Zakeriye
@zakeriye.bsky.social
Freelance journalist based in the Horn of Africa. Tips & collaborations via DM.
In mini reshuffle, #Somalia PM Hamza Abdi Barre named Gamal Hassan Minister of Commerce, replacing Mohamud Geesood after 10 months in post.
MP Ayub Ismail also named as Minister of Public Works, replacing Elmi Nur, who was removed from the cabinet for the 2nd time since 2022.
MP Ayub Ismail also named as Minister of Public Works, replacing Elmi Nur, who was removed from the cabinet for the 2nd time since 2022.
December 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
In mini reshuffle, #Somalia PM Hamza Abdi Barre named Gamal Hassan Minister of Commerce, replacing Mohamud Geesood after 10 months in post.
MP Ayub Ismail also named as Minister of Public Works, replacing Elmi Nur, who was removed from the cabinet for the 2nd time since 2022.
MP Ayub Ismail also named as Minister of Public Works, replacing Elmi Nur, who was removed from the cabinet for the 2nd time since 2022.
🚨 #UPDATE
#Somalia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Balcad, speaking to HBN Online TV, firmly denied any ties with Israel, dismissing #Israeli Deputy FM Sharren Haskel's claims of having certain communication with #Mogadishu as unfounded.
#Somalia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Balcad, speaking to HBN Online TV, firmly denied any ties with Israel, dismissing #Israeli Deputy FM Sharren Haskel's claims of having certain communication with #Mogadishu as unfounded.
December 13, 2025 at 12:59 PM
🚨 #UPDATE
#Somalia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Balcad, speaking to HBN Online TV, firmly denied any ties with Israel, dismissing #Israeli Deputy FM Sharren Haskel's claims of having certain communication with #Mogadishu as unfounded.
#Somalia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Balcad, speaking to HBN Online TV, firmly denied any ties with Israel, dismissing #Israeli Deputy FM Sharren Haskel's claims of having certain communication with #Mogadishu as unfounded.
#Eritrea withdraws from IGAD, accusing the bloc of "becoming a tool against" countries like itself, per FM statement.
After nearly 2 decades of freezing its membership from 2007 over alleged #Ethiopian dominance within the bloc, Eritrea rejoined #IGAD in June 2023.
After nearly 2 decades of freezing its membership from 2007 over alleged #Ethiopian dominance within the bloc, Eritrea rejoined #IGAD in June 2023.
December 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
#Eritrea withdraws from IGAD, accusing the bloc of "becoming a tool against" countries like itself, per FM statement.
After nearly 2 decades of freezing its membership from 2007 over alleged #Ethiopian dominance within the bloc, Eritrea rejoined #IGAD in June 2023.
After nearly 2 decades of freezing its membership from 2007 over alleged #Ethiopian dominance within the bloc, Eritrea rejoined #IGAD in June 2023.
#Cuba's newly appointed non-resident ambassador to Somalia, Ines Fors Fernandez, has presented her credentials to President Hassan Sheikh in #Mogadishu.
In 2023, #Somalia & Cuba agreed to restore ties last cut in the 1970s after Cuba backed #Ethiopia in the Somalia-Ethiopia war.
In 2023, #Somalia & Cuba agreed to restore ties last cut in the 1970s after Cuba backed #Ethiopia in the Somalia-Ethiopia war.
December 3, 2025 at 11:57 PM
#Cuba's newly appointed non-resident ambassador to Somalia, Ines Fors Fernandez, has presented her credentials to President Hassan Sheikh in #Mogadishu.
In 2023, #Somalia & Cuba agreed to restore ties last cut in the 1970s after Cuba backed #Ethiopia in the Somalia-Ethiopia war.
In 2023, #Somalia & Cuba agreed to restore ties last cut in the 1970s after Cuba backed #Ethiopia in the Somalia-Ethiopia war.
For Sir Christopher, the Balkans were a geopolitical tripwire where a local quarrel could bring the whole continent crashing down. A dispute in the Horn, by contrast, is unlikely to spark a third world war.
✍️ @tomgardner18.bsky.social.
view.e.economist.com?qs=df4e468c9...
✍️ @tomgardner18.bsky.social.
view.e.economist.com?qs=df4e468c9...
December 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM
For Sir Christopher, the Balkans were a geopolitical tripwire where a local quarrel could bring the whole continent crashing down. A dispute in the Horn, by contrast, is unlikely to spark a third world war.
✍️ @tomgardner18.bsky.social.
view.e.economist.com?qs=df4e468c9...
✍️ @tomgardner18.bsky.social.
view.e.economist.com?qs=df4e468c9...
