24 Jun 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- New Prime Minister appointed in Somalia
- Moderate Ahlu Sunna silences a radio station in central Somalia
- The SRSG congratulates the new Prime Minister
- IDPs get new camps in Baidoa
- With new Prime Minister in place UN urges Somalis to move forward on transition
Titres Principaux:
- Un nouveau premier ministre nommé en Somalie
- Le groupe modéré de Ahlu Sunna oblige une station de radio à interrompre sa diffusion en Somali centrale
- Le SRSG félicite le nouveau premier ministre
- Des déplacés internes obtiennent de nouveaux camps à Baidoa
- Avec un nouveau premier ministre en fonction l’ONU appelle les Somaliens à poursuivre la période de transition
PRESS RELEASE
New Prime Minister appointed in Somalia
23 Jun – Source: TFG – 316 words
The President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), H.E. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has appointed Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali to the post of the prime minister of the government. Professor Ali brings a breadth of experience to the job. He was a deputy prime minister and minister for planning and international cooperation. He also consulted extensively for international organizations.
Prior to joining the TFG, Dr. Ali was a professor of economics at Niagra University in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Ali joined the faculty in August 2003. He has a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, a Certificate of Taxation from Harvard Law School, and a Master of Economics from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Ali completed his Ph.D. in Economics at George Mason University. In 1998 and 1999, Dr. Ali was a Joel Leff Fellow of Political Economy at Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University. Before coming to Niagara, Dr. Ali was a Research and Forecast Manager for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Dr. Ali’s primary research and teaching interests include economic growth and development, international trade, public finance and public choice. His current research focuses on the effect of institutions on economic growth. One of his articles “Political stability, stable economic policies and growth: An empirical investigation” was published in that Atlantic Economic Journal on March 2001, and won the Best Article Award for the year 2001. He has publications in numerous peer reviewed journals including Atlantic Economic Journal, International Advances in Economic Research, Journal of Public Choice and Public Finance, and the Journal of Business and Economics Research.
He is a member of the American Economic Association, Southern Economic Association, and the International Atlantic Economic Society. Dr. Ali did consulting work for international institutions including the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program. Professor Ali is expected to consult with members of parliament and clan elders as he embarks on forming his cabinet over the next few weeks.
The SRSG congratulates the new Prime Minister
23 Jun – Source: UNPOS – 250 words
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga, congratulates Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on his appointment as the new Prime Minister of Somalia. He commends President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on his timely action in appointing Mr. Abdiweli and pledges the United Nations’ full support in working with the new Prime Minister. SRSG Mahiga looks forward to the rapid appointment of a new Cabinet and the endorsement of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet by the Transitional Federal Parliament. He reiterates the importance of all parties working together to implement priority tasks including finalizing the constitution, reforming institutions, enhancing security and rebuilding the security sector, continuing outreach and reconciliation, improving accountability and rolling out basic administrative and social services to ensure the stabilization of areas recovered from armed groups.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=7936
SOMALI MEDIA
Moderate Ahlu Sunna silences a radio station in central Somalia
23 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 135 words
The administration of Ahlu Sunna Waljama on Wednesday night forced Radio Dhusamareb to be off-air, witnesses said. About 8pm local time, at least 7 fighters loyal to ASWJ stormed and got into the radio station ordering the staff to shut down the radio and forcing all employees to be out of the station soon.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=7913
New Somali-American prime minister designated
23 Jun – Source: Shabelle News – 190 words
The president of Somali interim federal government of Somalia on Thursday appointed a Somali American after days of lengthy deliberations. At a well organized ceremony held in Villa Somalia, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was named to be the next PM of the TFG by the president of the country Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=7928
IDPs get new camps in Baidoa
23 Jun – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 133 words
New camps for the IDPs from Bay and Bakol have been set up in Baidoa. Sheikh Ahmed Abdisalam, the chairman of the committee of drought of Bay and Bakol said there number of people entering Baidoa is alarming and are increasing every day. The chairman asked the Somali public and the local aid agencies to help the people who are faced with dire humanitarian situation before matters go out of the hand.
Somalia’s former prime minister welcomes the new premier
23 Jun – Source: Shabelle News – 200 words
The former prime minister, who has recently resigned, said on Thursday that he welcomes the appointment of the new premier.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=7929
USAID deputy assistant administrator visits Somaliland
23 Jun – Source: Somaliweyn – 152 words
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa, Rajakumari Jandhyala, traveled to Hargeisa to see USAID’s work with Somalis and to learn about progress of USAID programs. The Deputy Assistant Administrator met with government representatives and various other groups of people.
http://www.somaliweyn.org/pages/news/June_11/22June30.html
Somali president to name a new prime minister
23 Jun – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 163 words
The president of Somalia Sheikh Sharif has put forward the potential prime minister for the new government in a meeting with some lawmakers yesterday in Mogadishu. He said: “the country is passing at a critical moment and there is no much time to be wasted in looking for a prime minister. Therefore I decided to appoint Dr. Abdiweli as the prime minister for the new government.
Senior commanding officer of al Shabaab of Hiiraan Dies
23 Jun – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 116 words
A senior leader of al Shabaab responsible for commanding the militias in Hiiraan was reported to have died in Mogadishu after he sustained injuries in the last fighting in Hiiraan. The leader who was buried at Barakat cemetery was escorted at the burial ceremony by prominent senior leaders of al Shabaab, the likes of Ahmed Godane and Mukatar Robow Abu Mansoor.
Calm returns to southern Somalia town after battle
23 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 136 words
Calm has reportedly returned to parts of Gedo region, Luq town in particular after one day of heavy battle between Somali forces backed by Ahlu Sunna Waljama, and al Shabaab fighters. Most of yesterday’s fighting rocked the village of Bohol Bashir. At least five people were confirmed dead and several more injured in the battle, according witnesses.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=7915
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kampala running Somali affairs, says al Shabaab
23 Jun – Source: Africa Review News – 284 words
Somali Islamists al Shabaab are blaming Uganda for the recent resignation of Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmajo). Al Shabaab officer in charge of regional and political affairs Sheikh Hussein Fidow said the whole TFG was being remote-controlled from Kampala.
Uphill task ahead for new Somali prime minister as he takes office
Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed today appointed a Harvard tax law graduate as the new prime minister, handing him the daunting task of trying to govern Africa’s most lawless nation. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali replaces Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed who resigned under a reconciliation accord during the week-end.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Huge explosions, aircraft heard in South Somalia
24 Jun – Source: AFP/ ABC – 334 words
Huge explosions were heard early yesterday near the southern Somali town of Kismayo, followed by the sound of aircraft, a local elder and an Islamist official said. “We heard huge explosions. Then a few minutes later we heard the sound of aircraft. We are not yet sure what it was,” Abdulahi Ise, the elder, said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/24/3252191.htm?section=justin
With new Prime Minister in place, UN urges Somalis to move forward on transition
23 Jun – Source: UN News Centre – 267 words
The United Nations envoy dealing with Somalia today congratulated Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on his appointment as the country’s new Prime Minister and stressed the importance of all parties working together to carry out priority tasks such as finalizing the constitution.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38821&Cr=somali&Cr1=