Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) is celebrating its 62nd anniversary since its founding, marking its long-standing role in delivering news at the national, regional, and international levels and in developing journalism in Somalia.
Established in 1964 to meet the Somali government’s information needs, SONNA became the official source of national news during the presidency of Mohamed Siad Barre from 1969 to 1990. Following the collapse of state institutions in the 1990s, the agency faced operational and structural challenges. Since 2010, the Somali government has prioritized rebuilding and strengthening SONNA to restore its role as a leading national and regional news provider.
SONNA provides news in three languages—Somali, Arabic, and English—aiming to reach wide audiences while supporting both public and private media outlets. The agency focuses on enhancing its news reporting capacity, journalistic skills, and information technology infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, SONNA Director Ismail Omar Mukhtar “Oronjo” commended the staff for their dedication to accurate and timely reporting. He highlighted SONNA’s coverage of Somali National Army operations, local government elections in Benadir and member states, Israeli violations against Somalia’s sovereignty, regional and global news, and humanitarian reporting.
The anniversary underscores SONNA’s continued commitment to professional journalism, public service, and reliable news dissemination for Somali citizens and the international community.