🚨 #SUDAN
Sudanese Army Chief Al-Burhan received Eritrean President Afwerki in Port Sudan for working visit — one of the highest-level foreign visits since the war began.
Afwerki, a veteran military leader, is widely seen as signaling Eritrea's backing for Sudanese Armed Forces over the RSF.
Sudanese Army Chief Al-Burhan received Eritrean President Afwerki in Port Sudan for working visit — one of the highest-level foreign visits since the war began.
Afwerki, a veteran military leader, is widely seen as signaling Eritrea's backing for Sudanese Armed Forces over the RSF.
November 30, 2025 at 11:48 AM
🚨 #SUDAN
Sudanese Army Chief Al-Burhan received Eritrean President Afwerki in Port Sudan for working visit — one of the highest-level foreign visits since the war began.
Afwerki, a veteran military leader, is widely seen as signaling Eritrea's backing for Sudanese Armed Forces over the RSF.
Sudanese Army Chief Al-Burhan received Eritrean President Afwerki in Port Sudan for working visit — one of the highest-level foreign visits since the war began.
Afwerki, a veteran military leader, is widely seen as signaling Eritrea's backing for Sudanese Armed Forces over the RSF.
#Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed received #Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim to Addis Ababa for a 3-day official working visit.
After Ethiopia, Anwar heads to South Africa for the #G20 Summit, before concluding his first Africa tour in #Kenya.
After Ethiopia, Anwar heads to South Africa for the #G20 Summit, before concluding his first Africa tour in #Kenya.
November 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
#Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed received #Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim to Addis Ababa for a 3-day official working visit.
After Ethiopia, Anwar heads to South Africa for the #G20 Summit, before concluding his first Africa tour in #Kenya.
After Ethiopia, Anwar heads to South Africa for the #G20 Summit, before concluding his first Africa tour in #Kenya.
#Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh is attending #Tanzania's low-key swearing-in, held inside a military facility under tight security.
Meanwhile, #Mogadishu faces election standoff that could produce parallel results. Will Samia attend if Hassan wins a disputed election?
Meanwhile, #Mogadishu faces election standoff that could produce parallel results. Will Samia attend if Hassan wins a disputed election?
November 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM
#Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh is attending #Tanzania's low-key swearing-in, held inside a military facility under tight security.
Meanwhile, #Mogadishu faces election standoff that could produce parallel results. Will Samia attend if Hassan wins a disputed election?
Meanwhile, #Mogadishu faces election standoff that could produce parallel results. Will Samia attend if Hassan wins a disputed election?
#Somalia President Hassan arrives in Cairo, days after #Eritrea's Afwerki, to attend the inauguration of #Egypt's new Grand Museum.
Hassan previously attended #Ethiopia's GERD dam inauguration — a move criticized by #Cairo and #Asmara as a threat to regional stability.
Hassan previously attended #Ethiopia's GERD dam inauguration — a move criticized by #Cairo and #Asmara as a threat to regional stability.
November 1, 2025 at 1:57 PM
#Somalia President Hassan arrives in Cairo, days after #Eritrea's Afwerki, to attend the inauguration of #Egypt's new Grand Museum.
Hassan previously attended #Ethiopia's GERD dam inauguration — a move criticized by #Cairo and #Asmara as a threat to regional stability.
Hassan previously attended #Ethiopia's GERD dam inauguration — a move criticized by #Cairo and #Asmara as a threat to regional stability.
#Somalia's Bosaso airport become biggest #UAE's key hubs for funneling weapons to #RSF in Sudan — with 18 flights to Libya in October alone.
Previously, #Khartoum raised the issue with #Mogadishu, but Puntland regional state authorities dismissed it — despite UAE presence in the region.
Previously, #Khartoum raised the issue with #Mogadishu, but Puntland regional state authorities dismissed it — despite UAE presence in the region.
October 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
#Somalia's Bosaso airport become biggest #UAE's key hubs for funneling weapons to #RSF in Sudan — with 18 flights to Libya in October alone.
Previously, #Khartoum raised the issue with #Mogadishu, but Puntland regional state authorities dismissed it — despite UAE presence in the region.
Previously, #Khartoum raised the issue with #Mogadishu, but Puntland regional state authorities dismissed it — despite UAE presence in the region.
#Somalia says it killed senior Al-Shabaab commander Mahmoud Abdi Hamud, AKA Jaafar Gurey, in Oct 26 airstrike in Bu'aale, Middle Juba.
Per govt, he was a founding member of the group & had $3M bounty, alongside senior commander Abdullahi Yare, who was killed in 2022.
Per govt, he was a founding member of the group & had $3M bounty, alongside senior commander Abdullahi Yare, who was killed in 2022.
