Human Rights Watch published findings Monday describing a pattern that began around April 2026: uniformed personnel showing up at homes at night, sweeping through markets, and detaining workers at small-scale mining sites, then transporting some to military camps. The group says it built its account from conversations with 18 people, including relatives of those taken and men who managed to avoid capture.

Why this matters now: Tigray has been under a fragile truce since late 2022, when a two-year war with federal forces ended after killing an estimated several hundred thousand people. Any sign of renewed militarization in the region, especially involving coercion of civilians, raises concern that the peace deal is weakening at a fragile moment.

According to the accounts gathered, recruiters worked from names of former fighters and relied on tips from residents to track people down. One especially violent episode was reported in the Kola Tembien area, where miners were reportedly detained, some beaten, and loaded onto vehicles bound for training sites.

Around the same time, Tigray’s ruling party introduced a law making service mandatory and punishing those who refuse. A party representative pushed back on claims of coercion when HRW raised concerns earlier, maintaining that fighters had joined by choice.

Laetitia Bader, HRW’s deputy director for Africa, said the recruitment drive was “creating a climate of fear throughout the region.”

Families described going into hiding, sleeping away from home, and in some cases fleeing to the capital to keep sons and husbands out of reach. A smaller number said relatives were themselves held briefly after evading service.

HRW is asking the outside parties who backed the 2022 truce, including the African Union, the US, the EU, Kenya, and South Africa, to push Tigray’s leadership to stop the roundups, free anyone taken against their will, and reconsider the new law.

The post Tigray Officials Forcibly Recruiting Civilians, HRW Says first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

The commission announced the decision in a statement following consultations with political organisations and a review of requests and recommendations concerning the readiness of candidates, electoral procedures and logistical arrangements.

According to the commission, elections for Galmudug’s Local Councils and House of Representatives, initially scheduled for July 20, 2026, will now be held on July 25, 2026. The five-day extension is intended to provide political stakeholders with sufficient time to finalise preparations ahead of the polls.

“The revised timetable reflects consultations with political organisations and an assessment of the level of preparedness for the upcoming elections,” the commission said in its statement. “The adjustment is aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders are adequately prepared to participate in a credible electoral process.”

The commission also announced that it had revised the timetable for the Banaadir Regional Council elections after receiving requests from political organisations and reviewing the readiness of candidates and election management procedures.

Although the commission did not immediately publish a new date for the Banaadir vote, it said the revised schedule would allow electoral officials to complete outstanding administrative and technical preparations while giving contestants more time to meet the required procedures.

The announcement comes as Somalia continues implementing electoral reforms aimed at expanding democratic participation and strengthening local governance. Authorities have repeatedly stated that credible local elections are a key step towards consolidating the country’s federal system and increasing public confidence in democratic institutions.

Election officials maintained that the postponement should not be interpreted as a setback but rather as a measure intended to improve the quality and inclusiveness of the electoral process.

“We remain committed to conducting elections that are free, transparent, inclusive and peaceful, in accordance with the Constitution and the country’s electoral laws,” the commission said.

The commission urged Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation to accelerate civic education and training programmes for members of local councils to ensure they are fully prepared to assume their responsibilities after the elections.

Political observers note that adequate voter education, candidate preparedness and logistical planning are essential for successful local elections, particularly in a country where electoral reforms continue to evolve. They argue that modest timetable adjustments can help reduce administrative challenges if they are communicated clearly and implemented transparensively.

Some political stakeholders welcomed the extension, saying it would provide additional time to complete campaign preparations and resolve outstanding procedural issues. Others stressed the importance of ensuring that the revised timetable is strictly observed to avoid further delays that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Civil society groups have also called on electoral authorities to use the additional time to strengthen voter awareness campaigns and ensure that election officials receive adequate training before polling begins.

The Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission has reiterated that preparations will continue under the revised schedule, with close coordination between federal institutions, regional authorities and political organisations. Officials expressed confidence that the additional time would enhance the credibility and orderly conduct of the elections.

