Matt Bryden

In Davos, African president pitches business deals to Trump’s son Eric The president of Somaliland was at the World Economic Forum this week to win international recognition for his country and pitch investment opportunities in the East African nation.

Somaliland's president pitches deals at World Economic Forum in Davos. #Somaliland #Somalia www.reuters.com/world/africa...

All to play for: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland With Israel and the UAE apparently working in tandem, it may just be a matter of time before the next domino falls– even if the Emirates so far are holding their cards close. For the region, …

“Alea iacta est — The die is cast.” Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu might have uttered the same words on 26 December 2025, as Israel declared its bombshell recognition of Somaliland, sending a shockwave throughout the region.
#Somaliland #Somalia

martinplaut.com/2026/01/05/a...

All to play for: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland With Israel and the UAE apparently working in tandem, it may just be a matter of time before the next domino falls– even if the Emirates so far are holding their cards close. For the region, …

"Alea iacta est — The die is cast.”
All to play for: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
#Somaliland #Somalia
martinplaut.com/2026/01/05/a...

The Somaliland They Don’t Want You to Remember Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Sunday Island, Colombo, providing insight into Somaliland’s history and Israel’s recent recognition. What if the most repeated claims about Soma...

"What if everything the world believes about Somaliland - its history, its politics, its sovereignty - is wrong?"
#Somaliland #Somalia
slguardian.org/the-somalila...

Is Israel’s recognition of Somaliland breaking the ice or breaking the region? [[image id=3115922]]Israel’s controversial recognition of the statehood of the breakaway country of Somaliland has rocked the region, raising hopes – or fears – that other states might follo

In 2003, the South African MFA concluded: "it is undeniable that Somaliland does indeed qualify for statehood, and it is incumbent upon the international community to recognise it." Page 6 of the legal opinion is attached.

www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026...

Is Israel’s recognition of Somaliland breaking the ice or breaking the region? [[image id=3115922]]Israel’s controversial recognition of the statehood of the breakaway country of Somaliland has rocked the region, raising hopes – or fears – that other states might follo

"Is Israel’s recognition of Somaliland breaking the ice or breaking the region? Israel has been widely criticised for recognising Somaliland’s statehood, but others may follow suit."
#Somaliland #Somalia

www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026...

Somaliland Recalls Envoy from Djibouti for Diplomatic Engagement Somaliland has recalled its representative to Djibouti to Hargeisa for consultations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Djibouti needs to adjust to the reality that Somaliland is now a recognised state and is on the path towards broader international recognition. Djibouti cannot stop that momentum." - Rashid Abdi.
#Djibouti #Somaliland #Somalia
www.horndiplomat.com/somaliland-r...

Israel Becomes the First Nation to Recognize Somaliland

More on Israel's recognition of Somaliland, from the NYT. The African Union Commission Chairman's reaction is out of step with previous AU findings on Somaliland and contradicts the AU's own Constitutive Act. #Somaliland #Somalia
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...

Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland

Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland

Israel becomes first country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent state Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday -- a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and te...

Israel has recognised the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, with the tacit support of the United States. Several African and Arab countries are expected to follow suit in the near future. #Somaliland #Somalia

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Somalia’s 2026 election risks a legitimacy crisis Unilateral reforms and elite deadlock threaten the country’s fragile settlement.

A sobering, timely warning from Dr Afyare Elmi on the danger of #Somalia's fragile political settlement unravelling: "The federal government’s unilateral pursuit of power, cloaked in the language of democratic reform, threatens to trigger a legitimacy crisis..."

www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...

Somalia Seeks Recruits to Stop al-Shabaab - Africa Defense Forum The Somali government wants to expand its armed forces to 100,000 Soldiers to stop the terrorist group al-Shabaab, which controls parts of the Horn of Africa country. One researcher called the current...

"The Somali government wants to expand its armed forces to 100,000 Soldiers to stop the terrorist group al-Shabaab." That's double the number of troops in neighbouring Kenya and would cost over US$250 million per year, on payroll alone. Magical thinking. #Somalia
adf-magazine.com/2025/12/soma...

‘The guerillas are everywhere’: Mogadishu prepares to fall to Islamist insurgents | The Observer

Solid, atmospheric reporting from the frontlines of #Somalia's faltering war against the jihadist insurgent group, Al-Shabaab.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...

ACSS: Al Shabaab advances threaten Mogadishu as Somalia’s federal system weaken Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia faces a realistic risk that al Shabaab could seize Mogadishu and turn the country into a jihadist-ruled state, as the federal government loses control outside the capital, th...

Many thanks to the editorial team at Hiiraan Online for this faithful and balanced review of my recent article on #Somalia for @africacenter.bsky.social.
www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/N...

