Author: Osman Omar

A few months ago, something quietly began in Las Anod. No breaking headlines, no international spotlight—just a group of local elders, civil society folks, and federal officials sitting around tables, talking about their future. In the heart of the discussions, the future of las anod was a pivotal topic, reflecting the aspirations of the local population. As these conversations unfold, the role of las anod within this new framework is increasingly vital. The aspirations and perspectives of las anod must be recognised as an essential part of this evolving narrative. They weren’t plotting rebellion. They weren’t tearing up flags. They…

For those closely following events in Somalia, there’s a troubling narrative being repeated — that Al-Shabaab is once again capturing ground, moving back into towns and districts it lost years ago. On the surface, it sounds alarming. But peel back the surface, and the reality tells a very different story about How political dynamics shape these developments. How the political landscape plays a crucial role cannot be understated. These aren’t victories won through firepower or strategy. They are, more often than not, political arrangements. Quiet handovers. Spaces abandoned by design, not lost in battle, illustrating How the situation evolves. This…

I was among the first to sound the alarm: Puntland’s leadership had no intention of playing by the rules of lawful maritime conduct. For years, I closely tracked their rhetoric — and the signs were there. The current Interior Minister of Puntland, Mr. Abdi Farah Juxa, openly and repeatedly stated, “Puntland negotiates with what it controls.” That wasn’t political theory. It was a warning. Translation? They’ll blockade the sea if that’s what it takes to extract leverage. And now, the warning has materialized. A ship has been seized — not by faceless pirates in ragtag skiffs, but by a regional authority masquerading as…

GAROWE, SOMALIA — Once a shining example of autonomous governance within the Somali federal structure, Puntland is now at the center of intensifying scrutiny after what observers are calling a troubling turn toward rogue behavior. President Said Abdullahi Deni is under fire following the seizure of a Turkish-leased military cargo vessel, raising fears that a federal state may be venturing into actions eerily reminiscent of Somalia’s piracy era in the early 2000s. Long regarded as one of Somalia’s most organized regions, Puntland is now accused not only of undermining national unity efforts but also of engaging in conduct that edges toward…

Mogadishu: After 35 years of silence, Somalia’s national media teleport is finally back. This isn’t just about satellites and signals — this is about taking back our voice from the shadows that have hijacked it for decades. The decision, announced at the weekly cabinet meeting, was met with applause (and probably a sigh of relief) as officials hailed the Ministry of Information for dragging this crucial infrastructure out of the grave. With this teleport back in service, Somalia now has the power to beam its own TV and radio broadcasts through the skies — no middlemen, no outside filters, no hired hands messing…

Somalia’s Strategic Turn- Security Stabilization and National Development Under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Between 2017 and 2022, Somalia faced heightened insecurity across major urban centers including Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, and Beledweyne. The period was marked by frequent improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, targeted assassinations, and widespread fear among civilians. Armed insurgent group Al-Shabaab maintained operational dominance in several regions, regularly executing attacks in densely populated areas. Political officeholders at the time offered repeated reassurances regarding national stabilization and security, but the facts on the ground suggested otherwise. Civilian casualties remained high, and public confidence in state institutions deteriorated. Following the…

Dhiig-joojintii Qaranka- Isbeddelkii Siyaasadeed ee Madaxweynaha Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud Mogadishu Somalia.  Muddadii u dhexeysay 2017 illaa 2022, Soomaaliya waxa ka jiray xaalad amni-darro oo baahsan, taas oo si gaar ah u taabatay magaalooyinka waaweyn ee dalka sida Muqdisho,  Baardheere, Jowahar, Kismaayo, Baydhabo, Beledweyne, iyo kuwo kale. Qaraxyada joogtada ah, dilalka qorsheysan, iyo cabsida aan kala joogsan ayaa ahayd nolol-maalmeedka shacabka. Goob kasta oo dadku ku kulmaan waxay u muuqan jirtay meel shirqool laga filan karo. Waxaa la odhan karaa: dhiiggu wuxuu ku daadanayey gacanta dowladda dhexdeeda ah, iyadoo siyaasiyiinta xilalka hayey ay ku mashquulsanaayeen ballanqaadyo madhan iyo hadallo aan ficil…

Somalia’s State-Building Must Begin in the South For over three decades, Somalia has struggled to emerge from the shadows of civil war, political fragmentation, and institutional collapse. While numerous efforts have been made to rebuild the nation, progress has remained sluggish, mainly due to one critical oversight: the persistent instability in the South. Any meaningful path toward national recovery must begin not with the politically stable regions but with the areas where the wounds of conflict run deepest. South Somalia is not only home to an overwhelming majority of the country’s population—estimated at over 70%—but also houses the largest concentration…

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…