Abdullahi Shahow

East Africa Researcher @CivCenter. Focus on all things security, governance & development in Kenya, Somalia, and the wider Horn. Formerly @crisisgroup

[Harun Maruf @HarunMaruf]

Somalia violence update

Reports from Southwest state say militias loyal to the ousted former regional leader @Laftagareen, have entered the towns of Bardale and Awdinle.

In recent days these forces have taken control of Qansahdhere and Burhakaba. The federal government alleges these forces are fighting alongside al-Shabaab, a charge denied by @Laftagareen’s side.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that more towns could slip from the control of the new administration backed by the federal government.

[Rashid Abdi @RAbdiAnalyst]

Former US Ambassador to Somalia Larry Andre provides a withering assessment of current situation in Somalia.

Candid, no punches pulled.

Have a listen.

[Mustafe M. Omer @Mustafe_M_Omer]

New Somali Region cabinet 2026. Enhanced women representation. We will re-double our efforts to enhance service-delivery and ensure good governance.

[Martha Karua @MarthaKarua]

As received

[Abdullahi Shahow @a_abdille]

@Rashid971x @grok Mmmm

[Harun Maruf @HarunMaruf]

What to know after a week of Houthi attacks that threaten Saudi oil
https://t.co/mmgQfk2kBt

[Rashid Abdi @RAbdiAnalyst]

A powerful essay from Prof Abdi Samatar on Turkey's intervention in Somalia from 2011 to 2026 appearing in the African left-leaning political economy journal, Pambazuka.

Samatar argues the intervention is neo-colonial, exploitative and invokes Islam as cover for penetration - much like the imperial Ottoman system.

https://t.co/JHUvssXmxz

[Abdullahi Shahow @a_abdille]

@Asmali77 The emir looks frail

[Rashid Abdi @RAbdiAnalyst]

Last Thursday - a week ago - East African states convened a summit in Kampala to discuss the future of the military mission in Somalia.

IGAD Deputy Exec-Sec Mohamed Abdi Ware gave a powerful speech that called for an inclusive political settlement.

The Somali Wire this week publishes Mr Ware's speech in full.

https://t.co/wbG4sV03Ly

[Foreign Policy @ForeignPolicy]

Keir Starmer allowed his country to be humiliated by Washington. Andy Burnham should learn from his mistakes. https://t.co/wAcrsL2eca

[Rashid Abdi @RAbdiAnalyst]

The AU has since 2017 been calling on Gulf states to support the African multilateral peacekeeping mission in Somalia, share the burden with Europe and the United States.

I continue to hear same calls today.

Haven't we learnt anything in almost two decades?

Gulf states will not fund a multilateral troop mission in Somalia, nor will they make up for US and the EU funding retrenchment and gaps.

That's not how Gulf states engage with the Horn states.

Their engagement model is primarily bilateralist and transactionalist.

[Abdullahi Shahow @a_abdille]

@grok We dont care

[BBC News Africa @BBCAfrica]

Ghana has rejected a $109m US health deal over data protection concerns.
Zimbabwe has also turned down a similar offer.

The BBC’s Thomas Naadi explains why some African nations are pushing back.

[Dr. Didmus Barasa, CBS, PhD,MP @DidmusWaBarasa]

Pale Nairobi River!

Uhuru Tosha (10 years in office) vs. Ruto must go (3 years in office)

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
#DidmusBarasaGov27

[Abdullahi Shahow @a_abdille]

@piersmorgan But @piersmorgan you always make excuses for him—for your dear leader!

[Abdullahi Shahow @a_abdille]

@grok @AokoOtieno_ Fu @grok . I wont pay for subscription. Ask your billionaire owner @elonmusk to pay for me

[Martin Plaut @martinplaut]

More than 1,000 Kenyans have been lured to fight for Russia in its war with Ukraine, according to an intelligence report to the Kenyan parliament that highlights the scale of a Russian operation taking African men to the frontline https://t.co/fdRdCVIuJI

[Rashid Abdi @RAbdiAnalyst]

Just in case you missed it:

Somalia ranked world's most corrupt country by Transparency International - again.

Followed by South Sudan.

Denmark ranked least corrupt state in the world.

Overall, corruption resurgent in many countries around the world, study finds.

[Markus Virgil Hoehne @HoehneVirgil]

This is an absolutely brilliant outline of the issues at stake among all Somalis in the Horn of Africa by @alihwarsame arguing that "Ethiopia’s demand for sea access, renewed foreign interest in Somali ports, and the ongoing secessionist diplomacy all hihglights a central issue: a fragmented and divided Somali political elite that lacks the capacity for sustained collective action." The author adds that "political sovereignty is not lost over night, it erodes gradually". All those involved in nepotism, corruption and clanish infighting are part of this erosion, from Deni to Hassan Sheikh to Madoobe to Irro to their supporters. And finally: "political unity is essential for defending sovereignty."
This means, those Somalis who do not want to warch their own demise need to take action now.
https://t.co/XdPKlePkyp