February 16, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

UN-organized summit on Somalia resumes 2nd day in Garowe

16 Feb – Source: Garowe Online, Shabelle – 1088 words

Somali leaders are meeting in the second day in Garowe for an UN-sponsored constitutional conference in Garowe town, the capital of Puntland state of Somalia, northern of war-torn horn of Africa country, reports say.

Leaders from all parties of Somalia, including TFG and local administrations like Puntland and Galmudug states as well as pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a (ASWJ) with international representatives are taking part in the conference held at university compound in Garowe town.

Somalia’s TFP Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden told the Media via phone while he was at the constitution conference that constitution will be high on the agenda and it is hoped to produce a clear plan for the constitutional process. The speaker asked UN to lift arms embargo imposed in 1992 to fend off al Shabaab militants and al Qaeda as Somali government troops backed by AU soldiers are struggling to gain more ground from the militants.

Key Headlines

Somali president calls on TFG AU forces to continue war against al Shabaab ( Shabelle)
UN-organized summit on Somalia resumes 2nd day in Garowe (Garowe Online Shabelle)
President takes part in anti-al Shabaab al Qaeda rally in Somali capital (Jowhar Online)
Opening Statement of H.E. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of the 2nd Constitutional Conference in Garowe(Office of the Prime Minister)
Turkish envoy to Yemen meets Somali community in Sanaa ( Radio Bar-kulan)
TFG claimed to have killed at least 12 al Shabaab fighters in Gedo region (Radio Mogadishu SONNA Somalia Report )
Jailed suspect Somali pirates ask for trials ( Coast Week Xinhua)
IGAD Kampala meet opens ( New Vision Uganda)
Somali leader vows to “cleanse country of al Qaeda” (People Daily Xinhua)

PRESS STATEMENT

Opening Statement of H.E. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of the 2nd Constitutional Conference in Garowe

15 Feb – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 961 words

Mr. Speaker, President Farole, Ministers, parliamentarians, other functionaries in our government, Ambassador Mahiga, our friends from the international community, members from civil society, the people of Puntland and most particularly residents of Garowe – greetings.
I am very honored to take part in this historic event and especially in the city of Garowe, Puntland. I will come back to explain why this is a historic event and why Garowe is so significant for me personally.

As a government, we have been presented with challenges and opportunities in the last six months, with each challenge and opportunity marking an important milestone. We have successfully faced some challenges, especially the famine which caused loss of lives and properties and also caused thousands of IDPs to pour into major cities. We also took on the challenges of Al-Shabaab’s insurgency in the middle of Mogadishu and successfully drove them out of the city in August 2011 with the help of our AMISOM partners. And we are in the middle of recovering large swaths of territory that have been in the control of extremists until now.

We have turned some of the challenges into opportunities. Since 2000, successive transitional governments have been presented with shopping lists of deliverables numbering close to 20, from security, peace, good governance, DDR, health care provision, the building of civil administrations on and on. The list was too long, too unfocused and too unrealistic for it to be workable.

Our strategy in consultation with other stakeholders was to streamline the deliverables into manageable and realistic goals and encapsulate them in a concisely mapped out Roadmap with clear timelines. As you know, the 4 goals of the Roadmap are (a) political outreach and reconciliation (b) completion of the constitution making process (c) delivery of good governance structures and (d) security.

We’re here today to move forward on the constitutional front. The biggest commitment that my government has made, together with our stakeholder partners, is the commitment to end the permanent transition that we have condemned ourselves to for the last 20 years. Imagine a transition that lasts 21 years. You will agree that a permanent transition is a contradiction in terms. A transition must have proscribed beginning date and an end date and the term ought to be short in duration. Not in our case.

Everything in our lives has been and continues to be in a transition. Our lives are in transitions of refuge, civil wars, human displacements and human rights violations. Our children, those in refugee camps and those in exile, are in transitions. The largest and most permanent of refugee’s camp in the world is Dadaab; a camp that started as a transitional camp in 1991 has now become a metropolitan city known entirely for its abject poverty and inhumane conditions. Our governance structures have been in flux and in state of transition for 21 years, and this government I am leading is also a transitional government.

To me this constitutional process represents the possibility of a new beginning, the possibility for the Somali people to say “ENOUGH” to transitions, transitions of the personal kind and those of governance institutions. I appeal to all of you to put your heads together in the next few days and come up with creative solutions for the few open questions and outstanding issues so we can bring this transition to an end.