October 29, 2025 at 12:42 AM
#Somalia says it killed senior Al-Shabaab commander Mahmoud Abdi Hamud, AKA Jaafar Gurey, in Oct 26 airstrike in Bu'aale, Middle Juba.
Per govt, he was a founding member of the group & had $3M bounty, alongside senior commander Abdullahi Yare, who was killed in 2022.
Per govt, he was a founding member of the group & had $3M bounty, alongside senior commander Abdullahi Yare, who was killed in 2022.
#Ethiopia appoints Major General Tagesse Lambamo Dimbore, a military officer, to lead its consulate in Garowe.
In April 2024, #Somalia ordered the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Garowe and Hargeisa amid tensions over Addis Ababa’s sea access deal with #Somaliland.
In April 2024, #Somalia ordered the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Garowe and Hargeisa amid tensions over Addis Ababa’s sea access deal with #Somaliland.
October 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
#Ethiopia appoints Major General Tagesse Lambamo Dimbore, a military officer, to lead its consulate in Garowe.
In April 2024, #Somalia ordered the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Garowe and Hargeisa amid tensions over Addis Ababa’s sea access deal with #Somaliland.
In April 2024, #Somalia ordered the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Garowe and Hargeisa amid tensions over Addis Ababa’s sea access deal with #Somaliland.
#Ethiopia's Army Chief, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, says access to a sea is vital for the nation’s sovereignty and security.
Addis Ababa’s repeated statements on gaining access to the sea come as #Eritrea warns that such moves could ignite regional conflict.
Addis Ababa’s repeated statements on gaining access to the sea come as #Eritrea warns that such moves could ignite regional conflict.
October 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
#Ethiopia's Army Chief, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, says access to a sea is vital for the nation’s sovereignty and security.
Addis Ababa’s repeated statements on gaining access to the sea come as #Eritrea warns that such moves could ignite regional conflict.
Addis Ababa’s repeated statements on gaining access to the sea come as #Eritrea warns that such moves could ignite regional conflict.
#Djibouti invited Somalia's political stakeholders & elders to Carta for the 25th anniversary of the Carta Peace Conference, which laid the foundation for Somalia's Third Republic in 2000.
25 years later, #Somalia faces political deadlock over elections & resurgent Al-Shabaab.
25 years later, #Somalia faces political deadlock over elections & resurgent Al-Shabaab.
October 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
#Somaliland leader Abdirahman Cirro has urged #Washington to recognize the self-declared republic in a letter to United States President Trump, calling it "not just legal obligation — but moral and strategic imperative".
Somaliland broke away from #Somalia in 1991.
Somaliland broke away from #Somalia in 1991.
October 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
#Somaliland leader Abdirahman Cirro has urged #Washington to recognize the self-declared republic in a letter to United States President Trump, calling it "not just legal obligation — but moral and strategic imperative".
Somaliland broke away from #Somalia in 1991.
Somaliland broke away from #Somalia in 1991.
#Djibouti parliament has voted to lift the presidential age limit of 75, paving the way for 77-year-old President Ismail Omar to seek a 6th term — which he is widely expected to win.
Guelleh ruled since 1999, succeeding his uncle Hassan Gouled Abtidoon.
Guelleh ruled since 1999, succeeding his uncle Hassan Gouled Abtidoon.
October 26, 2025 at 12:06 PM
#Djibouti parliament has voted to lift the presidential age limit of 75, paving the way for 77-year-old President Ismail Omar to seek a 6th term — which he is widely expected to win.
Guelleh ruled since 1999, succeeding his uncle Hassan Gouled Abtidoon.
Guelleh ruled since 1999, succeeding his uncle Hassan Gouled Abtidoon.
🧵4/4
A decade later, IS-Somalia endures in remote hideouts, using IEDs and guerrilla tactics against Puntland forces.
The fate of its leader, Abdulkadir Mumin—targeted by U.S. strikes—remains unclear, with reports claiming he fled abroad, leaving Abdirahman Fahiye in charge.
A decade later, IS-Somalia endures in remote hideouts, using IEDs and guerrilla tactics against Puntland forces.
The fate of its leader, Abdulkadir Mumin—targeted by U.S. strikes—remains unclear, with reports claiming he fled abroad, leaving Abdirahman Fahiye in charge.
October 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
🧵4/4
A decade later, IS-Somalia endures in remote hideouts, using IEDs and guerrilla tactics against Puntland forces.
The fate of its leader, Abdulkadir Mumin—targeted by U.S. strikes—remains unclear, with reports claiming he fled abroad, leaving Abdirahman Fahiye in charge.
A decade later, IS-Somalia endures in remote hideouts, using IEDs and guerrilla tactics against Puntland forces.
