Somalia

Mogadishu prepares for the return of its development bank

First established in 1968 and then abandoned, the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank was revitalised in 2024 and will be making its first investments this year. The authorities are currently seeking to attract international funds.

The New Guard
Libya, Somalia, South Africa

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

LibyaAhmed Albibas, civil rights champion

SomaliaFathi Bashe, youth ambassador for the Horn of Africa

South AfricaMqokeleli Gomba, chief engineer at Richards Bay

Trump's return brings uncertainty for Friends of Somalia

The "Friends of Somalia" group has not met since last October. Although a meeting was due to be held in Mogadishu, no date has been given to the five member countries, which include the United States.

New AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia to be discussed in Addis Ababa and Doha

A meeting between all the parties involved in Aussom, the African Union's new support and stabilisation mission in Somalia, is due to take place on 24 and 25 February in Addis Ababa.

Puntland's battle against Islamic State hampered by the Yemeni connection

Amid a rapprochement between Houthi rebels and armed groups operating in the Horn, the president of the autonomous Puntland region, Said Deni, is also having to contend with Mogadishu's plans to appoint a new ambassador in Aden.

Thanks to Turkish mediation, AUSSOM might include Ethiopian troops after all

The meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on 11 December in Turkey helped to ease relations between their two countries after a year of extreme tension.

National football coach takes pay complaint to FIFA

Rachid Loustèque is owed some €30,000 in back pay.

Paramilitary defectors alter security balance between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu

A few months after Ethiopia released their leader, several members of the Liyu Police, suspected of numerous abuses, returned in numbers to neighbouring Jubaland in Somalia. And the Somali president has just appointed one of these ex-paramilitaries to head the army.

Somali squad pulls out of African Nations due to lack of funds

Its withdrawal means Burundi qualifies automatically for the second round.

Salaam Group moves to clean up its US image

The Somali group has hired PR consultancy Whitestar Business Group to represent their interests in Washington.

Trump camp ponders Somaliland strategy

Former diplomats in charge of Donald Trump's Africa policy want him to include recognition of Somaliland's independence in his programme. But regional tensions mean not everyone is convinced.

Doha regains foothold in Mogadishu

Qatar is taking advantage of a lull in relations between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates to move its pawns into play. Its diplomats are already starting to take the lead in upcoming talks with Al-Shabaab.