Axmed S. Maxamed

An investment in your self will never lead to regret. invest your future.

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

Quiet moments by the shore. Wishing everyone a peaceful Friday. Juma Mubarak.

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

Ref Omar Artan, you have held the Somali name high! Congratulations on an outstanding performance in this big international match.👏👏

[The Third House @thirdhouse_III]

@thirdhouse_III , together with SUBCIS and @IRISInstitute convened a thought-provoking forum in Garowe to reflect on Puntland at 28, examining its journey, achievements, challenges, opportunities, and the path ahead. The forum provided a valuable platform for dialogue, analysis, and shaping perspectives on Puntland’s future.

#Puntland28 #Puntland

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

Happy August 1st! Today we celebrate 28 years of Puntland's journey. Progress was made, but the gap between the sacrifices of our people and the delivery of our leaders remains painfully wide. Sannad guuro wacan markale.

[The Daily Somalia @TheDailySomalia]

Puntland politician Ali Haji Warsame has called for a broad conference bringing together Puntland intellectuals, religious scholars, politicians and traditional leaders to discuss the region’s political situation.

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

The first opportunity came unexpectedly. Although the Trump administration closed a door on Omar Artan, new doors have opened. Thanks @UEFA.

Omar Artan to the world. Thanks @UEFA.
@hodansomali @alihwarsame @A_Waberi @AnalystSomalia @EIshmael_

[The Daily Somalia @TheDailySomalia]

BREAKING: Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg, UEFA announced on Thursday. The appointment marks another major international assignment for the Somali official, following Artan’s denial of entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.

[The Daily Somalia @TheDailySomalia]

“ The rejection of Omar Artan is not just an entry denial — it is a declaration that African excellence does not belong at its own World Cup.”—OP-ED, by @A_Waberi.

Read full article⤵️
https://t.co/nIeSBJsd2Q

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

FIFA cannot credibly promote global unity while qualified African professionals face barriers to participation. Sporting merit should remain the primary standard, not political or immigration constraints. Football must stay above politics to preserve its integrity and credibility

[The Daily Somalia @TheDailySomalia]

#BREAKING: FIFA says it has no role in host-country immigration decisions after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan's 2026 World Cup dream came to an end.

"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present."

Artan — the first Somali selected to officiate at a FIFA World Cup and CAF’s African Referee of the Year for 2025 was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport and returned to Istanbul despite holding a valid visa. U.S. Customs and Border Protection cited "vetting concerns." Amid Somalia is on President Trump’s travel ban list.

FIFA said it had been officially informed that Artan's status would not be changed at this stage.

The case has sparked widespread criticism from international media and football stakeholders, while Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports has called on FIFA to intervene.

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

Omar Artan, a respected African referee and award-winning official from Somalia, was denied entry to the US for World Cup officiating. @FIFAcom must respond. A World Cup cannot exclude its own officials

#StandwithOmarArtan

[BBC Sport @BBCSport]

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, has been denied entry to the United States.

[Abdiweli Waberi @A_Waberi]

Award winning Somali Ref. Omar Artan has been denied entry to US where he’s due to officiate at the World Cup.

The silence is @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom is louder than the US denial.

If refs and qualified officials are denied, how’s the cup a WOLRD CUP?

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

Omar Artan’s story is both pride and pain-pride in his success, pain in the system he comes from. He is a clear example of excellence, but the system at home has turned into a barrier instead of a bridge. What a disgrace!

[The Daily Somalia @TheDailySomalia]

BREAKING: Somali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States and returned to Istanbul on Monday after being stopped at Miami International Airport, according to sources within the Somali Football Federation.

The Somali Embassy in Nairobi said on Friday it had facilitated Artan’s travel on a diplomatic passport. He was among African referees selected to officiate matches at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.

Cartan was recently named Africa’s Best Referee for 2025 at the CAF Awards held in Rabat, Morocco, by the Confederation of African Football.

Somalia is among countries facing U.S. travel restrictions, with most Somali nationals barred from obtaining certain visa categories, with limited exemptions for diplomats and cases considered in the U.S. national interest.

Neither FIFA nor the Somali Football Federation has commented on the incident.

