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Somaliland and World Bank Review Progress on Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP) in Nairobi

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

A high-level Somaliland delegation, led by Dr. Shucayb Osman Mahmoud, Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and Mohamed Mahmoud Abdi (Malow), Director General of the Somaliland Energy Commission, has wrapped up 10 days of meetings in Nairobi with the World Bank. The meetings focused on reviewing the mid-term progress of the Somaliland Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP).

Discussions centered on assessing project implementation, reviewing initial objectives, addressing challenges, and planning the completion of remaining components. Participants examined achievements from the past six months and established strategies for the final half of 2025.

The SESRP Implementation Unit presented detailed reports on the project’s four key components. Concurrently, the Energy Sector Working Group (ESWG) highlighted progress in stakeholder coordination and alignment with Somaliland’s 2025 national energy goals.

The Ministry of Energy and Minerals showcased significant progress in developing Somaliland’s energy policy, a 10-year strategic plan, and the Somaliland Energy Law. These initiatives aim to provide affordable, reliable, and safe electricity to communities across Somaliland, utilizing diverse energy resources.

Dr. Shucayb Osman Mahmoud emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “This partnership with the World Bank is a critical step toward transforming Somaliland’s energy sector to ensure sustainable and accessible electricity for all citizens.”

Supported by a $20 million World Bank investment, the SESRP includes key projects such as the Berbera electricity expansion launched in March 2025 and the ongoing tender process for Borama’s electricity expansion, demonstrating Somaliland’s commitment to improving nationwide energy access.

The meeting marks a pivotal moment in Somaliland’s efforts to strengthen its energy infrastructure, with both parties expressing optimism about achieving the project’s goals by the end of 2025.

 A Turning Point in Somaliland’s Justice System

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

CID Commander Dismissed, Whistleblower Journalist Pursued

In what appears to be a dramatic inflection point in Somaliland’s justice system, Commander Ali Geedo Yare, head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been dismissed from his post. While no official explanation has been offered, the move follows growing public outrage over the CID’s handling of politically charged cases — including credible allegations of torture, abuse of authority, and targeting of whistleblowers.

At the center of this political storm is veteran journalist and anti-corruption advocate Mohamoud Abdi Jama, widely known as Xuuto. For over two decades, Xuuto has stood at the forefront of independent journalism in Somaliland, consistently exposing corruption, nepotism, and institutional failure.

His most recent investigations have struck particularly close to the nerve centers of power — implicating individuals within the family of Somaliland’s newly elected president. Xuuto reported that government contracts were being awarded along tribal lines, including one awarded to Ms. Samira Gaid, a Somali national and current Regional Security Analyst affiliated with the Federal Government of Somalia. Xuuto raised red flags over her involvement in a highly sensitive project: registering Somaliland’s military personnel — a role that grants access to national security data.

The concern isn’t simply that Ms. Gaid has ties to another government; it is the implication that these contracts and decisions are being orchestrated through presidential family connections rather than through formal, transparent channels.

Xuuto further revealed that unelected individuals closely linked to the president — including one Mr. Gaabuush — have been increasingly involved in state affairs, participating in diplomatic missions and influencing high-stakes decisions without any official mandate. According to Xuuto, some of these foreign trips excluded Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials entirely and were arranged through private channels with personal ties to the president — raising serious concerns about favoritism, misuse of public funds, and erosion of institutional norms.

This type of informal governance — where personal networks override state protocols — is a direct threat to the credibility of Somaliland’s democratic institutions. It’s not merely about who attends official meetings or signs contracts. It’s about who wields real power behind closed doors, and what mechanisms, if any, hold them accountable.

For his courageous reporting, Xuuto was honored on International Whistleblower Day with the Somaliland National Whistleblower Award — a symbolic gesture that today stands in stark contrast to the persecution he now endures.

Following the publication of his reports, including an investigation questioning the transparency of U.S. military leases in Berbera, Xuuto became the target of an arrest warrant issued by Somaliland’s National Security Committee. Fearing for his safety, he fled the country and is now living in exile.

