Islamist militants launched a deadly attack on the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, with a car bomb followed by an armed siege. The attack began after evening prayers on Friday and resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people. The hotel is a known gathering place for Somali officials and businessmen. Despite the initial explosion, gunshots were still heard on Saturday night, indicating the siege was ongoing and there may be more casualties.

A terrorist attack involving twin car bombs in Mogadishu, Somalia, killed at least 100 people and injured 300 others on Saturday. The attack occurred at an intersection previously targeted five years ago in the country's deadliest attack, which claimed over 500 lives. Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attributed the bombings to the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group. Hospitals in Mogadishu called for blood donations to treat the injured, while relatives searched for missing family members.

Following the May election of Mohamud, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2016, President Joe Biden announced the return of US troops to Somalia, enhancing international support for Mohamud's anti-al-Shabaab campaign. Despite initial optimism in Mogadishu, the city has faced a series of deadly attacks.

Somalia is experiencing its worst drought in years, with the FAO warning of a worsening situation into 2023. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's government is taking measures to minimize the impact on the 7.7 million people, half the population, who are in a food crisis.

The article discusses the Somali government's efforts to combat corruption as a condition for obtaining debt relief. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed anti-corruption directives and made arrests, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre overseeing the restoration of state properties. The government has met with IMF and World Bank representatives to discuss the debt relief program and has agreed to implement conditions to revitalize domestic revenue and improve Public Financial Management. Economist Dhaqane Halane from SIMAD University's ICE and World Bank consultant Yahye Amir comment on the potential economic benefits of these anti-corruption measures and the challenges faced, such as the need for a more robust justice system and qualified government officials. The article highlights the importance of these reforms for Somalia's economic strength and the trust of international partners.