Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo)

Director, Talo Wadaag 2 Programme, Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Researcher, Trainer & Expert in Peace & Horn of African Diaspora

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/tpOrvbQETU

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/W6LNqOOcUo

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/x9n9XkkDTl

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/gm26hvf5Rx

[Dr Andreas Krieg @andreas_krieg]

Another asymmetric way Iran could disrupt the global flows that make the 21st century economy, is hitting the undersea cables as the backbone of the regional flow of data

For a regime that has little to lose, they are ways to further escalate should Trump think he has escalation dominance

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/T6Q2JnQmCq

[Open Source Intel @Osint613]

A senior U.S. delegation visited Somaliland yesterday. The commander of U.S. Africa Command met with Somaliland's chief of staff.

Somaliland officials said after the meeting that "control near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea would significantly change the U.S. approach to dealing with the Houthis and Iran."

Somaliland expressed support for the U.S. and Israel using its territory against the Houthis.

This comes a day after Israeli reports of concern that the Houthis may attempt to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

N12.

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

CS activist

https://t.co/QEYw9ZKKBt

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

ماهي قصة الفقير الذي دعا الشيخ المتولي الشعراوي الي الافطار - Google Search https://t.co/yC95LCTnfi

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

Mogadishu tonight, peace garden traditional plays and an annual business exhibition. I really enjoyed attending, observing and shopping.

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/jMyyPfC1Dt

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/Bjl840ay5B

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/0Ng1z1b5MB

[Abdirashid Hashi @AnalystSomalia]

Didn’t read Matt Bryden’s “Somalia at Risk of Becoming a Jihadist State”?

Here’s the TL;DR —
(and what he’s really doing.)

Bryden’s latest piece is a two-dozen-page “brief” in his signature style: open with al-Shabaab “at the gates,” narrate Somali history as one straight line to collapse, and close by insisting only external intervention can keep the fallout “manageable.”

The themes never change: federalism is broken; the national government is the villain; Islamists lurk everywhere; donors are exhausted and abandoning; Somaliland deserves recognition; and any federal member state arguing with Mogadishu becomes a “responsible actor.”

This isn’t new. It’s the latest entry in a 30-year pattern:

• 1999 – Building Block Approach: praise Ethiopia, warn against a Somali central government.

• 2003 – No Quick Fixes: downplay terrorism; call critics “alarmist.”

• 2003 – Banana Test: argue Somaliland already meets recognition standards.

• 2013 – Somalia Redux?: dismiss national progress as a “surreal bubble.”

• 2021 – Fake Fight: claim the FGS was colluding with al-Shabaab.

The new brief simply reheats the formula.

What makes this brief even more revealing is Bryden’s fixation on Islam — in a country that is 100% Sunni Muslim and whose political actors remain united in fighting al-Shabaab and ISIS.

Of course he knows religion and politics mix everywhere: Kenya’s evangelical blocs, Ethiopia’s Orthodox and Pentecostal actors, Europe’s Christian Democrats, and the decisive role of America’s Bible Belt states. Yet somehow, Muslim politicians in Somalia are “the threat.” This five-year fear cycle of “the barbarians are coming” is his franchise.

Meanwhile, Somalia actually cooperates daily with Kenya, Ethiopia, the EU, UK, U.S., UAE, Qatar, and Türkiye on security, intelligence, aid, and counter-terrorism.

Contrary to his script, the UK injected £30 million into Somalia’s security transition last month; the EU continues to fund AUSSOM; the U.S. conducts regular FGS requested strikes; and the successive government he pronounces “dead on arrival” lifted the arms embargo, secured multibillion-dollar debt relief, and — inconveniently for his framing — now Somalia sits on the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, Somalia has had six presidents since 2000, repeated peaceful transfers of power, and zero coups — outperforming most of the global South. Elections are messy, yes, and we’re entering that season again, but they remain peaceful and actors accept results. None of this fits his screenplay.

Then comes the Hollywood section of his brief, where he weites:

“al-Shabaab’s potential capture of Mogadishu need not foreshadow a total jihadist conquest… A Provisional Federal Government could be established in a secure interim capital…”

And continues:

“The balance of forces… between a Mogadishu-based al-Shabaab and a Provisional Federal Government in Baidoa… al-Shabaab’s access to port revenues would triple its income…”

And!

“Since the militants would stand to inherit most of the arms, equipment, and vehicles currently in the SNA’s possession, al Shabaab’s military capabilities would rapidly surge.”

At this point, anyone still drinking from Bryden’s well should reconsider. And perhaps — being well beyond retirement age — he might sip his Kool-Aid quietly instead of splashing it across respected platforms.

Finally Somalia gave Matt Bryden a lucrative 35-year career, and he repaid it with scorn. Still, we genuinely wish him long and health life — long enough to watch, year after year, the results of our hard work.

Also, neither Soomaalinimo — our march toward a strong, peaceful state — nor Islaamnimo — our pride in our faith and our Prophet — is going anywhere. So, pal, dhexda dhuuqso (tighten your belt — you’ll need it).

As for this attached video: that’s Stadium Mogadishu — and no, it does not look like a city al-Shabaab is about to “capture.”

Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/ssT97owjFw

[Nora Althumiri, PhD I د.نورا الثميري @NorAlthumiri]

يُعد مفهوم الأصالة (Authenticity) من المفاهيم المركزية في المدرسة الوجودية، ويعبّر عن قدرة الإنسان على أن يعيش منسجماً مع ذاته الحقيقية بدل أن يكون انعكاساً لتوقعات الآخرين أو ضغوط المجتمع.

الأصالة ليست مجرد سلوك صادق، بل حالة من الوعي العميق بالذات، يُدرك فيها الفرد قيمه، ويدرك مسؤوليته عن اختياراته، فيتصرّف وفق ما يراه صادقًا مع جوهره الداخلي.

يرى جان بول سارتر أن الإنسان يُولد بلا ماهية محددة، وأن هويته تتشكل من خلال أفعاله، لذلك فإن الأصالة تتطلب وعياً حراً ومسؤولية كاملة عن هذه الأفعال. فحين يختبئ الفرد خلف الأعذار أو الأعراف، يعيش ما يسميه سارتر بـ"سوء النية" (Bad Faith)، أي أن يخدع نفسه بالاعتقاد أنه مجبر على ما يفعل، فيتخلى عن حريته الحقيقية.

أما رولو ماي في علم النفس الوجودي فيرى أن الأصالة تعني القدرة على مواجهة القلق دون هروب، لأن القلق هو الثمن الطبيعي ل��حرية. فكل اختيار أصيل يرافقه خوف من الخطأ، لكن هذا الخوف دليل على الوعي والمسؤولية، لا على الضعف. يعيش الإنسان الأصيل توتراً دائماً بين ما هو كائن وما يمكن أن يكون، لكنه يختار أن يواجه هذا التوتر بشجاعة لا بزيف.

في المقابل، الإنسان غير الأصيل هو من يعيش وفق ما يُملى عليه من الآخرين، ويتكيّف مع التوقعات الاجتماعية حتى يفقد ذاته تدريجياً. هذا النمط من الوجود يؤدي إلى ما يسميه هايدغر بـ"الوجود الزائف" (Inauthentic Being)، حيث يتحول الإنسان إلى نسخة متكررة من الآخرين، ويعيش كما “يعيش الناس” لا كما يريد هو أن يعيش.

العيش بصدق مع الذات لا يعني الانعزال أو رفض المجتمع، ب�� يعني أن تكون القيم التي نعيش بها نابعة من قناعتنا لا من الخوف أو الإرضاء. الأصالة هي توازن بين الحرية الداخلية والمسؤولية الأخلاقية، بين أن أكون نفسي وأن أظل إنسانًا مرتبطًا بالعالم والآخرين.

من منظور علاجي، تهدف المقاربة الوجودية إلى مساعدة الفرد على استعادة أصالته من خلال الوعي، والتحرر من الأدوار الزائفة، وتحمل نتائج قراراته بصدق. فكل لحظة يعيشها الإنسان بصدق مع ذاته، تُعد خطوة نحو حياة أكثر معنى وامتلاء.

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/40igaGoMdF

[Omar Abraar @OAbraar]

Habdhowraha @Golaha_shac_JFS Nuux “Shirkadaha ardayda Tahriibiya waa in loola dagaalama sida Argagixisada Khawaariijta ah" #Mogadishu #Somalia 🇸🇴

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/4HZdiyi6a3

[Reuters @Reuters]

In Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, hundreds of families have been left homeless by a surge of forced evictions. Residents say their homes were demolished, often without warning or the opportunity to challenge government-led actions

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/1TaJZpEtW2

[Reuters @Reuters]

In Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, hundreds of families have been left homeless by a surge of forced evictions. Residents say their homes were demolished, often without warning or the opportunity to challenge government-led actions

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/zL2mYNeceG

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/KJTjS9KFPp

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/Q6FRPKqmXV

[TRT Afrika @trtafrika]

Somalia is set to start drilling its own oil, with the country having billions of barrels of oil reserves.

Here's how this could transform the Horn of Africa country

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/Y1hvJ6YTzS

[Khazali Abdullahi @SheriffKhazali]

This is the DISHEARTENING situation of our brilliant youths in Somalia. Hopes are slowly dying, dreams are shattering — despite their deep urge for a better & progressive life. @mhirmoge, in his latest article on @Somali_Stream, described the same. @SomaliIntegrity @EIshmael_

[Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo) @YYididiilo]

https://t.co/IWTiQ7ihtT

[Somali Journalists Syndicate - SJS @sjs_Somalia]

🚨Somali Journalists Syndicate @sjs_Somalia strongly condemns and raises alarm over the threats made by officers of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu against woman journalist Anisa Ahmed.

Yesterday, 14 September, as confirmed in the audio recording below, journalist Anisa Ahmed of Dalbile TV was threatened by the NISA commander of Dayniile district, Mogadishu.

Anisa, one of the active and courageous journalists in the city, was reporting on the plight of displaced residents who were threatened with gun violence and forcibly evicted from Oodweyne neighborhood in Dayniile district by government forces.

The journalist was stopped and confronted by NISA officer in charge of Dayniile.

We call for full accountability for these threats. @sjs_Somalia continues to support Anisa and her team as they continue reporting on human rights violations in Mogadishu.