The postponement is expected to have a limited impact on the broader electoral calendar if preparations proceed as planned. Attention will now focus on whether the revised timetable enables stakeholders to address outstanding logistical and administrative challenges ahead of polling day and whether the elections can be conducted in a peaceful, transparent and inclusive manner.

The post Galmudug, Banaadir Polls Postponed first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

In a statement released on Saturday, NISA said the operation targeted what it described as a militant gathering point along the riverbank in Basra after intelligence indicated that senior members of the armed group were meeting at the location.

The agency identified the slain commander as Ahmed Eybka Aalim, also known by the alias Daqare, alleging that he headed Al-Shabaab units responsible for planting explosive devices and coordinating attacks using 107mm mortars.

“NISA conducted a planned operation on the outskirts of Basra in the Middle Shabelle region, killing eight conspirators, including leaders, who belonged to the mine and mortar attack units,” the agency said in its statement.

It added that the operation specifically targeted senior operatives believed to have played key roles in planning attacks against civilians, government institutions and security forces.

According to the intelligence agency, Ahmed Eybka Aalim was considered one of the group’s senior field commanders in charge of coordinating mortar attacks while also supervising operatives responsible for laying roadside bombs in several parts of the country.

NISA said preliminary intelligence gathered after the raid suggested that surviving members of Al-Shabaab later returned to the site, removed the bodies of those killed and buried them at a separate undisclosed location.

The agency described the operation as a significant setback for the militant network operating in Middle Shabelle, saying it disrupted an important command structure responsible for planning indirect fire attacks and the use of improvised explosive devices.

Independent verification of the casualties or the identity of those killed was not immediately available, and Al-Shabaab had not publicly commented on the claims at the time of publication.

Security analysts say Middle Shabelle remains one of the regions where government forces continue to face persistent attacks despite sustained military pressure on the extremist group. The area has witnessed repeated operations involving Somali security agencies, supported in some instances by local community fighters and international partners.

A security official familiar with operations in the region, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said intelligence-driven missions have increasingly focused on dismantling the group’s command networks rather than targeting rank-and-file fighters alone.

“Operations that remove experienced commanders can disrupt planning and coordination, particularly when they involve specialists responsible for explosives and indirect fire attacks,” the official said. “However, sustaining those gains requires continued pressure because the group has demonstrated an ability to replace field commanders over time.”

Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for more than a decade, continues to carry out bombings, assassinations and complex attacks targeting security personnel, government officials and civilians. The group frequently uses improvised explosive devices and mortar attacks against military installations and urban centres, posing one of the country’s most persistent security challenges.

The Somali government has intensified counterterrorism operations in recent years, combining military offensives with intelligence-led raids aimed at weakening the group’s operational capacity. Officials say the campaign has resulted in the recapture of several settlements and the elimination of numerous senior militants, although Al-Shabaab continues to retain influence in parts of central and southern Somalia.

The latest operation comes as authorities seek to maintain momentum against the insurgency while strengthening security in areas recovered from militant control. Analysts note that eliminating experienced commanders may temporarily disrupt planned attacks, but caution that the broader threat will depend on the group’s ability to regroup and recruit replacements.

Government officials have indicated that intelligence operations against Al-Shabaab will continue across affected regions as part of wider efforts to degrade the group’s operational capabilities and improve security for local communities. Observers say the effectiveness of those efforts will be measured not only by battlefield successes but also by the government’s ability to prevent retaliatory attacks and consolidate stability in areas reclaimed from militant control.

The post Somalia Intelligence Kills Al-Shabaab Leader first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

Tababarkan ayaa muhiim u ah xilligan, sababtoo waxa uu ka dhigan yahay tallaabo cusub oo ay Maamulka Gobolka Banaadir uga sii dhowaanayso horumarinta qorsheynta magaalooyinka iyo tayeynta adeegyada bulshada, iyadoo Muqdisho ay u baahan tahay qorsheyn casri ah oo la jaanqaadi kara baahiyaha sii kordhaya.

