Every four years, due to election impasse, the Somali People have to deal with the specter of political violence and civil strife instead of celebrating the results of peaceful, free, and fair election affirming the legitimacy of the authority of the federal Government. The last one-year election (2021-2022) jeopardized the viability of the Somali State. Nevertheless, the general public felt relief when new parliamentarians took the oath to sacrifice their personal interests and serve the interests of the Somali people with honesty, integrity, and impartiality, an oath betrayed.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirmed his government’s commitment to dialogue with Puntland and Jubbaland state leaders to resolve ongoing political divisions.

Kenya’s President William Ruto met with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns on Monday alongside his Kenyan counterpart, Noordin Haji, in Nairobi. Two years after an October 28, 2022, peace agreement ended the war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, experts say complex issues remain unresolved. These, and more Africa-related news updates on today’s VOA 60.

NEW YORK — A Kenyan man who plotted a 9/11-style attack on a U.S. building was training as a commercial pilot in the Philippines when his plans were interrupted, a federal prosecutor told a New York jury Tuesday.

NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — Google has announced a new $5.8 million investment through its Google.org initiative, aimed at bolstering artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity training across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy has signed a sweeping agreement with Abu Dhabi PORTS Group to transform the country’s fisheries and port infrastructure—a step that could bring new stability and much-needed economic growth to Somalia’s coastline after decades of conflict.

Less than a week ago, the Board of Hennepin Health Care appointed Mohammad Omar as its new chair, marking a significant step as he becomes the first Somali American to lead a hospital board in Minnesota.

Djibouti (HOL) — Djibouti delivered a shock 1-0 victory over Rwanda at Kigali's Amahoro Stadium in the CHAN 2025 qualifiers on Sunday, riding on a late strike from forward Gabriel Dadzie. Djibouti, playing their 'home' leg on Rwandan soil due to a CAF and FIFA stadium ban, displayed disciplined play and capitalized on one of their few opportunities to stun the hosts.

A football coach and refugee advocate was prevented from playing in a match because she wears tracksuit bottoms rather than shorts, which she says compromises her religious beliefs.

LONDON, United Kingdom (HOL) — Belarusian officials reported Sunday that 15 refugees, including Somali nationals, were found with serious injuries near the Belarus-Poland border, claiming they had been attacked and pushed back by Polish security forces. The refugees, who were reportedly beaten, pepper-sprayed, and attacked by dogs, were discovered near a fenced area of the border.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia has expelled a senior Ethiopian diplomat, accusing him of activities “incompatible” with his diplomatic role and violating Somalia’s sovereignty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday. Ali Mohamed Adan, who served as Counselor II at the Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu, was declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country.

Mogadishu (HOL) —Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre inaugurated the country's largest Emergency and Trauma Center at Mogadishu's Madiina Hospital on Tuesday to improve healthcare for the nation.

The Somalia Football Federation (SFF) has dismissed recent claims of favouritism among referees.

Riyadh (HOL) — Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Maalam Faqi met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Eng. Khaled bin Abdul Aziz Al-Falah will be in Riyadh on Monday to discuss investment and trade between Somalia and Saudi Arabia.

Beledweyne (HOL) — At least one civilian was killed, and seven others were injured following an explosion targeting a popular restaurant in the Howlwadaag neighbourhood of Beledweyne town, Hiiraan region, on Tuesday.

Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland's intelligence agency has launched an investigation into armed supporters of the ruling Kulmiye party, who allegedly intimidated people with pistols and guns during a rally in Hargeisa on Monday night.

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has described Türkiye’s onshore and offshore natural gas and oil exploration activities in Somalia as a “game changer,” saying that international companies may join those operations in the future.

Mogadishu(HOL) — Somalia’s federal government’s proposal to replace its clan-based voting system with universal suffrage by 2026 is fueling political discord as the country grapples with a resurgent al-Shabaab insurgency.

Mogadishu(HOL) — A map unveiled by Somalia’s federal government during a recent ceremony in Mogadishu has sparked a backlash from Puntland and Hirshabelle, two key federal states. Displayed at an event welcoming a Turkish oil exploration vessel, the map portrayed certain regions as “disputed”—a designation that Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Hirshabelle officials claim undermines the autonomy and borders of their territories.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler signed a financial agreement on defense cooperation to enhance Somalia’s defense capabilities.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Suspected al-Shabab gunmen armed with pistols killed three young business people and wounded another at their business premises in the Yaqshiid district of Mogadishu on Monday.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Police displayed three men accused of stealing livestock in an operation conducted in Mogadishu's Wadajir district, Banadir region police command announced Monday.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's African Union peacekeeping mission (ATMIS) faces potential delays in its final transition due to significant funding gaps and rising tensions with Ethiopia, placing the mission's completion at risk.

Arsenal have been looking for every vital sign that this is the season when they will finally make the leap from pretenders to Premier League champions – but the indications are already ominous.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says it feels «unfair and unjust» that his team fell to a 2-1 defeat at West Ham after conceding a controversial late penalty.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Puntland officials have firmly rejected claims by Somalia's Federal Minister of Petroleum, who recently accused the region's leadership of obstructing federal oil exploration initiatives. The dispute has reignited tensions between Puntland and Mogadishu, highlighting the ongoing struggle over resource control and regional autonomy.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Ethiopian Dialogue Commission is pressing the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) to reconsider its decision to boycott Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference, a move they say threatens to destabilize the already fragile peace agreement established between the two sides in 2018.

Somalia calls on international community to take serious steps to preserve security of region

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud re-opened the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting at the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Sunday to address security, state-building, and elections.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives are appealing for public help in the arrest of the prime suspected in the killing of three women in Eastleigh.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud re-opened the National Consultative Council (NCC) at the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Sunday to address critical national issues, including security, state-building, and elections.

Turkey's foreign minister will travel to Djibouti next week to attend a Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting and discuss improving cooperation between Ankara and the continent, officials from his ministry said.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government condemned Israel's overnight attacks on Iran, describing the action as a breach of sovereignty and a violation of international laws and customs.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Abdirisaaq Omar Mohamed accused Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni of obstructing oil exploration activities in Puntland.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s football federation has withdrawn from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers, citing financial limitations as the primary cause. The announcement by Somalia Football Federation (SFF) General Secretary Yusuf Ahmed underscores the financial and operational challenges that have long hindered Somali football.