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The stories you need to hear today, from garoweonline.com. A SpokenEdition transforms written content into human-read audio you can listen to anywhere. It’s perfect for times when you can’t read – while driving, at the gym, etc.

The stories you need to hear today, from garoweonline.com. A SpokenEdition transforms written content into human-read audio you can listen to anywhere. It’s perfect for times when you can’t read – while driving, at the gym, etc.

Opposition boycott parliamentary elections

The desire to hold free and fair elections in the country has been questioned by a number of stakeholders, with the union of presidential candidates announcing its decision to boycott ongoing parliamentary elections, citing massive fraud.

Led by former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the team accused outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of stage-managing the exercise, adding that Villa Somalia is keen to boost its numbers in coming elections.

Already, Mudolood clan has called for resignation of Federal Indirect Elections Team [FIET] Mohamed Irro, arguing that he's assisting Villa Somalia to rig elections. However, FIET has announced cancellation of various seats which had been filled in Southwest and Galmadug.

Early this week, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble held meetings with Federal Member States leaders where they agreed to push for free and fair elections. The country is expected to elect 275 Lower House members this week.

Fight against Al-shabaab in Somalia

The war against Al-shabaab militants intensified this week following various operations launched across the country by the Somali National Army [SNA] and allied forces. The team mostly targeted the capital, Mogadishu.

On Wednesday, National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] announced that it killed 12 Al-shabaab militants within Mogadishu of the 15 who were targeted. This comes days after the militants claimed responsibility for the bomb blast in Mogadishu which killed 8 people.

The government vowed to destroy the militants. Also, the Al-shabaab fired mortars on Wednesday killing children from three families in Beledweyne, central Somalia. The militants exchanged fire with AU forces from Djibouti contingent.

Further, Osman Burmadow, a clan elder from Somalia, apologized for seemingly sympathizing with the Al-shabaab group. The elder, who is quite respected in the country, seemed to immortalize Ahmed Godane, the Al-shabaab leader killed in US airstrike in 2014.

US Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee acknowledged that Al-shabaab continues to wreak havoc in Somalia and across the borders. She said by the end of this month, AU forces will be reconfigured to help in political processes and the fight against Al-shabaab.

Ethiopian conflict takes new shape

Breakaway region of Somaliland maintained that it will not be dragged into the ongoing war within the federal republic of Ethiopia. Initially, regional President Muse Bihi had met Somali region leader Mustafa Omer where he pledged support.

While Mogadishu has remained mum in the ongoing war in Ethiopia, outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo is a close ally of embattled Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Mr. Ahmed has already joined the war front.

On Wednesday, Ethiopia claimed to have seized several strategic towns in Amhara and Afar regions, with Labella, a cultural and historic center being the latest. Sources said Tigray Defense Forces [TDF] had moved out of the town willingly..

The TDF maintained that it will continue pushing further south to Addis Ababa, while condemning airstrikes targeting important infrastructure. On Wednesday, Molly Phee said the US supports reconciliation efforts in the Horn of Africa nation.

Trump's outbursts at IIhan Omar and US policy

Former US President Donald Trump yet again hit at US representative IIhan Omar, who has an origin in Somalia, accusing her of abandoning Somalia. Mr. Trump has been at loggerheads with Ms. Omar for years now.

The Democrat from Minnesota accuses Trump of engineering Islamphobia in the world, at times slamming him as a "bigot". IIhan Omar has been agitating for improved policy between the US and Africa.

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