Editorial

Breaking News: Improving Somalia's Security Sector - Somalia must take bold steps for security sector reform to defeat Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups, a report by HIPS advises. Leaders from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Horn of Africa nations will discuss progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu. The extremist group poses the main threat to Somalia's stability. The report emphasizes the need for effective command structures and situational awareness in coordinating movements and operations of troops. Somalia…

Why we welcome sanctions on ballot spoilers EDITORIAL | The US authorities cracked the remaining whip on ballot spoilers on Wednesday, imposing extra US floor visa restrictions as punishment for rigging the election course of. This step, which we even consider is lengthy overdue, is welcome. Yes, the United States doesn't vote in Somalia and mustn't be seen as interfering. But Americans have…

EDITORIAL | Somalia's Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble recently received an award from across Somalia for raising political figures in elections. . This week, the historic past of the elections has shifted to the House of Representatives, the key body of the bicameral federal parliament, which primarily issues legal advice in Somalia, as well as tax permits. But the consideration of this chamber, also known as the House of the People, is mainly due to the proven fact that the 275 elected members decide who will become…

EDITORIAL One of the hottest stories in Somalia this week is the state of relations between Somalia and Turkey. Ankara has scored many points from politicians and government officials by helping to alleviate Somalia's day-to-day problems. From humanitarian aid to grants to security support, little has been found in Turkey in Somalia that did not go as planned. The story began in August 2011. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, then Prime Minister of Turkey, arrived in Mogadishu as Somalia was battling one of the worst droughts in…

EDITORIAL | Somalia National Intelligence and Security Agency is a noble organization. But it seems run by those who like to trade evil and impunity. This week, Fahad Yasin, the head of NISA revoked the dismissal orders of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble against two agents who had been implicated in violations against political leaders. Yasin overturned the dismissal, and therefore normalized impunity. The agency also fought against allegations that its top executives organized the disappearance of an agent…

EDITORIAL | Somalia heads for much delayed and eagerly awaited elections this Sunday; having already overcome enormous amounts of challenges. And the credit could go to Somali Prime Minister Hussein Roble, who managed to stabilize the ship that appeared to be sinking earlier in the year. Of course, these arrangements could never have been made if the federal states had chosen to go their way. They deserve credit for having chosen the best interests of the country at a time when the leaders of the federal government were…

Ethiopia reinstates Addis Ababa Standard license ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia's Federal Media Authority reinstated the publishing license of the Addis Ababa Standard, one of the online newspapers accused of working with "enemies" in order to "discredit" the sovereignty of the nation from the Horn of Africa. Last week, the Addis Ababa Standard disputed the allegations and pledged to "seek justice"…

EDITORIAL | Somalis are anxiously awaiting the crucial election scheduled for July 25 in what could make or break the country. And it can be assumed that everyone, including our leaders in the federal government and federal member states, understands the crux of the matter. This is why it is appalling to learn that new machinations are attempting to derail or even overthrow an election for the sole benefit of an individual. We are aware of reports that spy agents attempted to interfere with the reconciliation plan in…

EDITORIAL | When Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble landed in Kismayo on Wednesday, the significance of the trip wasn't just that a senior government official was visiting one of the federal states they struggled to engage with. Admittedly, Prime Minister Roble's appearance in the capital of Jubbaland was good for the optics: the federal government was on a collision course with Jubbaland for most of the tenure of outgoing President Mohamed Farmajo. At one point, Farmajo even refused to recognize Jubbaland chairman…

EDITORIAL: On Independence Day Somalia should aspire to a rebirth EDITORIAL | Somalia turns 61 on Thursday and it's no wonder its people from all walks of life are celebrating. July 1 has always been Somalia's most memorable day, as it laid the groundwork for what should be Somalia today. On that day, when members of the Trust Territory of Somalia, originally known as Italian Somaliland, and…