Guddoomiye Ku-xigeenka Hawlaha Guud, Mudane Cabdimajiid Daahir Aadan, oo hadal kooban ka jeediyay furitaanka tababarka ayaa sheegay in Maamulka Gobolka Banaadir uu mudnaan gaar ah siinayo dhismaha karaanka hawl-wadeennada iyo horumarinta qorsheyn casri ah oo saldhig u noqota kobaca magaalada Muqdisho.

Wuxuu yidhi: “Tababarrada noocan oo kale ah waxay sare u qaadaan tayada adeegyada iyo hufnaanta hay’adaha dowladda, waxaanan rajaynayaa in ay ka qaybgalayaashu si buuxda uga faa’iidaystaan tababarkan.”

Mudane Cabdimajiid Daahir, ayaa sidoo kale, wuxuu ku dhiirrigeliyay ka-qaybgalayaasha inay si buuxda uga faa’iideystaan tababarka, oo ay aqoonta iyo waaya-aragnimada ay ka kororsadaan ku dabbaqaan shaqooyinkooda, kuna dardargeliyaan adeegyada ay u hayaan bulshada.

Tababarkan oo qayb ka ah dadaallada lagu xoojinayo awoodda hay’adaha dowladda ee ku aaddan qorsheynta magaalooyinka, ayaa waxaa iska kaashanaya Maamulka Gobolka Banaadir iyo bahwadaagta caalamiga ah, iyadoo yoolku yahay in la yagleelo qorsheyn hufan, waari-og, islamarkaana la jaanqaadaya baahiyaha sii kordhaya ee caasimadda Soomaaliya.

The post Guddoomiye Ku-xigeen oo daah-furay tababar qorsheyn magaalo first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

Kulankan ayaa muhiim u ah xilligan, sababtoo ah waxa uu soo beegmayaa iyadoo Marwo Di Mauro ay ka soo qaadatay door muhiim ah oo ay ku xoojisay xiriirka Soomaaliya iyo Midowga Yurub, iyadoo hadda loo magacaabay Agaasimaha Arrimaha Afrika ee Adeegga Hawlaha Dibadda ee Midowga Yurub (EEAS), taas oo ah dalabaad weyn oo shaqadeeda lagu aqoonsanayo.

Wasiir Cabdisalaan ayaa ku ammaanay Safiirka doorkii iyo shaqadii ay ka soo qabatay gudaha dalka, isagoo u hambalyeeyay magacaabisteeda cusub.

Wuxuu yidhi: “Marwo Francesca Di Mauro waxay ahayd safiir ku hawlnayd horumarinta xiriirka Soomaaliya iyo Midowga Yurub, waxaanan u hambalyeynayaa magacaabisteeda cusub ee Agaasimaha Arrimaha Afrika.”

Sidoo kale, Wasiirku wuxuu uga mahadceliyay Midowga Yurub taageerada iyo iskaashiga joogtada ah ee ay u leeyihiin Soomaaliya, taas oo khuseysa dhinacyada amniga, siyaasadda iyo dhaqaalaha.

Labada dhinac ayaa sheegay sida ay uga go’an tahay sii xoojinta iskaashiga labada dhinac, waxaanu Wasiirku u rajeeyay in ay guul iyo horumar ka gaarto xilkeeda cusub.

Dhanka kale, Safiirka ayaa sidoo kale sheegtay in Midowga Yurub ay sii wadi doonto taageerada ay u leedahay Soomaaliya, waxayna ku boorrisay in la sii xoojiyo iskaashiga dhinacyada kala duwan, gaar ahaan horumarinta iyo dib-u-dhiska dalka.

Waxay sidoo kale caddeyn u tahay in Soomaaliya ay sii wado dib-u-soo-celinta doorkeeda caalamiga ah, iyadoo xiriirka ay la leedahay Midowga Yurub uu sii xoogaysanayo.

