A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that Somalia shares its grief with the government, leadership and people of Algeria, and stands with the families and relatives of the children who died in the tragedy.

The ministry said that this incident is deeply saddening, sending its condolences and support to the Algerian people at this difficult time.

The Federal Government of Somalia finally prayed to Allah SWT to grant patience and faith to the families of the victims, and a speedy recovery to the injured, while wishing Algeria and its people lasting peace, security and stability.

The fire, which broke out early Thursday morning, caused significant damage and loss of life, as firefighters worked for hours to put out the flames and rescue people inside the facility. Algerian authorities have not yet released the identities or ages of all those killed, while the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The incident comes as North African countries, including Algeria, are facing a heatwave and high temperatures. Algeria has also been hit by major forest fires in recent years, causing widespread death and destruction.

Somalia sends condolences to Algeria after fire at orphanage kills at least 11.

Minister Khadija said that ensuring the participation of women and people with disabilities is a legal obligation on all parties involved in the electoral process, noting that the country’s laws stipulate that women receive at least 30 percent representation, while people with disabilities are allocated 5 percent.

“According to the country’s Electoral Law and the Law on Political Parties, we are all obligated to ensure the realization of the 30% participation of women and 5% participation of people with disabilities. Political parties in particular have a special responsibility to ensure these quotas,” the Minister said.

She also stressed that the participation of women and persons with disabilities in the democratic process is a key pillar in building an inclusive society, and can lead to equitable governance and sustainable development.

The Minister’s statement comes as the Galmudug State Government prepares for local council and House of Representatives elections, which are expected to play a key role in implementing the democratic process and expanding political participation in Somali society.

Minister Sandheere said that the Somali government had made great efforts to prevent Fahiima Quuje from reaching Hargeisa. He said that Somaliland had information indicating that an attempt had been made to kidnap her, although he did not provide further evidence to confirm this.

“The Somali government made efforts to prevent Fahiima from coming here. We even have information that she tried to kidnap her, and it is not shameful and it is the tradition of the Hassan Sheikh administration in Mogadishu,” the minister said. He added that Somaliland has Fahiima’s birth certificate, describing her as a Somaliland citizen.

The minister also said that Fahiima Quuje’s return has political and social significance, noting that she has reversed her previous stance and deserves to be welcomed back to Somaliland with dignity.

He said that Somaliland has previously experienced civil strife but the society has achieved reconciliation, noting that Fahiima’s case is no different from that process. He added that she and the Lascaanod community are Somaliland people.

The minister’s statement comes days after Fahiima Quuje announced that she had abandoned the Somaliweyn vision and returned to supporting the Somaliland cause, and she is returning to Hargeisa today.

The meeting took place at the AUSSOM Command Headquarters in Sector 5, chaired by the AUSSOM Sector 5 Commander, Major General Michel Ndenzako. It was attended by the Commander of the 12 April Division of the Somali National Army, Major General Hussein Mohamed Osoble, the Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Major General Saney Cabdulle, and other senior Somali military officials.

The two sides reviewed the security situation in the Middle Shabelle region, agreeing on measures to strengthen security cooperation.

The plans agreed upon include increasing intelligence sharing, maintaining joint patrols, and conducting joint reconnaissance before establishing a Forward Operating Base in the Buurane area.

The planned base in Buurane is expected to strengthen the presence of the Somali National Army in the area and support efforts to ensure security and stability in the region, according to a statement issued at the meeting.

The Commander of the 12th April Division, Major General Hussein Mohamed Osoble, thanked the Burundian troops of AUSSOM for their role in supporting peace and security in Somalia, commending their efforts and sacrifices.

For his part, the Commander of the 5th AUSSOM Division, Major General Michel Ndenzako, confirmed that AUSSOM will continue to support security operations led by Somali forces, in order to accelerate efforts to stabilize areas liberated from armed groups.

A press release issued by the ministry on Saturday said that the continuation of the conflicts poses a threat to security, social cohesion and reconciliation efforts in the country.

The ministry called on individuals, groups and anyone involved in inciting conflicts, spreading hate speech and organizing violence to stop such acts, while also calling on traditional elders, scholars and various sectors of society to work for peace and stability.

The ministry also said it is instructing security and law enforcement agencies to take legal action against anyone found inciting conflicts or acts that disrupt security.

The press release concluded with a call for all parties to take the lead in resolving conflicts through dialogue and consensus, in order to maintain peace and social cohesion.

Somalia’s Ministry of Interior warns against inciting violence in Lower Shabelle

The retaliatory sentence, identified as Ibrahim Kooshin, was arrested by security forces a few hours after the killing of the chief, and was handed over to the judicial authorities who sentenced him to death, which was carried out this morning in the district.

