MOGADISHU — Somalia on Saturday joined the rest of the international community in marking World Press Freedom Day, with a senior United Nations official calling for the safety of journalists working in the country. James Swan, special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, also stressed the importance of public …
Read More »UN agency opens migration response center in northern Somalia
MOGADISHU — The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN migration agency, has officially inaugurated the Migration Response Center (MRC) in Burao in Somaliland, a self-declared region of Somalia. The IOM said the inauguration marks a significant milestone in expanding the provision of essential protection services and support to migrants …
Read More »EAC seeks to establish joint mechanism for genocide prevention
DAR ES SALAAM — The East African Community (EAC) has urged member states to establish a joint mechanism for genocide prevention and pursue appropriate actions against perpetrators by the regional bloc’s protocol on peace and security. EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva said in a statement on Monday that the EAC …
Read More »UN reaffirms support for Somalia in tackling explosive threats
MOGADISHU — The United Nations (UN) on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia in the fight against explosive hazards, aiming for a safe and secure future for all citizens. James Swan, UN secretary-general’s special representative for Somalia, said improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to pose a significant threat to …
Read More »Mortar attack hits Afgoye district, casualties reported
MOGADISHU — At least ten mortar rounds struck parts of Afgoye, a key district on the outskirts of Mogadishu, in a deadly attack on Monday, security sources have confirmed. The mortars landed in several neighbourhoods as well as near a military base housing government forces. Preliminary reports suggest both civilian …
Read More »Forced evictions, violence & lack of aid worsen Somalia’s humanitarian crisis: report
MOGADISHU — Forced evictions, ongoing clan-based conflicts, and limited humanitarian services are intensifying Somalia’s humanitarian crisis, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), according to a joint report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The …
Read More »UN vows to help Somalia promote equality, end racial discrimination
MOGADISHU — The United Nations marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Friday by reaffirming its support and commitment to promoting equality, dignity and respect for all in Somalia. James Swan, acting special representative of the UN secretary-general for Somalia, said racial discrimination has no place …
Read More »African Union peacekeepers in Somalia accused of widespread abuse
A new African Union peace enforcement mission, known by its acronym AUSSOM, was launched at the beginning of the year to support a fragile Somali government that has struggled against a jihadist insurgency entrenched in the countryside. AUSSOM is the third iteration of a multinational combat force first deployed in Somalia in 2007. Yet, …
Read More »At least 7 killed in Al-Shabaab siege on Beledweyne hotel
BELEDWEYNE, Somalia — Al-Shabaab militants stormed a hotel in central Somalia’s Beledweyne on Tuesday, killing at least seven people, including local elders and officials, in a deadly siege that underscored the persistent threat of the al-Qaida-linked group. The attack on the Cairo Hotel began early Tuesday with an explosives-laden vehicle detonating …
Read More »UNMAS provides equipment to boost Somalia’s anti-IED efforts
MOGADISHU — The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has donated assorted life-saving equipment to counter the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Somalia. The material, which included vehicles, training-of-trainers kits, route search gear, medical hardware, and explosive ordnance disposal equipment, is expected to boost Somalia’s anti-IED efforts, …
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Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia