace development. In partnership with the Türkiye Space Agency, the country is preparing to host what is expected to become Africa’s first operational space launch facility. The project spans a vast coastal area along the Indian Ocean, selected for its strategic advantages and low population density. Officials indicate that construction is now underway, marking a major step forward in a plan that has been under development for years as part of Türkiye’s national space program. ✿ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲…

The deployment of Turkey’s advanced drilling ship, Çağrı Bey, to Somalia represents a landmark moment in the country’s energy journey. Officially dispatched from Taşucu port in Mersin, southern Turkey, with participation from Somali and Turkish energy officials, this mission marks the first time Turkey has sent a drilling vessel beyond its own waters, underscoring the historic significance of Somalia’s growing strategic partnerships.. The ship is set to navigate past the Namibian coast to reach Mogadishu, a voyage reflecting both the scale of the operation and Somalia’s readiness to host advanced energy projects. This step follows preliminary seismic surveys conducted by…

Google has announced a major expansion of its Artificial Intelligence search tools, adding support for 13 African languages including Somali and Kiswahili. The update allows millions of users across the continent to search, learn, and create online using their local languages. It also upgrades Google’s AI Overviews, which provide short AI generated summaries of search results alongside reliable links for further information. Google’s AI Mode will allow users to interact through text, voice, or images to receive more detailed and personalized responses. The newly supported languages include Kiswahili, Somali, Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Hausa, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Sesotho, Setswana, Wolof, Yorùbá…

Somali Jurist Abdiwahid Warsame Abdullahi Sworn in as Judge at East African Court of JusticeA Somali legal expert has officially joined the East African Court of Justice, marking an important step in Somalia’s growing participation within institutions of the East African Community (EAC). Judge Abdiwahid Warsame Abdullahi was sworn in as a judge of the court’s First Instance Division during the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State held in Arusha. The ceremony formally inducted him into the regional judicial body responsible for interpreting and applying the EAC Treaty. The summit was attended by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,…

Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has appointed Zakariye Yusuf Hussein as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Zakariye Yusuf Hussein previously served as the Principal Secretary to the President and also held roles as Commissioner at the Boundaries and Federalism Commission and Director within the commission. He is known for his background in politics, development policy, and international relations, with experience working on governance and federalism issues in Somalia. Zakariye replaces Mohamed Amin Sheikh Osman, who previously held the deputy director general position at the Presidential Palace. Osman was recently appointed as Somalia’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, a…

International media outlets, particularly in the West, are increasingly highlighting Somalia’s emerging tourism sector as signs of recovery take shape across the country’s infrastructure and visitor attractions. In a recent report, the AFP news agency detailed how the Federal Government of Somalia is intensifying efforts to promote tourism at a time when the number of foreign visitors is rising gradually despite ongoing security challenges. Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Daud Aweis Jama, told AFP that nearly 10,000 tourists visited the country last year, and the government expects this figure to potentially double by 2025. On Mogadishu’s popular Lido…

The Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport of Somalia has announced the full implementation of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Number (ECTN) system across all ports in the country. The digital tracking requirement is now mandatory for all cargo entering or leaving Somalia. The system, initially introduced on February 1, 2023, is designed to strengthen port security, enhance trade transparency, and safeguard government revenue. What Is ECTN? The Electronic Cargo Tracking Number is a digital code assigned to every shipment from the point of loading at any international port until it reaches Somalia.Its purpose is to prevent: Who Uses the ECTN…

In December 2024, the Somali Cabinet appointed Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuxulow as the Director General of Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (HSJ). Since then, he has led major changes to modernize the agency and bring it up to international standards. Reforms and Strategic Overhaul Under Dhuxulow’s leadership, HSJ underwent a comprehensive institutional reform, including a full evaluation of its operational frameworks, legal structures, financial systems, and staffing models. This reformation effort laid the groundwork for long-term planning, culminating in a new five-year strategic plan (2025–2029) aimed at enhancing the agency’s effectiveness and accountability. A key achievement includes the creation of…

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – February 15, 2025 Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Addis Ababa to participate in the 38th African Union Summit, a key gathering of African leaders to discuss continental issues and cooperation. The President’s delegation includes newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, who is making his first official international trip since taking office in April 2024. Minister Fiqi’s presence is particularly notable given the heightened diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over recent months. Fiqi, who has been vocal in his criticism of Ethiopia during the peak of the dispute, is expected…

The Turkish-owned exploration vessel, URUS REIS, began seismic surveys off the coast of Somalia. This mission is the latest chapter in Somalia’s long history with oil exploration, which dates back to the mid-20th century. Back then, oil reserves were discovered in various Somali regions, including the Daban area of Mudug, Mogadishu, El Wak, Mandera, and Kismayo. Between 1950 and 1990, numerous international companies, including ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP, ENI, and Shell, were licensed to explore for oil in Somalia. However, when civil war broke out in 1991, these companies ceased operations, and much of the data they had collected was lost.…

Is the Federal Government of Somalia overlooking the Northern Regions at the Expense of the Somaliland Regime? The political landscape of Somalia is often characterized by a complex interplay of regional dynamics, historical grievances, and a struggle for recognition and autonomy. One of the most contentious issues in this landscape is the perceived marginalization of the northern regions, particularly in relation to the self-declared Somaliland region, which includes the cities of Hargeisa, Berbera, and Burco Critics argue that the federal government of Somalia is overlooking the interests of the majority in these northern regions, favouring the Somaliland regime that harkens…