More troubling still, security forces recently confiscated a vehicle belonging to Xuuto’s wife — who was traveling with their children at the time — in what rights groups have called a deeply disturbing act of intimidation and collective punishment.

The response from civil society has been swift. Organizations such as the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) and the Human Rights Defenders Network have called for:

The immediate suspension of the arrest warrant against Xuuto

The return of property confiscated from his family

An end to the harassment of journalists and whistleblowers

While the dismissal of CID Commander Ali Geedo Yare could signal some degree of internal reckoning, it does little to offset the wider pattern of suppressing dissent. Xuuto’s case forces a painful but necessary question: Can Somaliland truly claim to uphold democratic values while punishing those who dare to expose uncomfortable truths?

This is a defining moment for Somaliland. The treatment of Xuuto — a man who has dedicated his life to truth-telling — will serve as a litmus test for the country’s commitment to justice, press freedom, and accountability.

The world is watching.

 

By Suleiman Bolaleh | Oakland, California

US aid cuts: Healthcare crises and security concerns

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

The rise of right-wing politics in the US has significantly influenced both governmental and corporate approaches to humanitarian funding. Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s new honeymoon project is the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This has the potential to not only lead to real-world crises in aid-dependant countries but the United States’ longer-term geopolitical relations.

In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14169, suspending all US foreign development assistance for 90 days pending review. While emergency food aid and military assistance were exempt, the order halted many humanitarian programmes in countries such as Somalia and Ethiopia. The administration argued that “the United States foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values”.

At the same time, major US corporations have scaled back Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commitments. Adobe ended its DEI hiring targets, aligning with a broader corporate shift. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink notably omitted DEI and sustainable investing in his 2025 annual letter, reflecting financial firms’ retreat from diversity and climate-conscious strategies.

This rightward political shift has led to a significant decline in DEI-driven humanitarian funding from both the public and private sectors. This reduction disproportionately affects aid-dependent countries like Somalia and Ethiopia and raises concerns about the future of corporate social responsibility and global equity.

The impact on the ground

In Ethiopia, aid dedicated to HIV medications, vaccines, literacy programs and jobs creation has been cut, and even life-saving food deliveries have been halted. The country, with its strategic position in the African horn and its 125 million people, had been the biggest beneficiary of US aid in Sub-Saharan Africa, receiving $1.8 billion in 2023. The impact of such clickbait, shock-provoking and misanthropic policy will be short-term humanitarian crisis and the potential death of many of Ethiopians.

The recent suspension of US aid has raised significant concerns regarding the health and well-being of HIV/AIDS patients in Somaliland. Approximately 2,092 individuals in the region rely on monthly antiretroviral (ARV) medications funded by the Global Fund, a health financing body heavily supported by the United States. The cessation of this aid threatens to disrupt the supply of these life-saving drugs, potentially leading to severe health crises among the affected population.

Healthcare professionals in Somaliland have expressed alarm over the potential consequences of these funding cuts. Dr Mustafe Abdillahi Hussein, a physician at the Tuberculosis Hospital in Hargeisa, emphasised that the absence of ARV medications could result in a sharp increase in mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five. Patients like Aamina, who has been living with HIV for years, reported that local clinics have already begun warning about dwindling drug supplies, highlighting the immediate impact of the aid suspension.

While Somaliland’s Health Minister, Hussein Bashir Hirsi, has assured the public that the government has contingency plans to procure the necessary medications independently, the outsized impact of aid in ensuring Somaliland’s stability. In conversations with Mr Cawaale Shirwac, Somaliland’s former Minister for Planning, he stressed the importance of assistance for a country like Somaliland, stating that a fledgling state which lacks de jure recognition needs all the help to ensure that its people have their basic needs met, especially given the region’s limited resources.

The suspension of US aid poses a critical threat to the health of HIV/AIDS patients in Somaliland. Immediate and coordinated efforts are essential to ensure the continuous supply of ARV medications and to prevent a potential public health crisis in the region.