A society that is in endless transitions cannot plan for a sustainable future, cannot have a national economic planning regime, cannot aim to provide acceptable levels of services for society, cannot aspire for a peaceful community that is at ease with itself and at peace with its neighbors. We must end this transition and the means to end is clearly provided for in the Roadmap, an agreement that we all committed to in September 2011 in Mogadishu, and most particularly in the Garowe Principles of December 2011.

We collectively developed the Garowe Principles at our first constitutional conference held in December 2011. Today, they serve as the key guiding document to ending the transition.

We are gathered here today to kick off our second constitutional conference. In this conference a key outcome that is expected of you is how to operationalize the Garowe Principles and to inject some clarity into how these principles will be implemented. Additionally, we must finish discussing the outstanding issues on our Constitution – such as federalism, how we will share resources and the form of the government we will create in the next political dispensation.

I started my speech with a reference as to why Garowe is also symbolically important to me. Here is why:

A few years ago, I began volunteering at this very university (PSU) during my summer vacations and today the same university is hosting a national agenda of which I am an important part. It is historic for me on personal level, its also historic for the students I taught in here. I also hope that it will be historic for one more reason of national importance.

There is much work to be done, and little time. Let us come together and finish the constitution process to build a bright future for the Somali people. We are in the home stretch – we already have a draft constitution that has been developed over the last 5 years by our Independent Federal Constitution Commission. They have done an amazing job and we thank them for their significant role. Today, the draft constitution is being reviewed and harmonized by the Committee of Experts. By the end of April, we will have a final draft constitution. As I said, we are in the final stages and Somalia’s bright future lies ahead of us.

Thank you all for your presence here, thank you all for your hard work.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president calls on TFG, AU forces to continue war against al Shabaab

16 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 179 words

Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has Thursday called on TFG and AU forces in Mogadishu to keep on fighting against al Shabaab militants to regain control of the country. President Sheikh Sharif praised both government soldiers and AMISOM for capturing more strategic zones beyond the capital from al Shabaab fighters.

Mr. Ahmed said TFG and AU forces executed a successful operation against al Qaeda linked al Shabaab on the outskirts of Mogadishu, capturing two sites of tactical importance. “Both al Qaeda and al Shabaab are obstacles against the peace and stability of the country and its people. Somalis will not tolerate further for their harsh objectives against the development of the country,” said Somali president.

Ahmed statement comes as in an advance that begun last Tuesday by AMISOM’s Burundian Contingent took Al Janal hill, which oversees the southern approaches to the Mogadishu International Airport as well as the Maslah building which sits on the road to Afgoye, a terrorist stronghold.

UN-organized summit on Somalia resumes 2nd day in Garowe

16 Feb – Source: Garowe Online, Shabelle – 1088 words

President takes part in anti-al Shabaab, al Qaeda rally in Somali capital

15 Feb – Source: Jowhar Online – 105 words

The president of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad, has taken part in an anti- al Shabaab-al Qaeda merger demonstration in Mogadishu, organized by Banadir Regional administration. Hundreds of Mogadishu residents took to the streets of Mogadishu, mainly at Fiyoraha neighbourhood, shouting anti-al Shabaab and al Qaeda slogans.

The president, addressing the protesters, talked about yesterday’s fighting in the outskirts of the capital, saying government forces backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia AMISOM troops have suceeded. He asked the UN to lift arms embargo on Somalia. Al Shabaab recently held a demonstration in support of its merger with al Qaeda at Elasha Biyaha locality in the outskirts of Mogadishu.

Turkish envoy to Yemen meets Somali community in Sanaa

16 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 125 words

Turkish ambassador to Yemen, Fadli Showrman, on Wednesday met with members of the Somali community in the capital, Sanaa. The meeting which took place at the Turkish embassy in Sanaa was aimed at discussing the relations between Somalia and Turkey. The community members praised Turkish efforts to support the Somali public.

The ambassador said Turkey’s effort to support Somalia was “an obligation”, promising that they will continue helping Somalis till they will see Somalia out of any crisis. Fahad Ali Hassan, one of the community members who met the ambassador thanked the Turkish people and their government for their timely support in Somalia. Turkey has been in the forefront in providing humanitarian assistance to hunger-hit Somalis during the recent drought and famine crisis in Somalia.

