Latest news with #FederalGovernmentofSomalia
Cision Canada
09-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Education Cannot Wait Scales-Up Funding for Education in Somalia with US$17 Million Catalytic Grant
Total ECW funding in the Federal Republic of Somalia now tops US$64.2 million. The Multi-Year Resilience Programme will be delivered by a consortium of international and local civil society organizations, reaching 43,000 children with life-saving education. NEW YORK, May 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- For over 25 years, Somalia has faced persistent conflict, insecurity and climate change-related crises, severely impacting the lives and lifelong trajectories of the nation's children. In response to the ongoing situation, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and its strategic partners announced today a new US$17.1 million grant that will reach over 43,000 children with safe, quality education opportunities. Total ECW funding in Somalia now tops US$64.2 million. The humanitarian needs far outpace the resources available in Somalia and other forgotten crises worldwide. Somalia's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 remains severely underfunded, according to OCHA's Financing Tracking Service. Prior to the new tranche of ECW funding, only 29% of the overall US$68.6 million humanitarian appeal for education was funded. "The children and adolescents of Somalia have suffered far too long. Yet, they have so much to give – provided they are empowered with a quality education. We will not allow Somalia to be another 'forgotten crises,'" said ECW's Director Yasmine Sherif. "More than half of Somalia's school-aged children – 4.5 million – are out of school today. ECW is a pooled funding mechanism advancing joint programming. Our additional financial investment will thus enable all our partners in Somalia to jointly deliver continued quality education. Clearly, education is the best investment to empower crisis-affected communities to take the reins, steer their own destiny and end dependency on aid." The United Kingdom is ECW's second-largest donor, with US$277 million in total contributions to date. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) leads the donor group in Somalia and was instrumental in developing the expanded programme. "The UK is absolutely committed to working with the Federal Government of Somalia and partners like Education Cannot Wait for a more secure and stable future for all Somali children," said British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis. "Today's programme launch is unique because it provides predictable, long-term funding for some of the most vulnerable, crisis-affected children in Somalia. It will also support the Federal Government of Somalia's efforts to strengthen the education system. Education gives children normality, protection and hope. Educating children is the best way to ensure a better future for Somalia, which is why we're proud to partner with Education Cannot Wait." The programme builds on ECW's US$47.1 million in total investments in Somalia, which have already reached more than 300,000 children and adolescents with a quality education. The programme will be delivered by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in coordination with the Federal Republic of Somalia. Consortium partners include Save the Children, Concern Worldwide and the Formal Education Network for Private Schools (FENPS). "Education is the foundation of opportunity and progress, and ensuring that every child in Somalia has access to quality learning is a priority for our ministry. The partnership with Education Cannot Wait represents a vital commitment to expanding educational access for children affected by the crisis, enabling them to continue their studies and build a brighter future. Through this collaboration, we reaffirm our dedication to providing safe and inclusive learning environments, and empowering the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive," said Farah Sheikh Abdulakdir, Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education, Federal Republic of Somalia. "This Multi-Year Resilience Programme is more than a programme – it is a lifeline for thousands of children across Somalia who have been denied their right to education due to conflict, climate shocks and displacement. ADRA is proud to lead this transformative effort alongside our partners Save the Children, Concern Worldwide and FENPS – organizations deeply rooted in the communities we serve and experienced in delivering education in emergency contexts," said Jorge Silva, Country Director, ADRA Somalia. "Together, we will work hand-in-hand with government, ECW, local organizations, Somalia's education cluster and communities to ensure that children not only access school, but thrive in safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments. This is how we build resilience. This is how we build the future." Political, social and economic instability, compounded by climate change-induced disasters, has led to widespread displacement, acute food insecurity and limited access to essential services including education in Somalia. Progress is being made, but it is uneven. Seven out of ten Somalis still live below the poverty line. The number of people requiring humanitarian assistance in Somalia peaked in 2023 at 8.25 million. That number is projected to decrease to approximately 6 million in 2025. Nevertheless, protracted conflict, political and economic instability, climate change, and other social and cultural barriers have created wide and systemic fragility in Somalia's education system. The new programme will be delivered in six locations within the Federal Republic of Somalia. Programme interventions focus on ensuring access to safe and protective learning environments for vulnerable girls and boys, including refugees, returnees and other at-risk groups such as children with disabilities. It also seeks to improve holistic learning outcomes such as basic numeracy, literacy and social-emotional learning, and strengthen the resilience of the education system. Note to Editors About Education Cannot Wait (ECW): Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations. We support quality education outcomes for refugee, internally displaced and other crisis-affected girls and boys, so no one is left behind. ECW works through the multilateral system to both increase the speed of responses in crises and connect immediate relief and longer-term interventions through multi-year programming. ECW works in close partnership with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian and development aid actors to increase efficiencies and end siloed responses. ECW urgently appeals to public and private sector donors for expanded support to reach even more vulnerable children and youth.
