President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced Somalia will start its first oil drilling in the coming months, calling it a milestone for national development. Speaking at Parliament’s 7th session, he said the project will assess the quality and volume of reserves and generate jobs and revenue. Seismic surveys indicate significant untapped resources, and foreign firms have signed exploration deals. Analysts stress the need for transparency and equitable sharing to ensure oil wealth supports stability.

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre accused opposition leaders of plotting a coup after an attack on Mogadishu’s Warta Nabadda Police Station. In a video address, he said the Salvation Forum faction aimed to block one-person-one-vote elections and destabilize the capital. Barre condemned former leaders for turning to violence, praised security forces and residents for repelling the assault, and vowed accountability as Somalia continues its fight against Al-Shabaab.

Mogadishu Port was ranked East Africa’s most efficient maritime gateway in the 2024 Container Port Performance Index by the World Bank and S&P Global. The port placed 163rd globally, ahead of Berbera, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, and Mombasa. Officials said the ranking reflects improved management and reliability, enhancing Somalia’s trade profile. Director General Mohamed Ali Nur described the milestone as evidence that Somalia can compete regionally and globally in commerce.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ruled out extending his term and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to one-person, one-vote elections. He said only the National Independent Electoral Commission can set election timelines and defended constitutional reforms as legal and open to dialogue. Mohamud dismissed opposition claims, stressed national unity, and urged parliament to complete electoral legislation before the current term ends. He emphasized that voter registration reflects citizens’ readiness for direct elections and a democratic transition.

Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh met Saudi Vice Minister of Finance Abdulmuhsen Bin Sa’ad Alkhalaf in Riyadh to strengthen economic ties. They discussed joint investments in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture, highlighting fiscal reforms to attract foreign capital. Both sides pledged to convert political goodwill into financial partnerships to boost trade, create jobs, and improve food security. Follow-up technical talks will shape financing frameworks and implementation plans.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Egyptian and Ethiopian peacekeepers will not clash in Somalia, despite tensions over the Nile dam and Ethiopia’s Somaliland pact. He noted the troops under the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will be stationed hundreds of kilometres apart. Mohamud stressed there will be no proxy war on Somali soil. AUSSOM now fields about 11,900 personnel from five African countries, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Egypt.

African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat urged predictable funding and wider international support for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at a United Nations General Assembly side event. He said the mission requires $196 million in 2025 and reported that the African Union doubled its Peace Fund to $20 million. He praised Somalia’s debt relief and election to the United Nations Security Council but warned of fragility and Al-Shabaab threats.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met German Ambassador Sebastian Groth in Mogadishu to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and investment. Hamza highlighted opportunities in fisheries, livestock, and industry, urging greater German engagement to support economic growth. Groth confirmed Germany plans to invest in multiple sectors and said senior officials from the Ministry of Development and Economic Affairs will visit soon. Germany remains a key EU partner in Somalia’s development and stabilization efforts.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the country’s recovery reflects both national resolve and global support. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, he highlighted Somalia’s new seat on the UN Security Council and called for action on Palestine, including a ceasefire and commitment to a two-state solution. Domestically, he said Somalia is defeating terrorism, preparing for its first full elections in 57 years, and assuming greater responsibility for governance.