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Somalia News
News
As of june 20, 2025, Somalia experienced a significant political setback as a national dialogue convened by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stalled due to a boycott by opposition leaders and key federal member states. Concerns over the talks' structure, legality, and perceived lack of inclusivity led to their refusal to attend. In more positive news, the World Bank's Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Zarau Wendeline, arrived in Mogadishu for a two-day official visit, signaling strengthening cooperation and support for Somalia's debt relief efforts and economic rebuilding.
Business News
Somalia's business landscape on june 20, 2025, is primarily influenced by international development initiatives and challenges related to security and governance. The visit by the World Bank's Africa Director aims to explore ways to benefit from the Bank's development initiatives, which have already funded nearly $2 billion in projects. Meanwhile, the Somali Media Association (SOMA) has called for stronger EU engagement to safeguard press freedom, highlighting challenges faced by journalists and independent media outlets, which can impact the business environment. Separately, Somali-run spaza shops in Cape Town, South Africa, cautiously reopened after a two-day shutdown due to gang-related extortion threats, illustrating ongoing challenges for Somali businesses abroad.
Economic News
Somalia's economic outlook on june 20, 2025, remains nuanced, as an IMF staff-level agreement on the third review of the Extended Credit Facility arrangement was reached in May 2025. Real GDP growth is estimated at 4% for 2024, driven by agricultural recovery, but is expected to slow to 3% in 2025 due to foreign aid disruptions and irregular rainfall, which could exacerbate food insecurity and poverty. Fiscal reforms are progressing, with strong domestic revenue efforts, but spending discipline is needed to accommodate security costs. The World Bank continues to support Somalia's debt relief and has provided substantial funding for various projects, emphasizing the gradual return of economic infrastructure.
Political News
On june 20, 2025, a planned consultative forum of political and community leaders, announced by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, failed to take off in Mogadishu. Opposition figures and federal member states like Puntland and Jubaland boycotted the meeting, citing concerns over the format and a lack of inclusivity. This has raised doubts about President Mohamud's ability to build national consensus ahead of upcoming elections. The government had extended formal invitations to registered political associations, aiming to advance national reconciliation.
Election News
As of june 20, 2025, Somalia is actively working towards its first one-person, one-vote elections since 1967. A national voter registration campaign was launched in Mogadishu on April 13, 2025, as a key step towards local elections scheduled for late June 2025 and direct presidential elections by 2026. This marks a significant shift away from the traditional clan-based voting system. However, the process faces challenges, with opposition leaders expressing concerns about the election timeline and potential constitutional breaches, leading to political tensions and a boycott of recent dialogue attempts.
Employment News
Somalia's employment sector on june 20, 2025, shows efforts to create opportunities, particularly for youth. Somalia and Qatar agreed in May 2025 on a plan to create over 10,000 jobs for Somali youth in Qatar, targeting both skilled and unskilled individuals. This initiative aims to provide valuable work experience and sustainable livelihoods. Domestically, while specific employment figures for June 2025 are limited, the Somali Media Association (SOMA) has highlighted threats facing journalists, indicating challenges in certain employment sectors due to press freedom concerns.
Business News
While Somalia's Business is still in its nascent stages, the Somali Stock Exchange (SSE) announced on June 22, 2025, that it will host the inaugural Somali Capital Markets Forum on June 23, 2025, in Mogadishu. This event is a pivotal moment for the development of Somalia's financial markets, aiming to attract foreign direct investment and stimulate private sector growth. The forum will bring together government officials, investors, financial institutions, and international partners to discuss capital market issues and solutions. This initiative aligns with regional trends of capital market expansion in East Africa.
Forecast
The forecast for Mogadishu, Somalia, from june 20, 2025, indicates warm and humid conditions with chances of thunderstorms.
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Sunday, june 20 (Yesterday): Light thunderstorms. High 28∘C (83∘F), Low 26∘C (78∘F). Moderate wind from the southwest at 17 mph.
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Monday, June 26 (Today): Mostly cloudy. High 28∘C (83∘F), Low 26∘C (78∘F). Light rain expected.
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Tuesday, June 27: Light rain. High 28∘C (83∘F), Low 26∘C (78∘F).
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Wednesday, June 28: Light rain. High 29∘C (84∘F), Low 26∘C (79∘F).
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Thursday, June 29: Partly cloudy. High 29∘C (84∘F), Low 26∘C (79∘F).
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Friday, June 20: Partly cloudy. High 30∘C (86∘F), Low 27∘C (81∘F).
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Saturday, June 21: Mostly sunny. High 30∘C (86∘F), Low 27∘C (81∘F).
Entertainment News
On june 20, 2025, Somalia's entertainment news included the broadcast of "Somali News: Sunday june 20, 2025" on SBS On Demand, providing news via satellite from Universal TV in Somali. Beyond news, cultural activities and gatherings are likely to be ongoing within communities, though specific event details for major entertainment spectacles are not widely reported.
Upcoming Events in Somalia
Here are some upcoming events in Somalia and related regional events for late June and beyond in 2025:
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Somali Capital Markets Forum: June 23, 2025, in Mogadishu (Business/Finance Conference).
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Local Elections: Scheduled for late June 2025 in various parts of Somalia (Political/Community Event).
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African Agricultural Turning Point (ACAT 2025): Focuses on agriculture in Africa, relevant to Somalia's economic goals (Conference - exact dates/location in June 2025 might vary regionally).
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Community Dialogue Forums: Various ongoing community and political dialogue sessions aimed at national reconciliation and state-building. (Political/Community).
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Football Matches/town Events: Local and regional football tournaments and other town activities. (town).
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Cultural Festivals: Traditional Somali cultural gatherings and celebrations throughout the year. (Cultural).
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Educational Workshops/Seminars: Sessions focused on capacity building and skills development in various sectors. (Education/Development).
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Youth Engagement Programs: Initiatives aimed at empowering Somali youth, including those related to employment and community development. (Social/Youth).
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Health Cooperation Meetings: Ongoing discussions and initiatives to strengthen healthcare services and infrastructure. (Health/Development).
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Religious Observances: Significant Islamic holidays and local religious gatherings would be observed throughout the year. (Religious/Cultural).
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