Why foreign aid matters 

The broader context of US aid suspension in Sub-Saharan Africa further exacerbates the situation. Historically, this region has been a significant recipient of US non-humanitarian assistance, regularly receiving 35%-40% of such aid worldwide. The sudden halt of these funds not only affects HIV/AIDS programs but also undermines overall healthcare infrastructure, leading to potential increases in preventable diseases and mortality rates.

Although cutting foreign aid seems to fit a certain rationale – following the political logic of prioritising your own (addressing domestic needs first) and echoing the broader pattern of cynicism displayed by Trump hitherto – it fails to consider a crucial aspect. Foreign aid should not be perceived as a mere charitable action, it is also a strategy for stability in a world marred by complex geopolitical relations. It plays a preventive role, in mitigating crises that could later escalate into costly interventions.

Development assistance acts as a guarantee of long-term security. For example, cutting aid in Ethiopia jeopardies years of work; USAID has historically helped counter Russian and Chinese influences, and now that it is gone, it has created a void for these actors to fill.

This could constitute the remoulding of world politics with long-term and expansive consequences. Thus, it should not only worry the most compassionate and generous of us, but also the most selfish ones.

Somaliland President Holds Important Meeting with Leaders of the Three National Parties.

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

By Goth Mohamed Goth

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), today held an important meeting at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Somaliland with the senior leadership of the three National Parties: the WADDANI Party, the KAAH Party, and the KULMIYE Party.

The meeting between the President and the National Parties focused on strengthening national unity and cohesion, maintaining the country’s political stability, and how to jointly resolve crucial national issues concerning the sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland.

The President emphasized the importance of continuous consultation and open dialogue among the political stakeholders of the Republic of Somaliland, in order to strengthen state institutions, democracy, and achieve comprehensive national development.

The President once again assured the Opposition Parties that his Government is ready to engage in full cooperation with the Opposition Parties committed to nation-building, that their advice plays a vital role in crucial national matters, and that the Government will always call for consultation at appropriate times.

The leaders of the Three National Parties thanked the President for the meeting. They presented their views on the current political situation, stressed the strengthening and acceleration of democratic processes and electoral procedures, and affirmed their readiness to support the Government and work collaboratively on any feasible matters serving the interests of the Republic of Somaliland .

The meeting strongly condemned the blatant and irresponsible aggression by the Government of Somalia in the eastern Sool region of Somaliland, which is creating political tension in the region.

The Government of the Republic of Somaliland calls upon the International Community to urgently address the escalation of conflict, where significant bloodshed could occur, that Hassan Sheikh [Mohamud, President of Somalia] is pursuing in areas belonging to Somaliland. This constitutes an invasion of the sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland and is also a threat to the security, stability, and peaceful coexistence of communities in the Horn of Africa region.

The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding regarding the necessity for unity, responsibility, and a joint approach to addressing matters of national priority.

Federal Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Xoosh: “Completion of SSC-Khaatumo State is a People’s Aspiration, Not Factional or Political”

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Las Anod– Federal Minister of Interior Ali Yusuf Xoosh has declared that the re-establishment of the new SSC-Khaatumo Regional State will resolve the long-standing disputes in the Sool and Sanaag regions, areas recognized as contested territories.

“No one can oppose you. And you should not accept any dispute,” stated Minister Xoosh, speaking today at the inauguration of the conference finalizing the new SSC-Khaatumo administration.

Minister Xoosh affirmed that the Federal Government of Somalia fully supports the new administration to overcome its challenges and become a stable entity reflecting the will of the local population.

“I remind you that completing the SSC-Khaatumo administration is a people’s aspiration, not a factional or political matter. Unity and support for the new administration are imperative,” emphasized Minister Xoosh.

The Minister stressed that the Federal Government believes development in these regions is achievable only through an official administration that genuinely represents the people’s interests.

He further announced that following this conference, the SSC-Khaatumo Regional State will officially become one of the Federal Member States of the Somali Federal Government.

