Somalia Roundup: Journalist abducted by police, first national switch launched, Libya repatriations

Journalist abducted by Somali police

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is deeply concerned about the abduction of journalist Ibrahim Mohamed Mayow, who was kidnapped on Monday, March 24, in Afgooye, about 30km from Mogadishu, while reporting on an Al-Shabaab attack. According to Horn Observer, Mayow, a reporter for Dalsan TV, was allegedly summoned by armed officers linked to Banadir Regional Police Commissioner Mahdi Omar Muumin (aka Moalim Mahdi) after the outlet published footage of the mortar strike's aftermath. He disappeared shortly after, and his location remains unknown. Local journalists say Moalim Mahdi, a former Al-Shabaab defector now serving as Mogadishu’s police chief, was in Afgooye during the attack. Police in Afgooye denied holding Mayow or knowing about his arrest.

Somalia government repatriates 145 citizens from Libya

On Monday, March 24, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs repatriated 145 citizens from Tripoli and Sebha, Libya, to Mogadishu and Hargeisa. The operation, carried out with support from the IOM and the EU’s Migrant Protection and Reintegration program, focused on youth who had been stranded and subjected to abuse and trafficking in Libya. As reported by the Jurist, this effort is part of Somalia’s ongoing commitment to tackling migration challenges. The EU-IOM Joint Initiative facilitated the repatriation, which supports voluntary return and reintegration for migrants in North Africa, helping them rebuild their lives back home.

Somalia launches first national instant payment system

Somalia has launched its first Instant Payment System with QR support through the Somalia Payment Switch (SPS), powered by BPC’s SmartVista platform. Led by the Central Bank of Somalia, TechAfrica News reports that the move aims to modernise the country’s payment infrastructure, boost financial inclusion, and reduce reliance on cash. Despite recent growth in the financial sector, many Somalis remain unbanked. The new system, featuring the SOMQR standard and managed by SPS, seeks to enable secure, fast, and interoperable digital payments nationwide.

Somalia joins Afreximbank to boost intra-African trade, economic growth

Somalia has officially joined the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as its 53rd member, aiming to boost intra-African trade and economic growth. By acceding to the bank’s establishment agreement, Somalia gains access to financial resources for infrastructure, trade, and capacity building. State Minister Hirsi Jama Ganni called the move a commitment to advancing regional and continental development through trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, The Star reports.

What it’s like to be a TB patient in Somalia

As the medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Somalia, I witness daily how conflict and poverty harm lives. One major challenge is tuberculosis (TB), especially in children. At Mudug Regional Hospital, I met 5-year-old Ahmed, who showed classic TB symptoms—cough, fever, and weight loss. With 246 TB cases per 100,000 people and 68 deaths per 100,000, Somalia faces a high burden. Diagnosing TB in children is tough, as they often can’t provide sputum samples. In our low-resource setting, we rely on clinical exams, X-rays, and skin tests because waiting for ideal conditions, Reliefweb reports.