September 11, 2018 | Morning Headlines

Main Story

President Farmaajo Upbeat On Somalia’s Recovery And Regional Stability

10 September – Source: Goobjoog News – 344 Words

President Mohamed Farmaajo has reiterated his government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and stability in the country and the region. Speaking during the opening of the 4th session of the 10th Parliament at General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu today, President Farmaajo said his administration had registered remarkable progress in the country’s recovery progress.

The head of state said the European Union’s pledge of $120 million direct budget support was as a result of fiscal and financial management which had seen the country meet thresholds set by international financial institutions such as the World Bank and IMF.

“We have all fulfilled the terms of the loan amnesty, and that’s why the European Union has promised a budget of $ 120 million,” the President said. The European Union announced, during the London Conference last May, that it would provide the government with 100 million euros following positive reports from the IMF regarding the country’s efforts in meeting the pre-arrears thresholds.

The President’s speech came amid a terror attack in the city, which claimed at least six lives and left close to 20 others injured. The President urged Somalis to join efforts with the government in rebuilding the country noting that no country in the world has prospered without the input and commitment of its citizens. He urged Somalis to take part in the reconstruction project rolled out today, which targets citizen contribution in rebuilding key public installations in the country.

Commenting on recent developments in the Horn of Africa, the President said the renewed relationship between Eritrea and Djibouti was a major milestone in ensuring stability and economic growth in the region: “We have been successful in the past months in our efforts to end hostilities between countries of the region, in particular, Djibouti and Eritrea.”

“We have been closing the door of misunderstanding for states of the region and now we are moving to a collaborative and cooperative era.” Eritrea and Djibouti declared a path to restoration of diplomatic relations early this month following mediation efforts by President Farmaajo and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed.

Key Headlines

President Farmaajo Upbeat On Somalia’s Recovery And Regional Stability (Goobjoog News)
The Reopening Of Senate Postponed As Senators Condemn Bomb Attack (Halbeeg News)
Government Forces Capture Key Towns From Al-Shabaab In Shabelle Regions (Radio Dalsan)
Young People Migrating to Europe Seek Safety More Than Jobs (PRWeb)
UN Envoy Encourages Somalia’s Speedy Ratification Of Treaty On Persons With Disabilities (UNSOM)
These Men Have Set Up A Somali Magazine In Bristol To ‘Bridge The Gap’ Between Communities (Bristol Live)

NATIONAL MEDIA

The Reopening Of Senate Postponed As Senators Condemn Bomb Attack

10 September – Source: Halbeeg News – 159 Words

The reopening of the Upper House has been postponed over security and technical issues, the Senate Standing Committee confirmed on Monday. The Fourth session of the Senate House was scheduled to resume on Monday at General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu.

In a press statement, the committee said the reopening session had been called off.: “The Standing Committee of the Upper House has decided to postpone the session slated for today 10th September for security and technical issues. The committee will clarify the date of reopening of the fourth session.”

Meanwhile, the Senate condemned Monday’s Al-Shabaab bomb blast in Mogadishu. An Al-Shabaab suicide bomber detonated explosive-laden car at the gate of Hodan District headquarters. The blast killed over six people including soldiers. The Senate condoled with families and relatives of those killed in the attack, which is second on a district headquarters in the city this month. Al-Shabaab and their affiliate online media claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Government Forces Capture Key Towns From Al-Shabaab In Shabelle Regions

10 September – Source: Radio Dalsan – 137 Words

Reports from Lower and Middle Shabelle regions indicate that Somali government forces backed by the African Union troops launched an attack against Al-Shabaab bases in Bagdad, Adan and Kala Wareeg villages in Balcad and Afgoye districts. Army officials told Radio Dalsan that the operation took place in the early hours of Monday in Afgoye town, Lower Shabelle region. The officials disclosed they were planning to kick out Al-Shabaab from the area.

One of the officials, who declined to be named, said the government forces had peacefully captured the area and that Al-Shabaab had already vacated. The latest attack comes in the wake of claims by Middle Shabelle region governor Ahmed Meyre Makaran, that Al-Shabaab had planned attacks against the government in Mogadishu, and not Shabelle regions.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Young People Migrating to Europe Seek Safety More Than Jobs

10 September – Source: PRWeb – 359 Words

The lack of safety and security, not unemployment and poverty, is the main reason young people in Somalia and Afghanistan intend to leave their homes and migrate to Europe. This is according to a new report released today by global organization Mercy Corps and independent think tank Samuel Hall.

These findings, described in the report, “Driven to Leave,” call into question the efficacy of traditional development investments that seek to deter migration from countries lacking basic rule of law and security by providing job training and skills building. It is based on 12,200 surveys conducted from 2014-17 in Somalia and Afghanistan, and in-depth interviews with Somalis and Afghans at home and in Italy and Greece from 2017.

