Somalia Brief: Banadir vote, SNA operations, diplomacy, and media upgrades

Jan 5, 2026 — Banadir council election recognised; diplomatic visits and security ops follow

Top story

• The Ministry of Interior congratulated residents of Benadir (Banadir) Region and newly elected district council members after elections held on 25 December 2025, calling the vote a sign of democratic progress and praising the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission and security forces for a transparent, peaceful process.
• Why it matters: The ministry says the new council will be responsible for improving public services, accountability, and local development—key steps for municipal governance in Mogadishu.
• Source: Press Statement — Ministry of Interior (SONNA)

What else happened

• Diplomacy — Saudi meeting: Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal in Riyadh to reaffirm Saudi support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and discussed enhancing bilateral ties. (SONNA)
• Diplomacy — Indonesia call: Somalia’s Foreign Minister held a telephone conversation with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono about upholding Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. (SONNA)
• Security — Danab operation in Jilib: Danab Special Forces said they killed 15 Al-Shabaab militants and captured eight during a night operation in Jilib District, highlighting use of air mobility in the raid. (SONNA)
• Security — Troop inspection in Beledweyne: Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar inspected SNA bases and urged forces to strengthen national defence and accelerate operations against Al-Shabaab. (SONNA)
• Defence diplomacy: Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi received the British Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mr Sam Thomas, to discuss defence cooperation, training, and counter‑terrorism. (SONNA)
• Media & institutions — SONNA 62nd anniversary: The Somali National News Agency marked its 62nd anniversary; SONNA’s director highlighted the agency’s multi‑language services and coverage of national affairs, while the Minister of Information congratulated staff and praised recent technological upgrades. (SONNA; also: Minister of Information congratulates SONNA)
• Media upgrade — Radio Mogadishu: Minister of Information Daud Aweis Jama inaugurated newly modernized Radio Mogadishu studios, completed over about a year and partly supported by BBC Media Action, giving the station two fully functional studios and upgraded broadcast equipment. (SONNA)
• Education — School inaugurated in Nairobi: Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya inaugurated Starlight View Academy in Parklands, Nairobi, praising its integrated model of modern academics and Qur’anic education for Somali children and the wider community. (SONNA)

On the ground

• The Interior Ministry described the Banadir election as marked by “strong public participation,” crediting electoral authorities and security agencies for a professional, peaceful process. (SONNA)
• Radio Mogadishu’s ribbon‑cutting was attended by the Minister of Information, the ministry’s Director General and senior officials; the station says the upgrade will improve its technical capacity and reliability. (SONNA)
• Military photos and statements from Beledweyne and Jilib show commanders touring bases and describing night operations, underscoring ongoing troop activity against Al‑Shabaab. (SONNA; SONNA)

Watchlist

• Implementation: how the new Banadir district council takes office and what immediate service or accountability changes it announces.
• Election follow‑up: any official audits, complaints, or international statements about the Dec 25 process (SONNA so far reports congratulations only).
• Security: further SNA or Danab operations and any official casualty or detention updates from Jilib and surrounding districts.
• Diplomacy: next steps from Saudi and Indonesian engagements—statements on aid, security cooperation, or bilateral programmes announced after these meetings.

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.