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Somaliland President Lays Foundation Stone for the Banka Wajaale Agricultural Development Project

By
Goth Mohamed
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Hargeisa, [– The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), today officially laid the foundation stone for the historic Banka Wajaale Agricultural Development Project. This extensive project, unprecedented in its scale for Somaliland, is being implemented by the international development organization, the Pharo Foundation, through its arm, Pharo Ventures.

The President began by expressing profound gratitude to everyone who participated in or contributed to the realization of this historic project for developing Banka Wajaale’s agriculture, which he described as the largest project implemented in the Tog Wajaale District in 65 years. The President stated that this project is nationally vital for improving the lives and productivity of the people of the Republic of Somaliland.

The President specifically thanked the Pharo Foundation and its senior management, praising the prominent role the organization plays in the development of the Somaliland community, particularly in the sectors of Education, Water, Health, Agriculture, and more.

This project symbolizes a transformative legacy spearheaded by the Wadajir and Waxqabad (Unity and Action) Government, particularly in the development of agriculture, water, and the environment. It will be implemented using a modern approach that enhances domestic production, extensive water harvesting, and a farming methodology based on modern knowledge and technology.

The President noted that this project will be a historic step leading the country towards food security, job creation, and environmental protection; underscoring the consistent support the Pharo Foundation always provides to Somaliland.

The Banka Wajaale Agricultural Development Project is set to significantly contribute by:

· Modernizing farming methods and the use of new agricultural technologies;
· Providing water harvesting and consistent year-round irrigation to ensure and stabilize reliable production;
· Improving Livestock health, by creating a dedicated livestock corridor;
· Preventing land degradation, erosion, and environmental degradation in the Wajaale area;

The Banka Wajaale Project is expected to bring multi-faceted benefits to thousands of households living in the Wajaale area and its surroundings, and is set to become one of the most impactful development projects ever implemented in the Tog Wajaale District.

For their part, the Pharo Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tom Mason, and Pharo’s Representative in Somaliland, Mr. Mohamed Muse Cilmi, delivered valuable remarks at the ceremony. They assured the Tog Wajaale community in the presence of the President of the Republic of Somaliland that Pharo Ventures is genuinely committed to its social responsibilities, particularly strengthening agricultural production, creating effective water catchments, establishing the livestock corridor, creating jobs for the Wajaale community, and improving education and health services for the local population.

The Pharo Foundation / Pharo Ventures officials emphasized that the project’s goal is to create a sustainable life based on knowledge, new technology, and environmental protection, so that the people of Wajaale and its surroundings can access job opportunities, sufficient water, and quality services beneficial to community life.

This historic occasion also featured speeches by the Chairman of the ruling Justice and Welfare Party (UCID), various Ministers, and traditional elders of the Wajaale area. All welcomed the Banka Wajaale Agricultural Development Project and thanked the President of the Republic of Somaliland for this historic step. They also called upon the Wajaale community and the Gabiley region to benefit from the opportunities this project will generate

Somalia and Djibouti Commemorate 25 Years Since Landmark Arta Peace Talks

By
Goth Mohamed
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ARTA, Djibouti – The presidents of Somalia and Djibouti gathered in Arta on Thursday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic peace conference that reestablished a central government in Somalia after a decade of civil war.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh laid a wreath at a ceremony attended by former Somali leaders, politicians, and diplomats, honoring the 2000 Arta Peace Conference. The Djibouti-hosted, Somali-led reconciliation produced the Transitional National Government (TNG), ending nine years of statelessness.

President Guelleh hailed the talks as “a historic milestone that demonstrated Djibouti’s enduring commitment to peace, unity, and the rebuilding of Somali governance.” He affirmed that the spirit of Arta remains a model of “hope, collaboration, and Somali ownership of reconciliation.”

President Mohamud thanked Djibouti as a “steadfast ally,” acknowledging its support during Somalia’s “most fragile years.” He called for enhanced regional cooperation to ensure stability in the Horn of Africa.

The Arta Conference, convened in May 2000, broke from previous failed attempts by adopting an inclusive strategy. Instead of dealing primarily with warlords, Djibouti invited a broad cross-section of Somali society, including clan elders, intellectuals, women’s groups, and religious leaders.

The talks, backed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), led to the creation of the 4.5 clan power-sharing formula. This system granted equal representation to four major clans and a half-share to minority groups. Women’s organizations, recognized as the “Sixth Clan,” gained a formal seat at the table for the first time.

After four months of negotiations, the conference resulted in the Transitional National Charter and the election of President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan on August 26, 2000. This formed Somalia’s first internationally recognized government since 1991.

