Berlin has refused to oblige its citizens traveling to the self-declared Republic of Somaliland to comply with the new federal electronic visa system introduced by Mogadishu. Instead, Germany has directed its nationals to follow the visa procedures set by Somaliland authorities in Hargeisa, becoming the first country to formally recognize Somaliland’s separate visa regime.

Garowe, Somalia – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni will seek the presidency of Somalia for the second time in elections scheduled for next year, regional officials confirmed.

Somalia has resumed voter registration in Mogadishu for the one-person-one-vote elections, marking a major step in preparations for the city’s local council polls and the country’s democratic transition.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has demanded a unified African response to climate change, warning that Somalia remains among the hardest hit despite contributing little to global emissions.

Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has defended the Arab League after Ethiopia’s envoy in Mogadishu accused the organization of siding with Egypt in the Nile River dispute. Fiqi stressed the League’s role in supporting Somalia’s recovery and fostering regional cooperation, highlighting Mogadishu’s diplomatic challenge of balancing ties with both Cairo and Addis Ababa.

Puntland has rejected Somalia’s newly introduced electronic visa system, accusing the federal government of overstepping its authority. The state’s Information Minister argued that managing visas and airports falls within Puntland’s jurisdiction, while Mogadishu maintains the e-visa system will improve transparency and national security. The dispute has reignited long-standing tensions over control and revenue sharing between the federal government and Puntland.

Somalia at a Crossroads

In Somalia’s Gedo region, unidentified gunmen assassinated an outstanding extended family elder Adam Mahmoud, inside the town of Balad Hawo.
Security forces have opened an investigation, even as neighborhood leaders mourned the loss of a man seen as crucial to local peace.
The killing follows weeks of unrest between Somali federal forces and the Jubaland government, which left the metropolis deeply divided.

In Belgrade, Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met with his Serbian counterpart, Bratislav Gašić.

The two discussed opportunities for defense cooperation, highlighting Somalia’s fight against terrorism and Serbia’s readiness to support military training, intelligence sharing, and logistics.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to open dialogue and stronger security ties, marking an important step in Somali-Serbian relations

The Federal Government of Somalia is set to participate in the inauguration of Abdulkadir Ahmed Firdiye, the newly elected president of the North East State, Somalia’s latest federal member state. The ceremony, which will also include the swearing-in of Deputy President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril, comes after strong federal backing for the state’s formation despite opposition from Puntland and Somaliland. Federal leaders praised the milestone as a step toward unity and stability for the residents of Sool, Sanaag, and Buuhoodle.