Somalia

MOGADISHU, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A former deputy leader and spokesperson of Somali militant group al-Shabaab has been appointed as a government minister.

Mukhtar Robow has been chosen as the religious affairs minister in Somalia’s new cabinet.

He had been under house arrest for four years after being detained during the term of the previous president for organising a militia group. He was also accused of not abandoning extremism.

More than 20 people were killed when violence erupted after his arrest.

02 August 2022; MEMO: Somali Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre on Tuesday afternoon announced his Cabinet after long discussions, Anadolu News Agency reports.

He announced this in a news conference held in the capital, Mogadishu.

He appointed Mukhtar Robow Ali Abu Mansur – the former Al-Shabaab deputy leader who has been on house arrest for the last three years – as the Endowment and Religious Affairs Minister, while Defence Minister, Abduqadir Mohamed Nuur, retained his position.

19 July 2022; MEMO: Somalia's breakaway region, Somaliland, on Tuesday banned the BBC from operating in its territory, citing the British public broadcaster's refusal to recognise the territory as a democratic republic, Anadolu News Agency reports.

04 July 2022; MEMO: Somalia on Monday called on international donors to help the Somali people who are affected by the deadly drought as the funding gap widens, Anadolu News Agency reports.

Somalia's Presidential envoy to drought response, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, made the call on Monday afternoon after paying a visit to the drought-stricken town of Bardhere in the Gedo region that hosts thousands of families who fled from surrounding areas in search of food and humanitarian assistance.

03 July 2022; MEMO: Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will be in Turkey on an official visit from July 3-5, Turkish authorities announced on Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported.

Bilateral relations and steps to enhance cooperation will be discussed in depth during the visit, which comes at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a Turkish Presidency statement.

"The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments," the statement said.

MOGADISHU, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) said Sunday its elite forces Danab killed at least 40 al-Shabab militants during security operations carried out in the Middle Shabelle region, the central part of the country, Saturday.

"During the operation, about 40 militants, including leaders, were killed and several vehicles were set on fire," SNA radio reported.

The militants still hold swathes of rural areas in central and southern regions conducting ambushes and planting landmines.

MOGADISHU, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud confirmed Friday he tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from a two-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mohamud said in a tweet that he has no symptoms but he will continue to self-isolate and serve the people of Somalia from his home.

"My fellow citizens, I would like to inform you that today I tested positive for COVID-19," said the president.

MOGADISHU, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday appointed Hamza Abdi Barre as the country's new prime minister to replace Mohamed Roble who has been in office since September 2020.

Barre, a Member of Parliament from the Lower House of Parliament is a close ally of President Mohamud and member of the president's political party.

MOGADISHU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was inaugurated Thursday as the country's tenth leader amid tight security in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The ceremony was graced by leaders from Ethiopia, Egypt, Djibouti, and Kenya, as well as representatives from more than 20 countries.

In his speech, Mohamud promised to stabilize Somalia which has been facing terror threats and spearhead efforts to bring peace and cohesion to the country.

MOGADISHU, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble on Tuesday suspended Foreign Minister Abdisaid Muse Ali for abuse of power.

Roble said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, that Ali had authorized a ship carrying illegal charcoal exported from Somalia destined for Oman.

The prime minister who has also nullified the letter from the foreign minister directed relevant government agencies to investigate the incident and report it to the authorities for possible action.