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The village, situated in the Middle Shabelle region, is of strategic importance as it lies along the corridor between Mogadishu and Jowhar.

It had served as a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as well as a key defensive position for the Somali National Army (SNA) to prevent militant advances toward the capital and the state capital of Hirshabelle.

Local residents said heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters entered the village Monday afternoon, hours after Burundian troops under AUSSOM withdrew due to rising floodwaters.

In a statement, AUSSOM confirmed the evacuation:

“Burundian troops stationed at Xawaadley Forward Operating Base, northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, have been safely evacuated due to heavy flooding in the area.”

The mission further disclosed that one of the helicopters involved in the evacuation experienced a technical malfunction but was able to land safely without incident.

“All troops and crew have been successfully evacuated to the nearest military base, and no casualties have been reported,” the statement added.

Kareem Adebayo, the Acting Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia said the Burundian soldiers were swiftly evaluated.

“We commend the swift action of the AUSSOM Burundian troops during the delicate operation and reaffirm our continued support to the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in mitigating the effects of the flooding.”

Following the troop withdrawal, Al-Shabaab militants reportedly took control of both the AU and Somali military installations in Xawaadley.

The takeover has caused panic in nearby Jowhar town — the administrative capital of Hirshabelle State — with sources telling Kaab TV that Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein has recently vacated the presidential palace in Jowhar due to security concerns and is currently in Mogadishu.

With Jowhar located just 90 kilometers from the capital, the fall of Xawaadley raises alarm over the potential disruption of civilian and commercial movement along the vital Mogadishu–Jowhar route.

Residents report that Al-Shabaab fighters have already begun setting up roadblocks and patrolling surrounding rural areas.

The post Al-Shabaab Captures Strategic Village Near Mogadishu After AU Troop Withdrawal Amid Flooding appeared first on Kaab TV.

Speaking to Kaab TV, business owners at the beach say the once-bustling area has seen fewer visitors in recent days, impacting their income.

Liido Beach is one of the capital’s main recreational destinations, frequented by locals and members of the Somali diaspora.

It is home to a growing number of hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops that support local jobs and small businesses.

The downturn comes after both federal and regional authorities warned the public to avoid fishing or swimming in the ocean due to worsening weather conditions.

Residents living near the coast were also urged to remain on high alert.

Jubbaland authorities issued a public safety alert on May 10, advising: “The public is advised to stay indoors during the rain and to minimize vehicle movement.”

In Mogadishu, Kaab TV visited the usually lively Liido Beach—often filled with young revelers and booming nightlife. But now, it appears quieter, with several businesses reporting fewer customers.

“In the past two days, the beach was closed because it wasn’t safe for visitors. It has affected our business. You can understand how badly things have declined,” said Nimcaan Ahmed Muse, a small-scale business owner who has operated at the beach for two years.

Muse previously survived the deadly Al-Shabaab attack on Liido Beach in August 2024 that killed over 30 people.

Sahro Omar, who runs a tea stall near the beach, shared similar concerns. “Not many people are coming.

There’s even a new requirement now—swimmers must wear safety jackets,” she said, adding that recent drowning incidents have made people more cautious.

At least 20 people were recently rescued from drowning as rough waves pounded parts of the Indian Ocean.

The weather-related disruption comes as many businesses were still recovering from the effects of previous insecurity and attacks.

For now, those who depend on Liido Beach for their livelihood are hoping for calm seas—and a return of their customers.

The post Liido Beach Businesses Hit Hard by Extreme Weather and Cyclone Warnings appeared first on Kaab TV.

The episode centered on Puntland — the northeastern federal state of Somalia — which has become a beacon of hope in the nation’s decades-long struggle for democratic governance.

Background

In 2023, Puntland made history by holding the country’s first one-person, one-vote local elections in over half a century — a major milestone in Somalia’s journey toward democracy.

While the process faced fierce resistance, including violent clashes in the capital, Garowe where 36 people were killed, after armed opposition groups attempted to derail the vote, the local government elections were successfully concluded in July 2024.

More recently, the Puntland Electoral Commission unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at deepening democratic governance through full-scale presidential and parliamentary elections.