Business Insider
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Somalia, Saudi Arabia deepen labour cooperation for jobs and development
The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, Honourable Yusuf Mohamed Adan, held a high-level bilateral meeting on Monday with His Excellency Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, Deputy Minister for Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Somalia's Minister of Labour held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister to deepen collaboration on social development and employment generation. The discussion focused on implementing a memorandum of understanding to streamline legal migration and overseas job opportunities for Somali workers. Both sides committed to safe and structured employment pathways, aiming to address youth unemployment and build a skilled workforce. The meeting took place in Riyadh during Minister Yusuf's official working visit to the Kingdom. The purpose of the meeting was to deepen collaboration between the two nations in areas of social development, workforce mobility, and employment generation. It forms part of broader efforts by the Somali government to secure overseas job placements and foster partnerships that support national development goals. Accelerating labour agreements to create overseas jobs Central to the discussion was the swift implementation of a recent memorandum of understanding signed between Somalia and Saudi Arabia, which aims to streamline legal migration and overseas employment opportunities for Somali workers. Both ministers agreed to expedite the operationalisation of the agreement, with a focus on safe, structured, and dignified employment pathways that would benefit thousands of Somali jobseekers. The move is expected to address youth unemployment and contribute to skills development by linking Somali workers to formal job markets abroad. 'We are fully committed to ensuring our youth and skilled workers can access legal and productive employment opportunities outside Somalia,' said Minister Yusuf. 'This agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a significant step forward in tackling unemployment and creating livelihood opportunities for our citizens.' Somalia's vision for a productive labour market Minister Yusuf highlighted that Somalia's Labour Ministry is pursuing a long-term strategy focused on employment creation, capacity building, and economic inclusion through international cooperation. He emphasised that bilateral labour partnerships are central to achieving Somalia's development and social protection objectives. 'Forging strategic labour partnerships is not just about sending workers abroad; it is about building a future-ready workforce and contributing to our national growth,' he noted. 'We are investing in human capital and aligning with trusted global partners to build a resilient labour system that delivers for all Somalis.' Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Somali labour mobility For his part, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain welcomed the renewed engagement and affirmed Saudi Arabia's readiness to work closely with Somalia to implement the labour agreement effectively. He expressed the Kingdom's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote orderly labour migration, safeguard worker rights, and improve social development outcomes. The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of fostering cooperation in workforce development, skills matching, and labour market access, noting that such efforts would be mutually beneficial for both countries. A Step towards broader socioeconomic growth The engagement marks a positive milestone in Somalia's efforts to build regional and international alliances in support of employment, migration governance, and sustainable development. The Labour Ministry is expected to continue engaging other countries in similar discussions as part of its broader mandate to empower the Somali workforce. The Somali government has also pledged to introduce training programmes and regulatory frameworks to prepare potential overseas workers for foreign job markets, ensuring their safety, well-being, and integration.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rapid Strike On Smuggling Ship Off Africa Highlights Increased Authorities Given To Commanders
When an unflagged vessel smuggling advanced arms to the al-Shabaab jihadi group was spotted in the waters off Somalia last week, there was no time to send a boarding party to interdict it, a U.S. defense official told The War Zone Tuesday morning. So, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) made a rare decision, calling in an airstrike. The ability to do so was, in large measure, made possible by new authorities given to commanders to act, the official told us. This is meant to speed up critical kill chains and increase the effectiveness of the force that has to keep ahead of enemies on a fast-moving modern battlefield. But even with the clear benefits of increased authorities down the chain of command and forward in the field, there can be added risks. 'This was a time-sensitive issue,' said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. 'They have to do things quickly. They did not have time to pull in boats.' 