On 4 March 2026, police in Erigabo arrested local journalist Mohamed Saleban Ahmed, known as Suute, following the publication of a news report on 3 February that discussed drought conditions in the Sool and Sanaag regions. Suute told SJS that he was released without charge after spending two days in police custody.

On 15 March, the Sanaag Regional Prosecutor of Somaliland, based in Erigabo, issued a charge sheet against the journalist, accusing him of “spreading false information.” On 18 March, the Erigabo District Court summoned the journalist to appear for a hearing in the case brought by the regional prosecutor. According to the charge sheet, which SJS had seen, the Somaliland government is listed as the “victim.”

The journalist’s report, which SJS reviewed, included interviews with rural communities who said they had not received aid despite being severely affected by the ongoing drought.

Suute told SJS that the Deputy Governor of the Sanaag region, Salah Yusuf Diriye, was pushing the case, alleging that local authorities were unhappy with the report and were attempting to silence public complaints about lack of aid. Deputy Governor Diriye was not reachable for comment upon publication of this report.

A local lawyer representing the journalist told SJS that the case has been heard twice, but no verdict has yet been issued.

In July last year, Somaliland declared a national emergency as drought affected four regions, including Sanaag, whose capital is Erigabo. President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro made an urgent appeal to international donors and Somalilanders at home and abroad to support relief efforts aimed at saving lives and livelihoods.

According to an August 2025 report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 650,000 people were directly affected in Somaliland alone. Aid groups’ reports indicate that over 80% of rural households have been impacted by water shortages and agricultural losses in recent years.

Suute told SJS that he and other reporters visited numerous rural towns, witnessing the severe conditions firsthand, which he documented in his reporting.

SJS calls on the Somaliland authorities, particularly the Erigabo prosecutor, to stop targeting journalist Suute for reporting on and advocating for drought-affected communities. Authorities must respect journalists’ right to report on drought and climate-induced crises and ensure unhindered access to information to help save lives.

“The prosecution of journalist Mohamed Saleebaan Ahmed, known as Suute, for reporting on the devastating drought in Sool and Sanaag regions is both unjustified and deeply concerning. Journalists must not be punished for giving voice to voiceless communities in crisis,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“We call on the Sanaag Regional Prosecutor to immediately drop these unfounded charges and urge Somaliland authorities to guarantee all journalists the freedom to report on climate-induced crises without fear, interference, or restriction,” Mr. Mumin adds.

The post Somaliland: Sanaag Regional Prosecutor Must Drop Case Against Journalist Suute Over Drought Reporting appeared first on Kaab TV.

Nowhere is that toll more visible than along its coastline. Stretching over 3,000 kilometres — the longest in Africa — Somalia’s shores have long absorbed the consequences of both climate breakdown and decades of civil instability, during which foreign companies illegally dumped toxic and nuclear waste offshore.

Around 80% of coastal debris originates from land-based activity, and hazardous materials continue to wash ashore to this day.

For the roughly 75% of coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing, the degradation of these waters is not an abstract crisis — it is an daily threat to survival.

But now, a new generation is pushing back.

Every weekend, young university students are giving up their free time to descend on the beach, armed with little more than determination and bin bags.

Hour after hour, they collect rubbish and clear waste by hand — a quiet, unglamorous act of defiance against a crisis they did not create.

For these young men and women, the clean-up is more than environmental action. It is an act of hope — a belief that the land and sea can recover, and that they are the ones who must begin that work.

Here are a collection of photos.

The post At the Edge of the Climate Crisis, Somalia’s Youth Are Taking Action Cleaning Mogadishu’s Liido Beach appeared first on Kaab TV.

These efforts aim to boost youth-led conflict resolution, digital innovation in agriculture, and entrepreneurship to create sustainable jobs, aligning with broader national food systems and security goals. 

The meeting, which involved the Director General of the Ministry of Youth and Sport and FAO technical teams in Mogadishu, reviewed ongoing cooperation, specifically on the YOU ACT Project. The initiative, which operates in regions like Jowhar, empowers young people to lead conflict transformation and peacebuilding through community-led dialogue and digital innovation.