TFG claimed to have killed at least 12 al Shabaab fighters in Gedo region

16 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA, Somalia Report – 116 words

The Somali National Forces said it had killed at least ten al Shabaab members in Gedo region on Wednesday. TFG military official confirmed to SONNA News Agency that the TFG forces pushed back and killed the Islamist fighters after they attacked TFG bases in Gedo region. This comes after Somali’s Defense Minister Hussein Arab Isse stated that Tuesday’s operation against al Shabaab militias in the outskirts of Mogadishu is the start of massive operations against the terrorist group.

“The national forces fulfilled the operations as it was planned and from now we are ready to liberate the rest regions of the country from the enemy,” he said in interview with Radio Mogadishu. He urged the Somali people to support the military.

Al Shabaab militants attack Govt. positions in Somalia capital

16 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 153 words

Al Shabaab militants linked with al Qaeda have launched an offensive against government positions overnight in the lawless Somalia capital, Mogadishu as TFG and AU soldiers are conducting Operations to expand the zone of security in Mogadishu, an official says.

Muheydin Hassan Jurus, the District Commissioner of Yaqshid district for Somalia government told ShebelleMedia that the militants attacked around 10:30 a.m. local time on police station and Fagah intersection in the district, causing unconfirmed casualties on the attacking al Shabaab fighters.

He said a fighter from al Shabaab was killed at Jungal village, north of Mogadishu as a result of a counter-attack by pro-government forces. He added that operations are now underway to secure the security of Yaqshid district, asking locals to work with the soldiers to overcome peace and stability of the area. Al Shabaab has not said any word about the attack in Mogadishu overnight and the TFG claim so far.

Somaliland President Fires Two Officials

16 Feb – Source: Hadhwanaag Times – 99 words

The president of Somaliland Republic Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo on Wednesday fired two officials.
The chairman of Somaliland Diaspora association Suleiman Mohmud Farah and the General Director of Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohmud Rage Ibrahim who said he had resigned on Monday, according to a statement from the presidential palace.

The president noted in his statement that the two officials were dismissed because of their poor performance in the offices they work. He said that the general director of the ministry of foreign affairs has been in the office for a long time, now the president decided his dismiss.

Victims of suicide blast arrive in Turkish capital, Ankara

15 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 129 words

Victims of the deadly suicide car bomb near Muna hotel have arrived in the Turkish capital, Ankara to undergo specialized treatment courtesy of our benevolent brothers from Turkey. International community and world leaders have condemned in the strongest term possible the murder of innocent civilians in Mogadishu by al Shabaab terrorists.

At-least fifteen people died with scores injured following a Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) at Muna Hotel in Mogadishu in February.The Ministry of Interior and National Security confirmed that two MPs were lightly wounded in the attack and stated that this was a suicide attack carried out by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked terror group in Somalia.

Puntland gov. denies report of terrorist attack

15 Feb – Source: Garowe Online, Radio Bar-kulan – 202 words

The Puntland government rejected a recent report from Shabelle media and Hiiran Online in which the news agency claims 17 Puntland security forces were killed in a battle in the Golis Mountain Range, Garowe Online reports. The report which was published on Tuesday, states that 17 Puntland forces were killed after a battle broke out between Puntland forces and militants loyal to Sheikh Mohamed Saeed Atom in a town called Sugurre.

A press release from Puntland spokesman Ahmed Omar Hersi denied the deaths of 17 Puntland troops, the press release suggested that the report was aimed at stirring fear as the Garowe conference officially opened, which many delegates attended. Mr. Hersi said, “This report is false and there was no attack at Sugurre, a village where Puntland government forces maintain security checkpoints.”

Minister of Security Khalif Isse Mudan held a press conference on Monday which he spoke about a counter-terrorism operation in which an explosive expert for the al Shabaab was caught. The explosive expert who was apprehended is the brother of Mohamed Saeed Atom who is an alleged al Shabaab agent.

Turkey says Turkish airlines to start flights in Somali capital

15 Feb – Source: Jowhar Online – 187 words

The Turkish embassy in Somalia has said Turkish Airlines will start launch flights from Mogadishu to Istanbul next month. At a press conference at the Turkish embassy in Mogadishu, Turkish ambassador Cemalettin Cani Torun said the airline will start flights between the two cities on 6 and 7 March. He added that the flights will be twice a week. He said that Somalis in Diaspora will take advantage of the flights. “The flights will start on 6 and 7 March with two direct flights a week from Istanbul to Mogadishu and from Mogadishu to Istanbul,” said the ambassador.

