An al-Shabab military commander has defected and surrendered to Somali government forces, authorities in Mogadishu said. A Somali general who interviewed the defector told VOA the al-Shabab commander had been sent to Hiran, a large and populous area of central Somalia, “in order to execute attacks during the holy month of Ramadan.” General Mohamed Ahmed … Read more
Somalia’s security forces have shot dead a 31-year-old government minister after mistaking him for a militant Islamist, officials have said. He was killed in his vehicle near the presidential palace in the capital, Mogadishu, the officials added. The president has cut short his visit to Ethiopia following Abdullahi Sheikh Abas’ killing, state radio reports. Somalia’s … Read more
At least three people have been killed and several others wounded in mortar attacks in Somalia’s capital a day after the country’s new president declared a war on the militant group al-Shabab. Four mortars struck Mogadishu’s Wadajir residential district, including one that hit a house in the area, Somali news website Dayniile reports. “Three people … Read more
Somalia’s new president has offered al-Shabab militants a 60-day amnesty amid a declaration of war on the group. Fighters who gave themselves up would receive training, employment and education, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said. Somalia has reported frequent terror attacks, and a spate of kidnappings. The announcement comes as at least 10 people were reportedly … Read more
No group has said it was behind the abduction yet Armed men have abducted five aid workers from the central Somali town of Beledweyne, locals have confirmed to the BBC Somali service. The staff, who included two volunteers, a nurse, a driver and a veterinary, were working with the region’s Veterinary Medical Association, the privately-owned … Read more
Somalia’s new president has offered al-Shabab militants a 60-day amnesty amid a declaration of war on the group. Fighters who gave themselves up would receive training, employment and education, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said. The announcement came a day after a deadly bomb attack in the capital Mogadishu that killed seven. Al-Shabab militants are also … Read more
Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Haire, says 110 people have died from hunger in a single region in the past 48 hours amid a severe drought. The figure for the south-western Bay region is the first official death toll announced during the crisis. The full impact of the drought on the country is still unknown. … Read more
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, the new President of Somalia officially took over the reigns at the presidency, Villa Somalia, today. The ceremony was attended by the former president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who handed over noted in a blue file to his successor. Farmaajo described it as a historic day for all Somali people. The former … Read more
Somalia’s Parliament elected former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, a dual US-Somali citizen, as the country’s new president Wednesday. Farmajo was declared victorious after incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dropped out of the contest following the second round of voting. Amid rising security concerns, the 328 members of Parliament met at an air force hangar … Read more