Somali Information, Culture, and Tourism Minister Daud Aweis Jama on Tuesday called for a “cease-fire as well as an end to Israel’s massacre against the Palestinian people.” “I believe what is being done to the Palestinian people is inhumane,” Jama told Anadolu in Istanbul where he came to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Information Ministers hosted by the Türkiye’s Communications Directorate. Jama said that Somalia has always stood by the OIC member countries, condemning the atrocities perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people. “Since October, the massacre has been continuing without any intervention. The main theme bringing us here today is to condemn the misinformation spread by the media while reporting on what is happening to the Palestinian people,” Jama noted. “We want the Palestinian people to live freely. We call for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Thus, we can have the two-state solution that we have long advocated for,” he said. Jama expressed his belief that the only solution to the problems of the Palestinian people is “the establishment of their state.” Speaking on the relations between Türkiye and Somalia, Jama said: “The Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed between the two countries is a historic one.” “The two countries have good relations, which date back many years,” he said. Jama underlined that the said agreement would elevate the relations to a different level and would be very beneficial to both countries. Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas, killing more than 29,700 people and causing mass destruction and shortages of necessities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed. The conflict has pushed 85% of the territory’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while most of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Tel Aviv now plans a ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah, where 1.4 million people have taken refuge.

Minister of Transport and Aviation of the Federal Government of Somalia, MP Fardowsa Osman Egal, has cautioned the Somaliland administration against actions that could compromise aircraft security within Somalia. “We have issued several warnings about disruptions caused by the Somaliland administration to aircraft using our airspace, particularly in the northern regions. If these actions continue, we will pursue legal action,” Minister Osman stated. Such actions could prompt the Somali government to consider redirecting international flights originally destined for Hargeisa through Mogadishu. Recent reports have revealed a troubling scenario within the Mogadishu Flight Information Region (FIR), with nearly a dozen aircraft reportedly contacted by unauthorized controllers issuing conflicting instructions. Instances of unauthorized climb and descent clearances, particularly in the northern part of Somali airspace, illustrate the ongoing political discord between Somaliland and Somalia. The Minister highlighted Somalia’s transition to a new communication system, replacing the previous setup used by both Mogadishu and Hargeisa. Under the new system, all aircraft are now under communication control from Mogadishu, the nation’s capital. Emphasizing the importance of dialogue with the Somaliland administration to address concerns and reach mutual agreements, the Minister urged for diplomatic resolution.

The Banadir Regional Court reconvened today for the proceedings regarding the case of Sayid Ali Moalin Daoud, who stands accused of fatally burning his wife, Luul Abdiaziz, in Mogadishu. Relatives of the deceased, including Luul Abdicasis, who was pregnant at the time of her death, attended the session, along with the accused and other court observers. The Federal Public Prosecution Office summoned four witnesses to testify before the court, three of whom were near the scene and provided crucial information about the incident. Their testimonies implicated Mr. Ali Moalin Daoud in the crime despite his denial. In his defence, Sayid Ali recounted a confrontation with his wife on the night in question, following her request for a divorce. Although he admitted to igniting a fire in their home, he maintained that he did not directly cause his wife’s fatal injuries. Deputy prosecutor Yahye Mohamud Saeed urged for the death penalty, citing compelling evidence against the accused.

Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre held a farewell meeting on Monday with the outgoing Ambassador of the Government of Turkey to Somalia, Ibrahim M. Yagli, in Mogadishu. During the meeting, Prime Minister Barre thanked Ambassador Yagli for his role in strengthening relations and cooperation between Somalia and Turkey. He expressed gratitude to the government and people of Turkey for their support during critical times in Somalia’s history, particularly in response to recent violations of the country’s sovereignty. The departure of the outgoing Ambassador comes a few days after Somalia and Turkey signed a 10-year defense and economic cooperation agreement to strengthen bilateral relations and regional stability. Prime Minister Barre emphasized that the agreement would address concerns related to terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, pollution, abuse, and external threats.