'In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes against advanced conventional weapons aboard a flagless vessel and a smaller supporting vessel inside Somalia territorial waters on April 16, 2025,' the command announced. 'The weapons were en route to al Shabaab terrorists inside Somalia and posed an imminent threat to partner and U.S. forces in Somalia. AFRICOM's initial assessment is that no civilians were harmed.' In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes against advanced conventional weapons aboard a flagless vessel and a smaller supporting vessel inside Somalia territorial waters on April 16, 2025. — U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) April 22, 2025 Everyone aboard both vessels was 'neutralized,' the Somali Ministry of Information added. Press ReleaseIn a joint operation, the @USAfricaCommandAfric collaborated with the Federal Government of Somalia to execute a precision airstrike against vessels laden with advanced military equipment destined for the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab Read moer — Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (@MOISOMALIA) April 17, 2025 AFRICOM declined to say what kinds of weapons were involved, how the strike was carried out or by what branch. Interdiction of arms at sea is not unusual in this part of Africa and the Middle East. Smuggling everything from AK-47s and ammunition to advanced missile components are regular occurrences around the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsular. Illicit arms deals to extremist groups and support for proxies in the form of weaponry has plagued the region for a very long time. Though routine, these operations remain inherently dangerous, as borne out last year by the deaths of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram. The two Navy SEALs were attempting to board a vessel in the Arabian Sea carrying Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missile components from Iran to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. When boarding the boat, Chambers slipped into the gap created by high waves between the vessel and the SEALs' combatant craft, officials said. As he fell, Ingram jumped in to try to save him. Both men perished. An airstrike against vessels, meanwhile, is practically unheard of. The U.S. official said it has been at least five years, and probably longer, since that last happened, if at all, in the AFRICOM region. The ability to rapidly carry out attacks like this one is the result of U.S. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving local commanders more authority to act, the U.S. defense officials told us. That AFRICOM is doing so is the result of increased activity and presence by groups like al-Shabaab and ISIS operating in northern Somalia. 'Commanders have been given more delegated authorities than under the previous administration to act and a wider range of targets,' that can be hit, a second U.S. defense official told The War Zone. These changes are reflected in the drastic increase in airstrikes against al-Shabaab and ISIS targets. 'So far this year, we conducted 20 airstrikes against both ISIS Somalia and al-Shabaab,' the official told us. 'We did 10 all of last year.' The last strike on a ground target came the same day as the vessels were hit. The attack took place near Adan Yabaal, according to AFRICOM. 'Al-Shabaab has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces,' AFRICOM said in a statement at the time. 'AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al Shabaab's ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.' Footage obtained by #Africalix from an MQ-9 'Reaper' drone shows U.S. AFRICOM precision strikes on ISIS targets in Somalia's Cal Miskaad Mountains, a known militant stronghold. Ordered by President Trump, this decisive action reinforces U.S. commitment to eliminating terror… — Africalix (@Africa_lix) February 2, 2025 Retired Army Gen. Joseph Votel, former commander of U.S. Central Command, told us the value of having greater authority to act. 'One example of an authority that I asked for and received was the ability to move forces back and forth between Iraq and Syria,' explained Votel, now a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute. 'Prior to 2017 – our policy had been strict management of the numbers and capabilities in each country. As the campaign progressed, we needed more flexibility, especially in Syria. Being able to move forces back and forth under my own authority, as opposed to seeking approvals through the National Security Process, gave us the flexibility and agility we needed to finish the campaign. I think the big idea is to get decision-making at the lowest competent level – the commander/leader who has the knowledge of the situation as well as the requisite judgment and experience. This does not always mean the most junior or most senior leader – it is the one who is best enabled to make the decision.' Conversely, he said he had to get approval for 'certain operations in Yemen,' he added. While reducing the need to seek permission has its advantages, there are potential downsides. Speeding up the kill chain can introduce higher risks, including misidentification, collateral damage, and unintended geopolitical ramifications. In addition, as in the case of the boat attacked by AFRICOM, the decision to make a swifter strike removed any intelligence value gained had there been time to capture it. The new authorities, which affect airstrikes and commando operations, were implemented in response to a much more restrictive process under Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, CBS News noted in the first story about the easing of the rules. Under the Obama administration, before launching a drone strike in Somalia or Yemen, 'military commanders had to ensure it met a number of strict criteria and obtain approvals from seven decision makers — including the president,' the network explained. 