The ongoing SSC-Khaatumo Finalization Conference will deliberate on key agenda items including:
* Power-sharing within the administration
* Governance structure
* Drafting and ratification of the constitution
* Election of the President.

Taiwanese Tourists Welcomed in Somaliland, Signaling Closer Bilateral Relations

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Hargeisa – In a display of growing friendship, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Somaliland, Hon. Allen C. Leu, welcomed a delegation of Taiwanese tourists to his office in Hargeisa this week. The visit underscores the expanding people-to-people ties and deepening partnership between Taiwan and Somaliland.

The delegation arrived eager to experience Somaliland’s vibrant culture and history, as both nations seek to strengthen exchanges beyond government and business circles. Ambassador Leu expressed his delight at receiving the Taiwanese visitors, stating, “We are truly pleased to welcome tourists from Taiwan to the Republic of Somaliland. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our culture and achievements. We look forward to increasing such exchanges and wish everyone a safe and memorable journey.”

This visit follows the appointment of Somaliland’s new ambassador to Taiwan, Hon. Mohamud Adan Jama Galaal, in early 2025, which has further invigorated bilateral cooperation. Recent months have seen increased visits from business leaders and investors, as well as new initiatives in education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Taiwan continues to support Somaliland through scholarships, medical donations, and key projects such as the improvement of Hargeisa Airport Road.

The growing relationship is also evidenced by the establishment of representative offices in the capitals of both countries. Local officials voiced optimism that such visits will boost Somaliland’s emerging tourism sector, while offering foreign visitors a firsthand look at Somaliland’s stability, rich heritage, and natural beauty.

Authorities in Hargeisa hope that these exchanges will promote greater international recognition for Somaliland and deepen mutual understanding between the people of Somaliland and Taiwan

Somaliland Livestock Minister, Mercy Corps Forge Partnership to Boost Sector Resilience

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Hargeisa – Livestock Minister Hon. Omar Shucayb Mohamed and Director General Ahmed Osman Jama held high-level talks with Mercy Corps representatives to advance collaboration on Somaliland’s livestock sector development.

The meeting centered on tackling critical challenges—including drought, disease, and infrastructure gaps—that impact the livelihoods of pastoralist communities. Minister Mohamed emphasized the sector’s vital role in Somaliland’s economy and welcomed Mercy Corps’ expertise:
“Partnering with Mercy Corps will drive transformative change. Their support is key to building a resilient, prosperous future for our livestock farmers.”

Mercy Corps reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable solutions, focusing on:
– Enhancing animal health services,
– Expanding market access,
– Strengthening community resilience.

Director General Jama highlighted upcoming joint initiatives, such as veterinary training programs, supply chain improvements, and community-led projects for livestock-dependent households.

Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian leader, noted its ongoing work in Somaliland and pledged deeper collaboration with the Ministry to address urgent sectoral needs.

The partnership marks a strategic step in fortifying Somaliland’s livestock industry—a cornerstone of the nation’s economy and food security.

Somaliland Parliament Advances Legislative Modernization Through Key Partnership with Max Planck Foundation

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Hargeisa– In a significant boost to legislative development, the leadership of the Somaliland House of Representatives, Speaker Yasin Haji Mahmoud Hiir (Faraton) and First Deputy Speaker Said Mire Farah (Giire), held high-level talks with senior officials from the Max Planck Foundation. The meeting, hosted at the Speaker’s office, centered on a major collaborative project nearing completion, designed to modernize parliamentary systems and strengthen Somaliland’s legislative framework.

The Max Planck Foundation highlighted the project’s achievements in enhancing parliamentary efficiency and empowering lawmakers. Speaker Faraton lauded the partnership, stating, “This collaboration has been instrumental in transforming our legislative processes and equipping our members.” Both sides expressed strong commitment to future cooperation building on this success.