The post Safiirka EU oo Soomaaliya ku ammaantay shaqadeeda first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

Muqdisho – Timaha oo kala daata ama isku dhex yaaca marka hurdada laga soo kaco waa xaalad ay la kulmaan dad badan, gaar ahaan dadka leh timo dhaadheer, qalloocan ama jilicsan. Inkastoo arrintan mararka qaar loo arko mid caadi ah ama lagu kaftamo baraha bulshada, khubarada daryeelka timaha ayaa sheegaya in ay jiraan sababo cilmiyeed oo keenaya isbeddelkan.

Khubaradu waxay tilmaamayaan in barkimaha caadiga ah ee suufka laga sameeyo ay abuuraan khilaaf badan oo timaha saameeya, taas oo sababta in timuhu isku dhex yaacaan, jabaan ama lumiyaan qaabkoodii dabiiciga ahaa. Waxaa sidoo kale saameyn weyn leh timaha oo qoyan marka la seexanayo iyo qaabka qofku u jiifsado inta uu hurdo.

Mowduucan ayaa si weyn loogu hadal hayaa baraha bulshada, halkaas oo dadka isticmaala ay timaha hurdada ka dib ugu bixiyaan magacyo kaftan ah. Qaar waxay ugu yeeraan “Baalasha Digaaga”, marka timuhu dhinac kasta u kala firdhaan, halka kuwo kalena ay ugu yeeraan “Buurta Sare”, marka timuhu kor uga soo taagnaadaan madaxa.

Waxaa kale oo jira naanaysyo ay bulshada isticmaasho sida “Xayndaabka Isku Dhex Yaacsan” iyo “Ubax Furmay”, balse khubaradu waxay caddeeyeen in magacyadani yihiin kuwo madadaalo ah oo aan lahayn saldhig cilmiyeed.

Si looga hortago in timuhu kala daataan ama dhaawacmaan inta lagu jiro hurdada, khubaradu waxay ku talinayaan in la isticmaalo barkimooyinka silk ama satin, kuwaas oo yareeya isku dhaca timaha. Waxa kale oo lagu boorriyay dadka inay xirtaan silk bonnet ama maro satin ah, isla markaana aysan ku seexan timaha oo qoyan.

Intaa waxaa dheer, xirashada timaha qaab dabacsan iyo isticmaalka saliidaha ama serum-ka timaha ayaa lagu sheegay inay ka caawiyaan ilaalinta qoyaanka, yareynta jabka timaha iyo ilaalinta muuqaalka caafimaadka leh.

Inkastoo timaha kala daata marka hurdada laga soo kaco ay noqdaan arrin lagu qoslo ama lagu wadaago baraha bulshada, khubaradu waxay ku boorinayaan bulshada in ay muhiimad siiyaan daryeelka timaha, maadaama tallaabooyin fudud ay wax weyn ka tari karaan caafimaadka iyo quruxda timaha.

The post Khubarada Daryeelka Timaha oo Daaha Ka Rogay Sababaha Timaha u Kala Daataan Marka Hurdada Laga Soo Kaco first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

Muqdisho – Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya ayaa ku dhawaaqday inay bilowday qorshe qaran oo lagu xoojinayo u diyaar garowga fatahaadaha la filayo xilliga roobaadka, iyadoo la dardargelinayo gurmadka degdegga ah iyo taageerada la gaarsiinayo bulshada nugul.

Mas’uul ka tirsan dowladda oo booqasho ku tegay Wasaaradda Gargaarka iyo Maareynta Musiibooyinka ayaa sheegay inuu aad ugu faraxsan yahay shaqada ay wasaaraddu qabatay, isagoo ammaanay hoggaanka wasiirka, maamulka wasaaradda iyo kooxda farsamada (Technical Team) ee ka shaqeynaysa qorsheynta iyo ka hortagga musiibooyinka.

Mas’uulka ayaa xusay in Soomaaliya ay soo martay xaalado adag oo isugu jiray abaaro iyo fatahaado, isla markaana saadaasha roobabka sanadkan ay muujinayso in meelaha qaar ay wajihi karaan daadad ka xooggan kuwii hore. Wuxuu tilmaamay in magaalooyin iyo deegaanno badan ay u baahan yihiin feejignaan iyo diyaargarow degdeg ah.

