Somalia Brief: EALA ruling, defence deals and drought warnings

Jan 20, 2026 — Regional representation cleared; security pacts, drought appeals

Top story

• East African Court clears way for Somalia’s EALA swearing‑in.The East African Court of Appeal on 19 January overturned earlier rulings that had blocked the swearing‑in of Somalia’s elected representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA); Somalia’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision and congratulated the nine MPs elected by the Federal Parliament. (The ministry emphasised Somalia’s commitment to deeper EAC engagement.)Why it matters: The ruling restores Somalia’s representatives to a regional legislative body, enabling participation in EAC decision‑making on trade, mobility and regional cooperation.Source: Somali National News Agency — EALA ruling

What else happened

• Diplomacy: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a telephone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss strengthening ties on peace, security, trade and investment. (https://sonna.so/en/somalia-south-africa-discuss-strengthening-and-expanding-cooperation-on-peace-and-security-trade-and-investment/)
• National consultative forum set for Feb 1: The Somali Cabinet invited the Somali Future Council to a National Consultative Forum in Mogadishu on February 1, with a ministerial committee named to co‑organise preparations. (https://sonna.so/en/somali-cabinet-invites-somali-future-council-to-national-consultative-forum-in-mogadishu/)
• Defence cooperation with Qatar: Somalia and Qatar signed a defence cooperation agreement in Doha covering training, capability development and security collaboration; the Somali Defence Minister attended DIMDEX 2026 during the visit. (https://sonna.so/en/somalia-qatar-sign-defence-cooperation-agreement-in-doha/; https://sonna.so/en/defence-minister-attends-the-opening-of-dimdex-2026-in-doha/)
• Police reform funding approved: Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security opened a PSC meeting for Joint Police Programme Phase II (JPP II); the committee approved the 2026 work plan and budget to advance policing and security reforms with international partners. (https://sonna.so/en/interior-security-minister-opens-psc-meeting-on-phase-ii-of-joint-police/)
• Humanitarian alert — drought in Mudug: Galmudug State’s Ministry of Relief warned that prolonged drought has severely affected communities and livestock across the Mudug region and called for urgent humanitarian assistance. (https://sonna.so/en/galmudug-state-warns-of-severe-drought-impact-on-communities-and-livestock-in-mudug-region/)
• Tourism push: Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Da’ud Aweis Jama met Somalia Tourism Association (SOMTA) to discuss measures to rebuild the tourism sector, stressing its economic potential; SOMTA presented a report on ongoing activities. (https://sonna.so/en/information-minister-meets-somalia-tourism-association-to-boost-tourism-sector/)
• Regional economy — Djibouti green industrialisation: Djibouti announced a major green industrialisation project endorsed by its president and to be led by a consortium of Chinese firms, with planned investment above USD 1 billion; details to follow. (https://sonna.so/en/djibouti-announces-major-green-industrialisation-project/)
• Diplomatic posting: Somalia’s ambassador to Niger, Jaamac Xasan Khaliif, presented credentials to President Abdourahamane Tchiani and delivered a message from Somalia’s president. (https://sonna.so/en/somalias-ambassador-to-niger-presents-credentials-to-president-tchiani/)

On the ground

• Galmudug officials reported pastoralist communities facing acute water and pasture shortages, with livestock conditions declining and urgent appeals for water and food aid. (https://sonna.so/en/galmudug-state-warns-of-severe-drought-impact-on-communities-and-livestock-in-mudug-region/)
• At the tourism meeting, SOMTA representatives presented a brief report and expressed appreciation for federal support, signalling private‑sector engagement in reviving tourism jobs and national branding. (https://sonna.so/en/information-minister-meets-somalia-tourism-association-to-boost-tourism-sector/)
• Security sector actors — senior police, state ministers and international partners — took part in the JPP II PSC meeting as the committee approved the 2026 work plan and budget, underscoring donor coordination on policing reforms. (https://sonna.so/en/interior-security-minister-opens-psc-meeting-on-phase-ii-of-joint-police/)
• At diplomatic ceremonies, Somalia’s ambassador presented credentials to Niger’s president with official honours, reflecting ongoing bilateral engagement. (https://sonna.so/en/somalias-ambassador-to-niger-presents-credentials-to-president-tchiani/)

Watchlist

• Check for the formal swearing‑in date and seating of Somalia’s nine EALA members and any parliamentary follow‑up after the court ruling. (See EALA ruling link above.)
• Follow implementation of the JPP II 2026 work plan and budget, including timelines, donor commitments and on‑the‑ground policing activities. (https://sonna.so/en/interior-security-minister-opens-psc-meeting-on-phase-ii-of-joint-police/)
• Monitor outcomes of the National Consultative Forum opening on Feb 1 — agenda, participants nominated by the Somali Future Council, and any consensus on national priorities. (https://sonna.so/en/somali-cabinet-invites-somali-future-council-to-national-consultative-forum-in-mogadishu/)
• Watch for details and timelines on the Somalia–Qatar defence cooperation (training schedules, capability projects) and for further announcements from DIMDEX contacts. (https://sonna.so/en/somalia-qatar-sign-defence-cooperation-agreement-in-doha/)

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA).

Compiled from public reporting; links above.