This project’s impact includes extensive capacity building:
* A third “Training-of-Trainers” workshop for Parliament’s legal advisors (Feb 19-23, 2025), covering critical topics like Constitution-Making, Political Parties, Electoral Systems, and Local Government.
* Five specialized workshops for MPs in Hargeisa, focusing on Judicial Independence, Court Structures, Legislative Drafting, National Budget Processes, and Adoption of International Treaties. Sessions utilized a comparative constitutional law approach, analyzing Somaliland’s framework.

In a substantial resource boost, the Max Planck Foundation, with European Union funding

‎SSC-Khaatumo State Formation Talks Collapse Amid Leadership Rift and Violence 

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

Traditional Elders Intervene After Failed Conference Sparks Armed Clashes in Las Anod

By Goth Mohamed Goth

‎A critical meeting sponsored by Somalia’s Federal Government (FGS) to establish the SSC-Khaatumo administration has collapsed, deepening political divisions in the region. The failure underscores a defining power struggle between key figures: Khalif (an insider-turned-outsider) and Firdhiye (a federalist loyalist).
‎
‎On Wednesday, multiple presidential candidates accused interim leader Firdhiye of undermining the state finalization conference, scheduled to open Thursday in Las Anod. At a press briefing, they denounced the event as “exclusionary and illegitimate,” citing inadequate representation for the Warsangeli clan. They alleged delegates were selected without full clan endorsement.
‎
‎The crisis escalated when an initial attempt to convene the conference at Jabuutiwi Hotel was disrupted by six armed technical vehicles linked to Mr. Ahmed Kharash and Mr. Abdirisaaq Khalif. Rival factions later moved toward the University under armed escort but faced gunfire, heightening tensions.
‎
‎Traditional elders (Garaad’s) intervened, brokering a temporary ceasefire and demanding both sides lift their siege of Las Anod. Following an emergency meeting, the elders issued binding directives:
‎
‎1. No amendments to the existing SSC-Khaatumo charter agreed upon by Dhulbahante clans under Firdhiye’s interim administration.
‎2. Immediate withdrawal of the visiting Warsangeli delegation and tribal militias to their home territories.
‎3. Demilitarization of Las Anod: All candidate-aligned militia forces must exit the city and cease destabilizing actions.
‎4. Direct talks between elders and the Mogadishu-based delegation.
‎
‎The elders emphatically pledged that no faction would be permitted to unilaterally control future talks, reaffirming their authority over the process.
‎

Somaliland’s 3 National Political Parties are Set to hold their First National Conventions in December 2027

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Hargeisa – A critical timeline clarification has been issued regarding the holding of the first National Conventions (Shirwayne) of Somaliland’s three new political parties.
‎
‎In a statement released by the Secretary General of House of Representatives
‎Abdirisaaq Said Ayaanl in regard to timeline clarification has been issued regarding the holding the first National Conventions (Shirwayne) of Somaliland’s three new political parties.
‎
‎Background Context
‎The previous three political parties were established on December 12, 2012, and granted a 10-year mandate. This period concluded on December 22, 2022. Under Law No. 14,  new political associations must register six months prior to the expiration of existing parties’ mandates.
‎
‎The Registration Committee announced that all associations and parties must submit documentation detailing their:
‎- Central Committees
‎- Executive Committees
‎- Party Leaderships
‎
‎Seven political associations and three national parties participated. All submitted their organizational structures—Central Committees, Executive Committees, and Leaderships—following internal conferences.
‎
‎Current Status 
‎On November 13, 2024, elections were held for associations and parties. By December 13, 2024, three parties emerged: Waddani, Kaah, and Kulmiye.
‎
‎Key Questions
‎When will these new parties hold their inaugural National Conventions, per legal requirements?
‎
‎Legal Analysis
‎Under Law No. 14, the three newly recognized parties effectively initiated their conference cycles , following the conclusion of the previous parties’ 10-year term. The previous parties held their final regular conferences in 2022.
‎
‎Conclusion
‎The inaugural National Conventions for Waddani, Kaah, and Kulmiye are legally scheduled for December 2027, as their operational timeline commenced in 2022. Crucially, no legally recognized convention may occur before 2027.
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