Dowladdu waxay sheegtay in qorshaha cusub uu diiradda saarayo yareynta khasaaraha ka dhalan kara fatahaadaha, diyaarinta agabka gurmadka, iyo gaarsiinta gargaar degdeg ah dadka ugu nugul ee ku nool goobaha halista badan.

Sidoo kale waxaa la sheegay in gargaar iyo sahay horudhac ah loo qaybiyey degmooyin kala duwan si loo taageero qoysaska danyarta ah, loona hubiyo in dadka ay saamayntu gaarto ay helaan kaalmo waqtigeeda ku habboon.

Qorshahan waxaa si wadajir ah uga shaqeynaya Wasaaradda Gargaarka iyo Maareynta Musiibooyinka, wasaarado kale oo dowladda ka tirsan, kooxaha farsamada, iyo hay’adaha caalamiga ah ee Soomaaliya ka taageera ka hortagga iyo maareynta musiibooyinka.

Mas’uulka ayaa ugu dambeyn sheegay in dowladda ay sii xoojin doonto iskaashiga ay la leedahay hay’adaha samafalka iyo saaxiibbada caalamiga ah si gargaar degdeg ah loo gaarsiiyo bulshada ku nool goobaha ay fatahaaduhu khatarta ku yihiin, isla markaana loo ilaaliyo nafaha iyo hantida shacabka Soomaaliyeed.

The post Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya oo Bilowday Qorshe Ballaaran oo Looga Hortagayo Fatahaadaha first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

Muqdisho – Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya ayaa gaartay guul muhiim ah oo dhanka horumarinta iyo dib-u-soo-celinta doorka dalka ee arrimaha badaha caalamka, kaddib safar shaqo oo heer sare ah oo lagu tegay magaalada London iyo Istanbul.

Mas’uuliyiinta Wasaaradda Gaadiidka ayaa sheegay in intii lagu guda jiray safarkaas lagu guuleystay in Soomaaliya dib loogu diiwaangeliyo 15 heshiis oo caalami ah oo la xiriira badaha iyo gaadiidka badda. Tani waxay noqotay markii ugu horreysay ee taariikhda dalka hal mar lagu diiwaangeliyo heshiisyo intaas le’eg oo heer caalami ah.

Tallaabadan ayaa lagu tilmaamay mid sare u qaadaysa sumcadda Soomaaliya ee hay’adaha caalamiga ah, isla markaana xoojinaysa ka qaybgalka dalka ee nidaamyada iyo heshiisyada muhiimka u ah amniga iyo horumarinta badaha.

Intii uu safarku socday, wafdiga Soomaaliya ayaa sidoo kale ka qayb galay shir caalami ah oo ka dhacay Istanbul, halkaas oo ay kulamo miro-dhal ah la yeesheen hay’ado iyo daneeyayaal caalami ah. Kulamadaas ayaa diiradda lagu saaray xoojinta iskaashiga dhinacyada amniga badda, badqabka maraakiibta, horumarinta dekedaha, iyo kobcinta dhaqaalaha buluugga ah.

Mas’uuliyiintu waxay carrabka ku adkeeyeen in Soomaaliya, oo leh xeebta ugu dheer qaaradda Afrika, ay leedahay fursado waaweyn oo dhinaca kalluumeysiga, gaadiidka badda, ganacsiga iyo maalgashiga. Waxay sidoo kale xuseen muhiimadda ay leedahay in dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed loo abuuro fursado waxbarasho iyo xirfado la xiriira cilmiga badaha si ay uga faa’iideystaan khayraadka ballaaran ee dalka.

Guushan cusub ayaa loo arkaa tallaabo muhiim ah oo Soomaaliya ugu sii dhawaaneyso dib-u-dhiska hay’adaha dowladda, xoojinta xiriirka caalamiga ah, iyo ka faa’iideysiga awoodda dhaqaale ee badaha dalka.