The family of the deceased, who spoke to the media, said they were satisfied with the justice, saying that it is necessary for anyone who commits a murder to be brought to justice quickly. They thanked the security forces for capturing the criminal who fled after committing the crime.

The execution of the retaliatory sentence brought the chief’s murder case to an end.

The officer in question, Jariiban commander Guleed Kadleeye, was one of the Gorgor forces that received training in Turkey during the government of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, and was among the officers recently deployed to Puntland districts to strengthen security.

The deceased has recently been at the forefront of efforts to ensure security in Jariiban district, especially in combating illegal weapons and strengthening police operations.

Jariiban district is also a base for troops recently recruited by the Federal Government of Somalia, and there are occasional reports of piracy-related activities.

General Jimcaale’s return came after mediation efforts by a committee from the Nugaal region, which was tasked with resolving a long-standing dispute between the two sides.

Reports from the talks indicate that the Puntland government and General Jimcaale have reached a preliminary understanding, although a formal and detailed agreement has not yet been announced.

Sources close to the parties said that the points raised in the talks include that General Jimcaale renounces ties and military plans with the Federal Government of Somalia, while his forces are given their rights within Puntland.

Also, reports indicate that President Said Abdullahi Deni is working to have General Jimale recognized as the highest military rank, with the parties recognizing that the security of Puntland is a shared responsibility of all Puntland citizens.

The mediation in this matter was led by a committee headed by the former President of Puntland, Senator Abdirahman Faroole, who has been trying to bring the two sides closer together.

The talks are expected to continue until a final agreement is reached, although there are still points that need to be understood by both parties.

However, Gen. Jimale, who was recently reported to have been appointed as the commander of the 54th Division of the Somali National Army, although his appointment has not been officially announced, has troops in Garowe who are paid by the Federal Government of Somalia.

Curad-1, located about 372 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, has become the first well to be officially drilled offshore Somalia. The operation follows a series of 3D seismic surveys conducted in three offshore blocks, which led to the start of drilling.

The well is planned to reach a depth of nearly 7,500 meters and could take up to 288 days to complete, making it one of the deepest offshore oil wells in the world.

Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Dahir Shire Mohamed, said drilling operations were underway and that previous exploration data had been analyzed, with the focus now on testing the first well offshore Somalia.

If the well is found to contain commercially recoverable oil reserves, it would be the first such discovery in Somalia, which could change the future of the country’s energy sector and economy.

However, no results indicating that commercial oil is available have been announced yet, and it is expected that the well’s evaluation will be completed once drilling is complete.

PRESS RELEASE
Somali People’s Political Union

Date: 17 July 2026

The Somali People’s Political Union clearly states that it does not agree with the announcement made by the Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia regarding the dismissal of the Chairperson of the Somali National Chamber of Commerce.

The organization believes that any action that affects independent institutions and civil society organizations must be based on the Constitution, the laws of the country and the procedures established for these institutions.

The organization’s press release stated:

“The announcement issued by the Government today is incompatible with the political, economic and diplomatic stages that the country and the world are going through. If the Government wants to deal with the leadership of the Somali National Chamber of Commerce, it must follow the paths set by the law.”

The Somali People’s Union noted that, as the organization understands, the leadership of the Somali National Chamber of Commerce is elected in accordance with the procedures and rules of the Chamber, with the participation of the business members of the Chamber. The Organization also pointed out that the Somali National Chamber of Commerce is one of the civil society organizations and has relations and membership with international business organizations and councils.

The Somali People’s Union calls on all government institutions to maintain institutional order, the independence of legal organizations and the implementation of the Constitution, laws and regulations of the country.

Finally, the Somali People’s Union calls on the Federal Government of Somalia to return to the rule of law, and to avoid any action that could give rise to legal and institutional disputes, in order to protect the public’s trust and the reputation of national institutions.

“The law is the basis of statehood, and all government and independent institutions must comply with the laws of the country.”

End

Office of the Chairman
Somali People’s Political Organization
Ali Mohamed Nuux (Timajilic).

The US State Department said the US$1.96 billion deal supports US foreign policy and national security objectives and enhances the defense capabilities of Saudi Arabia, which Washington considers a key non-NATO ally.

The weapons approved include up to 20,000 Advanced Point-to-Point Weapon Systems (APKWS) and their warheads, which are designed to accurately target targets while minimizing civilian casualties and damage from war. BAE Systems will be the prime contractor for the deal.

The US administration said the sale would enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to counter current and future threats, and strengthen military cooperation between Saudi Arabia, the US and its regional allies.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, after the Houthis launched a missile attack on Abha airport. The attack followed an attack on Sanaa airport, which the Houthis blamed on Saudi Arabia.

The arms deal also comes as the US has stepped up military pressure on Iran, with the US reimposing a naval blockade and new attacks targeting Tehran. The US has said the arms sale will not affect its military readiness.