The roadmap, if implemented, could reshape political representation in the region, especially for groups historically excluded from decision-making — including women, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and marginalized communities.

To assess the significance and the challenges of this democratic opening, Kaab TV convened a diverse panel of guests:

• Khadra Mohamed Hassan, a member of the Garowe City Council and one of only five women elected out of 33 councilors;
• Mohamud Hussein Jama, a young councilor representing Goldogob city, Mudug region;
• Hawo Mohamed, a women’s rights activist and director at the Puntland Ministry of Information; and
• Hussein Abdisalam Mohamed, a youth rights advocate deeply involved in civic awareness initiatives.

Youth: The Heartbeat of Democratic Change

According to Hussein Abdisalam, Puntland’s democratization is largely a product of youth-led demand for political participation and change.

“Eighty percent of voters in Puntland are young people,” Hussein said. “That’s exactly what we need — young blood leading us and shifting outdated norms. It’s a great step toward a greater Puntland.”

Mohamud Hussein Jama echoed this optimism but recalled the skepticism he encountered when he first decided to run for office in 2023.

“Older candidates tried to discourage me by citing the dangers of politics — terrorism, threats, even death. But I believed they were using fear to maintain the status quo,” he said. “Now, I can confidently say that the youth representatives across Puntland’s district councils — all 942 of us — are making a real impact on governance.”

Women’s Participation: Progress Amid Persistent Barriers

While the elections marked a breakthrough for many, women candidates still faced a unique set of obstacles.

Khadra Mohamed Hassan, one of the few elected female councilors, described the campaign trail as a challenging battleground.

“Standing before the public and asking for their votes was difficult,” she said. “Ironically, most of the voters were women and young people. But as a woman candidate, I lacked the financial resources and community support to compete fairly. Every step of my campaign involved overcoming barriers — social, economic, and political.”

Hawo Mohamed emphasized another systemic barrier: the complete absence of women-led political parties.

“All political parties in Puntland are formed and led by men,” she said. “This reality, combined with clan-based politics, reduces democratic competition to a tribal affair rather than a contest of ideas and policies.”

She criticized how tribal affiliations continue to dominate electoral campaigns, sidelining merit and marginalizing groups like women and youth. “Tribalism shouldn’t be allowed to shape or interfere with the democratization process,” she warned.

The Challenge of Electoral Reforms

The panel also raised concerns about the evolving legal framework governing elections in Puntland.

Hawo recounted how some electoral law changes risked undermining women’s political participation.

“When the new electoral regulations were passed, we were against them,” she said. “We lobbied the election commission and even mobilized public protests. At one point, we had to discourage women from voting as a form of resistance. In some districts, only one in three candidates was a woman — a clear disadvantage under the one-person, one-vote system.”

Despite these frustrations, many on the panel remained hopeful.

When asked about future elections — particularly the 2029 district council, parliamentary, and presidential contests — Mohamud Hussein called for a strong legal framework to support inclusive participation.

“In the last elections, there was no law — just a so-called gentleman’s agreement,” he said. “We hope the next round will be guided by real electoral laws so that youth can fully exercise their democratic rights. Young people are eager and ambitious, but current rules often block their path.”

Unity, Solidarity, and the Road Ahead

Both Khadra and Hawo emphasized the importance of solidarity among women and youth to advance political change.

Khadra urged women to unite and support one another — not just during elections but throughout the governance process.

“We have many seats in parliament already,” she said. “If we stand together, one day we might even see a woman president. But that requires supporting each other — and ideally, forming a women-led political party.”

Hawo echoed this sentiment.

“Women and youth are the most vulnerable groups in society, but together they can become a powerful political force,” Hawo said “By uplifting one another, they can fill not only parliamentary chambers but presidential palaces too.”

Hussein concluded the panel by calling for increased civic awareness, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“We must demand that the Puntland Electoral Commission and its partners launch wider public education campaigns,” he said. “The success of future elections depends on informed, engaged citizens. Let’s exceed last year’s awareness efforts and ensure every voice is heard.”

The post Ardaa: How Puntland’s Youth and Women Are Paving the Way for Democracy appeared first on Kaab TV.