A delegation of military officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made a discreet visit to Mogadishu yesterday afternoon, initiating various activities in the Somali capital. Upon landing at Aden Adde International Airport, the Saudi officials immediately commenced a series of visits, including a stop at the General Gordon Training Camp, a facility where the...
Somali: Civil Aviation Authority Warns Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai Over Sovereignty Violations
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has issued strong warning letters to Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai, citing serious violations of Somali sovereignty. In separate correspondences dated August 21, 2024, the SCAA accused both airlines of improperly representing destinations within Somalia and removing references to Somali locations, which undermines the nation’s sovereignty. The SCAA emphasized that...
SOMALIA:At Least 5 soldiers Killed, several wounded in deadly suicide car Bombing in Mogadishu
At least five members of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) were killed, and 14 others were reportedly wounded in a car bomb attack on their camp in Mogadishu on Wednesday. The attack happened in the Garasbaley district on the western outskirts of the capital, where security forces have been conducting searches in recent...
UK Ambassador Faces Backlash Over Comments on Somaliland and Somalia
The UK’s ambassador to Somalia, Mike recently faced backlash after making comments that seemed to distinguish between Somaliland and Somalia as separate entities. These remarks sparked significant dispute within the Somali government, which viewed them as an affront to the country’s territorial integrity. In response to the criticism, the ambassador issued a statement to clarify...
Somali Parliament to Debate Controversial New Taxes Amid Mogadishu Market Shutdown
Members of Somalia’s 11th Parliament will hold a special session on Monday to discuss a motion signed by several parliamentarians concerning a new tax introduced by the Ministry of Finance. Some legislators submitted the motion to their leadership, arguing that the tax places an additional burden on the residents of Mogadishu. They believe that the...
Gedo Region Rejects Egyptian Troop Deployment in Somalia’s New AU Mission
Somali’s Gedo region officials have voiced strong opposition to the African Union’s (AU) plans to deploy Egyptian forces as part of a new mission starting in January 2025. The regional leaders, who are under Jubaland State, have promised to resist any efforts to bring Egyptian troops into their area. Colonel Ali Abshir of the Somali...
Mogadishu Business Shutdown Over New Tax as Government Restricts Media Coverage
Business owners in Mogadishu have shut down their shops in protest against a new 5% sales tax imposed by the Somali government. This tax, which applies to both regular goods and digital transactions, has caused widespread anger among the business community. They argue that the tax will make it even harder to afford everyday necessities...
Somalia government moves forward with sales tax amid business concerns
The Federal Government of Somalia has announced that starting Sunday, August 18, 2024, it will begin directly deducting sales tax. The government has stated that this 5% tax will be automatically withdrawn from business accounts at the time of purchase when a customer makes a transaction, with the sales tax being charged to citizens. “The...
Chaotic in Mogadishu as Police Clash with Protesters
Mogadishu, Somalia – Tensions escalated in Mogadishu’s KM4 crossroads as police clashed with angry protesters for the second consecutive day. The unrest was sparked by Tuk-tuk drivers protesting the Somali government’s recent decision to increase licensing fees from $120 to $200. The drivers, frustrated by the fee hike, blocked major streets in the capital, leading...
Somalia-Ethiopia Talks Collapse in Ankara Over Somaliland Dispute
The indirect negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia in Ankara have reportedly collapsed, signaling a significant setback in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute between the two nations. Facilitated by Turkey, the talks aimed to address the controversy surrounding Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which Somalia perceives as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. Despite...