Somalia Old Photos

My Life as a Diplomat

WATCHING from afar, people find it difficult to understand the intractability of the conflict in Somalia. The cycle of violence, almost mysteriously, remains uninterrupted. Peace breaks out. Victory is declared, as it was a couple of weeks ago when President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed’s Transitional Federal Government declared its triumph over the rival Islamic Courts Union and the clan-based militia fighting alongside it. And then the violence quickly erupts again

Appointment of Special U.S. Envoy to Somalia Brings Mixed Reactions

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last month appointed a special U.S. envoy for Somalia, ending more than 10 years of no diplomatic presence in the African nation. But some experts and local Somalis say the move is too little, too late.

80 killed as Somalia fighting continues

At least 80 people, including many civilians, have been killed in intensified fighting in Somalia over the past two days, according to hospital sources.

Somalia: Former defense minister welcomes the loss of his cabinet post

Former Somalia defense minister but now member of Parliament Bare Aden Shire Hirale for the first time Sunday spoke out the reasons he lost his post in the cabinet while talking to the local media.

Somalia clan fighting kills at least 10

MOGADISHU, May 13 (Reuters) - Clashes triggered by land disputes and revenge killings between two rival Somali sub-clans have killed at least 10 people, elders said on Sunday.

In Somalia, shock and awe, followed by stalemate

By David Ignatius Daily Star staffMonday, May 14, 2007
"Get it done quickly and get out." That, says a senior US diplomat in Addis Ababa, was the goal of the little-noticed war that Ethiopia has been fighting, with American support, against Islamic extremists in Somalia. But this in-and-out strategy encounters the same real-world obstacles that America is facing in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Somalia: UN Humanitarian Official Urges Country Let Aid Reach Its People

UN's top humanitarian official, John Holmes, has arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday as two bomb explosions which claimed the lives of four occurred at the center of the gun-infested city.

Kenya: It’s very dangerous for civilians in Somalia right now

Djibouti (HAN) May 2nd, 2007 - According to the regional observers "It’s very dangerous for civilians in Somalia right now," said Ann Corbett, a Kenya specialist for Amnesty International. "Kenya’s action in closing its

AU peacekeepers begin patrols in Somalia

MOGADISHU (AP) -- African Union peacekeepers patrolled the streets of Somalia's capital Tuesday for the first time since they arrived in March, moving out after the government declared victory over Islamic insurgents.

Officer on the Street in San Diego is a Chief in Somalia

Wednesday, March 21, 2007 San Diego Police Officer Abdiweli Heibeh's story is an epic tale -- part-tragedy, part rags-to-riches adventure. He has survived bombings and house arrest in Mogadishu, served as a major in the Somali army, trained at a top U.S. Army base and worked an ice cream truck while waiting for asylum.

Belarus cargo plane attacked in Somalia, nobody hurt

MOSCOW, March 12 (Xinhua) -- A Belarussian transport plane was attacked as it was landing at an airport in Somalia on Monday, but no one was hurt, the Interfax news agency reported citing a Belarussian official.

Somalia - James Swan to the Baltimore CFR

Good evening, and thank you, Frank Burd, for your kind introduction. I am glad to have this opportunity to meet with the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs and discuss the topic you suggested to me for tonight: Somalia.

Opinions are mixed about why Twin Cities alone see dispute over alcohol, Muslim cabbies

Muslim taxi drivers serve airports throughout the country. Yet a dispute about cabbies refusing on religious grounds to take passengers with alcohol has flared only in the Twin Cities.

UN's Man in Somalia Says To Embrace and Not Question the Baidoa Government

UNITED NATIONS, March 2 -- Jump in and take a side. That was the message of Eric Laroche, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia, speaking to reporters on March 1. Mr. Laroche chided most "international NGOs" for not being where the humanitarian problems are.

UPDF starts Somalia peace mission

AT least six explosions rocked the Somali capital Mogadishu yesterday as Ugandan peacekeepers started arriving in the lawless Horn of Africa country, BBC and Reuters reported.

AU seeks funding for Somalia peacekeeping mission

Mogadishu 01, March.07 ( Sh.M.Network) The African Union (AU) appealed today for urgent funding to activate a peacekeeping mission aimed at stabilising Somalia where an insurgency is brewing after a war over the New Year.

Advance team of African peacekeepers arrives in Somalia, says official

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The advance team of an African peacekeeping force to Somalia arrived unannounced in the country on Thursday, said a senior police officer.

Navy ready to support rescue of hijacked ship

U.S. warships are operating in waters near a U.N. cargo vessel that has been hijacked off the coast of Somalia, but Navy commanders have not been formally asked to assist in any rescue, a Navy spokesman said Wednesday.

Ugandan troops head for Somalia

KAMPALA — Ugandan military officials were in talks with some of the warlords in Somalia ahead of the country’s deployment of peacekeepers, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said.