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Zakeriye Ahmed

@zakeriye.bsky.social

220 followers 63 following 470 posts

Journalist covering #security, #militancy & #politics in #Somalia and East Africa region. My portfolio; https://muckrack.com/zakeriyeahmed_

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Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · Aug 27

🚨 Announcement: I've lost access to my previous X account.

Follow me here for in-depth reporting and analysis on security & politics in #Somalia, #Djibouti, #Ethiopia, #Eritrea and #Kenya.

x.com/ZakeriyeAhme...

Your support is greatly appreciated. 🙏

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 15h

🚨 #UPDATE

In #Mogadishu, opposition & federal govt agree for the 2nd time to postpone anti-govt protest slated for tomorrow following talks.

In late Sept, the opposition had postponed the protest 9 days to finalize venue & timing after mediation by elders & politicians.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 12d

🚨 BREAKING

Opposition leaders in #Mogadishu has postponed their planned protest after mediation by elders, lawmakers & politicians.

The demo is now set for next week, as mediators asked with a 9-day delay to finalize venue & timing. Tensions now eased following mediations.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 16h

In mini reshuffle, #SouthSudan president Salva Kiir sacks Defense Forces chief Dau Aturjong, reinstates Paul Nang Majok months after his dismissal.

Dau named technical advisor in Ministry of Defense & Veteran Affairs. Kiir also reshuffles Eastern Affairs & Transport ministers.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 1d

🚨 JUST IN

#Somalia government denies #Swedish Radio report alleging that #Mogadishu secretly agreed with #Sweden to take back Somali refugees in exchange for nearly $10 million in aid, per press release.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 1d

#Somalia President Hassan Sheikh orders universities to promote Swahili, the official language of East African Community bloc. Yet 45%+ of Somali adults are illiterate & many can't understand Maay dialect spoken in the south.

In your opinion, what should the govt focus first literacy or Swahili?

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 1d

With international partners, #Somalia's intelligence agency says 7 Al-Shabaab militants were killed and 3 injured in airstrike in Basra vicinity in the Middle Shabelle region.

About 40 militants at the site were preparing disruptive activities between Balcad & Mogadishu, NISA said.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 1d

Swedish Radio revealed that #Somalia expelled Sweden aid chief Anna Saleem Högberg for refusing to channel $10M aid–deportation deal through the PM’s office, opting for World Bank.

After her expulsion, #Sweden rerouted funds via UNDP and deportations resumed.

Swedish Radio exposes "secret" $10 million aid-for-deportation deal with Somalia

Mogadishu (HOL) — Sweden is facing growing political backlash and a diplomatic rift with Somalia after investigations revealed a secret agreement that tied 100 million kronor ($10 million) in Swedish ...

www.hiiraan.com

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Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 1d

#Somalia's Defense Minister Ahmed Fiqi received his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson in #Mogadishu to strengthen security cooperation.

The visit comes amid backlash over #Sweden's secret $10M aid–deportation deal with Somalia, routed via UNDP, as revealed by Swedish Radio.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 2d

ONLF condemns the Ethiopian govt’s unilateral launch of the #Ogaden Gas Project, saying it violates the rights of #Somalis — the rightful owners of the land and its resources.

In statement ONLF says #Ethiopia violated the 2018 peace agreement.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 2d

#Jubaland confirmed that President Hassan had departed for #Mogadishu, though its statement did not mention him by name.

As talks with Hassan failed, Madobe reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue and thanked #Kenya support — as spy chief Noordin Haji was on mediation.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 3d

🚨 #SOMALIA

President Hassan departs for #Mogadishu after talks with Jubaland leader Madobe collapsed. Sources say Hassan offered Madobe 2-year extension to void his 2024 re-election — offer Madobe refused.

Villa Somalia claims "progress" was made but didn’t mention Madobe in its statement.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 3d

#Somaliland & #Puntland agreed to enhance security cooperation and terrorism fight following talks in Nairobi, per joint communique.