[Afyare A. Elmi @afyare_elmi]

Dagaalka Xamar ka socda wuxuu salka ku hayaa khilaaf siyaasadeed oo la xiriira xukunka iyo sida loo wadaagayo oo loola kala wareegayo. Waa isla sababtii uu ka dhashay dagaalkii sokeeye ee dheeraa. Waxayna ahayn koox xukun ku dhagtay iyo kuwa kale oo kula diriray.

Madaxweyne @HassanSMohamud waqtigaagii waa dhamaaday. Waxaa kuu furan inaad dadka xukunka danaynaya kala heshiiso nidaamka doorashooyinka. Natiijada dagaalka Xamar ka socda waxba kuma kordhinayso arrinkaas. Xukunka wuxuu ka dhexeeyaa dalka oo dhan. Xukun gaar u yaal xaafadaha Bermuda iyo Cabdicasiis ma jiro. Xitaa haddii aad Xamar oo dhan xoog ku qabsato, xukunka Soomaaliya xoog kuma haysan kartid. Adoo og wixii Soomaali ku kala gaaray arrinkan, haba isku dayin xoog. Dhankaas kaama jiro xukun.

Waxaa kugula talin lahaa, dagaalka adigaa joojin kara maanta ee jooji oo nabad iyo heshiis siyaasadeed raadi. Taas baa dantu ku jirtaa.

Madaxweyne @HassanSMohamud dagaalka jooji.

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

The attack on former President @HESharifShAhmed and former PM @HassanAKhaire was deeply unfortunate and should never have happened. The greatest victims were innocent civilians who were unnecessarily exposed to danger and harm.

[Hassan Ali Khaire @HassanAKhaire]

For more than 20 hours, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has directed a sustained and indiscriminate military assault with the apparent objective of killing me, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, dozens of respected traditional elders, and other political leaders in Mogadishu.

Heavy weaponry more commonly associated with conventional battlefield operations than densely populated urban areas, including anti-tank weapons, drones, and other military assets, has been deployed against us.

Civilian infrastructure has not been spared. Electricity supplies serving thousands of innocent civilians have been deliberately disrupted, further endangering lives and livelihoods. This conduct constitutes a war crime under international law.

These are weapons entrusted to the Somali state to fight Al-Shabaab, now turned against Somalia’s own leaders and citizens in an unprecedented campaign of political repression and targeted killing.

We will defend ourselves, our communities, and our constitutional rights.

I call upon all military, police, and security commanders to uphold their constitutional oath and refuse unlawful orders. Your duty is to the Constitution and the Somali people, not to the political interests of any individual.

Every unlawful order given and carried out will be documented. All those who commit criminal acts and war crimes will be held personally accountable.

I urge Somalia’s international partners to act immediately.

[The Daily Somalia @TheDailySomalia]

William Ruto said on Monday that the Kenyan government will officially assume responsibility for paying the salaries of Islamic educators teaching the Holy Quran across the country, describing the move as a significant step toward promoting religious literacy and strengthening community-based education.

Speaking at a #MadarakaDay in Wajir northeastern Kenya, @WilliamsRuto said the policy reflects the government's commitment to supporting faith-based learning institutions and ensuring that Quran teachers receive formal recognition and financial support. Further details on the implementation timeline and funding arrangements were not immediately available.

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

A historic moment for Northern Kenya and the spirit of national cohesion. Thank you President Ruto for acknowledging past injustices and showing statesmanship through your apology on historical grievances in Northern #Kenya. #MadarakaDay

[Umulkher Harun (Umi) -MP @missyHaroona]

A long awaited apology. It translates to equitable resource sharing and a strong message of unity. The patriotic citizens of northern kenya 🇰🇪
#tumerudinyumbani

[The Third House @thirdhouse_III]

Join us for the 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 as we host H.E. Amb. @AhmedAwadSO for an engaging discussion on: “𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬”

📍 Masraxa Dookh
📅 22 May 2026
🕡 6:30 PM (Maqribnimo)
#TheThirdHouse #Dialogue

[Arsenal @Arsenal]

The Arsenal. Your Premier League champions.