The meeting follows the Somali government’s launch of the National Transformation Plan in March 2025. The NTP serves as a five-year blueprint to shift the nation from traditional development to large-scale transformation, prioritizing social and human capital development as one of its four core pillars.

Officials stated the engagement is part of a broader effort to reposition the Ministry’s stakeholder partnerships in line with 2026 priorities. The goal is to move toward more structured cooperation that ensures youth inclusion and long-term impact on the country’s stability and economic growth.

The YOU ACT project is currently implemented by Shaqodoon Organization with support from the UN Peacebuilding Fund and joint management by FAO and International Organization for Migration (IOM). It addresses resource-based disputes and strengthens the role of young people in local governance and peacebuilding.

The post Somalia and FAO Discuss Expanding Youth Programs Under National Plan appeared first on Kaab TV.

The Jubaland Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs announced plans to distribute food rations to approximately 12,000 families in Dhobley, a town on the border with Kenya. The aid is part of a donation from the United Arab Emirates, with the first batch recently distributed to displaced families in Kismayo.

Minister of Relief and Disaster Management of the Jubaland Government, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Dhiriq, said the food assistance is intended to sustain families for one month while authorities seek additional support.

Regional officials warn that around 1.5 million people across Jubaland are affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis and urgently need aid.

Jubaland, a semi-arid region in southern Somalia, has faced recurrent droughts over the past decade, driven by below-average rainfall, high temperatures, and environmental degradation. These conditions have severely affected rural communities, particularly pastoralists and small-scale farmers, leading to crop failures, livestock deaths, and widespread food insecurity.

The humanitarian impact has been significant.

Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced each year as they leave drought-affected villages in search of water, food, and assistance.

PHOTO NEWS: Drought and Climate Crisis Force Communities in Lower Juba to Survive on Water Trucking

The post Jubaland Distributes UAE-Donated Food Aid to 12,000 Drought-Displaced Families in Dhobley appeared first on Kaab TV.

Local authorities reported in January this year that 1.5 million people in Jubaland are affected by the climate crisis, worsened by the ongoing drought and failed rainy seasons. Nationwide, about 6.5 million Somalis face high levels of hunger, and more than 1.8 million children suffer from acute malnutrition, according to a new report by the Somali government and UN agencies.

While many community members have been displaced toward Kenyan-Somali border towns such as Dhobley and Liboye, some families have remained, hoping for change.

However, aid has not arrived, and only water trucking provided by NGOs and local businesspeople in Kismayo has kept them alive since December of last year.

6.5 million Somalis face high levels of hunger, and more than 1.8 million children suffer from acute malnutrition – a new report by the Somali government and UN agencies.

We are publishing a series of photos taken from villages west of Kismayo and from Kooyama Island in the Lower Juba region.

The post PHOTO NEWS: Drought and Climate Crisis Force Communities in Lower Juba to Survive on Water Trucking appeared first on Kaab TV.

The youth are demanding change, calling for accountability, opportunities, and a vision that secures their future.

The post Baraarug: Somali Youth Warn of Unemployment, Corruption, and a Blocked Future appeared first on Kaab TV.

The growing influx into Afmadow is the latest sign of a deepening climate-driven humanitarian crisis in Jubaland.

Authorities say more than 1.5 million people across the region are now directly affected by a worsening drought linked to rising global temperatures and failed seasonal rains.

Jubaland’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Abdirahman Mohamed Dhiriq, leading of the drought committee appointed in December, visited Afmadow district in the Lower Juba region to assess conditions on the ground and the impact of the drought on daily life, particularly among vulnerable populations.

“The situation is deteriorating rapidly, while humanitarian assistance remains extremely limited,” Minister Dhiriq said.

“Afmadow district was already hosting thousands of internally displaced people, but it has now received new arrivals fleeing drought-hit areas including Xagar, Jilib, Bu’aale, and surrounding parts of Afmadow,” he added.

According to the minister, many families are fleeing with only a handful of animals left—often two or three livestock—hoping to reach areas where water is still available.

Over recent months, Afmadow has emerged as one of the main destinations for drought-displaced families, highlighting the urgent need for sustained emergency humanitarian assistance.

Livestock dying, livelihoods lost

For Hussein Ali, a man in his late 50s now living in Afmadow, the drought meant losing everything.

