May 16, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
European Union warns against extending the mandate of the government of Somalia
15 May – Source: Radio Risaala – 145 words
A statement from the European Union said they strongly oppose extending the mandate of the government of Somalia when its term comes to an end on the 20th of August. The European Union is against the extension of the government of Somalia’s term when it comes to an end, a position they held at the London conference on Somalia which was held on 23rd February 2012.
Key Headlines
- Somali Youth Day marked in all parts of Somalia (Source: Bar- kulan)
- European Union warns against extending the mandate of the government of Somalia (Source: Radio Risaala)
- Somalia entering ‘critical stage’ as end of transition period nears says UN envoy (Source: UN News Centre)
- Explosion at Kenya refugee camp kills 5 police officers ( Source: Shabelle)
- Four killed in a deadly clash between allied forces and Al-Shabaab fighters in Hayo (Source: Bar-kulan )
- WFP food vouchers helping hungry families and local markets in Somalia (Source: Kuwait News Agency)
- Oil reportedly struck in northeastern Somalia (Source: Halgan Online)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali Youth Day marked in all parts of Somalia
15 May – Source: Bar- kulan ,/Radio Mogadishu – 110 words
Somalia today marks the 69th anniversary of the birth of Somali Youth League (SYL) which was the first political party in Somalia. Established on May 15, 1943 by a group of 13 young Somali nationalists, the SYL played a key role in Somalia’s road to independence. The day was marked in several Somali cities including Mogadishu, Garowe Bosaso and Galkayo where colourful ceremonies were held.
Explosion at Kenya refugee camp kills 5 police officers
15 May – Source: Shabelle – 108 words
A remote-controlled bomb went off in Kenya’s Dhagahley refugee camp located near Somalia border on Tuesday, killing five police officers and wounding many others, witnesses said. The news reports indicated that the blast occurred at the Dagahaley camp, one of three that make up the Dadaab complex, the world’s largest refugee settlement. Dadaab refugee complex now is home to some 460,000 people, most of them Somalis.
European Union warns against extending the mandate of the government of Somalia
15 May – Source: Radio Risaala – 145 words
A statement from the European Union said they strongly oppose extending the mandate of the government of Somalia when its term comes to an end on the 20th of August. The European Union is against the extension of the government of Somalia’s term when it comes to an end, a position they held at the London conference on Somalia which was held on 23rd February 2012. The European Union welcomed the Garowe conference and the Kampala conference on Somalia.
Four killed in a deadly clash between allied forces and al Shabaab fighters in Hayo
15 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 139 words
Four people were reportedly killed and dozens of others injured when a fierce gun-battle erupted yesterday between al Shabaab militants and government soldiers backed by their allied Kenyan forces at Hayo village of Afmadow district, Lower Juba region. The fight occurred after the allied forces launched attacks on a rebel base located on the outskirt of Hayo village in order to dislodge them from the area.
Somaliland: World Bank officials meet VP Saylici
15 May – Source: Somaliland Press – 102 words
Somaliland Vice President Hon Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismael (Saylici) has met with a delegation from the World Bank currently in the country. The delegation was led by Mr. Frank Maire, Head of International Relations at the World Bank, who said his institution will assist Somaliland in commercial and industrial development including closer collaboration with the private sector.
The Vice President told the visiting delegation, Somaliland has already introduced new laws in order to improve business environment to encourage private investment,” We have been learning the efficient methods in use in the world today for good management of our economy.
Oil reportedly struck in northeastern Somalia
15 May – Source: Halgan Online – 104 words
In a press release, the director of Australian Securities Exchange Limited said he was happy to announce that Range Resources Limited, a company that was prospecting for oil in Puntland, and its partner, Horn Petroleum Corp have reached 150 metres of oil [12 to 20m] at Shabeel 1 Well. Oil workers said they have struck oil after drilling a length of 3,425 metres. Workers at Range Resources said they continue to find more oil as they drill deeper.
Five died after Somaliland clashes
15 May – Source: Radio Kulmiye/Garowe Online – 81 words
At least five people may have died after clashes between the Somaliland police and local millitias in Somaliland’s capital Hargaisa. According to a police officer in the city more than twenty people were detained as a result of the incident.
REGIONAL MEDIA
WFP food vouchers helping hungry families and local markets in Somalia
15 May – Source: Kuwait News Agency – 345 words
Thousands of people in Somaliland are getting more fresh meat in their diet as a result of an innovative UN World Food Programme initiative that provides parents in with vouchers to help them afford nutritious food from the local traders.
Al Shabaab foreign fighter arrested on his way to Kenya
14 May – Source: Star – 226 words
A senior Al Shabaab foreign fighter Ali Bakaar was arrested by a joint Somalia Transitional Federal Government and Kenya Defence Force team as he attempted to sneak into Kenya from Kismayu over the weekend. He was a close associate of slain al Shabaab leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan who was accused of masterminding the US embassy bombing in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Nabhan was killed in September 2009 by a US special operations team in Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia entering ‘critical stage’ as end of transition period nears, says UN envoy
15 May – Source: UN News Centre – 710 words
Somalia is entering its “most critical stage” as the end of its transitional governing period approaches in August, a United Nations envoy said today, calling for the international community to boost their efforts to help the east African country through its peace and national reconciliation process.
Somali piracy: EU forces in first mainland raid
15 May – Source: BBC News – 517 words
EU naval forces have conducted their first raid on pirate bases on the Somali mainland, saying they have destroyed several boats.
The EU forces were transported by helicopter to the bases near the port of Haradhere, a well known pirate lair.
Kenya- Somalia: Life on the margins of Dadaab
15 May – Source: Irin News – 621 words
For new arrivals to the world’s largest refugee complex, in eastern Kenya, life is particularly difficult.
In October 2011, when thousands of people were fleeing famine and conflict in Somalia, Kenyan authorities halted the registration of refugees arriving in Dadaab, citing deteriorating security conditions. Some 4,500 Somalis have since come to the complex.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“In due consideration of the widespread opposition to the draft constitution, the international community and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) should honor the opinions of the concerned Somali stakeholders and desist from its ratification crookedly.”
Somalia: No justification for ratifying the Draft Constitution
15 May – Source: Suna Times -1472 Words
The 1960 constitution and the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) provide sufficient legal basis for the formation of new national interim authority under the control of credible people’s representatives, Council of Elders and Council of Experts before August 20, 2012 with the specific tasks of setting up a sustainable and durable legal, political and institutional foundations for the Somali State. The admirable role of the international community would be to facilitate a process that celebrates new trajectory which completely ruptures with the present approach based on taking advantage of Somalia’s misfortune.