SomDesk — frequently asked questions
What is SomDesk?
SomDesk is a weekly Somali news and editorial intelligence briefing on Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Every Monday it compiles reporting from dozens of named regional and international sources, groups coverage of the same event, labels each story by how many independent outlets corroborate it, and publishes the result as a web briefing and a designed PDF. Every item links back to its original publisher.
Where can I get reliable weekly Somali news?
SomDesk publishes a free weekly Somali news briefing every Monday, drawing on named Somali and international outlets in both Somali and English. Each story links to its original publisher and is labelled by how many independent sources corroborate it, so you can judge reliability at a glance.
What is a Somalia security briefing?
A Somalia security briefing summarizes the week's developments on conflict, al-Shabaab, the Somali National Army, AU forces, and stability across the federal member states. SomDesk produces one each Monday as part of its Horn of Africa editorial intelligence briefing.
How often is the SomDesk briefing published?
SomDesk publishes once a week, every Monday at around 06:00 East Africa Time, covering the previous week across Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Where does SomDesk get its information?
SomDesk monitors dozens of named Somali, regional, and international news sources in both Somali and English. Each story links back to the original publisher, and stories are labelled by how many independent outlets corroborate them.
Is SomDesk original reporting?
No. SomDesk compiles and summarizes reporting from named external sources through an automated process. Summaries are for orientation; the original reporting and its views belong to the publishers cited.
What does SomDesk cover?
Somali federal and regional politics, security and al-Shabaab, the federal member states (Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West), Somaliland, the economy, humanitarian conditions, and Horn of Africa and international affairs affecting Somalia.
Is SomDesk free?
Yes. The weekly web briefing and PDF are free, and you can subscribe to receive the briefing by email each Monday.