The ambassador further said that Turkish Airlines operates in 146 countries with direct flights, and added that an event to mark the launch of the flights will be held in Mogadishu. He said that a delegation led by Turkish deputy prime minister will arrive in Mogadishu to take part in the event. The government of Turkey previously said it will start flight in the country as part of its development project. Turkey is the first country to start flights in Somalia. [Since the collapse of the last central government in 1991.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Jailed suspect Somali pirates ask for trials

16 Feb – Source: Coast Week, Xinhua – 205 words

Eighty-four suspected Somali pirates being held in a Kenyan prison Tuesday expressed concern with the Kenyan judiciary system and appealed to the international community for deportation.

The 84 who are on pre-trial detention in the coastal city of Mombasa said they have languished in the facility for over three years with no sign of justice coming their way.

Speaking during an open day at the prison, the accused pirates said the Kenyan government had failed to grant them justice but put them through physical and mental abuse. “We want justice to prevail as the Kenya government claims to obey human rights and justice for all,” said an accused pirate only identified as Mohamed.

Benin commends Kenya’s role in regional peace

15 Feb – Source: Africa Review – 145 words

Benin has commended the role Kenya has continued to play in ensuring peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region. Benin President Boni Yayi’s special envoy Naissirou Bako-Arifari, particularly hailed the Kenya Defence Forces’ ongoing operation against the al Shabaab in Somalia.

Prof Bako-Arifari was speaking Wednesday when he delivered a special message to President Mwai Kibaki at Harambee House, Nairobi from the Benin President Boni Yayi, who is currently the African Union chairman.

The special envoy briefed President Kibaki on the forthcoming meeting of selected Heads of State that will be held in Cotonou this month to deliberate on challenges facing the AU, particularly the election of the AU Commission chairperson and the deputy.

IGAD Kampala meet opens

16 Feb – Source: New Vision (Uganda) – 188 words

The eight member states of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) want economic and political barriers hindering trade integration among them removed.

The IGAD is meeting at Speke Hotel in Kampala to study a report detailing ways to achieve trade integration. The member states include Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan and the host Uganda.

IGAD, one of the African economic blocks is working with the other blocks to ensure that they form the single block for the African region by 2028 in accordance with the 1991 Abuja Treaty.

Kenyan military incursion should focus on Somalia exit strategy

16 Feb – Source: Coast Week, Xinhua – 696 words

International conflict resolution group on Wednesday called on Kenyan military not to extend its intervention in Somalia and should instead focus on exit strategy to avoid sparking local resistance and retaliation.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) said Kenya which launched cross border incursion in October last year should articulate a clear plan and strategy to support its military actions and ensure lasting peace along the Somalia border.

“As Kenya advances into southern Somalia, it must act cautiously and avoid prolonged ‘occupation’, lest it turn local opinion against the operation and galvanise opposition al Shabaab can co-opt, much as happened to Ethiopia in 2006-2009,” ICG said in its latest report which was released in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 16, 2011 to push back al Shabaab, which controls large sections of southern and central Somalia, is blamed by Nairobi for a series of cross-border kidnappings. The militant group has also come under pressure from African Union peacekeepers, who pushed them out of the Somali capital Mogadishu in August, and from Ethiopia, which has seized several towns in the Horn of Africa nation.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali leader vows to “cleanse country of al Qaeda”

16 Feb – Source: People Daily, Xinhua – 291 words

Somali president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed onWednesday vowed to rid the war-torn country of al Qaeda, days after the local militantgroup said it merged with the global Jihadist network.

Thousands of people held rally in the Somali capital Mogadishu to denounce the unionbetween al Shabaab group and al Qaeda network announced last week in a joint videoaddress by leaders of both militant groups.

People at the rally carried posters and placards with slogans condemning the groupsand pledging to defend the country from the rebel fighters.Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed speaking to thousands of Mogadishu’sresidents said his government will not allow the radical group from remaining in thecountry.

“First and far most we rely on Allah then on our people, and soldiers we will count onour brothers and friends who like our well-being to fight them (al Qaeda) and cleanse al Qaeda from our country Somalia,” the Somali president told flag waving crowds.

