Author: Osman Omar

Why Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea Must Unite Economically—Four Nations, One Future

When Progress Becomes a Threat to the Status Quo Some people talk about Somalia like it’s their lifelong mission to save it. They write poetic essays, full of lofty promises and bold phrases—calling for “unity,” “transformation,” and “national healing.” But when you peel back the curtain, something feels off. Take a closer look. Many of these so-called reformers have children who’ve never lived a day in Mogadishu. Their families are safely tucked away in the UK—often in London—far from the car bombs and fear that define daily life for the average Somali. If your family lives in peace abroad, why…

15 Years in the Fight, and a New Chapter Begins in Somalia.  Nation Rising from the Shadows of Terror For over 15 years, Somalia has battled the scourge of al-Shabaab. Backed by the African Union and international partners, the Somali people have withstood unimaginable hardship. But today, something feels different. There’s a breeze of change, quiet but absolute, sweeping through the streets of Mogadishu and beyond. 1. The End of Fear on the Streets Once, Mogadishu was synonymous with gunfire and grief. Every corner whispered of bombs and kidnappings. But now, that silence is golden. It’s not the silence of…

Refined Approach to Somalia’s Stability: Empowering Local Initiatives The ongoing situation in Somalia, marked by persistent instability and the threat of al-Shabaab, remains a significant concern. Despite sustained international efforts involving substantial financial and military aid, the desired outcomes have not been fully realized. A revised strategy, focused on empowering Somali-led initiatives, warrants serious consideration. A promising alternative involves supporting established Somali-led private security companies. These entities are uniquely positioned, possessing intimate knowledge of the local terrain, language, and the operational dynamics of al-Shabaab. Staffed by individuals with dual citizenship and adherence to international standards, these companies  will demonstrate  a…

The Return of the Political Ghosts: Somalia Deserves Better

May 18: When the Flag of Secession Becomes a Shroud I have seen this game before. First come the slogans, then the songs, then the explosions.Somalia doesn’t just suffer from Al-Shabaab’s terror—it suffers from something deeper, more insidious: betrayal dressed in political theater. And on May 18, that betrayal bared its teeth again. While some celebrated what they call “independence” in Hargeisa, Mogadishu was picking up the pieces—again. A 78-year-old man blew himself up in the capital. But this wasn’t some random act of violence. No, this was a message. A deliberate, calculated act. This man, a relative of a…

Somalia Faces a New Front: The Growing Threat of Disinformation in the Digital Age

 Mr. President, Somalia Can’t Afford to Stall—It’s Time to Move Beyond Clan Politics By a Somali Citizen Mr. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, I write to you not just as a concerned citizen but as someone who has witnessed the ebb and flow of our nation’s political tides. From 2012 to 2017, your leadership saw the establishment of regional administrations and the conduct of elections in 2017  however  from 2017 to somalia has experience setback,  with delays and challenges that have hindered our progress. The 4.5 clan-based power-sharing system, introduced as a temporary measure in 2000 was meant to stabilize our…

Somalia Prepares for Historic One-Person-One-Vote Elections After 54 Years In the early morning sun of Mogadishu’s historic Shangani district, residents eagerly lined up at voter registration centers, marking a monumental day for Somalia. For the first time in over five decades, Somalia is gearing up for nationwide one-person-one-vote elections, signaling a significant shift from the clan-based indirect electoral systems of the past. The sight of citizens waiting to register reflects a powerful moment of hope and renewal. For many older Somalis, it’s their first chance to directly choose their representatives, which they last witnessed in 1969 before Siad Barre’s regime…

Somalia Takes Historic Step Toward Democracy

Starlink Launches in Somalia: A New Era of Internet Connectivity Begins