Author | Lightnews

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · 1d

Tough but fair. The Economist's new podcast about Erik Prince and the future of PMCs. Worth a listen. #Iraq #Somalia #DRC #Haiti #Ukraine #

www.economist.com/podcasts/202...

The return of Erik Prince

The comeback of America’s most infamous mercenary

www.economist.com

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · 3d

www.france24.com/en/africa/20...

At least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says

Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in Tanzania after taking to the streets to protest this week’s presidential election, which saw the increasingly authoritarian incumbent, President Samia...

www.france24.com

1

Reposted by Matt Bryden

Melissa Chemam @melissaontheroad.bsky.social · 9d

Sigh...

Djibouti parliament vote to lift presidential age limit allows Guelleh re-run rfi.my/C84a.BS

Djibouti parliament vote to lift presidential age limit allows Guelleh re-run

Djibouti's parliament has voted unanimously to lift a presidential age limit, opening the way for its 77-year-old leader Ismail Omar Guelleh to run for a sixth term in April 2026 election.

rfi.my

3 3

Reposted by Matt Bryden

✍️☕️ @zakeriye.bsky.social · 22d

🚨 BREAKING

#Ethiopian PM Abiy received #Somalia President Hassan in Addis Ababa. Sources say the visit aims to block #Somaliland President Cirro's planned trip to Addis and seek Ethiopian backing for #Mogadishu’s plan to detach Gedo region from #Jubaland administration led by Madoobe.

1 2

Reposted by Matt Bryden

✍️☕️ @zakeriye.bsky.social · 26d

#Ethiopia accuses #Eritrea of preparing for war as Red Sea tensions rise in a letter its Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos sent to the UN chief Antonio Guterres.

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of preparing for war as Red Sea tensions rise

Ethiopia has written to the UN, accusing Eritrea of "funding, mobilizing and directing armed groups" on its soil.

www.bbc.com

4

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · 29d

#Somaliland’s Electoral Commission Wins Global Transparency Award in Botswana

"The award also underscores Somaliland’s growing reputation as a model of democratic governance in the Horn of Africa."
#elections #democracy

horndiplomat.com/2025/10/soma...

Somaliland’s Electoral Commission Wins Global Transparency Award in Botswana

By: Mohamed Duale Gaborone, Botswana – Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has received the Transparent Election Award in recognition of its credible and transparent management of the cou...

horndiplomat.com

1

Reposted by Matt Bryden

✍️☕️ @zakeriye.bsky.social · Oct 2

Somalia’s opposition Salvation Forum, together with #Puntland & #Jubaland state leaders form the "Council for Somalia's Future", following talks in Nairobi.

They called for a national summit inside #Somalia to finalize the council & urged unity against threats to stability.

2

Reposted by Matt Bryden

✍️☕️ @zakeriye.bsky.social · Sep 27

Crisis Group warns looming electoral showdown could plunge #Somalia into fresh turmoil, calling urgent inclusive talks between stakeholders on 2026 vote rules — or risk a repeat of past violence and paralysis.

@comfortero.crisisgroup.org @crisisgroup.org

Electoral Showdown in Somalia: Averting Another Round of Turmoil | International Crisis Group

Political tensions are rising in Somalia. With elections due in 2026, politicians are arguing over the terms for the polls. The government and its opponents urgently need to compromise in order to sta...

www.crisisgroup.org

1 4

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Sep 22

As President Hassan Sheikh attends UNGA this week without a much-needed Jubaland deal, and amid mounting AUSSOM debt and Al-Shabaab advances, Villa Somalia’s diplomacy looks adrift nine months into its UNSC tenure. Read more in our latest #Somalia #SomaliWire: sahan.global/issues/the-som

1

Reposted by Matt Bryden

Michele Gonnelli @michelegonnelli.bsky.social · Sep 16

By Sahan Research, #Ethiopia and #AI

'[These] are the ones now directing much of our future, a handful of nearly exclusively white North American men, wealthy, vainglorious and battling out the future of humanity with their egos in the race for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data supremacy'

1 1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Sep 5

Jubaland’s crisis spills into Mandera - with Villa Somalia destabilising Gedo and AS exploiting the vacuum, Nairobi’s partnership with Madoobe remains a necessary, if uncomfortable, pillar. Read more in Sahan's latest #SomaliWire: sahan.global/issues/the-s...