[Axmed S. Maxamed @Ahmed_Sarsarrey]

Itoobiya waxay tusaale u tahay in dal aan bad lahayn uu soo jiidan karo maalgashi culus haddii dowladda iyo ganacsatadu leeyihiin aragti fog, amni la isku halleyn karo, sharciyo maalgashi, koronto iyo dekedo la isku halayn karo iyo siyaasad deggan ayaa naga xigta @Mohamed_Dubo

[Harun Maruf @HarunMaruf]

Nigerian billionaire increases planned ​investment in a fertiliser plant ‌in Ethiopia to more than $4 billion from $2.5 billion announced last year https://t.co/KkL32kUYy2

[Afyare A. Elmi @afyare_elmi]

President @HassanSMohamud crossed a dangerous red line by unilaterally extending his term mandate for one year, changing the constitution, and attempting to gerrymander elections. This raises the question: how could someone with his experience believe that Speaker Adan Madobe's words would easily deliver such changes?

In Somalia, the necessity of periodic political transitions cannot be overstated. Greed for power was one of the primary causes of the Somali civil war. When the military regime overthrew the legitimate government, suspended the constitution, closed all political avenues, outlawed opposition, and suppressed dissent, multiple factions took up arms against the regime, leading to a long and brutal civil war.

Somalis who met in Djibouti and established the Third Republic learned an important lesson: they made periodic political transitions one of the key pillars of the political settlement. They agreed there is no regime security for any administration.
At the end of each of the six dispensations that followed, selected MPs (often through corruption) unseated the incumbent president and crowned someone from the opposition. The president understands this fact better than anyone else. That is why he is insisting to have his own way (his laws, his commission and computers).

Three benefits resulted from these periodic dispensations:

1. Different political forces accepted the outcome and accepted the elected president during his mandate.
2. There was a continuity of incremental improvements at the state institutions and societal level, albeit progress was too slow.
3. A sense of stability was introduced into the system, as political forces opposing the government had to wait until the end of the term and did not resort to political violence to seek power.

Way Forward:

1. The talks initiated by the US and UK diplomats in Mogadishu helped a lot, albeit they did not resolve the conflict. Now Washington and London should get involved. Also, broadening this group to include key non-traditional donors would increase pressure on parties.
2. Pressure the government to negotiate a political roadmap in good faith and stop weaponizing security forces, the aviation agency, and international assistance.
3. At the same time, pressure the opposition should to engage constructively with the government and avoid initiating a parallel process that could lead to the establishment of another government.

⁠ Common Ground

1. Universal suffrage and party-based politics remain aspirations for all Somalis.
2. All parties accept the clan power-sharing formula of 4.5, which makes the election process somewhat indirect as long as this formula is in place.
3. Parties have immense experience in managing transitions.

Differing Points

1. When does the mandate end? The president is seeking one-year extension and the opposition is calling a political agreement on the roadmap for dispensation.

2. Who selects the members of parliament representing clans at the state and federal levels? Theatrics aside, the President wants to use the laws he unilaterally made and the commission he appointed for selecting the MPs. On the other hand, the opposition rejects the president's proposal as well as the practices of the 2022 dispensation. They advocates for tribes to choose their representatives through an improved indirect election process.

Practical Steps

1. Achieve a political agreement on the roadmap as soon as possible to transition the country into election mode.
2. At the state level, clan elders should select MPs for each clan constituency.
3. State parliaments must elect senators by removing gatekeepers, allowing anyone from the clan constituency who is interested to compete. In the past, state presidents have awarded senate seats as gifts to their preferred individuals.
4. For the House of People, larger clan constituency delegates from combined constituencies should elect the MPs. For example, combining delegates from three clan constituencies can elect three seats: 500 delegates from each constituency totaling 1,500 can elect the three seats.
5. Election management should be a collaborative effort between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS), civil society, and opposition members.

[The Third House @thirdhouse_III]

We’ve spent enough time discussing the "who." It’s time to discuss the "how."

TUNE IN! Join @thirdhouse_III

Moving beyond the noise to find real solutions for the Somali people. Strategy over slogans. Progress over politics.