“We now know far more about why young people are pushed to migrate from unstable environments, and it’s less likely to be because they are seeking to improve their material welfare,” says Beza Tesfaye, Senior Researcher, Mercy Corps. “It seems a greater reason is often the search for stability, safety and security, based on their own experience of violence, as well as perceptions of future insecurity in their community.”

The assumption from policymakers has been that more investment in skills building and job training programs in countries of origin will lead to more youth employment and higher incomes, and fewer young people migrating to Europe seeking better fortunes. Research shows this is not the whole picture.

In evaluating two youth education and vocational training programs in Somalia and Afghanistan, research showed that there was mixed, or no impact on migration intentions. ”

UN Envoy Encourages Somalia’s Speedy Ratification Of Treaty On Persons With Disabilities

10 September – Source: UNSOM – 634 Words

Mogadishu, 10 September 2018 – The top United Nations official for Somalia has encouraged the country’s authorities to proceed quickly with the ratification of a treaty safeguarding and promoting the rights of people with disabilities.

Currently, Somalia has no national or legal policy framework regarding people with disabilities, however, the federal government recently announced that it would sign the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: “Somalia has agreed to sign the Convention, so the next step is to get the legislation passed and part of my purpose is to recognize that step and to encourage the government of Somalia to pass the law,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Somalia, Michael Keating.

The UN official made the comments in the capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday, while visiting the Al Noor School for the Blind, one of the few education institutions established for persons with disabilities in Somalia. The Convention is an international treaty that articulates the rights of persons with disabilities. Specifically, countries that become parties to it agree to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Despite a lack of precise information on the number of people with disabilities in Somalia, experts estimate that the number is higher than the global average estimate of 15 percent as a result of the country’s long period of conflict, poverty and lack of access to health care. Started 13 years ago, the Al Noor School for the Blind currently offers intermediate and secondary education to more than 140 students from the capital and around the country. Subjects taught at the institution include mathematics, languages (English, Arabic and Somali), Islamic studies, computer and social studies.

Mr. Keating, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), mingled with the students during his visit, and noted the importance of the government making provision for funding such schools, as well as the need to create job opportunities for them. He highlighted that Somalis with disabilities form a crucial part of society, and that there is need for their inclusion in the political, social and economic affairs of the country.

“I was talking to another colleague who was working here and they said the priority should be to make sure that political parties include in their rules support for people living with disabilities,” Mr. Keating said. The school’s deputy director, Ibrahim Abdullahi Mohamed, who showed the UN envoy around the campus, expressed appreciation for the support shown for the school’s efforts, noting that it faced numerous challenges and needed aid.

OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE

“It will help parents in Somali communities make their families aware of their culture and their language but it will also help them learn a bit about Bristol and how things work here.”

These Men Have Set Up A Somali Magazine In Bristol To ‘Bridge The Gap’ Between Communities

10 September – Source: Bristol Live – 786 Words

Three Bristol Somali men have launched a new magazine in Bristol dedicated to fostering understanding between the city’s Somali community and other communities in the city. The bilingual quarterly mag has articles written in Somali and translated into English, with the hope English speakers and Somali families with Somali speaking parents and English speaking children can enjoy it together.

It is called KOBCIYE, meaning ‘to increase knowledge’ and is aimed particularly at the generation of parents and grandparents who were born in the East African country and later moved to the UK: “It is about bridging the gap. We want to share the best of our culture and community with the rest of Bristol, that way we can better learn from each other.,” said Editor-in-Chief Khaalid Ahmed.

Working to produce the magazine with him are Said Hussein, a well-known author who wrote the first Somali language book about autism after his son was born with the disability. Completing the trio is Khalil Abdi, who is chair of the Bristol Horn Youth Concern and works with young people from deprived areas around Bristol. The mag will include a lot of useful and interesting information for Somali parents and families, some of which will encourage further integration with Bristol. Within the first edition published on August 1, 2018 there are articles ranging from an explanation of the British curriculum and how it works in stages from nursery to university.

There is even a section on the Bristol Suspension Bridge which explains the structures’ significance and history, something some parents may not be aware of because it is mainly written about in English. Khaalid said: “This is really important to us, and from what we have heard from people, it is really important to them.

“There is nothing bilingual like this out there, and so for the first time in some cases, families can sit down and enjoy reading something together that both the parents and children can read and understand,”.he said.

Because of this, there will also be a focus on promoting Somali culture and language so children within the community can benefit from learning about their heritage. Every edition will have a page dedicated to the Somali alphabet and and easy guide on how to learn it, with there also be recommendations for children’s books and informative books for adults written in the language.

ADDITIONAL SOMALIA NEWS WILL APPEAR IN THE AFTERNOON REPORT

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