“Cattle were our livelihood,” he said. “When the drought killed all our animals, we had no choice but to leave. Many families like ours are now living here.”

Displacement figures continue to rise across Jubaland.  Local aid groups say that more than 61,800 people have been displaced in Gedo region, nearly 13,400 in Lower Juba, and over 3,000 in Middle Juba during 2025 alone. More than 2,000 families have arrived in Afmadow in recent weeks.

Jubaland authorities and local organizations warn that over two million livestock are at risk due to the drought, particularly across Gedo region.

An estimated 78 percent of households in drought-affected areas of Jubaland are facing severe food insecurity.

The hardest-hit locations include Kismayo, Badhaadhe, Ceel Waaq, Bu’aale, Afmadow, and Garbahaarey.

Parts of Jubaland—especially Middle Juba—remain under the control of Al-Shabaab, where restrictions on independent humanitarian access have further complicated relief efforts.

As a result, many civilians are fleeing those areas toward districts near Kismayo. The group has also established its own drought committee under its administration.

The crisis has been compounded by the failure of the Deyr rains (October–December), dealing a devastating blow to pastoralists and farmers whose livelihoods depend on seasonal rainfall.

Nationwide, the situation is equally dire. The United Nations estimates that more than 4.6 million people—nearly a quarter of Somalia’s population—have been affected by drought conditions.

Humanitarian funding has also declined sharply. The UN says only 23.7 percent of the funds required for Somalia’s 2025 humanitarian response plan have been secured, raising fears that life-saving assistance may not reach those most in need.

The post Somalia’s Climate Crisis: Jubaland Says 1.5 Million Suffer as Climate Change Fuels Drought appeared first on Kaab TV.

The announcement came during a high-level meeting held at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa on Sunday, where the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro received the Deputy Ambassador of France to Kenya, Romain Joly, and a large French delegation on an official visit to Somaliland.

President Irro welcomed the French-funded initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to safeguarding Somaliland’s cultural and archaeological heritage.

1 of 6

He expressed full support for the project, which aims to protect, preserve, and promote key historical sites, including the internationally renowned Laas Geel rock art complex.

Somaliland has a vast number of cultural sites, some of which are used for tourism. Years of conflict in the 1990s, when Somaliland broke away from Somalia, and the instability that followed have put many of these sites at risk, making international support crucial for their protection and promotion.

“We thank the French government for its continued engagement and stated that Somaliland is ready to deepen bilateral cooperation with France across several sectors, including diplomacy, trade, investment, tourism, culture, and knowledge exchange,” said president Irro.

President Irro also highlighted Somaliland’s peaceful environment, political stability, and democratic governance, noting that these factors create a strong foundation for sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.

The French delegation included Dr. Xavier Gutherz, an international expert widely recognized for his work in raising global awareness of the historical importance of Laas Geel. In recognition of his and his team’s efforts in preserving Somaliland’s archaeological heritage, President Cirro presented Dr. Gutherz with a Certificate of Honor.

For his part, Deputy Ambassador Romain Joly expressed France’s interest in strengthening ties with Somaliland and reiterated France’s “commitment to supporting cultural heritage preservation”.

He also commended Somaliland’s role in promoting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

The post France Funds Somaliland’s Cultural Heritage Protection and Development Project appeared first on Kaab TV.

Somalia is facing one of the world’s most severe climate emergencies, marked by recurring droughts and floods that have displaced millions and deepened food and water insecurity.

These extreme weather events — intensified by global climate change — have destroyed crops, killed livestock, and exhausted scarce resources, fueling tensions and conflicts over land and water.

The human toll is immense, with children, women, and vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of a crisis that continues with insufficient response and support.

The photo shows a group of women in Luglow village, near Kismayo, working at a newly established greenhouse farm in October 2025. By preparing nursery trees, these women are actively contributing to environmental restoration and combating the impacts of climate change in their community.

A camel herder (above) stands beside his camels in Barkadda village, on the outskirts of Kismayo, Lower Juba region, Jubbaland, Somalia.  For rural communities, the camels play a crucial role in helping families adapt to the climate crisis, as they are highly resilient to drought and extreme heat. They provide milk, meat, and transport, serving as a vital lifeline for pastoralist families facing water scarcity and food insecurity caused by changing weather patterns.