The post 15 Heshiis Caalami ah oo Soomaaliya Hal Mar Ku Diiwaangelisay Arrimaha Badaha first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

Markii aan halkaan soo gaarnay saacadihii hore ee subaxnimo, waxaan goob joog ka noqday kulamo dhowr ah oo u dhexeeyay mas’uuliyiinta iyo saraakiisha ciidamada. Jawaabta su’aashayda ahayd “maxaa keenay booqashadan degdegga ah?”, waxaan ka helay Wasiirka in ay tahay qiimeyn toos ah oo lagu sameynayo xaaladda amniga iyo sidii loo xoojin lahaa howlgallada ka dhanka ah kooxaha argagixisada, gaar ahaan deegaannada ay ciidamadu haatan hore ugu socdaan dagaalka.

Suxufi ahaan, waxaan arkay sida mas’uuliyiintu si dhow ula hadleen saraakiisha degmada, waxayna ka dhageysteen warbixinno faahfaahsan oo ku saabsan hawlgalladii ugu dambeeyay. Mid ka mid ah saraakiisha oo aan la hadlay ayaa sheegay in ciidamadu ay horumar muujinayaan, balse ay jiraan baahiyo saad iyo qalab ah oo wali jira.

Wasiir Fiqi markii uu hadlaya ciidamada farta ku haysay oo dhowr jeer ku celiyay: “Waxaan idinku bogaadinayaa geesinimadiinna, waxaanna idinku dhiirrigelinayaa inay sii laba jibaartaan dadaalkiinna.” Erayadaasi waxay dareen gaar ah ka buuxiyeen ciidamadii halkaa taagnaa, gaar ahaan kuwa safka hore.

Dhanka kale, Taliyaha Ciidanka S/Guuto Ibraahim Maxamed ayaa xaqiijiyay in ciidamadu ay sii wadi doonaan howlgalladii, isagoona sheegay in kormeerkani uu yahay mid dhiirigelin weyn u ah ciidanka, waxaanu cadeeyey in muddo aan fogeyn la ciribtirayo cadowga.

Halkaan joogga ah waxaan ku arkay ciidamo diyaar ah oo ku sugan meelaha muhiimka ah, dadweynaha degmada oo dhawraya mas’uuliyiinta iyagoo muujinaya sida ay ugu faraxsan yihiin dadaallada amniga. Dowladda ayaa caddaynaysa in ay sii wadi doonto howlgallada ilaa laga helo xasiloon buuxda.

Suxufi ahaan, waxaan u arkayaa booqashadan mid muhiim ah oo timi xilli ay ciidamadu u baahan yihiin dhiirigelin, waxayna muujinaysaa sida dowladda ay uga go’an tahay sugidda amniga shacabka. Warbixino dheeri ah baan idinku soo gudbin doonaa hadduu jiro horumar cusub.

The post Dhiirrigelin iyo Qiimeyn Amni oo Wasiirka Gaashaandhigu ku sameeyay Ceeldheer first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

The victory matters beyond the trophy. It signals a shift in a competition that Mogadishu University has dominated since in-person rounds began in 2024, and it comes as Somalia formally joins the Global IHL Initiative, a push to deepen national commitment to the laws of war. For a country still shaped by conflict, contests like this one are increasingly seen as a pipeline for the legal professionals who will shape how humanitarian law is understood and applied at home.

Teams of three law students each faced two tests in the final: a simulated detention visit modeled on the ICRC’s actual prison-monitoring work in Somalia and a moot court session requiring each side to argue both prosecution and defense in a fictional IHL case.

Hafsa Jelle of Mogadishu University was named Best Oralist for her performance before the three-judge panel, an individual honor that softened the sting of her team’s runner-up finish.

For SIMAD, reaching the final for the first time was itself a milestone before the win was secured. One of the university’s students, Ayni Abdulkadir, described the team as thrilled with the outcome and thankful for what they had learned through the process, according to the ICRC.

Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC delegation in Somalia, praised both finalists, noting the intensity both teams brought reflects rising interest in humanitarian law among young Somalis, and said the organization would back SIMAD at the continental finals later this year.