Though the TNG’s authority was limited, the Arta framework laid the essential groundwork for all subsequent Somali governments, including the current federal system.

Concluding the commemoration, President Guelleh underscored the event’s enduring relevance, stating, “The spirit and vision of Arta live on. They remind us that peace in Somalia and across our region must always be built through dialogue, not division.”

Somaliland Receives Robust U.S. Support for Independence from Sen. Ted Cruz and Ayaan Hirsi Ali

By
Goth Mohamed
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On October 29, 2025, Sen. Ted Cruz’s “Verdict” podcast featured a compelling endorsement from Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a prominent Somali-born author and activist, urging the United States to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation.
This call was echoed and supported by Somaliland’s U.S. envoy, Bashir Goth, who expressed deep appreciation for the leadership and advocacy of both Sen. Cruz and Hirsi Ali.
Sen. Cruz initiated the conversation by reaffirming his previous public appeal to the Trump administration to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence, challenging viewers to consider the strategic implications of such a move.
Hirsi Ali responded with enthusiasm, emphasizing Somaliland’s significant achievements. She described Somaliland as a cohesive nation with a homogenous population, a common language, and a shared history of resilience and survival. 
Hirsi Ali praised Somaliland’s leaders for shifting the populace’s focus from retribution to building a stable, economically sustainable state, in stark contrast to Somalia’s ongoing mishaps and its leadership’s lack of clear vision for societal development. She highlighted Somaliland’s potential as a strategic ally, citing its natural resources such as oil and minerals, and its alignment with U.S. and Israeli interests.
A key point she made was Somaliland’s strong democratic framework, which includes regular and fair elections that she suggested might even surpass some U.S. electoral processes. Additionally, she noted Somaliland’s independence from U.S. developmental aid, contrasting it with the jihadist challenges plaguing Somalia and Mogadishu.
Somaliland should be liberated from the turmoil of Somalia and Mogadishu, which remain plagued by jihadist instability,” Ayaan Hirsi Ali concluded
Aligning with Hirsi Ali’s views, Sen. Cruz stressed that recognizing Somaliland would serve America’s national security interests and its “America First” doctrine. He portrayed Somaliland as a crucial ally in the Horn of Africa, capable of standing with the U.S. against regional threats and instability.
Bashir Goth, Somaliland’s representative in the U.S., praised the discussion and expressed gratitude via Twitter, thanking Hirsi Ali for her candid and factual insights and Sen. Cruz for his ongoing leadership. His message read, “Thank you @Ayaan for your honest and factual testimony. Somaliland is grateful to you and to @tedcruz for your continued leadership.”
This podcast discussion builds upon Hirsi Ali’s earlier op-ed in The American Mind from September 2025, which underscored Somaliland’s strategic role in combating extremism and enhancing U.S. partnerships in the Horn of Africa region.
Together, the perspectives of Sen. Cruz, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Bashir Goth make a strong argument for Somaliland’s recognition, emphasizing its democratic successes, strategic significance, and compatibility with American interests.

A Mother’s Harrowing 120-Kilometer Journey for Survival in Somalia

By
Goth Mohamed
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GALKACYO, Somalia – In a desperate bid to save her life and that of her unborn child, Fadumo Abdi Ali, a pregnant woman from a remote area near the Ethiopian border, walked 120 kilometers with her husband to reach the Galkacyo Regional Hospital in Mudug.

Doctors with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) at the facility identified her condition as life-threatening and performed an immediate emergency Caesarean section. The intervention was successful, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby.

Faadumo’s grueling trek underscores a severe healthcare crisis in the Mudug region, which has been devastated by prolonged conflict and drought. Essential medical services are scarce, forcing countless mothers and children to undertake perilous, long-distance journeys to seek care. Many others never reach help at all.

In response, MSF and the Puntland Ministry of Health are providing critical services, including maternal and child healthcare, emergency interventions, and tuberculosis treatment.

However, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating. A severe lack of food aid is exacerbating health vulnerabilities. A recent study warns that 3.4 million people in Somalia currently face acute food insecurity, a number projected to climb to 4.4 million by the end of the year.

Ethiopia Reasserts “Legitimate Right” to Red Sea Access, Stressing Peaceful Resolution

By
Goth Mohamed
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ADDIS ABABA – In a major foreign policy address, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has forcefully reaffirmed the nation’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea, framing it as a “legitimate right” crucial for its survival and development. However, he emphasized a commitment to achieving this goal through peaceful cooperation and mutual development, rather than through conflict or coercion.

