0
Dr. Nur Dirie Hersi Fursade, Chief Strategist in the Office of the President of Somalia and Head the Digital ID Program, met with senior World Bank officials and development partners to brief them on a new government-led program, which aims to provide identification for all Somalis.
The Somali National Identity Program, the first of its kind for Somalia, will attempt to implement a foundational identification system based on biometric data. The National ID systems designed to be the nucleus of a new national identification infrastructure and will act an entry point for service delivery for Somali authorities, civil society, development partners and the private sector.
"The Somali Government is rapidly developing governance structures that will be able to respond to citizen needs”, said Dr. Nur Dirie Hersi Fursade, Chief Strategists in the Office of the President of Somalia. "Parallel to these developments, we need to make sure that Somali citizens and eligible residents are provided with identification credentials, which will enable access to vital services including aid and money transfer services. Implemented in this way, the new ID system acts as an effective and neutral entry point for addressing the effects of the global de-risking agenda by the Somali authorities”.
Somalia has never had a centralized identification system for its citizens and eligible residents, though decentralized manual identification systems were operational in local municipalities prior to 1991.
The new ID system aims to promote linkages with delivery of services by the private sector, link IDs with electronic Know Your Customer (KYC) verification in the financial sector and coordinate social protection programs such as unconditional cash transfers. IDs would also play a crucial role in security, displacement and democratization processes.
Dr. Nur made a technical presentation to development partners that outlined the envisioned identification infrastructure, legal and regulatory framework, implementation schedule and budget estimations. He stressed that the Office of the President envisions a new federal agency would be established to manage the ID system.
The European Union is dramatically expanding its economic and strategic engagement with Greenland, committing another €200 million as the Arctic island becomes an increasingly important arena of competition over security, critical minerals, infrastructure and geopolitical influence. Full Article
MOGADISHU — Concerns are growing among Somali intellectuals, civil society organizations, retired military officers, and democracy advocates that Somalia is entering a dangerous period of political instability marked by increasing militarization and shrinking space for democratic participation. The concerns come amid escalating confrontations in Mogadishu and reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction resulting from recent clashes between government forces and opposition-aligned groups. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia – As Somalia approaches planned demonstrations on June 4, concerns continue to grow over the state of human rights, freedom of expression, and civic space in the country. Full Article
Prominent Somali investigative journalist and philanthropist Dahir Abdulle Alasow has been honored with the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year 2026 Award, recognizing his growing humanitarian impact through the international charity organization Alasow Foundation. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey's growing political, military, and economic influence in Somalia is increasingly drawing attention across the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region as geopolitical competition intensifies between regional and international powers. Full Article
Somalia is facing a deepening humanitarian and political crisis following widespread forced evictions, deadly security operations, and escalating tensions between the federal government and opposition groups. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has sparked outrage after issuing strong threats against opposition leaders planning anti-government demonstrations in Mogadishu, warning that security forces would respond forcefully to any protests challenging the federal government. Full Article
The Associated Somali Journalists (ASOJ) has expressed concern over what it describes as growing pressure, intimidation, and suppression targeting independent media and freedom of expression in Somalia. Full Article
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — Turkey is increasingly emerging as the dominant foreign diplomatic force in Somalia following the failure of political talks previously supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, and international partners, highlighting a major shift in influence inside Somalia's political landscape. Full Article
A Somali woman identified as Farhiya Abdi Mudey, also known as "HaafTurki," has reportedly been arrested in Nairobi under controversial circumstances, with emerging claims suggesting that her detention may be linked to alleged bribery involving Kenyan police officers. Full Article
DUBLIN (Waagacusub.net) — The International Monetary Fund has warned European policymakers that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence could boost economic productivity while also disrupting labour markets, widening inequality, straining electricity networks and increasing Europe's dependence on foreign technology.
The European Union is dramatically expanding its economic and strategic engagement with Greenland, committing another €200 million as the Arctic island becomes an increasingly important arena of competition over security, critical minerals, infrastructure and geopolitical influence.
MOGADISHU / MINNEAPOLIS — Somali rapper Sharmarke Abdinasir Mohamed, widely known as Sharma Boy, is facing renewed scrutiny following allegations that he used threats, blackmail and sustained pressure to obtain thousands of dollars from a Somali-American woman in the United States.
MOGADISHU — Concerns are growing among Somali intellectuals, civil society organizations, retired military officers, and democracy advocates that Somalia is entering a dangerous period of political instability marked by increasing militarization and shrinking space for democratic participation. The concerns come amid escalating confrontations in Mogadishu and reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction resulting from recent clashes between government forces and opposition-aligned groups.
Prominent Somali investigative journalist and philanthropist Dahir Abdulle Alasow has been honored with the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year 2026 Award, recognizing his growing humanitarian impact through the international charity organization Alasow Foundation.
The European Union has expressed concern over reported plans by the United States to temporarily restrict diesel exports, warning that such a move could have economic consequences on both sides of the Atlantic at a time when Europe is already facing elevated energy costs. Full Article
Ethiopia is confronting its most dangerous northern military escalation since the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, as renewed fighting spreads across Tigray, Amhara and Afar and raises fears that a country still carrying the scars of its last devastating war could be sliding toward another major conflict. Full Article
Dutch riot police arrested 24 people on Saturday after a demonstration in The Hague descended into violence, with protesters throwing fireworks and other objects at police officers. Full Article
DUBLIN (Waagacusub.net) — The International Monetary Fund has warned European policymakers that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence could boost economic productivity while also disrupting labour markets, widening inequality, straining electricity networks and increasing Europe's dependence on foreign technology. Full Article
BRUSSELS (Waagacusub.net) — The European Union has opened the door to an unprecedented new relationship with Canada, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposing that the country become the bloc's first-ever "associate member." The proposal, announced on September 16, could significantly deepen cooperation between Canada and the 27-member European Union in defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and digital trade. Full Article
Hormuud's Assault on African Peacekeepers Figure 14: African Peace Keepers Hormuud launched a scorching public campaign against the Kenyan military forces in AMISOM in late August 2019. Full Article
Former Intel official stripped from NISA membership Full Article
PM KHEYRE USELESS AND COSTY OVERSEAS TRIPS. Full Article
Abiy says 'New Year' will be celebrated in Eritrea, Ethiopian Airlines to resume flights Full Article
Massive rise in Islamist militant attacks in Africa Full Article
Somali Identification Team Meets With World Bank Officials To Boost ID Efforts In Somalia
Somali Identification Team Meets With World Bank Officials To Boost ID Efforts In Somalia