For Nairobi, Jubaland has long been a frontline against Al-Shabaab, a key staging post from which the jihadists have launched attacks on Kenyan soil.

sahan.global

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Sep 4

Somaliland's quest for international recognition receives a powerful vote of support from an unexpected quarter. #Somaliland #Somalia
americanmind.org/salvo/why-so...

Why Somaliland Matters

The time has come to treat Somaliland for what it already is: a functioning state that has earned its place among nations.

americanmind.org

1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Sep 3

Sahan's latest #SomaliWire unpacks the NSF's rejection of Villa Somalia’s splinter deal and the sustained electoral impasse with Jubaland and Puntland still excluded. The concerns over Mogadishu's flawed polls rumble on. #Somalia #Elections #Conflict Read more: sahan.global/issues/the-s...

1 1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Aug 15

Senator Ted Cruz urges the US government to recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state ahead of a visit to Washington, DC by its President, Abdirahman 'Irro'. #Somaliland #Somalia

1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Aug 13

In our latest #SomaliWire, we unpack the possible consequences of the FGS's proposed closed-list, single constituency model. Excluding most of Somalia, the FGS OPOV plan presents as a democracy in name only. Read more: sahan.global/issues/the-s...

2 2

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Aug 11

Only foreign aid and African Union troops stand between Somalia's embattled federal government and an Al-Shabaab takeover.#Somalia #conflict #terrorism
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

Somalia gripped by fears of militant Islamic uprising

With Al-Shabaab 25 miles outside of Mogadishu a weak government consumed by infighting and corruption tells citizens capital will not fall

www.telegraph.co.uk

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Jul 31

Excellent and sober analysis from Abdusalam Salwe on the deepening crisis in #Somalia.
garoweonline.com/en/opinions/...

OP-ED: Somalia at the Precipice: Why Decentralized Security is the Only Path Forward

garoweonline.com

1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Jul 17

The Somali Wire this week looks at the fall of Moqokori to Al-Shabaab and its wider implications for the counterinsurgency campaign in central Somalia.

To read, subscribe to @SahanResearch publications: sahan.global

1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Jun 13

US Congressman Scott Perry pushes for recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. #Somaliland
perry.house.gov/news/documen...

Congressman Scott Perry Introduces "Republic of Somaliland Independence Act"

perry.house.gov

1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Jun 1

An excellent, well-balanced piece of analysis on Somalia's prospects in the face of a resurgent Al-Shabaab and diminishing international security assistance, by Dr Daisy Muibu and Yayedior Mbengue at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. #Somalia #AlShabaab
ctc.westpoint.edu/somalia-at-a...

Somalia at a Crossroads: Resurgent Insurgents, Fragmented Politics, and the Uncertain Future of AUSSOM - Combating Terrorism Center at West Point

Abstract: Nearly three years after the Somali government launched its offensive against al-Shabaab, the security landscape remains precarious. Al-Shabaab has resurged, coordination between federal and...

ctc.westpoint.edu

2 1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · May 30

Nothing new in this article, but it's a useful update on Somaliland's rising stature on the international stage.#Somaliland #Somalia
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Exclusive: Somaliland president says recognition of state ‘on the horizon’ following Trump talks

The breakaway territory’s independence has never been internationally recognised. Insiders say recent US overtures are encouraging – but the consequences could be inflammatory in the tinderbox region

www.theguardian.com

2

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · May 30

Kenyan President William S. Ruto received Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi 'Irro' at State House, Nairobi, on 29 May 2025 to discuss strengthening relations between the two governments. #Somaliland #Kenya

1

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · May 10

A leading Somali opposition figure, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, analyses his country's deepening crisis. #Somalia
substack.com/@abdirahmanw...

Abdirahman Warsame on Substack

Somalia's Authoritarian Turn: How Exclusion Fuels Instability. Somalia's delicate democratic transition is unraveling at an alarming pace. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud‘s decision to replace the Na...

substack.com

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · May 10

The new “Justice and Solidarity Party” isn’t about justice, solidarity, or elections—it’s about Villa Somalia tightening its grip. Borrowing from Erdoğan’s playbook, #Somalia risks sliding from fragile federalism into one-man rule. Read more here:https://sahan.global/issues/sw-issue-819

2

Matt Bryden @dibjir.bsky.social · Apr 10

The United States mulls over its options in Somalia as Al-Shabaab advances on the capital, Mogadishu. #Somalia
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...

Trump Team Divided Over Future of U.S. Embassy in Somalia (Gift Article)

Some State Department officials have proposed closing the embassy in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, as a precaution after recent gains by Al Shabab militants.

www.nytimes.com

3