The statement signals a continued strategic priority for the landlocked nation and aims to reshape the international narrative around its ambitions.

A Long-Standing Strategic Goal

Ethiopia’s drive for sea access is a deep-seated national objective. The country lost its coastline with the independence of Eritrea in 1993, relegating it to rely heavily on the port of Djibouti for over 95% of its maritime trade. Successive governments have cited economic security and strategic imperatives as the basis for their pursuit of direct port access.

The Somaliland Agreement: A Recent Flashpoint

This pursuit escalated dramatically in January 2024 with a controversial memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland. The preliminary deal, which would grant Ethiopia naval access in return for potential political recognition, triggered a fierce diplomatic crisis. The Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu condemned it as an act of “aggression” and a violation of its sovereignty, leading to international pressure that has since stalled the agreement.

Analyzing the New Rhetoric

The Prime Minister’s latest remarks are seen by regional analysts as a strategic pivot. By invoking “legitimate right” and “cooperation,” Ethiopia is building a methodical legal and historical case for its needs, seeking to position itself not as a regional aggressor but as a partner advocating for shared prosperity.

“This is about internationalizing the issue and applying sustained diplomatic pressure,” said one Horn of Africa analyst. “They are constructing a narrative that frames sea access as an essential component of regional stability and economic integration, making it harder for the international community to outright dismiss.”

The statement ensures that Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions will remain a central and contentious issue in the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa for the foreseeable future.

DP World Launches New Science Laboratory to Strengthen Education in Somaliland

By
Goth Mohamed
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DP World Berbera has handed over a new, science laboratory to Sheikh University of Science and Technology, fulfilling a USD$250,000 commitment made in 2022 to advance education and empower future generations in Somaliland.

The facility will enhance the university’s research and practical learning capabilities in petroleum and mining engineering, hydrology, environmental sciences, and information and communication technology.

Sheikh University of Science and Technology is a community-owned public university located in the mountain-top town of Sheikh in the Sahil region. The laboratory investment is part of DP World’s broader education portfolio in Somaliland, which includes scholarship programs at Abaarso Secondary School and Barwaqo University—a fellowship initiative running from 2017 to 2031.

The handover ceremony brought together government officials, university committee members, community leaders, and local stakeholders. The laboratory handover reinforces DP World’s belief that trade and education go hand in hand – empowering people, improving livelihoods, and enabling lasting progress for the communities it serves.

DP World has also invested in major infrastructure projects including the Berbera Economic Zone (BEZ) and an upcoming edible oil terminal, both aimed at strengthening Somaliland’s trade ecosystem and creating local employment opportunities.

Somaliland Central Bank and Money Transfer Operators Forge Agreement to Stabilize Financial System

By
Goth Mohamed
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Hargeisa – In a significant move to bolster economic stability, the Central Bank of the Republic of Somaliland and the United Money Transfer Associations have formally signed a reconciliation and cooperation agreement. This landmark deal resolves outstanding issues related to the ongoing restructuring of the nation’s money transfer sector.

The agreement, finalized in a ceremony today in Hargeisa, specifically addresses key points of contention, including license fees for operators and the management of reserve funds as mandated by the new Money Transfer Management Regulation (Lr.03/2024).

Senior officials from both the Central Bank, led by its Deputy Governor, and the leadership of the United Money Transfer Associations were present at the signing. Both parties hailed the accord as a critical step forward for the nation’s economy.

The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank emphasized that the agreement aims to strengthen Somaliland’s financial system, accelerate the enforcement of fairness and integrity among operators, and foster a stable business climate to boost public confidence.

Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of the United Money Transfer Associations confirmed their commitment to implementing the terms of the deal. He also expressed satisfaction with the resolution of recent discussions, stating that the matter has been conclusively settled. Furthermore, he issued a directive to all money transfer operators in the country to promptly update their licenses in compliance with the new framework.

Forged through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding, this agreement is set to serve as a cornerstone for the Central Bank’s broader plans to reorganize and modernize Somaliland’s money markets.

Djibouti lifts presidential age limit, paving way for sixth Guelleh term

By
Goth Mohamed
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President Ismail Omar Guelleh has been in charge of Djibouti for more than two decades [File: Eduardo Soteras/AFP]

Djibouti’s parliament has removed the constitutional age ceiling for presidential candidates, opening the door for Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek a sixth term despite being 77 years old.

All 65 lawmakers present voted on Sunday to eliminate the age restriction of 75 years, a move that would allow the veteran leader to contest elections scheduled for April 2026. The decision requires either presidential approval followed by a second parliamentary vote on November 2, or a national referendum.