Camels drink water in Barkadda village, on the outskirts of Kismayo, Lower Juba region, Jubbaland, Somalia, on October 15, 2025.

This is the Bariire Bridge, the only bridge in the region connecting different towns and villages which was funded by USAID project and now is destroyed by Al-Shabaab after they took over the agricultural town in Lower Shabelle region in May 2025. Photo taken on June 24, 2025.

Fishing boats are anchored at Kismayo Beach, Kismayo, Jubbaland, Somalia, as fishers have reduced their time at sea due to limited catches and increasing risks. Photo taken on October 17, 2025.

People gather at Kismayo Beach after a whale washed ashore dead, as the climate crisis continues to affect marine life. August 15, 2025. Authorities say this is not the first time a dead whale has washed ashore, highlighting the growing problem of environmental degradation.

A young man is surrounded by people as he cuts meat from a whale that washed ashore at Kismayo Beach in August 2025, highlighting the impact of climate change on marine life and the reliance of local communities on unexpected natural resources.

A woman stands near her house, which has been covered by sand due to the impacts of climate change, in Kulub village, eastern Mudug region, central Somalia. Most residents of the village have fled after their homes were buried by encroaching sand. Photo taken on September 2, 2025.

An aerial photo shows goats outside houses overtaken by sand due to the impacts of climate change in Kulub village, eastern Mudug region, central Somalia. Most residents have fled after their homes were buried by the encroaching sand. Photo taken on September 2, 2025.

Above image are abandoned houses in Kulub village, eastern Mudug region, central Somalia. Most residents have fled after their homes were buried by encroaching sand. Photo taken on September 2, 2025.

A camel herder milks his camel in Barkadda village, on the outskirts of Kismayo, Lower Juba region, Jubbaland, Somalia. This daily practice reflects the resilience of pastoralist communities who rely on livestock for their livelihoods, even as climate challenges such as droughts and scarce water resources increasingly threaten their way of life.

Two displaced women sit outside Mogadishu, Somalia, waiting for an interview with the SJS Baraarug team in June 2025. The climate crisis has disproportionately affected women, forcing many to flee their homes due to droughts, floods, and resource shortages. These women often face increased vulnerability, including limited access to food, water, healthcare, and safety, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support and protection.

A Somali herder leads his camel outside Gondali village, near Baargaal town, Puntland, Somalia. Camels are important for the enduring role in Somali pastoralist life, providing food, transport, and livelihoods, especially as communities navigate the challenges posed by climate change.

In Baidoa, Somalia, motorcycles serve as a vital means of transportation, helping people navigate the busy streets quickly and efficiently. This photo shows young men ride a motorcycle while a woman crosses the road, illustrating daily life and the importance of adaptable transport in urban communities.

The post IN PICTURES: Climate Crisis in Somalia appeared first on Kaab TV.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the $4 billion project, first launched in 2011.

The GERD, Africa’s largest hydro-electric plant, is expected to produce 15,700 GWh annually and has become a landmark symbol of Ethiopian national pride.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Mohamud said Ethiopia “has the right to pursue happiness and prosperity” through the project, while also emphasizing the need for regional understanding.

“Somalia’s vision is clear: our collective stability and prosperity depend on ensuring that every nation feels its concerns are heard, its interests safeguarded,” he said. Acknowledging the concerns of Egypt and other downstream countries, he added: “We understand water sources touch life differently in each country. For some it is about survival and water security. For others it is about energy and growth.”

Egypt strongly opposes the GERD, arguing it threatens its agricultural lifeline, and has previously issued warnings of military action.

Last year, Somalia signed a defense pact with Cairo, which pledged to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union framework.

The deployment has yet to take place and has been widely viewed as an effort to counter Ethiopia’s dam project.

Many analysts had expected President Mohamud to avoid the ceremony given Somalia’s ties with Egypt.

However, his attendance signaled a clear diplomatic message of support to Addis Ababa.

Meanwhile, Puntland state in northeastern Somalia has also welcomed the GERD, describing it as an “African project.”

The post Ethiopia Has the Right to Pursue Happiness and Prosperity, Says Somalia’s President at GERD Inauguration appeared first on Kaab TV.