Somali International News

Transitional Govt of Somalia Calls for World Food Programme (WFP) to Continue Operations

The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia on Sunday called for the World Food Programme (WFP) to continue its operations in Somalia, just hours after Harakat Al-shabab Mujahideen issued press released suspending whole activities if the agency in southern Somalia.

Somalia's president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Seeks World's Help, Admits Shortcomings

Somalia's president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has called on international community to assist his fragile government in restoring peace and stability in the war-torn country.

Ahmed acknowledged that his government has no powers to pacify the country from the powerful insurgents, urging world to urgently help.

Somalia's president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Laments Lack of International Support

Somalia's president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said his country lacks the international support it needs to prevent powerful Al-Qaeda-backed insurgents from overthrowing his fragile government.

Sharif said his government only control pocketful of Mogadishu with the rest including southern Somalia under the hands of Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the two main insurgent groups.

Prime Minister of Somalia 'Invited to London'

Somalia's interim prime minister flew from the capital Mogadishu on Thursday under a shroud of secrecy, Radio Garowe reports.

Plane With 37 Pirates Held in Nairobi

An aircraft carrying 37 pirates was on Sunday still being held at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport under heavy guard as high-level negotiations continued.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga had been informed about the aircraft and its human cargo and were said to be in negotiations with both the Seychelles and Somali governments.

Government Opposes Creation of International Tribunal to Trial Somali Pirates

The Somali transitional government has opposed the creation of international tribunal for convicting Somali pirates, an official told Shabelle radio on Sunday.

Foreign Fighters in Somalia Are 'International Criminals' - President

The president of Somalia's interim government, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, told a Monday press conference in the capital Mogadishu that foreign fighters in the Horn of Africa country are 'international criminals,' Radio Garowe reports.

Somali Gunmen Who Abducted MSF Aid Workers Demand $4 Million

The Somali gunmen who kidnapped two aid workers working for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) have demanded 4 million dollars to release them, kidnappers told Shabelle Media Network on Tuesday.

One of the kidnappers who described his name as Ibrahim Ali Hassan contacted Radio Shabelle and said they are demanding 4 million dollars to release the foreign aid workers.

U.S. Mariner Freed as Somali Pirates Move to Seychelles

An American merchant ship captain was freed from Somali pirates by U.S. Navy forces Sunday, as a new warning was issued about pirate activity in East African sea lanes near the Seychelles.

The employers of Captain Richard Phillips announced in a statement issued in Virginia in the United States that the U.S. government had informed them at 1.30pm Eastern time that Phillips had been rescued.

American Merchant Ship Captains Call For Harsh Action Against Somali Pirates

American merchant ship captains have called for harsh action against Somali pirates, even as an American-owned tug was seized Saturday in the Gulf of Aden.

500 African Union Peacekeepers Arrive in Mogadishu

A new batch of African Union peacekeepers arrived in Somalia's capital Tuesday, days after 11 Burundian peacekeepers in Mogadishu were killed in a suicide bomb attack, Radio Garowe reports.

A military transport plane delivered 500 new soldiers from Burundi, which will reinforce a 3,500-strong AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM.

UN Envoy Welcomes Announcement of New Somali Cabinet

A senior United Nations official has welcomed the announcement of the new Somali cabinet, and the fact that the new Government will return to Mogadishu this weekend to begin the vital work of restoring peace, stability and development to the strife-torn nation.

New Somali PM Calls for Talks With Al Shabaab as Ethiopia Troops Re-Enter

Somalia's newly appointed Prime Minister, Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake, has called for peace talks with Islamist hardliners, as Ethiopian troops re-entered parts of the country, Radio Garowe reports.

Prime Minister Sharmake told reporters in Djibouti City that he is "confident" that hardliners who have rejected the new government can be convinced to negotiate.

U.S. Advised to Back Reconciliation Efforts

Two years after the administration of President George W. Bush backed Ethiopia's invasion of Somalia, President Barack Obama is being urged to pursue a much more flexible policy toward the East African nation than his predecessor and let Somalis, including Islamist leaders who were targeted by the invasion, sort things out for themselves.

AU Peacekeepers Accused of Civilian Killings In Somalia

African peacekeepers serving in the Somali capital Mogadishu have been accused of fatally shooting civilians by a local government official, Radio Garowe reports.