Somaliland broke away from #Somalia in 1991, while Puntland suspended federal govt cooperation in 2023 over constitutional changes.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 3d

🚨 #UPDATE #SOMALIA

Contrasting statements from both sides during President Hassan's visit to Kismaayo — Jubaland's state leader Ahmed Madoobe says he welcomed "my brother" Hassan, while Hassan's office omits any mention of Madoobe.

Mogadishu, previously rejected Madoobe’s 2024 re-election.

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Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 3d

🚨 #BREAKING

#Kenyan Intelligence & Spy agency NIS alleged helicopter — registration 5Y-EMB — spotted at #Kismaayo Airport, amid reports that spy chief Noordin Haji is in town to facilitate talks between #Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh and #Jubaland leader Ahmed Madoobe.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

A Decade Later — Back to Square One

Hassan and Ahmed meet in Kismayo following intense and bloody conflicts over Jubaland in 2015 and 2025, both of which occurred under negotiations overseen and guaranteed by a foreign governments.

#Somalia #Mogadishu #Kismaayo

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #SOMALIA

President Hassan Sheikh arrives in Kismayo for talks with Jubaland leader Ahmed Madoobe after months of political tensions, with both accusing each other of national treason.

It's their first meeting since #Mogadishu rejected his November re-election.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #SOMALIA

Kismaayo gears up to welcome Federal President Hassan Sheikh, who was once sought on national treason charges by a court in the city.

#Kenya's spy chief Noordin Haji is in town to witness talks between Hassan and Jubaland leader Ahmed Madoobe, per reports.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

Former TV host Sanae Takaichi set to become #Japan's first female Prime Minister in traditionally male-dominated society.

She was elected to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Japan’s LDP elects Takaichi as new leader, likely to be first female PM

If elected, Takaichi will face a host of issues, including an ageing population and growing unease about immigration.

www.aljazeera.com

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

#Somalia govt says several #AlShabaab members were killed in airstrikes over the past 24 hours targeting Jilib, Mubarak, Ugunji & Kuunyo-Barrow — including the group's Amniyat deputy chief, Maxamed Cusmaan Tuutax.

Tuutax also headed the group's explosives procurement unit, per govt in statement.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #MOGADISHU ATTACK UPDATE

➡️ #AlShabaab used NISA-marked vehicle to storm the spy agency run #GodkaJilicow detention facility after being blocked from the palace.

➡️ Govt says all attackers killed.

➡️ The assult begun hours after lifting 50 roadblocks across the capital.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #UPDATE

CCTV shows the #AlShabaab vehicle used in the #GodkaJilicow attack — marked with spy agency of NISA insignia — was twice stopped at presidential palace gates before heading to the prison.

Presidential guards blocked it, averting a major attack on the palace. #Somalia

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #UPDATE

#Somalia security forces have ended the #AlShabaab siege at spy agency detention facility #GodkaJilicow in #Mogadishu, killing all militants stormed.

According to the govt, the attackers used armed vehicle bearing the spy agency Nisa's logo to storm the facility.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #UPDATE

#AlShabaab's media arm Andalus released audio allegedly from militant in the #GodkaJilicow prison attack, claiming fighters were freed & clashes ongoing.

This comes after footage showed inmates fleeing; #Somalia govt says several escapees have been re-arrested.

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Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

#Mogadishu court must lift the arrest warrant against #Jubaland's Madoobe before his meeting with President Hassan — legally the president cannot meet someone wanted for treason.

Conversely, Kismayo court has no constitutional authority to indict the federal president. #Somalia

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #SOMALIA

#AlShabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on Godka Jilicow prison, citing reports of "high-level security meeting", per statement released via affiliated media.

The assault comes just hours after the govt lifted roadblocks on 50 major roads in #Mogadishu.

Zakeriye Ahmed @zakeriye.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 #MOGADISHU

Al-Shabaab militants stormed Godka Jilicow, a high-security spy agency prison near #Somalia's presidential palace.

The attack began with car bomb, followed by gunmen. Reports say 8 attackers: 4 killed, 4 still fighting inside. Elite Gaashaan forces deployed.