SIMAD now advances to represent Somalia at the All-Africa IHL finals, a continental competition pitting national champions from across the region against one another. No date for that event has yet been announced.

The Somali IHL Competition, organized annually by the ICRC, is designed to build legal literacy among the country’s next generation of lawyers on the rules governing armed conflict, rules the organization says remain relevant even amid ongoing instability.

The post SIMAD University Clinches 2026 Somali IHL Competition Title first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

In an increasingly digital economy, access to secure, efficient, and reliable financial services has become essential for entrepreneurs seeking to scale their operations. Salaam Somali Bank has responded to this demand by providing a range of digital banking solutions that enable SMEs to conduct transactions quickly, manage cash flow effectively, and serve customers with greater convenience. Banking

The bank’s digital payment infrastructure allows businesses to send and receive funds instantly, make supplier payments, process payroll, and monitor transactions through mobile and internet banking platforms. By reducing reliance on cash transactions, SMEs are able to improve efficiency, lower operational costs, and strengthen financial accountability.

“Digital payments are no longer a luxury but a necessity for business growth,” said Ahmed Osman, a local entrepreneur who uses Salaam Somali Bank’s services. “The ability to transfer funds instantly and manage transactions remotely has significantly improved how we run our business.”

One of the bank’s key contributions to the SME sector has been simplifying payment collection and settlement processes. Business owners can receive payments from customers electronically, reducing delays and minimizing the risks associated with cash handling. This has proven particularly beneficial for retailers, wholesalers, and service providers operating in Somalia’s rapidly expanding commercial sector.

Salaam Somali Bank’s payroll and bulk payment services have also enabled companies to automate employee salaries and supplier payments. The digital system enhances transparency and allows businesses to maintain accurate financial records, a critical requirement for growth and investment readiness.

The bank’s impact extends beyond convenience. Through its financial inclusion initiatives, Salaam Somali Bank has provided financial literacy and digital banking training to more than 2,000 customers, equipping entrepreneurs, women-led enterprises, and rural communities with the skills required to participate in the formal financial sector.

This support comes at a critical time for Somalia’s economy. As one of the world’s most dollarized economies, Somalia has witnessed remarkable progress in mobile money adoption, with digital transactions becoming commonplace even in rural areas where traditional banking infrastructure remains limited. The rapid expansion of mobile financial services has enabled businesses to access markets, suppliers, and customers with unprecedented ease.

Economists note that Somalia’s growing digital payments ecosystem is supporting government efforts to formalize economic activity, increase financial transparency, and improve tax collection, all of which contribute to broader economic development and stability.

Through mobile banking services, entrepreneurs across Somalia can access banking solutions regardless of location, bridging the gap between urban and rural business communities. This accessibility is helping more SMEs participate in the formal financial system and take advantage of modern banking services.

Industry observers note that the growth of digital payment ecosystems is playing a vital role in Somalia’s economic transformation. As businesses increasingly adopt electronic transactions, the country is witnessing greater efficiency in commerce, improved transparency, and enhanced confidence in the financial sector.

Digital banking also enables SMEs to build transaction histories and financial records, which can improve access to financing and credit facilities. For many small businesses, digital transaction data is becoming an important tool for demonstrating creditworthiness and attracting investment.

Despite the significant progress, Somalia’s digital financial transformation is not without challenges. Limited digital literacy, particularly among rural populations and small business owners, continues to present barriers to adoption. In addition, infrastructure constraints, including internet connectivity gaps and inconsistent access to digital services in some regions, remain challenges shared by Somalia and several countries within the East African Community (EAC).

Cybersecurity threats are also becoming increasingly important as more businesses transition online. Fraud attempts, data breaches, and digital scams pose risks to SMEs that may lack dedicated cybersecurity expertise.

To address these concerns, Salaam Somali Bank has invested in advanced banking technologies, enhanced authentication systems, encryption protocols, and continuous monitoring tools designed to safeguard customer transactions. The bank has also expanded financial literacy programs, particularly targeting women entrepreneurs and underserved communities, helping customers better understand digital banking platforms and online security practices.

