Mahbub Writes

Somalia’s third republic could end if nothing changes, warns Afyare Elmi Issue #11: All of Somalia’s former living presidents also united to condemn the alleged misuse and sale of public land by the government.

Telecom oligarchies, government ghost workers & Ayaan Hirsi Ali still grifting Issue #10: Ayaan Hirsi Ali is still recyclying tired stereotypes about Muslims and Somalis in which she's found a lucrative career

Spaceports, satellites and Somalia gets Starlink Issue #9: It’s a big week for Somalia in space, with Türkiye announcing a new spaceport and Starlink going live.

“It’s hard to wrap one’s head around the sheer audacity of what these companies are doing. This is predatory gluttony dressed in corporate suits, a greed so grotesque it reaches for the last coin in the pockets of the already struggling, with the same cold precision as a vulture tearing flesh. No imagery can truly do justice, but they are like three starving hyenas circling the last carcass in the desert, only here, the carcass is the most vulnerable among us. These are hunger-predators, each one vying to be the first to wring the very last drop of life out of us”

The soulless predators know no boundaries Ruthless vultures will do anything to drain the people’s pockets

Diaspora Dialogues: Culture, Identity, and Connection. A Conversation with Amina Isir We hosted the very first event in our new series—Dialogue with Diaspora—a dedicated space where we invite writers and storytellers from the diaspora to share...

“Imagination is a political battleground”: Dabindid Yusuf on why we need to rethink Somali life and politics Dabindid Yusuf of Journal Gobanimo argues that different Somali futures depend on reclaiming imagination as a political act—challenging imposed frameworks and

Our East Africa Newsletter Is growing, thanks to our growing community.

For too long, East Africa’s story has been told from afar, often filtered through the lens of tragedy. At Acacia, we’re working to change that. We bring you fresh, grounded stories from Somalia, across the Horn of Africa, and beyond, straight to your inbox.

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Acacia | Geeska | Substack A weekly newsletter from Geeska bringing you the latest from East Africa straight to your inbox. Click to read Acacia, by Geeska, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

Acacia | Geeska | Substack A weekly newsletter from Geeska bringing you the latest from East Africa straight to your inbox. Click to read Acacia, by Geeska, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

Independence, aid dependence and Trump's beef with Ilhan Omar Issue #3: Somalia is still catching strays in Trump’s ongoing feud with Ilhan Omar but a few Somali political figures surprisingly agree with him ...

Cathedral is a Catholic monument in a 99% Muslim nation, and a colonial relic in a post-colonial city. Should it be preserved, repurposed, or left to crumble into memory?

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Just out: This week in Acacia, we covered how not to report the contentious Somalia/Somaliland map, the appalling assault in Lasanod, cracks in federalism, U.S. strikes in Puntland, and more ⬇️

American bombs, borders and Somalia's sick federal system Issue #2: The gang r**e of two young girls, Fahima & Farah, sparks outrage as authorities in SSC-Khaatumo arrest more than twenty suspects.