Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to referee at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States.
He received a diplomatic passport from the Somali embassy but was turned away upon his arrival.
Omar Artan was elected Best African Referee in 2025.
I studied people who:
• never miss Fajr
• memorized the Qur'an
• resist their phone effortlessly.
They all have ONE skill in common.
And most people don't even know it exists.
Here's their secret:
My congratulations and best wishes to mentor Nuruddin Farah on being awarded an honorary doctorate by SOAS.
I first read "From A Crooked Rib" - Nuruddin's debut first novel - while still a child in primary school and found it extremely captivating.
Big talent. Deserving of wider international recognition.
(Kenyan @MPyusufhassan is a close personal friend of Nuruddin and attended the award ceremony in London.)
Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.
Trump’s travel ban is divisive and harmful—punishing millions for no good reason. We stand with our Somali community.
Today, across our nation, clan conflicts are tearing communities apart, spilling the blood of brothers and displacing innocent civilians. Tribalism has entrenched divisions, leaving us stagnant while the rest of the world moves forward. May ALLAH end these conflicts, heal our wounds and unite our hearts to rise together in peace & harmony.
#Somalia
Sudan’s strategic importance as a breadbasket of Africa makes it a target for both mercenaries and their sponsors seeking to exploit its resources. The Al Jazirah and Al Fashaga regions, with their fertile lands, are indeed invaluable for Sudan’s agricultural potential and food security fortunately SAF are in total control for both regions.
The Sudanese Armed Forces and local communities resisting the RSF demonstrate the resilience of a nation determined to protect its sovereignty and resources. If the RSF, often described as mercenaries funded and supported by foreign actors, is defeated in Sudan , it could mark a turning point in the fight against external manipulation in Africa.
Proxy wars and mercenary recruitment represent modern tools of exploitation in Africa , threatening the stability of our continent and the well-being of our people. Africa must recognize this challenge and act collectively to prevent other countries from falling into similar traps.
“Africa wake up”
A troubling and alarming similarity between the political elites/rulers of the five NFD counties in Northern Kenya (Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, and Marsabit) and Somalia is interesting to note. It also needs urgent redress. It also helps one understand the predatory nature of pastoralists' political elites and their slash and burn attitude towards governance and accountability. In Somalia, right from President Hassan Sheikh, PM Hamza, and the entire cabinet and everyone running government have their wives and children domiciled either in America, Europe, Africa (Egypt in the case of PM) Middle East or Nairobi. Somalia is essentially run by Somali expatriates with foreign nationalities who repatriate even their salaries to capitals where their families live. In the five NFD counties of Kenya, right from governors, deputy governors, mps, Senators, women representatives and MCAs, none resides or is domiciled in the five counties...and none has his/her kids going to schools in the five counties. All stay with their wives and husbands in Nairobi. Shouldn't this phenomenon of the pastoralist political elite seeing their country/counties as a place where they mine/exploit and then live and invest somewhere else interest anthropologists and donors? Isn't there need to study and remedy the superficial and tenuous attachment of pastoralists tribesmen to his constituencies? Shouldn't Western Donors who pay the salaries of Somali politician not insist that their wives and children must be domiciled in Mogadishu before they disbursement funds? Similarly, how can a governor/mp/senator/women representatives who live in leafy suburbs of Muthaiga/Karen/Runda of Nairobi remotely be conscious of the needs of the impoverished subject in Takaba/Tarbaj/Habasweyn/Garbatula?
Somalia’s firm stance at the UN Security Council reflects a significant shift in its approach to sovereignty and regional dynamics. By rejecting Ethiopia’s attempt to assert itself over the new AU/UN support mission (AUSSOM) and emphasizing its bilateral agreements for security personnel, Somalia is sending a strong message about its independence and desire to shape its own future.
Ethiopia’s historical involvement in Somalia has often been contentious, with accusations of interference and a complicated legacy of military engagements. Somalia’s decision to sideline Ethiopia from this new mission highlights its efforts to prioritize its national interests and rebuild security on its own terms.
This move also signals a broader recalibration of regional relationships, as Somalia appears determined to diversify its partnerships and strengthen bilateral agreements without reliance on its historically dominant neighbors. If this marks a new chapter for Somalia’s self-determination and security, it could reshape the power dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
While some people chose to incite war and unrest , i call for peace and stability. My peace prevail in Raskamboni and all over our beloved country. #Raskamboni#Peace
@MikeNith1@HamzaAbdiBarre Promoting peace and stability is essential for Somalia as we continue to recover from decades of civil war. The leaders of both FGS and Jubaland should find a peaceful resolution of the current tension.