Somalia needs governance, bishop says

15 Feb – Source: Catholic sentinel – 197 words

The international community must contribute to reconstructing a “functioning authority” in Somalia, says a bishop who serves as administrator of the country’s only Catholic diocese.

After 21 years of “practically anarchy,” Somalia “has become a failed state, a black hole,” said Bishop Giorgio Bertin of Djibouti, who took over as administrator of the diocese in neighboring Somalia in 1989, when the bishop of Mogadishu was killed.

Referring to the ongoing problem of Somali pirates on shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean and the military costs of patrolling those waters, the bishop said “The solution is not simply on the sea, but the solution comes on the land.”

While he does not deny the need to protect ships or limit the use of force on land, “the military aspect should not be the first approach.” The international community must use a multifaceted approach: military, human and political, he said.

Somalia’s “so-called leaders” have “taken hostage their own people,” Bishop Bertin said, noting that 98 percent of the people of Somalia “just want to live in peace.”

Rescued Somalia hostage father talks of dark moments, says daughter is doing well

16 Feb – Source: The Republic – 154 words

The father of a woman rescued by Navy SEALS in Somalia last month says his daughter is doing well.
He says Jessica has shared some stories of her captivity, and that he’s glad he didn’t know what she was going through at the time, although he didn’t elaborate.

In an interview with The News & Advance and WSLS-TV (http://bit.ly/AvQug9), John Buchanan says the months his daughter Jessica was held hostage were difficult. He says Jessica has shared some stories of her captivity, and that he’s glad he didn’t know what she was going through at the time, although he didn’t elaborate.

Jessica Buchanan and another man were abducted in Central Somalia in October. President Barack Obama called John Buchanan at his Bedford County home in January to share the news of the rescue by the Special Forces. John Buchanan said his daughter was doing well physically. Her failing health was the reason Obama approved the daring rescue.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Alleged rape, looting, arbitrary killing of civilians, torture and castration of the people were particularly common allegations in Karamoja. These, it was hoped, would dissuade the people away from the UPDF and hence undermine the hard-won peace in the region.” “UPDF, however, being a force with zero tolerance to misconduct within its ranks and not bent to lose its dignity by covering up or tolerating impunity, moved fast to outwit the detractors. The Mogadishu situation therefore may not be an exception. However, should these scenarios occur, Ugandans should not be taken by surprise.”

Uganda should get ready for an image war in Mogadishu

16 Feb – Source: Daily Monitor – 652 Words

As the African Union forces push the al Shabaab into the ocean and the active combat winding up, the forces are bound to get entangled in another complex war of maintaining the image of their respective countries.

Although the French philosopher Blaise Pascal said “none of us are everything”, to the majority of the local Somali people I have interacted with, the UPDF is everything, not only because it was the first force to take the challenge of liberating Mogadishu and indeed has gone beyond the brink in restoring order in the city, but also because it has left a very good record on the conduct of its operations, something that analysts say has contributed a great deal to her success. This was unfathomable in 2007.

“Al Shabaab is certainly on the back foot at the moment. Defeated militarily in Mogadishu and being squeezed in their other strongholds they are riven with internal division. They are also firmly identified with a reign of terror and brutality, which they will find it difficult to recover from. They are seen as counter cultural by traditional Sufi Somalis and, as a consequence, perceived as foreign led and inspired. The announcement by Ayman Al-Zawarhri that al Shabaab is now formally part of al Qaeda will further reinforce this as reality and could be the final nail in their coffin. Nevertheless, they are not defeated yet. Public support is a slippery commodity, especially in Somalia and there are many things that could still go wrong and push the pendulum back the other way.”

2012: The End of the Line for al Shabaab?

15 Feb – Source: Albany Blog – 939 Words

As William Hague drove through Mogadishu, the first British Foreign Secretary to do so in 20 years, he personified the new spirit of cautious optimism that now surrounds the peace process there. The Chief of Staff of the Somali Army recently said that 2012 would be theyear of “total liberation for the whole country”. His message predicting the demise of the al Qaeda-led insurgent group al Shabaab was delivered on the heels of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)-enabled military successes of last year, not just in the capital Mogadishu but also across key areas of South Central Somalia that were previously well beyond the writ of the government.

The conventional battle for Mogadishu is essentially over as Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and troops from AMISOM mop up remnants of al Shabaab in Deynile, the only district of the city not yet fully under their control. Kenyan forces alongside government militias are moving towards the insurgent stronghold and main resupply port of Kismayu. And the Ethiopians have joined the fray again, crossing the border into central Somalia capturing the town of Beledweyne and apparently intent on pushing on to secure the remaining two extremist main bases of Baidoa and Eel Buur.