Furthermore, the bank continues to support efforts aimed at standardizing IT services within Somalia’s financial sector and strengthening interoperability across payment platforms.

The development of Somalia’s National Payment System is creating greater interoperability between banks and mobile money operators, enabling seamless transactions across different financial channels. Salaam Somali Bank has played a key role in supporting this transition, helping SMEs transact more efficiently across the country’s growing digital ecosystem. MerchantServices & Payment Systems

Looking ahead, industry experts anticipate deeper financial integration between Somalia and East African markets through future API-based banking connections and cross-border payment systems. Such developments could significantly reduce transaction costs for businesses engaged in regional trade and strengthen Somalia’s economic ties with EAC member states.

As regional financial systems become increasingly interconnected, banks that invest early in interoperable digital infrastructure will be better positioned to support SMEs seeking access to wider African markets.

SMEs remain the backbone of Somalia’s economy, accounting for a significant share of employment and business activity. The continued adoption of digital banking solutions is expected to enhance productivity, improve access to finance, and accelerate economic growth.

Beyond payments, Salaam Somali Bank continues to support SMEs through business financing, trade finance services, and customized banking products designed to meet the evolving needs of entrepreneurs. These offerings provide businesses with the tools and capital necessary to expand operations and compete in regional markets.

As Somalia advances toward a more digitally connected economy, Salaam Somali Bank’s commitment to innovation, financial inclusion, and secure digital infrastructure is positioning the institution as a strategic partner for SMEs seeking sustainable growth. By empowering businesses with seamless payment solutions while addressing emerging challenges, the bank is helping unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurship, job creation, and long-term economic development across the country.

The post Revolutionary Salaam App Set to Create Ease and Foster Banking Securit first appeared on Radio Dalsan.

Speaking during celebrations marking Somalia’s 66th independence anniversary, President Deni used the platform to address escalating tensions between Puntland and the federal government, singling out President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for pointed criticism.

“Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia. We will never allow dictatorship to return to this country,” Deni said, addressing residents of the capital directly. He pledged solidarity with Mogadishu residents in building a democratic Somalia governed by the constitution and federal principles.

The Puntland leader also confirmed that regional forces remain on high alert, citing ongoing operations against Islamic State militants in the Almiskaad mountains as evidence of the administration’s commitment to security. He said soldiers and officers who died in that campaign had sacrificed their lives defending Puntland’s freedom and territory.

“We will never accept anyone undermining the security and stability of Puntland,” Deni added.

President Deni did not spare Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre from criticism, referencing recent remarks attributed to the premier that Deni said reflected the influence of other political actors.

“I was disappointed by what Hamse said recently. I wish the elder who prompted those remarks had said them himself. The people of Puntland do not carry grudges, but they will not stay silent,” Deni said.

He extended his criticism to President Mohamud directly, alleging bitterness over past military operations against clan elders and traditional leaders, including drone strikes.

Tensions between Puntland and Somalia’s federal government have deepened in recent months over constitutional amendments, electoral reforms, and the distribution of power between Mogadishu and regional administrations.

Puntland previously severed formal ties with the federal government after parliament passed constitutional changes the regional state said were adopted without broad consensus, weakening the federal system.

The federal government maintains that completing the constitution and implementing universal suffrage elections are essential to state-building, a position Puntland and several opposition figures reject, accusing Villa Somalia of centralizing power and bypassing broader political agreement.

The dispute has also affected security cooperation, with Puntland repeatedly asserting that it is fighting extremist groups independently, while federal authorities insist a unified national strategy is required.

President Deni, now serving his second term leading Puntland, has twice run unsuccessfully for the Somali presidency, falling short of the parliamentary votes needed for victory.

Observers say the president’s remarks reflect a widening rift ahead of anticipated talks on federal-regional relations, with reactions from Villa Somalia and the Prime Minister’s office expected in the coming days.

The post Deni Vows Puntland Will Not Bow to Federal Government Pressure first appeared on Radio Dalsan.