Sahan Research analyses the evolving nature of maritime insecurity in the Red Sea in the latest #SomaliWire - exploring the resurgence of Somali piracy and Houthi attacks, and the complex geopolitical and economic motivations behind them.
#Somalia #piracy #terrorism
Read here: t.co/707zyxTBwe

Somalia at Risk of Becoming a Jihadist State – Africa Center Unregulated logging of the Congo Basin rainforests threatens to undercut the livelihoods of millions of households in the region.

My gratitude to @AfricaACSS for publishing my latest piece on the growing risk of a jihadist takeover in Somalia - and what it would take to prevent it.

hashtag#Somalia hashtag#AlShabaab hashtag#HornofAfrica hashtag#HoA hashtag#Security
africacenter.org/publication/...

Eritrea, Ethiopia and the Missteps That Could Lead to War Abiy Ahmed’s naval ambitions and Isaias Afwerki’s proxy tactics are testing a fragile peace, which is one miscalculation away from unraveling

"Leaders facing internal decay often externalize crisis..." #Ethiopia #Eritrea newlinesmag.com/argument/eri...

The return of Erik Prince The comeback of America’s most infamous mercenary

Tough but fair. The Economist's new podcast about Erik Prince and the future of PMCs. Worth a listen. #Iraq #Somalia #DRC #Haiti #Ukraine #

www.economist.com/podcasts/202...

At least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in Tanzania after taking to the streets to protest this week’s presidential election, which saw the increasingly authoritarian incumbent, President Samia...

www.france24.com/en/africa/20...

Djibouti parliament vote to lift presidential age limit allows Guelleh re-run Djibouti's parliament has voted unanimously to lift a presidential age limit, opening the way for its 77-year-old leader Ismail Omar Guelleh to run for a sixth term in April 2026 election.

Sigh...

Djibouti parliament vote to lift presidential age limit allows Guelleh re-run rfi.my/C84a.BS

🚨 BREAKING

#Ethiopian PM Abiy received #Somalia President Hassan in Addis Ababa. Sources say the visit aims to block #Somaliland President Cirro's planned trip to Addis and seek Ethiopian backing for #Mogadishu’s plan to detach Gedo region from #Jubaland administration led by Madoobe.

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of preparing for war as Red Sea tensions rise Ethiopia has written to the UN, accusing Eritrea of "funding, mobilizing and directing armed groups" on its soil.

#Ethiopia accuses #Eritrea of preparing for war as Red Sea tensions rise in a letter its Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos sent to the UN chief Antonio Guterres.

Somaliland’s Electoral Commission Wins Global Transparency Award in Botswana By: Mohamed Duale Gaborone, Botswana – Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has received the Transparent Election Award in recognition of its credible and transparent management of the cou...

#Somaliland’s Electoral Commission Wins Global Transparency Award in Botswana

"The award also underscores Somaliland’s growing reputation as a model of democratic governance in the Horn of Africa."
#elections #democracy

horndiplomat.com/2025/10/soma...

Somalia’s opposition Salvation Forum, together with #Puntland & #Jubaland state leaders form the "Council for Somalia's Future", following talks in Nairobi.

They called for a national summit inside #Somalia to finalize the council & urged unity against threats to stability.

Electoral Showdown in Somalia: Averting Another Round of Turmoil | International Crisis Group Political tensions are rising in Somalia. With elections due in 2026, politicians are arguing over the terms for the polls. The government and its opponents urgently need to compromise in order to sta...

Crisis Group warns looming electoral showdown could plunge #Somalia into fresh turmoil, calling urgent inclusive talks between stakeholders on 2026 vote rules — or risk a repeat of past violence and paralysis.

@comfortero.crisisgroup.org @crisisgroup.org

As President Hassan Sheikh attends UNGA this week without a much-needed Jubaland deal, and amid mounting AUSSOM debt and Al-Shabaab advances, Villa Somalia’s diplomacy looks adrift nine months into its UNSC tenure. Read more in our latest #Somalia #SomaliWire: sahan.global/issues/the-som

By Sahan Research, #Ethiopia and #AI

'[These] are the ones now directing much of our future, a handful of nearly exclusively white North American men, wealthy, vainglorious and battling out the future of humanity with their egos in the race for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data supremacy'

Jubaland’s crisis spills into Mandera - with Villa Somalia destabilising Gedo and AS exploiting the vacuum, Nairobi’s partnership with Madoobe remains a necessary, if uncomfortable, pillar. Read more in Sahan's latest #SomaliWire: sahan.global/issues/the-s...

Why Somaliland Matters The time has come to treat Somaliland for what it already is: a functioning state that has earned its place among nations.

Somaliland's quest for international recognition receives a powerful vote of support from an unexpected quarter. #Somaliland #Somalia
americanmind.org/salvo/why-so...