Author: scswe
The President prayed alongside army personnel in the frontline area of the historic coastal settlement, where he also reflected on the destruction and abandonment that have affected Gandarshe over the years. Hassan Sheikh said he was deeply saddened by the condition of the town, noting that it was once a place he used to visit regularly, but whose residents have since endured hardship and displacement due to insecurity and conflict. He said Somalia was now facing a new phase in the war against Al-Shabaab, stressing that military operations would continue as part of efforts to restore security and stability in…
The development marks a notable turn in Somalia’s political and security landscape, with the race is aimed at filling the vacancy left by Madoobe, who stepped down from the speakership after securing victory in the South West presidential election. His departure has triggered intense political maneuvering among lawmakers and government officials competing for one of the most influential positions in Somalia’s federal system. While Villa Somalia has not publicly endorsed any candidate, several of the names being floated for the position are senior government ministers and politicians closely aligned with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Their prominence in the race has…
In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening, the president expressed satisfaction following the vote by members of the two houses of the Federal Parliament, who earlier approved the completion of amendments to the Provisional Constitution. According to the leadership of the House of the People, lawmakers from both chambers passed the amendments by majority vote, marking a significant milestone in Somalia’s state-building process. President Hassan Sheikh praised members of parliament for what he called a historic decision that finalizes the country’s constitutional framework. He told the Somali public that the day would be remembered as a turning…
According to a statement from the Somali presidency, the president and his delegation received a warm welcome upon arrival in Arusha, which serves as the headquarters of the regional bloc. During the summit, President Hassan Sheikh is expected to deliver remarks focusing on strengthening regional cooperation among EAC member states, particularly in the areas of economic integration, security collaboration, and enhancing connections between the communities of the region. The Somali leader will also hold meetings with other regional heads of state and senior officials attending the conference, as part of broader efforts to deepen diplomatic and economic ties within the…
The outgoing parliament recently passed constitutional amendments extending the term of government institutions from four to five years. The move has been strongly opposed by opposition groups and several Federal Member States, deepening political tensions. The Federal Government appears determined to proceed with its plan to hold one-person, one-vote elections. Under the amended constitutional framework, parliament is expected to continue functioning until a new legislature is elected and sworn in. Somalia’s elections have exceeded their timelines in the past two electoral cycles. However, the current administration is pushing forward with plans for universal suffrage, a shift that—if successfully implemented—would mark…
The transition follows the election of former Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Adan Madobe) as President of South West State. Under the Rules of Procedure of the House of the People, the First Deputy Speaker automatically takes over the responsibilities of the Speaker on an interim basis whenever the position becomes vacant or the Speaker is unable to perform official duties. Sadia Yasin will therefore lead the chamber until a new Speaker is elected. Her assumption of office marks a historic milestone, making her the first woman to legally and formally preside over Somalia’s House of the People, the country’s…
Somalia’s Lower House Passes Cybersecurity Bill |MOGADISHU: The Lower House of the Federal Parliament has officially endorsed a new Cybersecurity Bill aimed at safeguarding the nation’s digital landscape, enhancing the security of information systems, and bolstering overall cybersecurity measures. This bill outlines a comprehensive framework for cybersecurity management. It specifies the roles of the Ministry of Communications, the technical responsibilities of the National Communications Authority, the duties of operators of critical infrastructure, and the procedures for preventing, reporting, and addressing cybersecurity incidents. Additionally, it establishes the Somalia Computer Incident Response Team (SOM-CIRT) to facilitate these efforts. Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, Director…
The development marks a notable turn in Somalia’s political and security landscape, with the suspension follows chaos and obstruction during a joint sitting of the two chambers of parliament held on 7 February 2026, the statement said. Under the ruling, the affected lawmakers are barred from attending 12 parliamentary sittings, including both joint sessions and regular sessions of the House of the People, effective 9 February 2026. The suspended MPs are Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, Abdilatif Muse Nur (Sanyare), Abdikadir Hussein Abdi (Uurdoox), Said Dahir Ismail Ahmed Abdi Koshin and Abdishakur Ali Mire. The decision cites Articles 4, 14, 16, and…
The development marks a notable turn in Somalia’s political and security landscape, with the legislation also encompasses the Law on the Control of Agricultural Chemicals, aiming to ensure the safe use and management of agricultural inputs. Agriculture and Irrigation minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir Maareye said the bill is crucial in enhancing the regulation and inspection of agricultural services across the country, ensuring better quality and safety standards for the sector. “This approval marks a critical step towards improving our agricultural sector. The new regulations will help protect our farmers, consumers, and the environment from the risks associated with the improper…
The development marks a notable turn in Somalia’s political and security landscape, with senate speaker Abdi Hashi announced the end of the 5th session Sunday, noting the senator will now proceed on recess until February 5, 2025. He noted that the session was extended by one month at the request of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in October to allow the two chambers to debate and pass election laws. The two chambers broke tradition and held joint sittings as they debated the Elections Bills, the Independent National Elections Commission Bill and the Political Parties Bill. The three bills have since been…