Guelleh, known widely as IOG, has governed the Horn of Africa nation since 1999, when he succeeded Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the country’s founding president.

The constitutional barrier was introduced by Guelleh himself in 2010 alongside reforms that scrapped presidential term limits, but reduced each term from six to five years.

National Assembly Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita defended the change as essential for maintaining stability in a turbulent region. He said public support exceeded 80 percent for the measure, though Al Jazeera is not able to verify this claim.

Earlier this year, in an interview with the Jeune Afrique magazine, Guelleh gave an important indication that he had no plans to relinquish power. “All I can tell you is that I love my country too much to embark on an irresponsible adventure and be the cause of divisions,” he said.

Rights advocates condemned the move as a step toward permanent rule. “This revision prepares a presidency for life,” said Omar Ali Ewado, who heads the Djiboutian League for Human Rights, calling instead for a peaceful democratic transition.

Daher Ahmed Farah, a leader in the Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development, told Al Jazeera that international partners should reconsider their priorities. “The country is in a strategic position and hosts many bases, but these interests lie with the Djiboutian people, not with a single man,” he said.

Guelleh won his fifth term in 2021 with more than 98 percent of votes after opposition groups boycotted the election. At the time, the United States welcomed the result but encouraged the government “to further strengthen its democratic institutions and processes in line with recommendations from the observer missions”.

Guelleh is East Africa’s third-longest-serving leader behind Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, in power for nearly four decades, and Eritrea’s Isaias Afwerki, with a tenure reaching 27 years.

Despite its small population of one million, Djibouti wields outsized geopolitical influence. The country hosts the only permanent US military base in Africa, alongside installations operated by France, China, Japan and Italy. Its position overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait makes it vital for global shipping between Asia and Europe.

That strategic value has kept Djibouti stable while neighbouring states face mounting crises, including Sudan’s civil war and Somalia’s fragmentation.

Somaliland Central Bank Launches New Accessibility Services for People with Disabilities

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

Goth Mohamed Goth

HARGEISA – The Central Bank of the Republic of Somaliland has announced the implementation of new, modern infrastructure designed to make its facilities fully accessible to people with disabilities. This initiative comes in direct response to a proposal from Abdirisaq Shabeel, a citizen with limited mobility, who advocated for improved access for individuals using mobility aids.

The newly introduced features will enable customers with disabilities to enter the bank with ease and access the services they require. This development marks a significant shift from the previous practice, where individuals who could not enter the building were often served outside the bank’s premises.

In a statement, Hamze Khaire, the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, acknowledged that the initiative addressed a long-overdue need. “The proposal from Mr. Abdirisaq prompted the bank to take decisive action and prepare the necessary infrastructure,” Khaire stated. “This is a vital step toward inclusive banking.”

The project is a key component of the bank’s broader community care and service equality program, which aims to guarantee that every citizen has access to modern and equitable banking services, regardless of physical ability.

Abdirisaq Shabeel expressed his appreciation for the bank’s swift response. He thanked the management for accepting his suggestion and creating a system that accommodates people with special needs.

This initiative underscores the Central Bank’s commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to integrating a segment of society that was previously excluded from full participation in the formal banking sector.

Somaliland President Inauguarates the Taiwan Medical Center

By
Goth Mohamed
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0

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Hargeisa – The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), today officially inaugurated the construction of the new Taiwan Medical Center and the modernization of Hargeisa Hospital. This extensive project is funded by our partner government of Taiwan, which will play a significant role in the development of healthcare services in the country.

The inauguration of the Taiwan Medical Center reflected the deep friendship and cooperation between the two republics of Somaliland and Taiwan, as both sides will continuously work together on the development of healthcare, education, technology, and enhancing skills and knowledge in various sectors of the National Forces.

The President delivered a significant speech expressing profound gratitude and a sense of collaboration, commending the government and people of Taiwan for their support of the people and country of Somaliland, especially in developmental projects that are beneficial to the livelihoods of the Somaliland community. The President stated that Taiwan is a great ally for Somaliland that can be relied upon.

The President pointed out that the construction of the new Taiwan Medical Center signifies the genuine friendship between the two countries, praising Taiwan’s commitment to improving health and other services beneficial to the lives of the Somaliland community.

He emphasized that the construction of the Taiwan Medical Center and the modernization of Hargeisa Hospital will provide high-quality healthcare services, which will significantly reduce the healthcare needs in the country while enhancing the quality of medical services.

On the other hand, the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Director General of the Ministry of Health Development greatly thanked the Government of Taiwan for the support and funding provided for the new construction and modernization of Hargeisa Hospital, describing it as an important step forward.

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