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Wararka Maanta

Europe’s Message Is Clear: Tolerance Cannot Be a Cover for Extremism

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  Today’s demonstrations across Berlin, London, and Paris sent a message louder than any political statement: Europeans are no longer willing to watch their societies drift toward instability under the banner of “tolerance.” The crowds that filled the streets were not driven by hatred or exclusion — they were driven by a simple demand that every government should take seriously: security first. For years, extremist networks — especially the Muslim Brotherhood — have learned how to operate behind the shield of religious discourse. They present themselves as community leaders, activists, or “voices of the marginalized,” all while pushing agendas that undermine national cohesion, exploit public freedoms, and create parallel societies. Europe’s mistake was assuming these groups were harmless. But as today’s protests showed, citizens have learned the truth the hard way. They’ve watched radical narratives spread in schools and community centers, foreign-funded networks penetrate local ...
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Puntland Government Issues Stern Warning Against Unilateral Constitutional Changes in Somalia

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Introduction: In a recent development that underscores the ongoing tensions between Somalia's Federal Government and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, the Puntland government has issued a stern warning against proposed changes to the Somali Transitional Constitution. The region, known for its historical commitment to consensus-driven governance, has expressed deep concerns over amendments made without broad agreement, sparking controversy and threatening the nation's fragile unity.

Pivotal Role in Somali Governance: Since its pivotal role in the 2004 Mbagathi Conference and subsequent Garowe agreements, Puntland has been instrumental in shaping Somalia's post-conflict governance. These efforts culminated in the adoption of the Transitional Constitution in 2012, a milestone achieved through extensive deliberations and consensus among Somali stakeholders.

Challenges to Constitutional Integrity: Puntland officials have emphasized Somalia's commitment to a federal, democratic, and multi-party system, enshrined in the Transitional Constitution. However, recent moves by Somalia's Federal Government to propose amendments without broad agreement have raised serious concerns. Of particular contention are proposals perceived as threatening national unity and contrary to Islamic principles, diverging from agreed-upon constitutional frameworks.

Violation of Cooperative Spirit: The Puntland government has voiced its dismay over the exclusion of its input in discussions regarding constitutional changes, particularly in the National Consultative Forum (NCC). Such actions are seen as a violation of the cooperative spirit intended for the nation's recovery and governance, undermining the established federalization, reconciliation, and power-sharing agreements.

Call for Dialogue: Despite these challenges, Puntland remains committed to dialogue and consensus-building. The region has extended invitations for discussions with the Somali Federal Government, emphasizing the importance of maintaining national unity, federal system integrity, and adherence to the agreed-upon interim constitution. However, these overtures have thus far been ignored by the sitting president, further exacerbating tensions.

Formal Notification of Non-Compliance: In a decisive move, the Puntland government has formally notified Somali national authorities and international stakeholders, including key actors such as the US, UK, EU, UN, AU, and others, about its stance of non-compliance. Should the proposed constitutional changes proceed without collective agreement, Puntland asserts that it will neither comply with nor acknowledge any unilateral alterations to the national constitution.

Conclusion: The latest developments underscore the deep-seated divisions within Somalia's political landscape, with Puntland emerging as a key protagonist in safeguarding constitutional integrity and the principles of federal governance. As the nation navigates these challenges, the imperative for dialogue, consensus, and respect for established frameworks remains paramount in ensuring Somalia's stability and progress towards lasting peace and prosperity.

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Maant iyo Soomaaliya

Flash Floods Displace 107,000 in Somalia: Urgent Humanitarian Response Needed

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In a distressing development, flash floods, triggered by heavy rains, have wreaked havoc in the Baidoa district of southwestern Somalia, resulting in the displacement of approximately 107,000 people, according to a statement released by the United Nations' humanitarian agency on Sunday. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations (OCHA) reported that numerous homes, including improvised shelters housing more than 86,700 internally displaced people across 136 displacement sites in Baidoa, were submerged in floodwaters. These flash floods mark the onset of the October to December rainy season in Somalia, which is expected to bring above-normal rains and increased flooding due to the influence of El-Nino conditions in the region, as stated by OCHA in its latest update. Somalia has already endured five seasons of drought since mid-2021, leading to the displacement of over 1.4 million people and the loss of 3.8 million livestock. The recent heavy rains ...
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Turkish Bank Opens First Foreign Branch in Somalia: A Milestone for Economic Growth

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In a significant development for the East African nation, the Central Bank of Somalia (CBS) announced on Sunday that Ziraat Katilim Bank of Turkey has established its presence by opening a branch in Mogadishu. This marks a historic occasion as the Turkish financial institution becomes the first international bank to operate in Somalia in over half a century. The establishment of Somalia's first foreign bank branch has the potential to bring about a positive transformation in the country's financial sector. This transformation is expected to result from increased economic opportunities and expanded trade relations between Somalia and its international partners. "The new branch of Ziraat Katilim Bank in Somalia is expected to offer a wide range of corporate banking services to businesses, international institutions, and development partners," stated the Central Bank of Somalia in a press release issued in Mogadishu. The journey to this milestone began in 2022 when the C...
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Somalia Joins UN FAO Commission to Combat Desert Locust Infestation

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In a significant stride towards combating the persistent threat of desert locusts, Somalia has ascended to a pivotal position as the seventeenth member of the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This milestone membership, marked on Wednesday, solidifies Somalia's commitment to manage and mitigate the devastating impact of locusts on agriculture and food security. According to the FAO's assessments, Somalia has demonstrated remarkable advancements in constructing national institutional and technical capacities for locust management since 2020, with substantial assistance from the FAO and other partners. Shoki AlDobai, the team leader for FAO's Locusts and other Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases, emphasized Somalia's significance as a critical breeding ground for locusts. AlDobai highlighted that Somalia's inclusion in the Commission would not only benefit the country...
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Somalia's Prime Minister Calls for Unity in Countering Extremism

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In a significant move to address the ongoing security challenges in Somalia, Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre has taken the initiative to engage clerics and religious leaders in the fight against extremist ideologies. The Prime Minister inaugurated a conference in Mogadishu, emphasizing the critical role of clerics in promoting peace, reconciliation, and countering extremist ideologies within the nation. During the conference, Prime Minister Barre stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, intellectuals, clerics, and the people to address the various challenges facing Somalia. He highlighted the pivotal role that clerics and Imams play in raising public awareness and countering the extremist narratives propagated by groups like al-Shabaab and ISIS in the region. "I urge you to engage in reconciliation, stabilization, state-building, and the finalization of the constitution," Prime Minister Barre stated, highlighting the government's achievements in co...
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