'The individual targeted had to be confirmed as a member of an approved terrorist organization using two independent forms of intelligence. Civilian casualties had to be projected as minimal. And there could be no 'contradictory intelligence' muddying the waters.' The Biden administration had similar restrictions. An official interviewed by CBS 'added that Mr. Trump's approach carries both risks and rewards because the streamlined process can potentially degrade foreign terrorist organizations' capabilities faster, given the lower threshold required to strike and widened target selection, but it inherently raises the risk of flawed decisions and unintended civilian casualties.' It is unclear if these new permissions extend beyond AFRICOM. Earlier this month, AFRICOM's commander, Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, testified before Congress that the new authorities have spurred action. 'Al-Shabab is especially a heightened terrorist threat, namely because they're colluding with the Houthis across from Yemen,' he stated. 'So we're watching that closely. The president and the Secretary of Defense gave me expanded authorities… I will say, we're hitting them hard. I have the capability to hit them hard.' JUST IN: General Michael Langley of @USAfricaCommand warns of 'heightened terror threats' as Hawiye Al-Shabaab, ISIS Saleebaan Mahmoud Majeertenia, and the Houthis team up in failed — Checkmate – Halyeeyed (@CheckmateEA) April 5, 2025 Langley further stated there was good reason to have that additional authority. Groups like al-Shabab and ISIS, he told senators, are a 'direct threat on the homeland, whether it's just their networks or even their ideology.' He pointed to the Jan.1 terror attack in New Orleans, when 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, drove a truck into a crowd of revelers, killing at least 10 and injuring dozens. Jabbar had an ISIS flag in his truck and was motivated by their beliefs. 'This is an event that was inspired by a foreign terrorist ideology,' then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told CNN at the time. 'This individual ascribed to the heinous beliefs of ISIS.' Though AFRICOM has increased the tempo of its attacks, as we previously noted, the Trump administration is looking to pull back from Africa. That includes the possibility of making AFRICOM subordinate to U.S. European Command (EUCOM). Both are currently headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Even if it is subsumed, commanders of AFRICOM, or what remains of it, will likely still have a major role in kinetic actions on the continent. The additional authorities provided under Trump and Hegseth should continue to speed up the kill chain if more attacks against these groups are required. Contact the author: howard@
Al Bawaba
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
US air forces attack ISIS positions in Somalia
Published April 15th, 2025 - 01:12 GMT The airstrike occurred southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia, AFRICOM said in a statement. AFRICOM's current assessment is that the airstrike killed one ISIS terrorist and that no civilians were harmed. ISIS-Somalia has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces. AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia's ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our civilians abroad. Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security, according to AFRICOM's statement. Via Copyright � 2022 Ethiopian News Agency. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Egypt Independent
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Somali justice min. expresses his country's keenness on boosting judicial cooperation with Egypt
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Moallim Mahmoud, received a high-level delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Justice, led by Haytham Hegazy. According to the Somali News Agency (SONNA}, the meeting focused on enhancing judicial cooperation between the two nations and improving Somalia's justice system. Attendees included the Deputy Minister of Justice, Ambassador Ilyas Sheikh Omar who noted that the meeting was a continuation of discussions held during his recent official visit to Egypt in November, where they agreed to strengthen training cooperation in the judiciary and update legal frameworks to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Somalia's justice institutions. The Somali minister expressed his country's keenness on boosting cooperation with Egypt in the judicial domain. Meanwhile, members of the Egyptian delegation reaffirmed commitment on supporting Somalia's justice sector to promote the rule of law and sustainable development in the judiciary domain.