But is the current optimism justified in heralding the final chapter of the insurgency, or does the Kenyan intervention and the return of the old enemy Ethiopia offer another potential lifeline to al Shabaab?

“Having all these diverse Somali youth organizations in the diaspora all striving to bring a change to their war torn country means a lot for the future of Somalis. However, the best thing to do is to unite all the different groups into one huge complex young learned Somali movement with balanced executive body. This can be started by calling general meetings for all and sharing ideas, experiences which would lead them into unity therefore becoming stronger, more efficient and can make their work easier and faster.” “The document says the merger could “undermine” efforts by al Shabaab supporters in the U.S. stating some have “previously claimed ignorance of al Shabaab’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization in court proceedings or otherwise indicated that they supported al-Shabaab primarily for nationalistic reasons.”

FIRST ON CNN: U.S. law enforcement bulletin on al Qaeda merger

15 Feb – Source: CNN Blog – 414 Words

The merger of the al Shabaab terrorist group with al Qaeda could “diminish support” for al Shabaab within the American Somali community, but it does raise concerns it could further radicalize those sympathetic to al Shabaab’s cause, according to law enforcement officials.

An intelligence bulletin, which was obtained by CNN, was issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday. It says the Somali community in the United States “likely will perceive increasing influence from an outside terrorist organization in Somalia as an impediment to stability there.”

“Despite all thechallenges and political turmoil Somalia is going through, there is a silver lining that depicts a greater nation restored by the learned Somali youths around the globe. With clean heart and common objective, young learned Somalis are making progress in the re-awakening of the Somali community by establishing movements that aim at re- building their nation and restoring the peace and
dignity of the great nation through the power of knowledge and education.”

Time to Give Back: Role of Somali Youth in Rebuilding Somalia

15 Feb – Source: Dadaab Voice Blog – 503

They say younger generations are the future leaders of tomorrow. Worldwide Somali Students and Professionals (WSSP) is a global non political association based in the Diaspora whose major goal is to unite the hearts and minds of the Somali students and professionals and to get them work together by empowering the Somali community with knowledge and education back home and prepare them to be self sufficient by making use of the rich locally available resources.

In order to achieve this, WSSP is engaged in its first global effort by mobilizing up to 1,000 Somali Professionals and Students to go back to Somalia in June 2012 for a 2-3 month period. The purpose of this program is to pass on knowledge in three core areas and to make the local people more self-sufficient. The three areas that will be the focus of the program are: Agriculture, Medicine and Education.

Somali Shilling Notes: Worth Remembering

15 Feb – Source: Soobaxblog

Can you remember when you last used the Somali Shilling? The Somali shilling has been the currency of Somalia since 1962. Owing to a lack of confidence in the Somali shilling since 1991, the US dollar is widely accepted as a medium of exchange alongside the Somali shilling.

Dollarization notwithstanding, the large issuance of the Somali shilling has increasingly fuelled price hikes, especially for low value transactions. This inflationary environment, however, is expected to come to an end as soon as the Somali Central Bank assumes full control of monetary policy and replaces the presently circulating currency introduced by the private sector. Fine out more about the Somali Shilling here and check out the various notes here.

Top tweets

@BBCAndrewH From one transition to the next – plotting a path for Somalia. Leaked draft of London conference communique here. somalilandsun.com/index.php/news…

@UKinSomalia Join the lively #LDNSomalia debate on Matt Baugh’s blog: tinyurl.com/79pdwac

@ZackDaMackk Long live Somalia, for only da Somali people that r able to instigate the mass action necessary to shatter the corrupt qabiil system.

@beautiful-lily #LDNSomalia i highly doubt the western world are making this huge conference out of their hearts for Somali People!

@Mohamed Mohamud I am so pleased to see so many signs that our country is recovering…after long time we can see the light at the end of the tunnel..we need to start believing in our country and visiting it will change your perspective..there is a lot of potential back home now..british are not showing interest in somalia now for nothing..

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Image of the day

Image of the day UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga and top Somali leaders including Prime Minister Abdweli Mohammed Ali attend 2nd Somalia National Constitutional Conference held at Puntland State University compound in Garowe, capital of Puntland.