The fate of its leader, Abdulkadir Mumin—targeted by U.S. strikes—remains unclear, with reports claiming he fled abroad, leaving Abdirahman Fahiye in charge.
🧵 3/4
Since early 2025, IS-Somalia — better known as Abnaa ul-Calipha — has faced major offensives by #Puntland forces with int'l support.
The ongoing campaign has killed hundreds, captured key leaders and forced the group to lose most of its mountain strongholds.
Since early 2025, IS-Somalia — better known as Abnaa ul-Calipha — has faced major offensives by #Puntland forces with int'l support.
The ongoing campaign has killed hundreds, captured key leaders and forced the group to lose most of its mountain strongholds.
October 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
🧵 3/4
Since early 2025, IS-Somalia — better known as Abnaa ul-Calipha — has faced major offensives by #Puntland forces with int'l support.
The ongoing campaign has killed hundreds, captured key leaders and forced the group to lose most of its mountain strongholds.
Since early 2025, IS-Somalia — better known as Abnaa ul-Calipha — has faced major offensives by #Puntland forces with int'l support.
The ongoing campaign has killed hundreds, captured key leaders and forced the group to lose most of its mountain strongholds.
🧵 2/4
In Oct 2015, a group led by Abdulkadir Mumin in the Cal-Miskaad mountains defected from Al-Shabaab & pledged BAY’AH to ISIS leader al-Baghdadi.
Despite harsh terrain & airstrikes, the group slowly grew—recruiting hundreds and funding its operations through extortion.
In Oct 2015, a group led by Abdulkadir Mumin in the Cal-Miskaad mountains defected from Al-Shabaab & pledged BAY’AH to ISIS leader al-Baghdadi.
Despite harsh terrain & airstrikes, the group slowly grew—recruiting hundreds and funding its operations through extortion.
October 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
🧵 2/4
In Oct 2015, a group led by Abdulkadir Mumin in the Cal-Miskaad mountains defected from Al-Shabaab & pledged BAY’AH to ISIS leader al-Baghdadi.
Despite harsh terrain & airstrikes, the group slowly grew—recruiting hundreds and funding its operations through extortion.
In Oct 2015, a group led by Abdulkadir Mumin in the Cal-Miskaad mountains defected from Al-Shabaab & pledged BAY’AH to ISIS leader al-Baghdadi.
Despite harsh terrain & airstrikes, the group slowly grew—recruiting hundreds and funding its operations through extortion.
🧵 1/4 — A Decade of IS-Somalia: From Defection to Decline
Ten years after Abdulkadir Mumin’s men pledged allegiance to ISIS and took refuge in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland mountains, the group has endured strikes, rifts, and offensives — yet still survives.
Ten years after Abdulkadir Mumin’s men pledged allegiance to ISIS and took refuge in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland mountains, the group has endured strikes, rifts, and offensives — yet still survives.
October 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
🧵 1/4 — A Decade of IS-Somalia: From Defection to Decline
Ten years after Abdulkadir Mumin’s men pledged allegiance to ISIS and took refuge in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland mountains, the group has endured strikes, rifts, and offensives — yet still survives.
Ten years after Abdulkadir Mumin’s men pledged allegiance to ISIS and took refuge in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland mountains, the group has endured strikes, rifts, and offensives — yet still survives.
#Somaliland president Abdirahman Cirro returns to Hargeisa after days in #Ethiopia for what Somaliland presidency called "official state visit".
Spokesperson Hussein Deyr claims Cirro met Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed — but there’s no independent proof such a meeting took place.
Spokesperson Hussein Deyr claims Cirro met Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed — but there’s no independent proof such a meeting took place.
October 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM
#Somaliland president Abdirahman Cirro returns to Hargeisa after days in #Ethiopia for what Somaliland presidency called "official state visit".
Spokesperson Hussein Deyr claims Cirro met Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed — but there’s no independent proof such a meeting took place.
Spokesperson Hussein Deyr claims Cirro met Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed — but there’s no independent proof such a meeting took place.
#Somalia parliament selected 9 members to represent the country in the East African Legislative Assembly — allocating over 40% to women.
Once absent from decision-making, now lead: in 2022, first parliament deputy SadiaSamatar made history as Somalia’s first woman acting president.
Once absent from decision-making, now lead: in 2022, first parliament deputy SadiaSamatar made history as Somalia’s first woman acting president.
October 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM
#Somalia parliament selected 9 members to represent the country in the East African Legislative Assembly — allocating over 40% to women.
Once absent from decision-making, now lead: in 2022, first parliament deputy SadiaSamatar made history as Somalia’s first woman acting president.
Once absent from decision-making, now lead: in 2022, first parliament deputy SadiaSamatar made history as Somalia’s first woman acting president.
